Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1899-03-02
Continued.


Il dunno which is doors and which
is windows, with all these curtains
Oh, that's 1t, is It.? Quiet, will you"
He stood listening attentively.
TITS all right. There isn't sound.
Lets go, then, at once"
What, empty? Not mech, Dick"'
"Taint likely. Wait till I've got two
more cartridges in. That's 1t. Now
then, business"
But this poor fellow"
Hes not killed, only quieted. Now,
then, what is there here?"
They made hurried search OF the
room, but, with the exception OF the
silver tops of the bottles Of the col
onel's dressing-case, there was no
thing to excite their cupidity.
Then Capel's pockets were searched,
but watch and purse were In his
chamber, while, though the colonels
room was full OF costly objects, they
were not OF the portable nature that
would have made them valuable to the
quickly, ITS OF no use we must go
down. Where are the keys?"
The little man took bunch from
bag.
But suppose the old mans awaken"
W. 'spered the shivering ex-servant,
faint from his wound.
"Well, II he Is, we must persuade
him to go to sleep. somehow, till we've
done. Here, you come and hold the
light while hand him the keys"
Tho tra,n In u mn tanlf tho In Mt nrp
while his leader went down on one
knee; and as his little companion
handed him false keys and picklocks,
he busted himself trying to open the
door.
Keep that light still, Will your" he
cried. menacingly. why, you're maxi
Ing 1t dance all over the door
want 1t on the key-hole, don't II"
Then the light shone full on the
lock for a minute or two, not more:
for he who held 1t kept turning his
head to see II Capel was moving
This brought forth torrent of
whispered oaths from both men.
Here, let me have n try" whisp
cred the little man. II can open 1t IL
you'll hold this blessed glim still.
never see such cur"
Then, In the coolest manner pos
sible, he took the others place, and
tried key after key, plcklock after
picklock, and ended by throwing nll
into the bag with n growl of disgust.
IT'S one of them stoopid patents,
10 cried. Here, give us n james.
A strong steel crow bar In two pieces
was screwed together, and It's sharp
edge inserted between the door and
the post; but the great solid mahogany
door stood firm, only emitting now and
then n loud crack, sharp MS that given
by u cart whip, as the men strained at
1t In turn.
Here, let's try saw. Center-blt!"
A center-bit was fitted into u stock,
and hole cut right through, Into
this. after much greaslng, key-hole
saw was thrust, and, not without emit
ting loud noise, the work of cutting
began, the sawdust falling lightly on
the lion skin; but Mt the end of Il few
seconds dull. harsh sound told that
the saw was meeting metal, and n
fresh start had to be made.
For fully two hours did the men
work to get through, boring and saw
ing In place after place, but always to
find that the door was strengthened In
all directions with metal plates; and at
last the task was given up.
"Look here" growled the leader of
the party, that bed isn't used, l.
want to know how that chap got In.
He hasn't any key"
Cant you get the door open, them"
said the third man, after the other
had shaken his head
why. don't you see we can'tF"
But we shall get nothing for our
rouble."
Nothing at ALL" said the tall mar,
quietly,
But"
"There, that'll do. First OF all. you
were so precious anxious to GO Now
you know we can't get down, you're all
for the job, | say, is this the room
where the murder was?'
yes; don't talk about It,"
why not? We haven't done an
other, He'll come round"
What next. Dick?"
cut" was the laconic reply.
when there's all that plate ask
ing OF lis to make up small parcel
and carry II away"
Don't patter Got all the tools?"
Yes"
"Then come along"
The light was played upon Capel's
insensible face for n few moments,
and then, to the intenst relief of the
ex-seryant, the lantern was placed In
the bag with the burglars tools, and
the window being thrown open, one
by one stole out, the last closing the
window behind him, leaving Capel
lying helplessly and insensible In the
locked-up room.
CHAPTER XXIII.