Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1898-10-20

Roy Darrell" said Sir Humphrey,
you have lost more than diamonds
in this robbery, have You not?"
Roy bit his lip.
Yes" he said huskily- Il have
lost my Wife
"One other question, and l have 4
done. Was that wife precious 80 you, u
o" did you regard her coldly?" /
When l married her, my heart was
not mine to give, but since my return
here only one short week, l love her
with all my life. She is to me the
most precious jewel earth can hold"
The old man put out his hand 81
lently, and Roy grasped it, his face +
bearing witness to the heartfelt earn /
estness of his words.
i thank you for this" said Sir
Humphrey, speaking as with difficult
ty. You look surprised-as, indeed,
you may. l will tell you all in full
afterwards. To be brief now, will
simply say that the girl you have
married is no low-born farmers
niece, but the child l sought for many
years ago---the child of my dead son,
l'ulke Durant. My granddaughter is
heiress to all l possess
Roy passed his hand over his brow.
Your granddaughter" he repeated |
bankly, Il thought - the world .
thought you had no kith or kim (
"As l have thought for many a
d"eary day, But, come, we must re-
Urn to the others. You shall know
ali later en-. | was on my way TO
Darrell castle, to make myself known
to the child of my beloved son when
learned the sad news of her abduc-
tion-for abduction it must be--and
once again / am compelled to wait
a:!G hope"
I'VE will work together to find her,
exclaimed Roy eagerly. And now
tel me-you say they could find nests
here?"
Indeed they cam Sir Humphrey
answered as they joined the others
I again. Beneath the ruins are vaults,
some good, large, and airy. There,
if we search we'll, we shall discover
our birds. | doubt not"
ArmisteaG motioned the detectives
on,
They produced revolver.
Now, remember, If we meet any
one, endeavor to seize him without
hurt We do not want to shed blood
unnecessarily.
Sir Humphrey dismounted from his
hose
'gIow many years since | have
soaod here?" he said musingly. 1t
recalls the boyish days when | played
at nights with my cousin and broth
srs-ral dead now-all dead!'
lie stood still for one moment, then
led the way round till he halted at
tue very spot where Frank had
picked up the sovereign.
This coin was already handed over
70 the care of Mr.. Newton.
J Sill Humphrey peered about, then
}. looked up.
Here is a door," he said, pointing
to piece of stone that seemingly lay
ON tho turf where it had fallen, 1T
leads to the vaults. Come, will lead
you"
Not YOU cried Roy. 81 am young
ard he"
Peg pardon, gents; but If you will
permit me, as an officer of the law,
must go first"
Mr. Newton took up his position,
anG both Sir Humphrey and Lord
Darrell fell hack.
The two detectives, at their chiefs
orders, lifted the stone.
hoS
ed over as lightly as possible, and the
way was clear.
Roy shuddered as he glanced down
the dark passage.
i Was she, the woman he loved, an
tombed there?
Frank Meredith pushed forward.
but Armistead held him back.
Not so fast, Frank. You remain
here with Sir Humphrey and Darrell"
The detectives, headed by Mr. New
tttl, crept down the steps and CROPPED
their way.
4 Armistead went after them.
/ Remain round here, he said hur-
riedly TO the others, in case of An
escape"
Roy flung himself off his horse, and
even as he did SO, a confused sound
came from the vaults.
With wild excitement he ap-
preached the entrance. He heard Mr..
Newtons voice utter, deep and loud.
Surrender
lie heard muffied sounds of men
struggling, loud EXPLANATIONS, the re-
port of revolver shot. and then a
womans shrek.
His heart stood still, and he fed
down the steps, Sir Humphrey. with
face as white as his hair following.
while Frank endeayored to quiet the
/ horses that were tethered together.
| Armistead pushed Roy back.
out in the ART" he said excitedy.
They are fighting hard; but We have
! got them. ! think"
But she. Good God. she screamed
did you not hear her? She is
hurt Let me go?' Roy painted.
Back. say" Godfrey said bluntly;
fe h,tt a