Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1894-01-12

Concluding that they were from London
and were returning thither, Sir william
had saddled his hunter and started without
an nstant's delay, save to arm himself
with a couple of pistols from the stand OF
arms in the hall. When he reached the
head of the avenue, three-quarters OF a
mile from the house, he dismounted to
open the heavy gates Then he perceived,
in the dawning light of the chill March
morning, a strange dog sitting shivering
inside the gates, unable either to surmount
or pass under them. He concluded at once
that the cur belonged to his late visitors,
and that, having stayed behind. either for
his supper or in search of game, his retreat
had been cut off by the closing of the gates.
lie resolved to follow the clue thus given
him, and was confirmed in his resolution
when, the gates being opened, the animal
secured away with his nose to the ground,
i'm the direction of London. Away went
the dog, and away galloped Sir William,
keeping an eye upon him always. 1t was
broad daylight when the three reached the
outskirts of London, and Sir William was
hailed by voice he knew well. 1t was
that of the major of his late regiment
"IIullo! Colonel, where are you off to so
early?" Major Higgins was on his way
home after night play at Brooks's.
"Turn your horses head and I'll tell
YOU" returned Sir William, through his
set teeth. The idea of communicating his
losses and the indignity he, an old soldier,
had suffered, suffced to make the blood,
which his swift ride had kept at fever heat,
boil again.
Major Higgins did as desired and put
ting his horse to the gallop, received, in as
few words as possible, the news of the
nights occurrences at Lehman Court, as
he and his old colonel made their way side
by side, through Oxford street and the
| Strand, never once losing sight of the mon
grel that was, he fancied, to be the clue to
the recovery of his property Dolgng
and winding his way among market carts
and hackney coaches, the dog, never once
relaxing his speed, diverged into by-streets
and lanes, until he disappeared up court
! in Leather lane.
| Dismounting, and giving their horses in
| charge to lad, and having impressed a
Waterman into their service, they advanced
up the court in single file. Sir William led
the way, a cooked pistol in either hand:
Major Higgins, who came next, was I'M
armed the Waterman brought up the rear
| i'm leisurely way that showed him by no
] UlCduS llllISIluH lOI lllt Tray. lJpOl W y
after doorway was examined, but the cur
seemed literally to have vanished. In an
angle of the Guide sac into which they had
entered Sir William at last discovered an
outside wooden staircase Despite the re-
monstrances of his companions, he persist
ed in creeping cautiously up the crazy
stairs. There, curled up at a door, and
apparently fast asleep, lay the clue who
haI faitIfpllty hut ,tpapngninttsl, Ia ,rttiIaI
! him to his masters lair.
A summons to the door met with nc
response. Sir William to whom anger and
excitement gave additional energy, put his
knee to the door, bidding Major Higgins
Duck" as he did so. The door yielded
with a crash; a shot PASSED over the low
cred heads of the two officers, and took eff
feet in the cooked hat of the Waterman
A short scullle, and the thieves saved theiI
lives by surrendering at discretion to Sin
Williams pistols. On a table in theil
midst was spread ont the whole of the
"swag;" not an article was missing.
presentation sword of Sir William, the
hilt of which was thickly crusled witt
gems, was the only part of the booty thai
had met with i'll usage; but every diamond
ruby, or emerald that had been knocked
from its socket still lay on the worm-eater
table, and was, before many days wer,
past, restored to its accustomed bed \
few bruises and dents in the metal-worl
of the hilt remained, and these Sir william
would show with great glee in after-days
telling how the good sword was lost anC
| wOn while, as to the dents and nOtche
on the blade, gained in more legitimat,
warfare, the good colonel could scarce eve
be got to speak a wOrd.-CH dHbcrSS .J0ilr.