The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-09-15
ACCUSING SPIRITS.
TFronn the King.J

1.-THE Lord hath delivered yew into my
handsl" Dick looked at the speaker,
Lieutenant CurWen, of the Revenue
seated on the keg in triumph; he looked
at the landlord of the Green Dragon
prisoner, like himself: at the two Reve-
nue. men who guarded the door, and he
thought dolefully that there was some
truth IN the HeutenantS remark. ALI
night Dick had been out in the Betsy
Jane. and though, of course, being
mere visitor to this little seaside inn, he
had only gone for the sake of the sail
and the excitement, it was impossible to
deny that when the lugger dropped an
Choir in the black pool some time before
dawn Is kegs had been landed, and he
had helped land them. For all Dick
cared-or knew-they might have con-
/ tanned water. Fourteen went into the
country in the charge of silent men who
seemed to know their road even by that
half light One, Notwithstanding the re-
monstrance of the Betsy James skipper,
who declared it a dangerous proceeding,
had been placed on a barrow and wheel
ed up to the Green Dragon by Dick and
Mr.. PrendergaSt, landlord of the same.
PrendergaSt was positive that the gau-
gers had no inkling of the landing; Dick
was content to regard the cask as cask
which might contain water. The con-
sequence was that, no sooner had they
installed the key in this attic than rap
at the door came, followed by the entry
of Lieut.. Curwen and a dozen Revenue
men, Dick and the landlord were at once
arrested. That was the miserable fact.
True, Prendergast before he lapsed into
sullzy silence had conveyed to Dick that
the other IA kegs, after which the lieu
tenant had sent ten of his men, were safe
from pursuit. But there was little con-
ISOLATION in that. The fact remained that
here was the discriminating keg, and the
triumph
THE Lord hath delivered yew into my
hands," he repeated
Think sop said Dick, obviously.
from the lugger; they saw yew wheel
this one in a barrow up to tn inn
It's uncommonly hard work wheeling
barrow" said Dick.
g Twill not assist yew to make a
mockery of your crime
True, my dear sir. quite true,'' said
Dick, feigning a levity he did not feel.
But you see my contention is that-so
far as I'm aware-there is no brandy in
that key
The lieutenant did not deign to reply,
but drummed his heels on the caslz,
which gave back gurgling, hquorfsh
sound
Soda water. perhaps" Dick suggested,
pleasantly.
the lieutenant said, Coon in POM
pOuSly. Entered Sal Prendergast with
a tear stained face.
IT'S a letter. she said difidently,
for Mr.. Shenston.''
May the captive of your spear receive
communications" Dick asked, affably
From whom does the letter Gomez
demanded the lieutenant.
From Miss Judy, sur said Sal and
his brows contracted angrily. She was
passen and seed me cryen''-
Thou shalt not mourn for the wick
ed" said the lieutenant.
Not eff ma fathers taken by the
gaugers an charged O. runner kags Pr
Sal flashed out. Miss Judy dew not
think so. and when tailed her, she said
it was a scheame''-
he
eagerly.
.'Nothen of Importance" said Sal.
The lieutenant had taken possession
OF the note and was examining the sup
description. If he had opened it, as he
seemed half inclined to do, Dicks crime
would have extended to assault and bat
terry But he handed it over, saying
grimly:
It's going beyond my dewties-but if
L know Squire, it'll be the last you get"
You certainly go beyond your du-
ties said Dick, opening it tenderly. FEy-
identity Miss Judy had been distrustful
OF the duteouS lieutenant, for the note
was written in French. Translated il
ran:
Keep the lieutenant in conversation
Tor 20 minutes from now. Remember
that-so far as you knoW-there is no
brandy in the cask. At the end of that
time there will be none.-J.'
Dear girl, said Dick to himself but
what on earth she means / cannot make
out. If she were to offer to converse
with Curwen or drug him it would be
Sal. watching his face asked if there
were any answer.
is Miss Judy still here?' asked Dick.
unWarily, so that the lieutenant looked
suSpiciously toward Sal But she be-
haved with admirable discretion
For what should Miss Judy be herei''
she said, with an air of surprise. IT
meant, eff the was an answer, I could
take
'Ah, if you would be so good as to go
after her" said Dick Thank her for me
and say Certainly"
Sal slid from the room, leaving Dick
to maintain his parley. AS she entered
the room directly beneath she was greet
ed little anxiously with the question,
stands?" ''Iss, Miss judy" said Sal
Just here to the left She pushed the
table under the spot, and Miss Judy
mounted thereupon. Quick, Sal, the
men may be back any momentI Lock
the front door, and then some and hold
the can III do this
The room was the bar parlor, with two
doors to it-one for the front and one
Tor the back For the rest it was also
usual enough, and thin boarding only
separated it from the room above.
through the boarding, in silence, with
the utmost care, Miss Judy drove a gin-
let. In a short time a squirt of brandy
followed, and Sal received it in can.
How shall smell of brandyi' said
Miss Judy, as it trickled over her fin
gers.
L doan't expect Mr.. Shenston will
mind" said Sal, gleefully..
Miss Judy became very severe. IRE
member, Sal, that this is a most dis
graceful affair.""
Il doan't think Mr.. Shenston mant to
do wrong" said Sal.
And I should not have supposed your
father would have been guilty of it If
he is ever caught again.
He willn't be such a fule'
ice T11fx oIz.r7r
er pail!' she said. And empty that in
to the duckpond'
Sal FASTENED off with her burden, and
another pail received the brandy.
La