The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1901-02-28

down directly we stopped ana had me
out in jlffy.
"'Ere,' he says, we've got first to
do with you. Lay hold on him. Then
two other chaps grabs me by the arms
and rushes me head down, jam, ram,
straight into dark hole that smelled
of moldy straw and garbage-some
sort of cellar-where they locked
door on me, and was laid up in limbo
like rat in a trap.
at 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 calaboose, and
when I struck match l found 1t
coined through an old iron grating,
which soon overhauled. "Tworn't set
SO tight that l couldn't soon loosen a
brick, although l tore my hands bit
before l got the thing right out Then
I'd job to lift myself up by my arms,
but Pm strong in the arms, and by and
by I scrambled through that grating
that's what tore my clothes-and out
on to the yard above. 1t was the one
as we'd druv into-a stable yard at
the back Of a tall house all shut up,
windows shattered, blinds down. No
one at home, you'd say. The, stables
was empty--no. horses, helpers, no
traps. l couldn't find that the stables
Joined on to the house neither, but
judged 1t was better not to hang about
too long or they'd be coping me again.
So l makes for the yard doors. They
was only barred OH the inside, and l
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 a 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 well
as the best professionals. Tell US,
joe" <
''The stables was In Featherstone
news, No. 7. To make sure chalked
something on the doors. The stables
was at the back of Featherstone Gar
dens and belonged, should say, to
No. T."
In few minutes more we had start
cd in cabs-I in hanson with Sir
Charles-straight for Featherstone
Gardens. Roy came with us. We were
the first to arrive, but the others had
gone 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 Bannister, who now
took the lead, dismissed the cabs and
said in his brief, ordering sort of way:
1--WE can't all 90 up to the house. 1t
might create scandal The whole
thing may be a mistake. I'll take this
lad first. He may perhaps identify
somebody, and then we shall be ell
titled to act.'
"And me, please" I added ooh,
yes, indeed, Colonel Bannister, shall
go too"
He shrugged his shoulders, and we
three, with Roy close at my heels, soon
stood ON the doorstep of No. 7. The
house was all shut up the chain was
OH the door, and we waited long time
while some one inside fumbled with it
and several bolts.
"Well, what is it," asked an old man
who at last opened the door, but held
it ajar He was Of very respectable
, appearance, with white hair under a
black skulcap, and wore decent blue
and white striped jacket, the type or
an old servant in good family. May
l Inquire
1--WE wish to see your MASTER said
the colonel promptly.
II am afraid that Is impossible, SIR y
replied the man ciyilly. THE family
have gone out of town. The duke left
yesterday for SPAIN"
"The duke"
"The Duke of TERRA sagrada. He
Is my master, sir. If you will leave
your card will see that it Is sent or
to him, or any letter. l have his adj
dress"
"In SpainT
: Certainly, sir. Casa Huerta Her
J mosa, st. Sebastian. They have gone
to the seaside. No, please'-this wa
to me, for was quietly trying to ge
Roy past him into the honse-"tha
dog mustn't come in. My orders are
!, strict against dogs"
"lelll him back, Miss Fairholme, a
once" said the colonel in tone which
| resented, but he cut me quite short
| "This farce has gone far enough.
Il wash my hands Of 1t. Good night
: this to the old manservant as w
: walked away. "And If you will b.
guided by me, Miss Fairholme, yo'
: will do the same. It's all humbu'
from first to last, give you my word
$ do not believe one syllable Of this ste
u ry, except perhaps about the papers
e and even then am not quite satisfied
) for they were sent to Captain Woo
u in the dispatch box. That we know
But not at Captain Woods re
n quest" said hurriedly.
0 Ills man thinks not, and l ADM
o the box was not specifically mentioned
I in the letter, but the letter said papers
and the expression was seemingly on
e that Wood used, for the man, MS mat
d ter Of course, sent the dispatch box"
e "But what do you imply"
l "Just this, that Captain Wood In
G tended to keep out Of the way-for rea
d sons do not presume to conjecture
and while out of the way to 60 on witt
o his work. He'll turn up in good time
take my word for it, and will give hi
l. own explanation Of his absence. l
!, may not be absolutely satisfactory, hi
8 excuse may be bad, but he will max
one, and you will have to take 1t o
l. leave it, were the cynical police colo