The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1902-09-03


had time TO make all safe, he per
ceived that the warder's weapon had
fallen to the ground, and that his
right arm hung limp, while he cried
out excitedly.-
Seize him, Sir Jasper. seize him!"
The convict, even as these words
we're uttered, was springing upon the
baronet, who, good man, living an easy
life, was not in condition to grapple
on equal terms with the 1.-the. spare
frame of his assailant. In another
moment both were on the floor. the
convict on the top.
There was short, sharp struggle,
daring which the baronet felt him
self for some moments blinded, chok-
ing. Then the man was pulled of
him by the superior force OF the war
der, who even with one arm disabled,
knew a trick or two which made him
more than a match for his man.
Now sir, up with you and help me
with him." cried the warder, while
the convict muttered curses on them
both and vainly struggled to get free.
II was some seconds even then be-
fore the warder was able to clap the
handouts on the desperate prisoner.
at the cost of much pain to himself
from his wounded arm. But with the
baronets assistance he at last over
powered the wiry rascal and dragged
him upstairs. where, with the help
of the men servants, who now, hear
ing the noise of the scuffle, Joined
their aid to the masters. the convict.
still definant and sullen. was led out.
of the house and hoisted up into a
light cart which happened to be
within hail.
ITO Portland" cried the warder, as
barely remaining long enough TO re-
ceive the congratulations of the baro-
net. ne sprang up in the cart ami
laid powerful OBTAINING hand on the
rascal's shoulder.
Then Sir Jasper, who was some
what dazed as result of these un-
wonted eXertions and excitements,
turned back to the mansion with a
sigh of relief and a distinct conscious
ness that he was considerably bruised.
He could not. however, wait to at
tend to his wounds or even to asccr-
tain the extent of them, as he sudden
ly remembered that he had left the
door of the strong room open, and that
even the safe where his wife's jewels
were kept was still unlocked.
AS the lights were burning both in
side and outside the strong room.
however, IL was matter of few
seconds only to retrace his steps and
to regain the velvet nest where the
gems lay.
What was his amazement, his hor-
ror, to find, on looking into the case
which he had previously opened, that
the chief treasure of the collection,
mis- wife's tiara of hung emeralds
mounted in brilliants was gone!
The unfortunate baronet stood for
moment petrified by his discovery.
He could not remember at what point
of the hurried proceedings of the last
half hour it was that the convict had
had the opportunity of Selling the
jewels; yet that he had made good
use of some momentary chance was
only too plain.
A trembling examination of the
other cases showed that magnificent
that the rest of The collection was safe.
Scarcely able to walk, the baronet
made all safe and tottered upstairs.
Order the phaeton around at once"
said ne to the first servant he met,
and then, as he paced up and down the
hall, he debated the chances of his
ever recovering the property.
He knew well enough that IL the
rascal were to take the jewels back
to Portland with him the search he
would undergo would discover the
stolen property; but his fear was that
the man, whom the warder had de-
some means of getting rid Of them
on the way. If they were to be flung
into a ditch or into the sea, what was
his chance of ever seeing them again?
The minutes seemed hours as he
drove along in the darkness toward
the prison. and when he leaped to the
ground and addressed the warder VINO
opened the door his voice was cracked
and broken as ne stammered out
IL want to see the warder who
brought the escaped prisoner back"
The man stared at him intently.
What escaped prisoner, sir? There
has been no escape of a prisoner"
"Oh, yes, there has," said Sir Jas
per, impatiently. 81 tell you he was
caught in my house-Peterscourt-
not an hour ago"
the warder looked at him, recog-
nized one of the magnates of the
neighborhood, and begged him to step
inside the lodge.
Sir Jasper, with terrible sinking of
the heart, accepted the invitation.
gave n minute account of what had
taken place. and was shocked to see
more dubious look come over the
warders face. When he paused, the
man said.-
I'm very much afraid, Sir Jasper,
that you stand poor chance of see-
ing your jewels again. You've been