Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1896-08-13

upon the pavement
They've got girl there; she tried
to attract my notice from the window,
i've just been to ask and they set on
me- three OF them. It's some villainy,
| tell you, and while I'm gone they'll
kin her. Listen, I'm the earl of Har-
borough, and here's f20 ncte.'
The man drew his whistle and blew
it.
Il want no money for doing my duty
sir" he answered. promptly. III
there's anything really wrong at He'll
side JAMS I'll get my stripes for being
in the know. We want to get the place
shut up. Come on, sir. There will be
three more of EN- on our track.
He started of running vigorously,
and Lord Marlborough followed at his
heels Long before they had reached
the door three other policemen and
servant in plain livery had Joined them.
Behind them came a motley rabble of
men and women, breathless with eN-
element.
One BY one the policemen stopped
down and filed into the gloomy cellar.
Lord Marlborough followed. Outside
was sea of bobbing heads.
Tae sergeants eyes travelled round
the place like lightning. Two men,
seemingly drunk, were sitting in cor
ner. The landlord raised sleepy head
from behind the counter and glared at
them in well affected establishment.
a ts,xar aud / or
Marlborough.
whats the CHARGE he asked.
Lord Marlborough answered, speaking
rapidly:
The night before last was down
here with friend who wished to
show me the east end. At window in
the fourth floor of the house saw a
girl who tried to attract my notice !
was persuaded that it was only decoy
and / went away. To-day | felt some
how uneasy about it, and came here l
asked civilly to see the girl. That man
denied that one was here, ! persisted
and they all three set on me. Here is
my card ! am the earl Of Marlborough
and | beg you to make the most search
ing inquiries.
The sergeant saluted. I'VE shall do
so. my lord, he said, This man has
given us great deal of trouble already
Now. men," he added. turning round.
Martin, hold those doors and see that
no one enters or lea, cs the place
Saunders, go through to the back and
remain there No SO and 30, stay here
with Martin, and If either of these
three men move blow your whistles
and handcuff them. Dick, you and the
gentleman come with me, Have you
anything to say, Mr.. Berger
The man glanced at them sullenly,
mo"
The sergeant led the way and they
passed behind the bar into dark stone
passage, Opposite them was crazy
staircase from which the banisters had
been torn away and even some OF the
steps,
Zone at a time" cautioned the SER
geant. You 90 first, Dick. Don't be
in hurry, sir Its regular caution,
that staircase is. Looks like trap.
1t bore them AL, however and so
did the next On the second floor ohey
left the policeman and hurried on TO
the fourth Tho whole place seemed 10
be deserted. The doors of the rooms
stood wide open and the walls and
floors were bare. They did not pause
however, until they reached the top
floor.
"This would be the room looking out
into the street. said the sergeant,
walking on to the end of the passage
and kicking open door. HIM, seems
empty enough
They stood together in the middle
Of it, There was no sign whatever OF
any recent occupation The paper was
hanging down from the walls in long,
forlorn strips, and the windows were
broken or thick with dirt.
We'll look at the others on this
floor" said the sergeant, shortly.
They entered them one by one. Be-
fore they had finished, however. the
sergeant drew Lord Marlborough back
into the room they had entered first.
Anything strike you here?" he re-
marked, pointing downward to the
floor.
Lord Marlborough followed his I'm
gers. His heart gave great jump.
They've swept the floor" he cried,
in a low, excited whisper. In every
other room the boards are thick with
dustp'
Exactly" the sergeant remarked.
He walked to the wall opposite TO
the door and sounded 1t carefully with
his knuckles. After few attempts he
stopped and turned round. There was
a crimson flush on his face.
y wouldn't have been out Of this for
a years pay" he said, quickly.
There have been rumors for years OF
a hidden chamber somewhere in this
quarter with an iron door. No end Of
Undecided crimes have been set down
to It's existence; and we've searched
and searched till I'd despaired OF ever
finding 1t. There 1t Is, my lord
fOundW