Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-07-12

strong iron-clamped door to it, worthier of
Newgate than such inoffensive prisoners as
Railway meant it's history should be
added to. He let them get well into the
middle of the room, then quietly drew back,
and, pulling the door after him, locked
them in.
1t now remained to be seen what was
to come of his exciting dream about the
kidnapped daughter of a millionaire He
had reckoned her as worth a cool five
| thousand pounds. 1t remained also to be
seen what difference that. superfuous
''bloke' with her meant.
The young rascal proceeded to act
his prearranged plan. He had Gagged his
| mouse, 1t behooved him next to speed to
Bowerdale and see what he could do with
that graybeareded old manufacturer, to
whom Minnie was as the apple of his eye.
Neither Alec nor Minnie could get out
of the library unaided. They might squeeze
| into the priests hole. but that wouldn't
help them, and they might yell their
threats raw without disturbing any living
creatures save rats, alternating bats and
1ackdaws.
1t happened that Railway could ride a
| bicycle. The suggestion that he should
borrow Alec's came to him quite inspir
ingly. Hours would thus be saved, and IN
so delicate a crime, with Sunday SO close
at hand hours were worth about a hun
dred pounds apiece.
He did not spare the machine. But when
he was half way to Bowerdale a sudden
idea made him dismount and lean on a
gate. He lit pipe and meditated. and
the more that idea developed the brighter
became his eyes. 1t a gittering, sin
lister brightness, but it proclaimed inner
contentment and a fair amount of intel
lectual vigor.
IF that don't do it, nothing WILL" he
| exclaimed, pocketing the pipe.
I He rode on. and at length the trim and
somewhat Palladian mansion house of
Bowerdale reared its facade before him. A
short avenue of high old trees. still frosted,
led from the road to the house. They told
| him at the lodge that Mr.. Thorning had
| returned for luncheon only few min
| utes ago.
Luck stiI favored Railway. Mr. Thorn
| Ing was in, and Minnie's mother had driven
| into Bassington and would not return until
| late in the afternoon.
| We'll. SIR" said Mr. Thorning. cycling
| Railway sternly. Railway would have
| known him as an employer Of labor mere
| ly by his face.
| I've come from Carnway Abbey sir, Just
| as fast as l could ride" said Railway, with
| seeming breathlessness. My mother sent
me TO say Miss Thorning has been took
| Ill., The young lady doesn't want her
| mamma to be frightened, but"
| The manufacturers face responded to the
| bait superbly- He turned pale. And now
he lifted his hand and checked Railway
| Did she not give you a letter." he
! asked
She wasn't up to writing then. sir
| didn't wait My mother said I'd better
| let you know at once. Miss Thorning
| thought you might be able to ride over
| You say ill"" exclaimed Mr.. Thorning
| 1T was not an accident, was it? Nothing
| to do with her cycle?"
| "Oh, no, sir. 1t was when she was in
| the abbey, talking quietly to my mother
| Ike you and me. sir, at this moment. She
| jumped her hand to her heart. cried Or
| and went into dead faint as my mother
| says, any one could fall into all at once.
She was that weak when she could speakr'
| Railway stopped and looked about him.
! Weak as that kitten, SIR" he added point
| ing to a demure young cat gazing upon the
| fire.
Very well.' said Mr.. Thorning, IT am
obliged to you, Railway. for taking this
| trouble. I'll order the carriage at once"
Railway fidgeted. Carriage. indeed! He
| desired nothing less than that
Miss Thorning didn't want to alarm you,
sir. She says she'll be able to cycle back
perhaps. It's Mrs. Thorning she was most
| anxious not to worry. She thought YOU
might ride over to meet her perhaps"
Eyes. 1 must ride, come to think of II. -
Mr. Thorning said. 1.-THE carriage is out.
Just order my horse for me, Railway, while