Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1899-03-10
CHAPTER XVIII.

THE RAID ON DE WE'RE GARDENS
Brett passed busy day. He had i'm
portant business to transact at the ad
miralty, and there were other matters
that claimed his immediate attention.
It was evening before he was again at
De We're Gardens.
There Ae found note awaiting him
from Mr.. Fenton, hastily scrubbed and
folded:
Inclosed wire received this afternoon. Am
going at once to Minchenhampton. Please
sleep here. Will wire you.
Brett hastily unfolded the inclosed
telegram and read:
In the hospital at Mincher1hampton. Only
slight accident. Please come MABEL
The words danced before Brett eyes.
He could only grasp one fact-that Ma
bel was still alive
"Thank God for that!'' he cried.
And then tho thought came that per-
haps, after all, she was severely hurt.
True, she said it was only slight acct
dent, but might that not only have been
intended to break the news? And how
did she get there, and where was. this
place?
He hastily consulted Bradshaw, found
that the nearest stations was Brins-
combe, and that the last train left Pad
dington at 20 minutes past 6. There
was nothing for it but to wait till
morning for Mr.. Fenton's wire It
might tell him he was returning at
once with his precious charge If not,
he would start himself 1T once.
At length Brett resigned himself to
the inevitable and strove as best he
could to get through the weary hours.
But do what he would he could not
sleep. IT he closed his eyes for a few
minutes and fell into fitful doze it
was only to awake with a start with
the idea Of something dreadful happen
ing to Mabel or that he was fighting
with keighley Gates. At last. after one
of these dreams. he found himself hope
lessly wide awake; SO, finding sleep was
impossible, he lay with open eyes star
ing into the darkness
Suddenly he heard noise in the
house. He sat up in bed and listened
intently. There was click and the
opening of creaking door. Perhaps
Mrs. Fenton was worse. He opened his
door quietly and peered out.
No; there was low gaslight burning
On the landing outside and no one was
about. He waited and listened All,
there 1t was again, and down stairs
Good heavens, there must be burg lars
in the house!
lie hastily put On some clothes and
then cast about for weapon. There
was nothing better than a poker and
with this III his hand be made his way
Town the staircase.
At each step he stopped and listened,
out there WAS absolute silence, and he
began to thil,k he had been mistaken.
He waited at the bottom of the stairs
for further indications. He must have
been there fully five minutes before he
caught sound, but at last he was GER
tain some one was moving about in the
dining room. Crasping his weapon
firmly, he opened the door.
The room was dimly lighted by the
10y ~ q Ud4h 1duUolI, DIT Tue lur
end Brett saw a man busily engaged
with the silver On the sideboard. There
were couple of open bags on the table,
and in them and around them he saw q
quantity Of the household plate. The
man had his back toward him and did
not hear his entrance, and Brett was
close upon him before creaking board
betrayed him. The thief turned round
instantly and faced him. Brett knew
him IN moment, despite his disguise.
1t was the man he was looking for, the
man be had seen coming from Keighley
Gates rooms the man who had tried
to rifle the body of Lady Florence Mos
tyn, the man whom be suspected had
abducted Mabel! At last he was face to
face with the scoundrel. He had him
in his power. With fierce exultation he
raised his weapon. :...' ,.,,..., ... .