Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1898-12-29

door, and thought, as was very nat
uraL that should like to see what
these gentlemen had DONE when MIR,
Ramo sprung at me like a wildcat"
No, mol" cried the old Indian,
whose English In his rage and excite
ment was less distinct, "a thief-came
10 rob--my dear lord---a theft"
Il hope, sir" said the footman,
growing calmer, and looking In an in
jured way at Mr.. Critic, you know
me better than that, sir Mr., Preen-
ham here will tell you I've cleaned the
plate regular all the ten years I've
been here"
The old solicitor turned to the
butler
yes, sir! Chariess duty has been
to clean the plate; but 1t is my charge
and have kept the strictest account
of it, A little disposed to show tenn
per, sometimes, sir, but strictly honest
and very clean"
This Is very sad and unseemly
business at such time" said Mr..
Critic "Ramo, you have made mis-
take"
mo, mol" cried the old Indian,
wrathfully,
Come, come" said Mr.. Critic, "be
reasonable"
The police" painted the old Indian.
Send for che police"
An right" cried Charles, dehantly;
send for the police. and lot EN- search
me-"
"Sileneel" cried Mr.. Critic, 60
down and arrange your dress. sir.
Mr.. Capel, young ladies', will You re-
turn to the drawing room? Signori
will YOU retire? That will do, Preen-
ham. Leave Ramo to me-"
In another minute the old solicitor
meath the dim stalned-glass window.
with his arms folded and his brow
knit.
You do not trust and believe me,
sir?"
Don't talk nonsense, Ramo You
know | trust you as the most faithful
fellow in the world"
He held out his hand as he spoke
but the old Indian remained motion
less for the moment. Then, SELLING
the hand extended to him, he bent
over It, holding 1t to his breast.
MY dear lords old friend" he
said.
That's better. Ramo," said Mr.
Critic. Now go and change your
dress"
mo. mol" cried the old man, Il
must watch"
Nonsense. man. Don't think that
every one who comes means to rob-"
But | do" cried the old Indian. In
a whisper. They think of what we
know-you and only. Those foreign
men--the servants"
you must not be so suspicious,
Ramo. 1t will be all right"
1T will not be all right, Sahlb,"
cried the old Indian, Think OF what
there Is In yonder."
"But we have the secret, Ramo."
"Yes--yes; but suppose there were
Others who knew the secret--who had
heard OF 1t. SahIb. will be faith
full to the dead"
The old Indian drew himself up with
dignity. and took his place once more
before the door.
Ii has been shocking" whispered
the Indian. II have been driven away
while those foreign men did what they
pleased In there 1t was maddening
Ali"
He clapped his hands to his head
What now, Ramon"
Those three men. Suppose
He caught at his companions arm,
whispered few words, and they en-
tered the darkened room. from which.
as the door opened and closed. a pecu-
liar aromatic odor noated out.
AS the door was closed, the sound
Of bolt being shot inside was heard,
and directly after, the face Of Charles
the footman, appeared from the gloom
below. He came up the stairs rapidly.
glanced round, and stepped softly to
the closed door, where he bent down,
listening.
AS he stood In the recess, the gloom
was so great that he was almost In
visible. save his face; while just be-
yond him large group In bronze, Of
a club-armed ccntaur, seemed to have
the crouehing man as part OF the
artists design. the centaur Dcing. APP
parently, about TO strike him down,
while. 10 give realism to the scene. a
dull red glow from the stalned-glass
window fell across his forehead.
AS he listened there, his ear to the
keq-hole and his eyes watchfully
wandering up and down the staircase.
dull and smothercd clang was
heard. as II from a distance, like the
closing OF some heavy iron door.
Then there was louder sound. with a
quick. short report. as If a powerful
spring had been set In motion and
shot home. Then door seemed TO
be closed and locked; and the man
glided quickly over the soft. thick
carpet. melting away. as 1t were. In the
gloom.
The door opened, and. from the
darkness within, Mr.. Critic and the
old Indian stepped slowly out. bring
Ino NTH then, a anft warm nnff 0f fhn