The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1899-08-23

with long face to tell Sir Titus that
the burglar, a desperate rutiian. has
been accidentally shot. You two men
will then carry down the supposed
burglar, whose face will be covered
with handkerchief
Grimes drew n long breath. well,
I'm bloMed!" lie exclaimed hoarsely,
rs he knocked the ashes from his clay.
IF that amt the FUNNIEST an the cut
est dodge MS ever | came acrost Yer
and, goV'nor, Yer and. It's pleasure
to commit fellerncy with blokc like
yer to boss it,
The evening of Dee. was typical
foggy night by the time st. Giles
church struck l.. cab containing
Grimes, Harris and myself was on the
way to Eongworth Court.
The dressing of the statue had nj.
ready been rchearscd dozen times on
n plaster Apollo which had bought In
Euston road, and there was therefore
little to fear in the way of IA break
down unless Sir Titus insisted on nc.
complaining the supposed constahlcs in
search of the imaginary burglars.
However in all probability he would
do nothing of the sort; ut worst, If he
did SO. we would simply abandon the
business and 80 home.
IongWorth Court WAS some IL miles
from London and it therefore took us
the best part of three hours to reach
our destination
No nltubtaI at .
leading to the mansion. and babe Flow
ers, one of my oldest and smartest
chums to wait till he heard our whls-
tie before driving UP To the door This
precautlon was taken In case amy local
police Glanced 10 he hanging about the
house while we were engaged inside.
We then marched boldly up the drive
and rang the bell After an interval of
live minutes there was the sound of
heavy bolts being drawn, and the door
swung open disclosing white haired
old man whom | took to Ice the butler.
lie gave cry when the HIGHT from
his lantern fell ON our faces and uni
forms.
Calm yourself, my good man." |
said, assuming an official voice You
have nothing Ia fear From iurarma.
ton received We believe that burglars
are IN Tie east wing OF this house. and
We have come 10 catch them Arouse
Your master immediately"
Sir Titus Blaydea, n thin, pinrhed up
little man, appeared quickly lie was
evidently quite ~ scared as his butler,
and when we told him our mission he
WIRING his hands
BE quick, officers" he screamed. his
face blanching with terror, and | will
walt here in the hall till you return.
stay, Inspector You might stop with
me In ease the blaekguarls should
come this way"
During their absence Sir Titus, with
ehattcring teeth cOuVcrscd with me,
telling me how he had always dreaded
such nm attack. and how it had come
to pass. His reflections were inter
rupted by II loud report, which rang
out sharp and clear through the still
house
daHed from the hall and an lnstan
later returned, with gloomy mien.
II regret to say. Sir Titus" cried
that the man has been shot dead
There was only one of them, but ht
made terrible resistance and In the
struggle his own weapon went off, the
bullet entering his brain. We will take
him away at once"
thought my heart would stand still
when, after the supposed corpse had
been brought toward the door, Slr
Titus came forward and exclaimed IN
quick, hurried tone; "Stopl Set II
down. Strangely enough, In all my -
years, | have never seen dead man.
Let me see the face of this one"
There was nothing 10 he done but to
let the morbid baronet have his way
and trust to luck and to the deception
OF wig, paint and beard
The baronet knclt beside the statue
and raised the handkerchief from tho
blood stunned face. Then look of dis.
gust crossed his patrician features, and
he rose, having carefully replaced the
handkerchief
'"rake II away, officers" he said. "a
more repulsiyc and ruflianly looking
countenancc never saw. Crime Is
stamped on every feature"
And that was hAw the millionaire
collector of the antique characterized n
statue for which he had refused $3.50,
600 London TitBlts.