The DeLamar nugget. [volume] (DeLamar, Idaho) 1891-1900, 1894-01-06

darkness, then snatching up her candle
made rush for the only open door in
the corridor-it was her masters
Bound hand and foot to chair and
gagged was Sir William. The room
was in the widest confusion boxes,
caskets, chests all turned upside down,
and their contents scattered indiscrim-
inately on the floor. Her ladyship was
in bed, bound and gagged, too With
nimble fingers Spencer set to work to
free her master. No sooner was this
accomplished than speechless and foam
ing at the mouth Sir William staggered
out of the room and, to her dismay, she
heard him descend the stairs. Having
released her mistress the lady's maid
next hurried to the rooms of her fell
low servants, on all of whom the keys
had been turned, after they had been
threatened with instant death if they
uttered sound They were soon re-
leased and the men servants descended
In body to the ground floor in search
of their master. Here everything was
in disorder. On the dining-roon table
were the remains of the thieves sup
per, but Sir William, rs well as the
depredators, had vanished. The groom
returned from the stables with the
news that his masters favorite hunter
was missing. There was DO doubt now
that he had gone single-handed in pur-
suit of the thieves-as was indeed the
case
Concluding that they were from Lon
don and were returning thither, Sir
William had saddled his hunter and
had started without an instant's de-
lay, save to arm himself with couple
of pistols from the stand of arms in the
hall When he reached the head of the
avenue, three-quarters of mile frcm
the house, he dismounted to open the |
heavy gates Then he perceived in thu
dawning light of the chill March morn
ing strange dog sitting shivering in
side the gates, unable either to sur
mount or pass under them. He con
cluded at once that the cur belonged t.
his late visitors, and that, having staid
behind, either for his supper or in
search of game, his retreat had been
cut OF BY the closing of the gates. H
resolved to follow the clew thus given
him, and was confirmed in his rosolu
ton when, the gates being opene
the animal secured away with his nos
to the ground in the direction of Lon
don. Away went the dog, and ava
galloped Sir William, keeping an ey
upon him always 1t wa9 broad day
light when the three reached the on,
skirts of London, and Sir william wa
hailed by voice he knew well. 1t wa
that of the major of his late regiment
"Ilulio, colonel, where are you off
TO SO early?" Maj. Higgins was on his
way home after a nights play at
Brooks.
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 sufficed to make
the blood, which his swift ride had
Kept at fever heat, boil again. ..
Maj higgins did as desired, and,
putting his horse to the gallop, received !,
n as few words as possible the news OF
he nights occurrence at Lcnhan
'ourt as be and his old colonel made :
heir way side by side through Oxford
trect and the Strand, never once los q
ng sight Of the mongrel that was, he
ancied to be, the clew to the recovery
|
us way through market carts and
ackney coaches the dog, never once
Glazing his speed, diverged into by n
treets and lanes until lie disappeared Il
p a court in Leather lane. A
Dismounting and giving their horses f
l charge to a lad, and having i'm N
resscd Waterman INTO their service, I'll
ley advanced up the court in single Ell
lie. Sir William led the way, q cooked
istol in either hand; Maj. Higgins, OF
no came next, was unarmed; the &C
atchnlan brought up the rear in gi
isurely way that showed him by no W
cans thirsting for the fray. Door at
ay after doorway was examined, but ~
lie cur seemed literally to have van al
he'd. In an angle of the cul-de-sac
to which they had entered Sir Viii W,
lm at last discovered an outside re
OGDEN staircase. Despite the remon- so
RANGES OF his companions, ne per- ia
sted in creeping cautiously up the
azy stairs. There curled up at Il tn
or and apparently fast asleep, lay W;
e clew who had so faithfully but un- tic
guided him to his masters
ir in
summons to open the door met sol
tn no response. Sir William, to fel
lom anger and excitement gave adj
-ional energy, put his knee to the sal
or, bidding Maj. Higgins duck" as
did So. The door yielded with d Sc,
ssh; shot passed over the lowered vel
ads OF the two officers aud took ros
ect in the cooked hat OF the watch hin
IN. 4 short scufie, and the thieves
7ed their lives by surrendering at
erection 10 Sir Williams pistol On 7
ole in their midst was spread out the the
.ole of their 'swag;" not an article flu,
S missing a presen tation sword of ant
iiLills..r.,,r. IL. e,