The Yale expositor., 1901-02-15
CHAPTER X.-(ContinuedD

ii, / will think over what l can DO
to help you. No, you needn't thank
me; it's for your sisters sake, not
yours. She's a girl one cannot but
respect"
They were nearing the Grange as
he spoke. The moon was looming big
on the horizon as it neared its setting,
and a faint shadowy light rested on
the horse and on the little town be-
low, and the quiet gray sea beyond.
The Doctor was walking his horse eau
tiously down the steep descent when
he broke into low. soft whistle.
"By Jove! there's something wrong
there! I'm certain there's a man
about the place! Hold hard for a min
ute, will you?" And he handed the
reins to Neville.
let me come, tool" implored Me-
willie.
No, wait out here; and, il shout,
leave the horse and come after me.
1t may have been a policeman march
ing ropnd.
Neville's ears strained to catch ev-
lie heard, for tbs Doctor was making
his way roiselessly across the grass
to the drawing room window, from
which, sure enough, a man was eau
tiously descending with bag in his
hand.
He did not either see or hear the
Doctor, for his back was turned to-
wards him, so he was unprepared for
the sudden, cat-like spring that the
Doctor made upon him. With an oath
he dropped his bag and turned furl-
ously upon his assailant. They were
unequally matched, for Doctor Drake
was of slight build and small in stat
ure, whilst the man whom he tried to
hold was bread and proportionately
strong.
The burglars hard sought his peck
et but Doctor Drake was too quick
for him. With ole hand he kept a
steady grip on the mans collar, with
the other lie sought and found the re-
volver that was concealed in his coat
pocket, and threw it far away from
him on the grass, and two rapid shots
in quick succession showed that it had
exploded.
With desperate effort he freed
himself, hurled the Doctor to the
ground with stunning force, and made
for the gate; but the shots had brought
Neville rushing to the rescue. The
horse, finding himself abandoned and
frightened by the quick shots. trotted
off towards home; whilst Neville drew
sack 10 let the man pass, and sprang
upon him with the determination of a
bulldog not to relax his hold until
others came to the rescue.
His 1.-the arms chung tightly about
the burglars neck, and he was sho1t-
ing ut the top of his voice as he chung
Help! helpi murder!''
'fhe words reached the Doctors ears
as he rose to his feet, dazed but not
disabled by his fall, and he gave an
answering shout.
Hold on, Howard, I'm here!" But
as he uttered the words there was q
thud and fall and heavy groan, ant
up the hill the sound of footsteps run
ming as If life depended on it.
Neville lay crumpled heap by the
gate; and in the rapidly fading light
the Doctor saw that the poor fellow
was STEPPED in blood.
Give chase-he's done for mel" sale
Neville, with clenched teeth. HE:
made off up the hill" And scarcely
knowing what re did, the Doctor die
SO.
AS a boy, he had been famous fol
his running, and his training stoot
him m good stead now. Even now h'
was conscious that he was gaining or
the man whom he pursued. He could
heard his heavy breathing. AS he
reached the top of the hill he saw the
dark figure in front of him running
along the dim, white line of road OF
top Of the cliffs, and the Doctor
thought with fierce delight that HI
had his prey safe enough. He could
turn neither to the right nor left; HI
was committed to the road before
him.
Doctor Drake would breathe himself
n Bit, and then he was pretty certain
to prove the better man of the two
for he could see by the way the bur
gIar swayed from side to side that h
was getting spent. They must hav,
run for a mile when the man gave
fearful glance behind him, like a hunt
ed animal; and the Doctor answeret
the glance by a wild halloo of triumph
He was not more than hundred pace
from him.
Suddenly the burglar stopped, RAJ
to the edge of the cliff, looked over /
for an instant. and the next hat
thrown himself upon his hands an,
knees and was letting himself eau
tiousIy over the edge. AS his heat
disappeared the Doctor came up to TIL
spot, and, in Mortified establishment
looked down over the cliff. The bur
glar had evidently felt that his on
chance of escape lay in making hi
way down it's face.
There was a drop OF twenty fee
from the level of the road to a pro
iecting ledge OF rock below; after tina