The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1895-10-07
Z
LCCEED IN.

ASh 80 - An w At' I.
dwelling house with small forecuurt,
a two stovicd house situated in Il terrace
ON the Telsnar road in the london sub.
urb of Clayticlds.
1t was a.: odd looking terrace, con
sisting Of "cven houses numbered 1 to
13. TIE terrace had been erected about
40 years previously. The seven houses
had originally belonged to one landlord,
but during the 40 years they had fire.
nuentlv changed hands. Some of the
houses had been allowed to fall grad
ually into ii condition bordering on de-
cay, some had been patched up and pre-
sented a fairly wholesome front, and
two-ll and l3-had been almost re-
built and looked from the outside al
most as good as new.
Constable Metcaff was low gazing at
the first floor window Of Is.
The head and shoulders of IL young
man We're thrust out Of the window Of
thep principal bedroom. a room situated
in the front of the house and occupying
the space over the front parlor and the
narrow hall. The stone lodges Of the
parlor and bedroom windows were deco
rated with wooden flower boxes, and
the young man as he endeavored to at
tract the attention Of the constable had
to hold his head high and crane his neck
in order 70 avoid coming into contact
with the fowcrless stalks Of the gerani-
ums which bOrdered the outer sash Of
the window.
Hi, | say, policeman! - repeated the
young man i'll a somewhat louder tone.
We'll, said Constable Metcalf, step
ping back a few PAGES on the hagway
until his shoulder came into contact
with a gas lamp. whats up?'
1t was a little before 6 O'Clock in the
morning-Thursday morning, the 10th
of October. The sun had not yet risen.
The gray dawn was struggling for exist
ence, battling with a thin white mist
which had not been able during the
night to arrive ut the dignity Of a fog.
There were nc signs Of life or movement
in the road other than the policeman
standing near the lamppost, the young
man at the first floor window and some
detected, home Sinking cats. The rat
thing milk cart-usually the first sound
which saluted the ears Of early risers in
the Felspar road-had nov Jat turned
the corner Of the read.
I'm i'll irregular fix" said the young
~uan. "That's what is up" He spoke
with an apparently foreign accent,
tackled on to Il cockney twang. Il am
locked into my room and cannot make
any II hear Inc.
"How's that:' asked the policeman
CURLY.
II do not well know. There is no bell
in my room. l have made a noise, but
/ can hear nc II stirring. Would you
mind ringing the bell of the hall door
loudly? l want to catch a train at Z 40
from P~addington.'
All right, " said Constable Metcalf
quietly. Then he Strengthened his square
shoulders, moved away from the lamp
post, opened the small iron gate leading
into the small forecourt, walked with
Gathering steps along the tiled passage
which led from the gate to the hall
door and gave the bell a vigorous tug.
Thanks said the young man, gaz-
ing down at the policeman as the latter
stepped back from the doorway and
looked up at the first floor window. II
fancy l hear some II stirring. Awfullv
strange my being locked into my room.
Never had such an experience before.
Awkward thing to find yourself a pris-
oner in your bedroom at 6 o'clock in the
morning with an early train to catch"
Il don't quite understand you. Door
locked from the outside, is it?'
eyes, The lock is soue old fashioned
sort of arrangement. 1t has no keyhole
inside. But why it should be fastened
now l ant understand. Mrs. Davorn
and her niece-I suppose you know the
name OF the people Of the house-like
the good policeman that you are?"
Eyes, l know the name," said Con-
stable Metcalf a little grufay.
"They knew I was going off early this
morning. Perhaps they have detained
me for the bill" He laughed as if he
had made a good joke and then for q
few relapsed into silence.
Hear any one moving?" asked the
policeman.
mot q stir. 1t must have been q
false alarm. They sleep soundly surely.
Perhaps they We're up late. Would you
mind giving the bell ano,ner tug, Mr..
Policeman"
Constable Metcalf made two stems for
ward and pulled the bell again.
"Ah. l think we have started some
one at last! - cried the young man. 81
am sure l heard a noise in the house. II
in either Mrs. Davorn or Miss Rodney.
But they may be some time dressing,
constable. / won't ask you to trouble
any further. Yes, I hear the sound OF
feet. Awfully obliged to you, constable.
was on the lookout for the milkmar
or some other early Samaritan when yor
turned mp and saved me from being KEEP
any longer in durance vile"
Constable Metcalf was a trife uneasy
in his mind. He was a jealous officer
tust short Of 80 years of age, very quie
and reserved in manner, but possesse.
of q quick intelligence, tinctured witt
that lively spirit Of suspicion withou
which . policeman can never hope +
prosper. There was nothing special,