The Dickinson press., 1896-06-06

NV"1 ~ S0Au ~ kSOReEDS II 1V0
Have Finished Your Meal, Cone
This Way"
evidence Of good cheer was most CRATE
full to the feelings of the cyclist.
"COme In" whispered the man, "but
don't make a noise. We don't want
master wakened at this hour Of the
night. He'd make trouble If he was"
"Ill be very quiet" whispered Rog-
ers, "but I want q cut Of that beef,
and IL you can give me q place to sleep
I'll make 1t all right with you in the
morning, and get away unseen by any
body"
The man at the table had not spoken,
but he now made a motion toward the
cold meat al If he invited the cyclist
to help himself.
While Rogers ate and drank with the
energy Of a healthy, hungry man, moth
ing was said. The two others sat look.
ing at each other seemingly In some
dismay. At last the younger of the
two men rose. opened a door very eau
tious''S', Went up a stone-paved pas
sage and opened another door. He re-
turned with a lighted candle in his
hand and nodded to the elder man.
"Now," he said to Rogers, "If you
have finished your meal, come this way
and I'll find you a bed"
He led the tired cyclist up the stone
passage and to a small room opening
of, in which was a small cot bed.
"That's the best we car do for you
tonight" said the man, setting down
the candle. IF you had come earlier
we could have found you a better
place."
"Oh, that's all right" said Rogers.
II couldn't ask anything better, and I
hope l slan't get you into trouble by
coming so late" Saying which he
slipped some money into the hand of
the servant. who took 1t without com
ment, badc him goodnight and retired.
spread them out so that they might be
reasonably dry by the time he needed
them in the morning and fell asleep as
soon as he had thrown himself down
on the cot bed.
His awakening in the morning was
somewhat Of n surprise to him. He
found himself rudely shaken by the
shoulder, and on opening his eyes be
held an elderly nan of gentlesnanly
appearance standing over him with q
pistol in his hand. Two countrymen
one evidently a groom, stood neal the
door regarding him with every appear
ance Of fear and horror. They both
held cudgels, and were apparently
ready to attack him should be make
q dash for the door.
"Why my man." said the elderly
gentleman, * hope your sleep has beer
refreshing"
at has. indeed, sir, thank you,'
answered Rogers. But why thes.
warlike preparations? Am l q prison
err"
well, something Of that Sort" 70
piled the old gentleman. astOnished a
the language and GOODNESS of his guest.
"You are the master Of the house,
I take it."
"You r quite correct. Is that your
bicycle out In the yard?"
eyes," answered Rogers, "At least
I placed it in the shed last night"
"Oh, did you? We found the wretch.
ed machine there this morning, and II
led to u search for you"
"Wretchei machine!" cried Rogers
sitting up in bed. "Oh, come now, I'll
stand rudeness to myself, but I'll be
hanged If I'll allow the bicycle to be
slandered. I want you to know, sir,
that this is probably the finest and
most expensive bicycle that exists In
this country. Its frame is aluminium
and the cost Of it is as great as If II
were made of silver, and I f1atter my
self that the non-slipping tire. although
1t sids rather badly in the mud, is q
unique invention, If I do say it myself
I want you to know that l am the in
ventor of that bicycle. 1t was con
structed under my supervision, and
II you Will allow me 10 snow you III
merits. I fancy you will change you
opinion of.it."
"That may be So" rejoined the ole
man, putting his pistol in his pocket
for he saw that this was not the Grim
inal he thought he had captured. g
don't know very much about bicycles
: so perhaps you will be so good as t.