Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1896-12-16

4SS393S9 S9930
havoc with stately row Of sunAowers
Half an hoEr later Mary saw him
take down an old-fashioned duck gun
from, the hook In the hall.
There's q German vulture in the
neighborhood." he volunteered, impres.
sively. "and I'm going to bag him at the
drst opportunity"
However. as nothing short Of an
earthquake would have induced the old
gun to 60 or in any circumstance and
Phineas had made assurances doubly
sure by dropping in the shot n1t and
powder afterward-the 'vulture" In
question was not likely to be seriously
damaged, and Mary contented herself
With expressing q hope that her hus
band would not hurt himself.
On the following evening PhfneaA
took up his old position In the garden,
with murder In his heart Herr Schmidt,
however, did not put In an appearance.
After waiting some time, Phineas re-
entered the house and reared his duck
gun up in the hall in Q conspicuous DO.
sition.
He had almost decided to run ND to
town and consult his brother John, the
detective, with a view to having the
movements Of Herr ScfmSdt watched,
when he was startled BY the click Of
the letter box.
A scrap of paper lay on the mat.
Picking 1t up, Phineas glanced at 1t,
turned deadly pale. then hurried into
the garden. Scribbled in lead pencil
On dirty paper was the following:
"Peel has discovered everything. We
have net a moment to lose and must
clear out tonight. The front door Is
unsafe. Will meet you ct the back
1880 sharp"
There was no signature.
"Good graciousw calculated Phineas,
after reading the note for the third
time. I'D no idea matters had gone
30 far. oh, yes, Mr.. Schmidt" he add
ed grimly, III meet you At 1890
yharp."
It was about 10:45, and raining heav.
tly. Phneas Peel, seated on a we'll
overlooking the back Of Rhyd cottage,
with his duck gun laid across his knees,
was beginning to feel uncomfortable.
The note said 1O:0O." he muttered.
"It must be after that time now. What's
thatr'
Phineas had caught the sound OF
heavy feet moving cautiously over the
gravel. He grasped his gun and peered
Into the gloom, but could distinguish
Suddenly he heard voices, evidently
at the front Of the house. He was about
to quit his position under the impres-
Sion that Herr Schmidt was leaving by
the front door after all. when one Of
the back windows was cautiously rails
ed and the 1.-the form Of the naturalist
dropped lightly to the ground.
Creeping along the side Of the wall on
which Phineas lay, he presented an ex-
.ellent mark. Mr.. Peel, however, could
not bring himself to shoot a man down
IN cold blood. He would give him q
stop, you scoundrelr' he shouted.
The effect Of the challenge was
Dcarcely what Phineas had ANTICIPATED.
Herr Schmidt darted forward and seix-
ID the barrel Of the gun.
He was much the stronger Of the two.
md Phineas was pulled from the wall
n a twinkhng. Lying On the broad Of
,is back on the gravel, IN . half-dassd
he saw the tall form Of |
standing over him with the |
run raised.
Keep your tongue still, yeu fool" he
Aased, "or I'll brain you. Now, quick, |
lelp me over the wall"
Phineas hesitated, but the threaten |
ng attitude of the other induced him
o rise. However, he had no intention |
f giving in.
Obeying his Instructions, he caught ]
lold Of Schmidts foot to give him ~
eg up" Before the naturalist could
zip the top Of the wall, however, Phin-
IS saw his opportunity.
Bracing himself for the effort, he ex-
rted all his strength and pulled
'chmidt bodily from the wall. He fell
lat on his face, and before he could re-
over himself Phineas jumped on his
'ack and seized him around the throat,
mitting yell that would have done in
mite credit to a Sioux Indian.
The next moment Phineas was drag.
ed OF from behind and found himself
a the clutches Of a burly member of
he police force
Four or five others seized Schmidt,
rho struggled in vain to free himself.
"What am l arrested for?" gasped
'hineas. "There's your man."
Phineas would no doubt have been
ID or with the other prisoner but for
be timely arrival on the scene Of the
,st person in the world he had expect
d to see-his brother John!
Here, what on earth IL the meaning
all thfs?" he demanded when. as the
esult OF John PeeIs interference. he
ound himself free.
John stayed behind q minute or two
0 explain that Herr Schmidt, the mat
raltst," and Edward Harper-the no
orious forger, who had dsded new
yard for the past six weeks
vere one and the same.
1T was a smart dodge Of Harpers,"
aid John Peel, "and he might have got
lear away but for that clever wife Of
ours. Phineas. Mary suspected the
,an from the first and supplied me
rom time to time with valuable infor-
,ation. 1t is to her entirely that the
redit Of the capture II due. Tell her
Il call around and thank her myself to-
,orrow. By-the-bye, the gang Of which
e is the head, got wind Of our inten-
ions, and man was dispatched with
warning. Harper dsesn't appear to
ave received IT"
Then Phinsas began - u1AssstaAd
lanD ane>Ss Dsss 9sa1