Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1894-12-07

burglar may taste the stuff and get
three wine glasses
Barnaby procured those adjuncts.
Selby divided the contents of the
medicine bottle between the docan-
/ ters.
Its a strong preparation of OPT
ates, he explained "All you have
to do is to put decanter and glass to
each of the safes and another in the
drawing-room. If burglar enters
any Of these rooms the first thing
he'll see will be the wine He'll pour
ont glassful, gulp it down-they're
thirsty souls are burglars smack his
lips and drop in about a minute and
half 1t won't hurt him, but you'll
find him there tomorrow"
"It's a good iden, said Barnaby,
"but suppose cook discovers the
stuff?"
You must warn her
When the traps had been set so
that the most purblind burglar could
not fail to see them, Barnaby went to
the kitchen.
"Look here, Mary he said, "Tm
going out I've put three deeanters
of wine about the house. Don't touch
them.
The cook fired up on the instant.
"What do you take me for?' she
demanded
ga woman, Mary. Remember what
happened in Eden, and don't be
tempted
He retreated in a hurry, dressed,
and left the house with Selby, per-
fcctly easy in his mind. At the
theatre he met his friend and the la
dies, by the merest chance most care
fully arranged, of course but de-
spite his earnest endeayor to be Of ser
vice, he could not procure Selby the
desired opportunity. However, when
they reached the street after the play
it was raining fast AMI the doctor had
an inspiration Instead of calling a
growler he hailed two hansoms, bus
tied the younger lady into one, jumped
in himself and was driven off, leaving
the astonished, angry chaperone with
his friend. The trick succeeded adj
mirably, but Barnaby missed the last
train to Twickcnham i'll consequence.
Meanwhile the Goldbys had been
enjoying their annual holiday, espe-
cially Bessie. She had formed the ac-
quaintance of certain Captain Dash
! '-~v and, alas for woman's con
--------------------
fancy, had almost made up her mind
that she could never be more than a
sister to Barnaby now. And John
Goldby was equally well disposed to-
wards the gallant officer indeed he
told Mrs. G. that with the money
Bessie would have, he had always ex-
pected her to marry into one Of the
professions.
Just about the time that Barnaby
and his chum we're setting the bur
glar-t traps Mr.. Goldby and his new nc
quaintanco were sauntering along the
Kings Road.
by the way, said the Captain, 81
think of running up to town tomor-
row. If you don't mind, Goldby, I'll
travel with you.
John Colby expressed the pleasmc
he felt. ''You must come to Twick-
enham and dine with US" he added.
81 won't take refusal. "
81 shan't give you the chance,
laughed the Captain.
When they separated John Goldby
hurried to the nearest office and SEN
long telegram OF instructions to the
cook, reply prepaid. He also wireC
to Barnaby at the office-there wal
Just time to catch him before 5-anc
the cook would need money to ge
some of the things he had ordered foI
dinner on the morrow He then re
turned home to await the answers
None were forthcoming He waite,
an hour, then thinking the telegram
must have miscarried he repeate,
them, sending Barnaby's to Maythorl
Villa. Still there was no answer. b,
this time he was thoroughly alarmed
"There must be something wrong,
he told his wife and daughter. "Wh
knows? The house may have bee.
robbed and Barnaby and cook bot
murdered in their beds l shall g
home at once You had better folio,
by the first train tomorrow. Min
You bring Captain Dashbury, and h
rushed away.
/ Shortly after II next morning Mrs
\ Goldby and Bessie, escorted by tn
Captain and accompanied by thei
mad, arrived at Twickenham station
and leaving the luggage to follow pre-
\ ceeded home in hired landau. Fl
teen minutes later they reached May
/ thorn Villa. Captain Dashbury rang
No one came to the door. He ran
again and knocked. No result. TIL
house seemed deserted, strangely S
i lent, Then Mrs. Goldby noticed tn,
s all the blinds were drawn
"What can have happened?" 81
cried and ran 10 the back. The doc
was wide open, Passing swift
4 through the hall She admitted IL
others and went straight to the dray