Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1895-05-02

some reason when she was in Paris on her
way nome," said Shirley; very foolish
OF her, but she told me so.''
'Ha! ] thought you might give us
some hint from your more intimate ac-
quaintance with Mrs. Ruthven; any as
slstance you can give"
Us entirely at your SERVICE" returned
Shirley, drawing a long breath.
Here DR.. Weldon entered and without
speaking sat down to the writing table,
and proceeded to write rapidly. Winto,,,
in low tone, described the position of the
opening cut in the side Of the tent.
swirl you dispatch one of your groons
with this prescription to my assistant,
Mr.. Marsden?' said the doctor, without
looking up. Mrs. Ruthven will hardly
get any sleep without composing
draught.
"Certainly, doctor. / have already or
dered a horse to be saddIed, as I shall
send a report of this extraordinary occur
renee to the head of the police at Old
bridge. The local men must have the
managing of the matter in the first in
stance. l will write a brief message, and
then we will examine the terrace and
grounds"
where, I fear, We'll find but little, -
said Winton.
"Given q quarter of an hours start,
and it will be almost impossible to catch
the rufiian,' observed Shirley.
THE only chance is that some accom-
plice may split. A laundering big reward
is the thing" said Lord Darlington.
ION such a night, with numbers of peo-
pie going about, any stranger would pass
unnoticed," returned Shirley.
The entrance of the butler interrupted.
''The man and horse are ready, sir"
"Wait," said Marsden.
"There is my note," said DR.. Weldon.
'"Iell your messenger to keep ringing the
night bell till some one comes. He knows
my house?'
''Oh, yes, sir"
Then Marsden rose and gave full di-
rections as to giving his missive into the
hands Of the inspector at Oldbridge.
'Who are you sending?'
''Tom Harris, sir, on Brown Robin"
"Good. Tell him to ride like the devil;
then bring me lantern in the conserva-
tory. Quick. We will see if there are
any tracks,"
''It is almost incredible that in such q
place, with crowds of people at hand, such
an outrage could have been committed"
said Shirley, who seemed dazed by his
astonishment and concern.
1T is done, however, and very effectu-
ally. am utterly confounded! 1t seems
a sort of personal disgrace that such an
outrage should have been perpetrated on
guest at Evesleigh.'
"Come on" said Winton impatiently.
''Dorrington," said his host, pausing,
81 wish you would take Lady Blankford
in to supper and keep the people going. If
the truth is known there will be such an
Internal row. Every one will be panic
struck, and | want them to get their
supper in peace. Tell the marchioness
what you like. Say l am looking after
Mrs. Ruthven. Tell Mrs L'Estrange and
Nora not to talk about the theft"
every WE'LL" said Lord Darlington,
obediently, and hurried away to do his
brother-in-laW's bidding.
Winton's cool head and practiced intelli-
gence made him the natural guide in such
an investigation.
The gravel on the terrace without was
hard and dry, and, save two faint, scarce
DClCcDtlDlc Ill31cSSlOuS WHICH,
be footprints, there was no sign that the
robber had lain i'll wait there.
Near the spot where Ninton and his
host stood was q short flight of steps
leading to the pleasure ground beneath,
which here ended in a thick growth of
eyergreens, through which a walk led to a
gate opening on the high road to Old
bridge. This gate was usually locked,
hut Tox o,;to Of
destrians going to and from the town.
''Let us have look along here" said
Winton. Hold the lantern lower"
Seeking carefully as they went, they
examined every inch of ground at either
hundred yards when Winton uttered an
exclamation, and snatched the lantern
from the bewildered butler.
"What's this?'' he cried, stopping to
drag a dark bundle from under the low
growing branches Of some thick laurels.
Marsden eagerly assisted, and they
quickly unrolled short, wide, foreign
looking black cloak, from which fell g.
mask and a long knife, something like q
bowie knife.
NIarslen, making sure there would be
no pursuit I'LL lue CONSERVATORY uOOf was
opened and his victim recovered. Good
God! that poor woman had narrow
escape. If fright and chloroform together
had not made her insensible, he would
have murdered her!"
professional thieves in Europe seldom
shed blood, l believe" returned Winton.
LET us break couple of branches to
mark the spot where we made the find.'
Go be continued.)