The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1902-12-17

err. the latter for the most part broken
and crushed.
was now In such q frenzy Of ex.
element as to be almost incapacitated
for continuing my search. Was all
the property in this thiefs den stolen
from us? and II SO, was 1t all as valua.
BILE as this? In my eagerness turned
the chest upside down that / might the
quicker acquaint myself with its con-
tents, which I found 20 consist OF two
other robes similar 70 the first but
Of different pattern, several more dia-
mond stars, and five daggers OF various
sizes, all Of them with richly jeweled
handles.
Having replaced the things in the
chest as carefully as my agitated state
would allow me, sat down on the edge
Of the bed and wiped the perspiration
from my forehead. What should I
examine next? / had already abund'
ant power to compel Adams to restore
the sequins and whatever else he had
stolen from us under threat Of imme.
date prosecution. Why. my object
was already half accomplished. My
father would now have to abandon
his scepticism; the wrong uncle Sam
had done the Wolseys would be bal
anced by the wrong my father and Mr..
Wolsey had done uncle Sam; we should
all be rich together; enmity would
cease among us and everything hence
forth 90 as merrily as the marriage
bell which my Connie and would
cause to ring.
No, would not look any further
now. When my father returned this
room should be emptied, and every.
thing In it thoroughly examined. Mean.
while would take with me the aig-
rette, stars and daggers; would close
the window. and NAH the door up on
the outside.
Having carefully executed these ar
rangements placed the ladder where
/ had found It, and went again into
the kitchen, where I left instructions
that old John was to be sent to me In
the parlor the moment he returned.
and that nothing was to be said to him
about my having been into his bed
room.
And then. with feelings similar to
thos, which suppose must animate
d victorious general after battle. l
paced round and round our garden
hour after hour. waiting for the return
Of Adams, which ! hoped might be
before my father and Mr.. Wolsey came
home.
After what appeared an interminable
time q maid came on: to inform me
that Adams had returned, and was
awaiting me in the parlor, and thither
I ut once went.
The old man was standing just in.
side the door. holding his hat in one
hand. and q letter In the other. took
the letter from him and opened 1t.
but finding that 1t was long put 1t into
my pocket for the present without
reading It.
John, how long have you been o
servant here:" asked.
The old maa looked up wonderingly.
and after q brief pause replied:
Nigh on forty.six year. Your grand.
father was just married when I come.
and your father wasn't born until
eighteen months after"
And though you have been well
treated and cared for all those years,
you must needs rob your benefactors
OF everything valuable you can lay
your hands On. Look at those things
which have just recovered from your
room.' I exclaimed, throwing the aig.
rette. the stars. and the daggers on the
table. And tell me, you lying thief.
what you have done with those gold
coins you stole out Of the crypt. or by
the God that made me, I'll bind yOu
hand and foot and cart you OF to IL.
WORTH" and with these words sprang
at the old man. and seizing him by the
throat, forced him against the wall.
where I held him as In q wise, sur.
prised at my own strength.
To be continued.