Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-08-20
TRAGEDY OF A WEEK
BY E. Phillips Oppenheim.
CHAPTER TX.

was CHASTITY and the perspiration stoo'
out upon his forehead in great beads.
The sergeant, who had been on hi
knees examining a certain part of tn,
wall, rose and faced him.
Jan Berger" he said, sternly, "tht
game is up. Unlock the door therer'
The man shook from head to foot.
Sergeant" he said, hoarsely; this
amt been my game; I'll confess every,
thing. I've only kept the key
Unlock it,
The man dropped on his knees and
pressed a button A small portion OF
the wall, about ali inch square, flew
back. He drew a curiously shaped key
from his pocket and fitted it into the
crevice. There was a click and an iron
door of wonderful thickness slowly
rolled back. The handouts were over
his wrists in a moment. Then all three
men rushed forward, into the inner
room
The first sensation of each of them
was hot horror but blank amazement.
They found them selves in a moderately
large room, furnished handsomely and
even with taste. A soft Turkish carpet
covered the floor, the walls were hung
With an expensive wall paper, there
were lounges and chairs, books and
even flowers. A lamp was burning on
table and girl who had risen to her
feet at the sound of the opening door,
mad evidently been reading by it's light.
Stretched on a sofa beside her was a
man apparently just awakened from
his sleep.
Lord Marlborough felt his heart stop
beating, and then suddenly beat into
rapid tumult. He was looking into the
face OF the girl who had beckOned him
from the window pale face, with
coils OF fair hair, parted in the middle.
waving about her head Her lips were
a little parted and a glad light was
glistening in her eyes.
Reggie" she cried ooh. thank
God! .uank Godr'
Lord Marlborough took one rand
step forward and clasped her in his
arms.
Sadie" he whispered, hoarsely
MY God! It's Sadiev'
1t was Sadie, and it was Mr.. Hoves
dean who struggled up from the couch
a moment later and caught hold of his
hand energetically
I'm thankful you've found us out,
Lord Marlborough" he cried. Another
week of this and | should have gone
mad"
Lord Marlborough took deep breath
and drew back. He looked from one to
the other. 1t was no dream. There
was no possibility of any mistake. 1t
was Mr.. Hovesdean and Sadie.
How on earth did you get here?'' he
asked. Il don't understand. t.
Mr.. Hovesdean, calm and method
ical drew out his pocketbook and rose
superior to the general bewilderment.
First of all" he said, Il cabed yGu
on the goth of last month that l was
leaving by the Umbria-'
! never got itr'
Exactly. | telegraphed you from
the docks at Liverpool to meet me at
Euston-''
1 got no telegram
THE plot thickens A. Euston we
We're met by tall, gentlemanly nan
who called himself Savage--Mr. John
Sayage-and apologized for your alb
sence. He told us that you had been
thrown from a hanson cab earlier IN
the day and had hurt your ankle. Was
sorry that 1t was in a low part of Lon
don INIT hO Nv
straight to pay you visit. Well"
The audacity! | was never in
hanson"
Don't interrupt" Mr.. Hovesdean
continued, THE whole thing is a plot,
of course. We were shown into a Dri-
waite carriage and driven here. Just
as we go out | began to feel a little
suspicious | drew back and declined
to enter the place. The gentleman who
had conducted us here Immediately hit
me on the head with a life-preserver,
two great brawny ruffians rushed out.
and in twinkling we were bundled up
a dark alley and into this room. Here
we've been ever since"
The sergeant stepped forward with
Spa ming SgVo
It's lovely case, SIR he said, sa-
luting. ANY robbery, sir, or threats?"
Mr.. vesdean turned toward him
That's the most extraordinary part
of the whole affair."" he declared
There has not been the slightest at
tempt at doing anything of the sort.
A polite note in a disguised hand was
II ~
have it here simply saying that we
should not be harmed or robbed in any
way. and regretting that a certain mat
ter connected with the writer rendered
our temporary absence from the world
advisable, or something of the sort.
have IN my pocket nearly $1,000 and a
letter Of credit for another $4,000.
Neither have been touched We have
been waited upon by an old ships
steward, a Misunderstanding fellow |
beg his pardon, but | lid not observe
that he was present" he added grimly,
noticing for the first time the hand
cuffed man. The food he has brought
us has been excellent and plentiful .
There is a case of fine wine in the cor
ner and a box of Laranaga cigars came
with it. Our chief inconvenience has
been want of light-the room, as you
see, has no window-and lack of sleep
Ing accommodation besides these
touches. Now l should be glad to
know how you found us out he
wound up, turning to Lord Harbor-
ough.
i