The Forrest City times., 1899-06-23
BURGLARS TWO !

Long," Hargreaves and 1 went
 down to Lyncaster-on-Sea to do some
 reading.
 The season was over, and we found
 ourselves almost the only visitors in the
 ulace-ouite the only ones, in fact, at
 she Park hotel Consequently we had a
 ,boice of rooms, and it was purely acci-
 dental that we chose the corner sitting
 room on the "second floor front" over
 Looking the grounds of the hotel and
 also the Peoples park.
 The western wall of the hotel gardens
 formed the eastern boundary of the
 mark. and our room was at right angles
 to the wall. Immediately beneath it, on tbe park side, was row of garden
 seats.
 One night Hargreaves and I were
 ,uxuriating in a lounge after dinner. The room was in darkness and we were
 quiet for once-enjoying a smoke and half dozing.
 Presently was reused by the sound
 uf voices talking outside. The window
 was open and l drew aside the curtain and looked out.
 Two men occupied the seat just below
 me. on the park side of the wall-decent looking fellows, as far as 1 could tell fin the dusk. I looked carelessly at them for a moment, and was about to return to my pipe when a word or two
 caught my ear. leaned forward and listened eagerly.
 .ts. cofAla1 We
 the drive, steal ladder and you climb in at the landing window. We shant be disturbed; old Seaton sleeps at the hack of the house, so do the servants"
 "Go on."
 Her room is in the front-the first on the left from the landing window.
 spotted it the other night when was strolling up and down" "Oh! never mind that. Hurry up." Well, you know what to do next. Seize the little darling, gag her. lower her down to me-she's a mere feather
 weight-follow, and I'll manage the rest"
 "Sh-sh Not so loud." The speaker glanced apprehensively over his shoulder at the hotel. You're sure this place is empty?" he went on. "There1l be pretty how dye do if we've been overheard!" "Of course it's empty. How funky you are!"
 Well, I don't care aboat the business. 'Tis internally risky, and" "0h! come, you can't back out of it now You understand? Meet me at 11:30 o'clock at the crossroads half a mile from Seaton hall. Then a tramp, few minutes wild excitement, then Dora and bliss!"
 Catch your hare before you cook it, Tom. It's far cry from to-night's af- fair to bliss and Dora" "Oh, shut up. I'm off," The two men moved away. and I-I sank back in my chair and gasped. What could it mean? Did these cold blooded ruflians really contemplate breaking into a mans house and steal ing his daughter under his very nose? It was incredible. impossible; it was reused Hargreaves with vigorous shake. Wake up!" I shouted, wake up! Thieves Burglars! Kidnapers! Miss Seaton of Seaton Hall!" What the deuce are you talking about?" cried Hargreaves. starting up. Are you mad?" pulled myself together with an ef- fort, and rapidly ran over what I had heard.
 Relieve it or not, as you like," said, its true enough. l shall be at Seaton hall at midnight to stop this desperate deed. and if I lose my life
 in the interest of my fellow creatures my blood be on your head" This rhetorical display impressed Hargreaves. Seeing which, l followed 1t up with hint of ignoring the Lyn-
 easter police. and capturing the bur glars off our own bat. Hargreaves was fetched. couple of hours later two villains, armed with blackthorn cudgels. strode along the road from Lyncaster to Seaton-myself and Hargreaves on the warpath.
 We were horribly nervous-at least. was. A foun mile walk in mud and thick mist had cooled my enthusiasm. and nervous tremors trickled down my spine as l thought of attacking those fufiians alone and unaided. Visions floated before me in fright iui procession. l saw myself and liar greaves a pair of mangled corpses weitering in our gore. Horrible! Wip- Ing the cold precipitation from my fore head stole glance at Hargreaves. lie was stalking along in silent gloom. ms hands thrust into his pockets. his cap tugged down over his eyes. "Hargreaves," 1 began. He started as though he had been shot. This was encouraging.
 H-Hargreaves," l said, trying to get .ne nervous quiver cut of my voice h-hargreaves, d-do you think they
 nave accomplices? Perhaps there is S-Sang of themn