The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1900-10-26

to jump. The cove on the box WAS
a-watching me. l says. and a lot more.
Then the carriage settled it by turning
into some yard. n private place it looi;-
ed like, but they gave me no time TO
spy. for the feller from the box came
down directly we stopped and had me
out in n jifry.
Ere he says. we've got first to
do with you. Lay hold on him. Then
two other chaps grabs mo by the arms
and rushes me head down, jam. ram.
straight into n dark hole that smcllcd
Of moldy straw and garbage-somc
sort Of cellar-where they locked Il
door on me. and | was laid up I'm limbo
like rat in trap.
1T took me half an hour or so to
shake myself together. First thing
that gave me heart was a streak of
daylight up atop Of the calaboosc, and
when l struck q match | found ii
coined through an old iron grating,
which l soon ovcrhaulcd. 'Tworn't set
so tight that l couldn't soon loosen a
brick. although tore my hands n bit
before got the thing right out. Then
I'd job to lift myself up by my arms.
but I'm strong in the arms. and by and
by l scrambled through that grating
that's what tore my clothcS-and out
on to the yard above. 1t was the one
as we'd druv into-a stable yard at
the back Of tall house all shut up,
windows suffered, blinds down. No
| one at home, you'd say. The stables
was empty-no horses. helpers, no
traps. 1 couldn't find that the stables
Joined on to the house neither, but
judged it was better not to hang about
too long or they'd be coping me again.
So | makes for the yard DOORS They
was only barred on the inside, and
got out right enough into the back
lane. That's about all. coined on
then straight to you, sir, to make my
report"
"You were In monstrous hurry"
said Colonel Bannister. "Why didn't
you mark down the house, the neigh
borhood, the exact spot?"
Mr.. Snuyzer took his part "Joe
knows his business; yes, sir, as we'll
as the best professionals. Tell U.s.,
joe"
"Thc stables was in Featherstone
news. No. Z. To make sure I chalked
was at the back Of Featherstone Gar
dcns and belonged, 1 should say, to
No. T."
In few minutes more we had start
ed in cabs-I in q hanson with Sir
Charles-straight for Featherstonc
Gardens. Roy came with us. We We're
the first to arrive, but the others had
Fnne round, escorted by Joe, to the
back of the house so as, to verify the
news and the situation exactly. When
they joined us at the entrance of the
gardens, Colonel BanniStcr, who now
took the lead, dismissed the cabs and
said in his brief, ordering sort of way:
1--WE can't all go up to the house. 1t
might create n scandal. The whole
thing may be n mistake. I'll take this
lad first. He may perhaps identify
somebody, and then we shall be en-
titled to act"
And me, please" l added. ooh,
yes, indeed, Colonel Banrister. I shall
go too"
stood ON the doorstep Of No. 4. Inc
| house was all shut up, the cham WaS
| on the door, and we waited 4 long 'iin'
| while some one inside fumblcd with i
1
and several bolts.
"well, what is it?' asked an old MAJ
who Mt last opened the door, but hei'
Il aIar. He was of very respectapi
annearance, with white hair unuer
black skullcap, and wore decent pl"
and white striped jacket, the type
an old servant in q good family. Ma
I Inquire 60,
"We wish to see your master, sal
the colonel promptly.
"I am afraid that is Impossible SIT
replied the man civilS. "Ihe ianli
have gone out of town. The duke ie
yesterday for Spain"
"The duke?~
"The Duke Of TERRA Sagrada.
Is my master, sir. If you VIII ie''
your card l will see that it Is sent
Il to him, or any letter. 1. have Ills
dress"
i "In Spain?"
"Certainly, sir. Casa Huertn II
+ mosa, st. Sebastian. They have g
"a to the seaside. No, ple1sc'-tins
to me, for 1 was quietly tryinE; TO
to Roy past him into the hous 4-"'
H. dog mustn't come in. My orc ,ers
is strict against dogs
"Call him back, Miss Fairho line
once" said the colonel in Il tone w!
ny I resented, but he cut me quite! 81
"This farce has gone fa'f eno'lgh
ell wash my hands Of it. Good ngi
A. this to the old man servant as
lily walked away. "An0 II you WI
'ss guided by me, Mis- Fairholme'
will do the same. It's all hul
nd from first to last, 2. give you my
ov- do not believe % lc syllable OF thl'