The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1899-06-09

across the yard, and tried the door. 1t
was unlocked, and thcn-why, then
jest folered my big nose till it led me
here"
''IIow much time do you say elapsed
between the putting out Of the light and
your appearance in this room?"
"Thrce nlinutcs, maybe. Not more"
me three hours,
Motioning to Jap to remain where ne
was, hurriedly entered the front room
and glanced at Burlington. lie was
sleeping calmly.
Jap" said l, softly. something must
be done"
THAT'S right" said he. "Lct's do it. :"
"You stay with Mr.. Burlington.
must see your master at once"
Gerard occupied Nancy's room, who
was sleeping with her mother. In less
than five minutes / had rccited the
facts. He listened attcntively, his gilt
tering eyes bent sternly upon mine:
that he fully assimilatcd my amazing
narrative l could not doubt.
"Demetrius," I said, in conclusion,
murdered Ferdinand Perkins, partly
from jealous rage, partly TO pave the
way for his own advancement. Every
thing else follows in natural sequence.
He alone knew that Perkins, not YOU,
would be left that fatal night; he was
In possession of your cipher; he took
advantage of youR love for Mrs. Bur
nngton to render you Il service which he
thought half your fortune would
scarcely repay; he, with devilish clever
ness, played upon the feelings of nerv-
GUS woman and bounded her to your
arms; he made capital out of your shat
tered nerves; he"
Enough" said Gerard, hoarsely; Il
am satisfied. My God! how cruelty
that fiend has used me! And" his voice
lailed-"and my little Mark is in his
bloody hands! Come! not a second is
10 be lost"
He flung his clothes upon his lanky
person, and sputtered out his fears.
Dcmetrius, he felt assured, would hast
en- to the island, hold Mark as hostage,
md make what terms he pleased. saw
the force of this reasoning. As he said,
not moment was to be wasted.
"Mr. Gerard" said |, "you must stay
here. Let me act for you. shall take
Jap with me, and you can rely upon my
mother-wit to rescue Mark and bring
Demetrius to the gallows. You are
not"
"IIugo," he rejoined, impressivcly,
you think am coward, not fit for
such desperate adventure as this will
prove. My lad, fate plays queer tricks
with us. That night at Red Gulch
paralyzed my nerves. This nights work
has updone the mischief I'm ready,
by Jupiter, to encounter that monster
single-handed. And, Hugo, I mistrust
that hot head of yours. My child's life
is Mt stake. Demetrius is desperate.
II it GENES TO choosing between Marks
life and the capture of the Greek, how
could hesitate? You might precipitate
more bloodshed. God knows there has
been enough. Come"
few minutes later We were on our
way, Gerard walking with feverish
strides ahead. The nurse was left with
burlington.
"Je-roosalem." whispered Jap to me,
"ycll let me have one crack at the son of
a gun, Mr. Livingston, won't We, now ?"
y want more than one myself, Jap.
But I'll try and remember you"
/ had formulated in my own mind o
plan which dared not share with Mark
Gerard. Left to himself, foresaw that
he would sacrifice justice TO his love for
the boy-that the Greek would go scot
free. to enjoy his ill-gotten gains. And
such thought was cXasperating.
Taking advantage, therefore, of my
patrons long strides, dropped to the
rear and submitted my scheme to the
worthy Jap He was good enough TO
approve it nightly, and eagerly
proifered his assistance.
If we don't corral the cuss, Mr.. Liv-