Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1898-12-26

ural, that I should like to see what
these gentlemen had done, when Mr.
Ramo sprung at me like wildcat"
mo. MOI" cried the old Indian
whose English in his rage and excite
ment was less distinct, "a thief-came
to rob-my dear lord-a thief"
81 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.
eyes, sir! Charles's duty has been
to clean the plate; but it is my charge
and I 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 a time said Mr..
Critic. "Ramo, you have made a mis-
take"
mo, MOI" cried the old Indian,
wrathfully.
Come, come,' said Mr.. Critic, "be
reasonable
"The police" painted the old Indian.
Send for the police"
Cali right" cried Charles, defiantly;
'fsend for the police, and let 'em search
me-"
"silence!,. cried Mr.. Critic go
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
was left with Ramo, who stood be-
meath the dim stained-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 I 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, seizing
the hand extended to him, he bent
over it, holding it to his breast.
my dear lords old friend" he
said.
That's better, Ramo,' said Mr..
Critic. Nov go and change your
Dress"
"No, mol" cried the old man. q
must watch
Nonsense, man. Don't think that
every one who comes means to rob-"
"But I do" cried the old Indian, in
whisper. 'They think of what we
know-you and I only. Those foreign
men-the servants"
"You must not be so suspicious,
Ramo. 1t will be all right"
''It will not be all right, Sahib, .
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 it. Sahib, I will be faith
full to the dead"
The old Indian drew himself up with
dignity, and took his place once more
before the door.
1T has been shocking whispered
the Indian. 81 have been driven away.
while those foreign men did what they
Ali"
He clapped his hands to his head.
what now, RamO?"
Those three men! Suppose"
He caught at his companions arm,
whispered a few words, and they en-
tered the darkened room, from which,
as the door opened and closed, a pecu
liar aromatic odor f1oated 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 a large group in bronze, of
a club-armed centaur, seemed to have
the crouching man as part Of the
artists design, the centaur being, ap-
parently, about to strike him down,
while, to give realism to the scene, a
dull red glow from the stained-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,
a dull and smothered clang was
heard, as if from distance, like the
closing of some heavy iron door.
Then there was a 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 it were, in the
gloom.
The door opened, and, from the
darkness within, Mr.. Critic and the
old Indian stepped slowly out, bring