West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1897-01-14
CHAPTER I.
THE CASTLE AT DUDLEY.

the nOur.
II is an English village on the Severn
river, about 30 miles southwest Of Bir-
hingham, founded. and one night say
owned, by Lord Dudley. II is a quiet
plac Awith little business and never any
hustle, Many of the wealthy manufac-
turers Of Bilnlingham have their homes
re. and IN summer time there are
flany strangers. although it is far from
the sea.
For an hour or more skiff has been
lying at anchor in the bend OF the river
just above where the northern wall in
closing Loru Duoley's grounus reaches
tive bank. There are three walls shut
fling in the ten acres of ground, while
the river itself answers for the fourth.
The castle stands in the center of the
plat, and the space not covered by it
and the conservatory, stables, etc., is
given up to lawns, walks, flower beds,
fountains and the like. A grand old
place this, though the 10 acres should
have been 30 or 80.
&c is starlight June night, with
something of mist rising from the wa
ter. Had any boatman been passing up
or down he might have rowed within
20 feet of the rough and unpainted skiff
without noticing it. He might have
passed within feet of it without see
ing its occupant who was lying on the
bIoad Of his back and Watching the
faint stars above him in an absent man
ner He seemed OH the point of going
to sleep when the three bells in different
portions of the rambling village began
TO slowly and solemnly strike the hour
which marks the death of the old and
the birth Of new day. Then he sat up
and looked about and whispered to him
self:
''That's what I've beer waiting for,
and here go! Wish I'd brought along
partner, though that would have
meant divide of the sway
lie lifted the stone by which the boat
had been anchored and let the craft
drift down past the wall. Then by a
careful use Of the paddle he worked it
insiIore until the bow rested on the
bank. He was now within the grounds,
but quite a distance from the house.
Stepping ashore, he pulled the skiT half
its length out of the water, and for O
minute or two stood peering into the
darkness.
Losing your nerve. ehP' he muttered,
as a silver passed over him. "It's your
first big job, and you are a bit timid.
Burglary is bit different from poach-
ing, but you'll get used lit, Ben John
sonl Take drink to brace your nervesi''
He pulled a bottle from his pocket,
drained it Of its contents and tossed it
away. a full pint of liquor had gone
down his threat since 10 o'clock, and
but for the adventure be had on hand
he would have been sleeping the stupid
sleep of INVESTIGATION. The effect of the
last drink was TO make him desperately
feckless--the condition he hoped for
Keeping clear Of the graveled paths
that the sound of his footsteps might
not betTay him. he slowly and cautiously
advanced to the house. Not light was
TO be seen, not sound came to alarm
him.
Second stofy--above the portico--
three windows" he whispered TO him.
self. lone window in her ladyship's
bedroom, two in her sitting room She
has her own safe, and it's in that sitting
room. Key 10 be found lying about
--iewels-money- again
and nobody the wiser. No need of any
violence unless the old gal has the i'm
pudence to wake up and discover me-
No, l won't hurt anybody unless I'm
eornered Come, nowi Up you gol"
He advanced mp the steps leading to
private entrances and kicked off his
shoes and placed his hat and jacket be-
side them. Then lifting himself up to
the railing he grasped column sup
porting the portico aud noiselessly as
ceDded 70 its roof. The stills Of two win
aOws were only two feet above him.
Not the slightest ray Of light had been
reflected from either. but from his new
position be made discovery which was
impossible from the ground.
The curtains at the window Of her
ladysbip's bedroom were down, but a
glimmcr Of tight escaped from the side
Dezt to him. She was woman 90
years Of age, in failing health. and per
haps she was 80 and q nurse was sitting
up with her. 1t might BE- only night
lamp, however The inan remained
erouched on the roof for zen minutes
without motion. 10 heard no move
ment--nO v0ices--and finally decided
that IL was safe % go ahead He ex
pected 20 find tho windows locked, and
he lost no time in trying them. Pulling
himself carefully up TO the north win
dow RI the sitting room, he stood mp,
Grew long, thin piece Of steel from
his breast aud ia 20 seconds had turned
the catch by inserting the implement
between the sashes There was q dull
click, and be crOuched down and waited
five or six minutes to SEQ 81 any one
had been aroused.
80 far 81 goodr be whispered when
satisfied that ~ alarm had been created.
I'D feel better u 1 bad a pal on the
watch below, but I've gone too FAR to
back Juf now. Only that window be-.
tween me ard O.. 900 Of swagi"
- carefully did he raise the sash that
bad any enc been sitting la the room
snd wide awake they would rot have
heard sound HE entrance into the
t5pfn was just a. cautiously made. 10
N@s MI aull be bad closed the sash be-.
hind him feauangc3 the curtains TO
hide The light and then listened ia vain