The Red Cloud chief., 1899-09-08
ne VIM making straight for here ne

he WA making straight for here" he
explained. II saw him before me over
the fields not ten minutes ago. and I'll
swear I hardly lost sight Of him. He
must be In the house: there isn't an
other place this way-not even a shave
OF wood to hide him-and Smith and
Marley would have stopped him further
down. He must be In the house."
Maybe, ye can ask" retorted the
damsel indiferently, reaching out her
hand towards a group of pods, as II
Diminishing the subject.
The officer went his way, with Just
another admiring glance at the pretty
figure in the charming green avenue.
The door at the cottage stood wide
open; a black cat was doing In the
sun; all was quiet and sleepy; there
was not a sound about the place. The
officers loud knock brought a stupid
s~ervant-girl with a snub lose and a
%wide-open mouth to answer his reit-
Grated question.
where's the-the young gentleman
| WIN CdElt III htlt Just hoW ! Wohs w
speak to him."
There's no young gentleman here"
she replied-"only my master and
misses, and they're both old"
Where are they? Tell them Mr..
James Brown wants to speak to them"
The girl preceded him into the parlor
at the end OF the passage, after knock
t-- ~ tba Innr anI naya hio rnaceaCa
verbatim
mfr. James Brown wants to speak
to ye."
A decent old man OF the retired
tradesman class, disturbed in his after.
noon nap. looked up with blinking eyes
at the impatient constable, whilst his
comely old partner put down the stock
ing she was darning, and prepared to
interview the visitor.
Good afternoon, sir" she said. civ
lily. Wont you take a seat; it's
warm walking"
Was It real innocence or only a
sham? Mr.. Brown was not going to be
taken In; these people we're probably
allies OF Mr.. Charles Branscombe-old
oci III vi SohuCtlln6 vi tiiht Sott'
The old gentleman's yawn was too
, demonstrative, and he did not mean to
: let the old lady's c%ivility put him of
, the scent-he vas quite up to that
game. He glanced sharply around the
room, behind the old mans ponderous
armchair, at the cupboard door, even
up the chimney, before he answered In
his most official tone
r "A young gent entered this house
: about ten minutes or maybe a quarter
Of an hour ago, Mr.. Charles Brans.
combe by name. I've got business
with him-very particular business, II
you'll let him know"
"Mr. Charles Branscombe," echoed
the old man: hes not here. and hasn't
been, to my knowledge"
Then It's without your knowledge
retorted Mr.. Brown, who was getting
cross. "Ill take my davy he's some
where on the premises; and. as I hold
a warrant for his apprehension, I shall
have to search for him-with your
leave or without t."
You're an ill-mannered upstart--
that's what you are" exclaimed Mr..
Walker. very wide awake now. and
starting up to face Mr.. Brown. And
I dare you to search my house-war-
rant or NO warrant, I'm an honest man.
and I've nothing to do with your
scamps; and II I was e years younger
I'd kick you out faster han you came
in-that's what I'd do"-warming as
he went on.
Hush, Samuel" interposed the
dame, laying her hand upon his arm
as he shook his fist in the intruder's
face. Never mind his manners-it's
only his ignorance. We don't mean to
resist the law; II he's got a warrant. le,
him show 1t. and he's welcome tc
search II he likes. He'll Dol see It's
no use. My husband is old. sir"-asidt
to Mr.. Brown, as the old gentleman
walked to the window, and wiped hi
:. forehead with his handkerchief-'ant
he's apt to be hasty when he's walked
' sudden out Of his sleep. Let us set
, your warrant. II you please. SIR"
: Ito be continued.)