The Springfield herald., 1899-01-13

hand. he started her off in the proper
| direction.
Mr.. Hall stopped at the kitchen upon
one of the men out to take his horse.
Has Baynes come back yet?" he
asked
NO. SIR" the man replied. "I don't
see how he could get back tonight.
They will have to unload a good part
of two drays to get at the things he
wants."
True. All, well. there's not much
fear OF his getting on the drink
that's one reason why I sent him! II
you had gone, Charlie" he added to
the man, Il don't suppose | should
have seen you back for a month"
Very likely. slr-that is. II once l
tasted" replied Charlie. Most Curl
Gus way it is with me-if don't taste
! don't want it. once I've had sup,
there's no stopping of me. ! must so
right away to the end of my cheque."
We'll, take my advice, and never
taste again, Charlie" said his master,
as he walked off in the direction of the
house.
While this conversation took place,
Robert Luke was standing close by;
and shortly afterwards he walked over
to the store. where everything the men
required could be purchased, from
boots and shirts to patent pills.
Good evening. Luke said the
storekeeper. And how's the world
using you? Want some tobacco, or
| things up in a day or two, when the
drays arrive"
NO. thank you" replied Luke; 81
just came over to beg an envelope and
a sheet of paper The mailbag is
made up tonight isn't it?"
Yes. in half an hour. Writing to
your girl. Luke?" asked the man as he
threw over the required articles. Put
it short and sweet"
NO. l am not writing to my GIRL"
replied Luke-"only to brother"
Leaning on the counter in a quiet
corner OF the store, Robert Luke set
| ter
| Care of Charles Hall, Esq. Redmount
Station. Barrier Ranges, n. S. Wales,
May 25th. 1S-.
Dear Bill-Come out at once. Never
mind the public. Leave your wife to
look after 1t. ! am on the right track.
/ didn't serve five years in the Metro
politan Police for nothing. When |
landed made my way up country. l
didn't stay long in sydney. as thought
it was the wrong place to look for
them. You know l felt certain that
they had made for Australia, because
| in Bartlett's evidence he swore you
had talked of going there; and you
assured me afterwards that it was him
as was always talking of it.
Well, after working my way from
station to station, arrived here. The
first night l entered The kitchen l was
startled by the resemblance of the
cook-a man called Baynes-to the
girl Anne Dodson who gave evidence
at your trial, and who is now wanted.
He bears such strong likeness to her
| that I am sure he must be relation.
What Is more, he is lately out from
home, and there is a mystery about his
wife, who is constantly shut up in a
hut here. My belief is that Baynes is
Anne Dodson's brother and is keeping
her here in hiding until he can clear
her off elsewhere.
mean to see her tonight. whether
or no. Baynes is away fetching some
stores. and won't be home until morn
ing So nows my chance!
will let you know by next mail how
! succeed but don't wait for letters.
| Come out here-we'll have that thou
rau
them as you lived in the same service.
l cannot be certain. as l only caught a
glimpse of them in the court, but l
fancy | should know the man Bartlett
anywhere will remain here or in
the neighborhood until your arrival.
Your affectionate brother,
ROBERT LUKE.
Varysburg, N. Y.
The envelope was addressed to "Mr.
William Luke, Hare and Hounds,
Islington, London and, having read
the letter carefully through. Luke
sealed 1t up, and dropped it into the
mailbag.
He retired to rest that night at the
same time as the other men who slept
in his hut.
| lie luSl LluH uo"Seo Sllh'
shouted one fellow as he rolled him
self up in his blanket.
That's me-" replied Robert Luke, as
he took off his boots. Then, having
extinguished the light with his finger
and thumb, he threw himself down up
on his bunk.
Hour after hour passed. and the
steady stentoran breathing of his COM
panions told him that they all slept.
Presently he raised himself gently to
a sitting posture. and in doing so he
made the wooden bunk creak He
listened for some seconds. No-the
men were undisturbed. Gradually he
reached the floor. holding his breath
lest the slightest noise on his part
should awaken one of his companions
Then he felt his way in his stockingeh
feet softly to the door, which was Sc
cured by common wooden latch. lie
managed to open the door without a
sound. and, when outside. he let the
latch fall slowly into its place with the
1 trt, . ,-it