Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1895-06-09

mediate departure SO soon Ms they
should have occurred the spoil. An oc-
casional Interchange of whispers with
some one at tho end OF the passage In
guarded and that. even II she could
rush past those at work on the strong
room. she would be stopped at tho
entrance TO the basement.
She would have given the world to
raise an alarm, but could devise no
plan without sacrificing her life and
probably the lives OF others, for these
people would stick at nothing. She
could but watch and walt.
| After an hours manipulation tho
Iron door showed signs OF yielding.
and at last n final push from both
/ the nccomplces sent II gliding slowly
inwards ON It's wcll-oilcd hinges. The
hundrcd-guinoa set OF burglars tools
had been successful MIR. Nigors" and
Lady Honoria" disappeared In tho
black cavern disclosed by their labors.
taking with them large Gindstone
bag. which was doubtless TO return
woll-nlled with the Babbacombc heir
looms.
Suddenly. while the principals wcrc
still busy In the strong-room, n cry
rang out through the silence OF the
Nnulted basement. II came from the
watchers at the stairs:
Save yourselves; we are discovered.
They are coming In force-too many for
reeistance--bolt at once" and the foot
steps OF "Jem' and the 'lady's-maid"
cl0ttercd on the stone stairs MS they set
the example Of retreat. Edith never
knew afterwards how she came 10 act
no promptly Rushing from her cont
ccalment she new to the iron doorway,
and, grasping the handle. pulled IL
firmly towards her. As she did 80 she
saw the man and woman In the strong
room rushing to Intercept her. and u
NtAH
her face. changed on the inside OF the
door; but the mass OF metal swung TO
Just Ia time.
or course. the lock was useless, but
abe had the handle ON her site TO pull
by, whereas those In the atrong-room
had notfing 10 lay hold OF. and Edith
hung on To the handle with all her
weight until help came. 1t was close at
hand, the tramp OF many feet sounded
ON the stone stairs; the pnssnge was
} illlod with friendly voices. Lord Bnbba-
combe's among the rest, and Just IN
thoy reached her Edith tainted.
II was Cecil Forester who flrrt
"smelt rat" In the letter OF the sham
, 'Mr NlEorH," and persuaded the
marquis TO catch the next steamer 10
! England TO make sure that no foul
play was intended. II turned out Just
as MIR Forester had surmised. ON
, arriving In London they found the real
! issme Nigors Mt his chambers quite
: gulltlesH OF mntrlmony, past. present
or prospective. aud then, seeing that
crime of some kind was contemplated
the marquis ordered n special train
? and made all speed for the Towers
7 accompanied by u strong force OF de-
: tcctiVes and policemen,
Jem and the "l0dy's maid" whc
! were captured on the stairs, turned ou'
. to be professional thieves OF celebrity
. while the man whom Edith no adroitlS
7 captured IN the strong-room was iden
{ titled, when Invested Of his Disguise
c na Lewis. the discharged valet of th'
+ renl MIR, Nigor He had utilized {
= certain resemblance 60 HIS late master
ana "A knowledge OF his intimate rcla
J, tons with the marquis. to plot th'
!, theft OF the Babbacombe heirlooms
. The Lady Honoria'' Of the occasion
:, wad n person who hnd once beop ;
d goyorneas. but had been convicted ncv
Q oral times FOR fraud.
p Lord Babhacumbc did not return 4
r India 10 continue His tour. A quie
+ discussion OF all the circumstances o
I the attempted robbery which he has
with Edith next day, terminated In hi
: naldng her to wear tho Jewels she hi.'
@ rlaked her life TO save, nnd the aunt
i aud downgcra are now quite reconcile'
n To the agents daughter. She make
u an excellent mnrchionera.