Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1903-03-04
CHAPTER vi.

%% T was daybreak before
!: ; !: 8; !: : !: ; !: :: !: :: :: : J:
I:T2S&T7 I recovered from my
~ xxx fright, cleaned my
FL m clothes Of the blood
~ MI and dirt and returned
~l to my quarters In the
barn. John was not
ND vet, and when he finally came down
to the stable was busily engaged In
grooming the horses. The experience
of the night had left me trife pale
and agitated, for In all my experience
had never been quite 50 near deaths
door. But Johns was an unsuspect-
ing nature, and I had nothing to fear
from him.
you're an early bird to get back 80
soon In the mornin'," he said, IAN
your work half done. too, before break
fast"
II got lift most of the way out"
I answered. II caught milk wagon
coming this way"
you're always lucky. Now, If that
had been me I'd tramped all the way
an never met a soul unless 1t was
somebody to hold me up"
"Hold you upw said disdainfully.
"A man Of your size and age afraid Of
being held up by highwaymenT
"I never have been, but there are 80
many burglaries goin' on reun' here
that it makes me feel creepylike when
I'm out on the road after dark"
II hadn't heard of many robberies," "
l replied; none except that Of the
Stetson mansion the day before Mr..
Goddard engaged me-"
swell, you haven't heard everything
then. That was the fifth OF sixth In
four weeks, an they have had four
more houses entered since then"
This was genuine news to me, and l
was interested. John continued:
''They are slick ones, too, for they
never leave any trace behind them.
Them detectives from the city don't
seem to be able to do anything. They
must come from the city over night an
get back again afore mornin'. But
they can't find any Of the stolen goods
mot in any Of the pawnshops. It's
q fine mystery to be a-hangin' over
the place. You can't tell which house
will be robbed next. The servants are
all talkin' about leavin', an nobody
feels safe. l amt sayin' that I'm not
glad that I'm livin' out here over the
barn instead Of in the house. They
never bother the stables, an suppose
I'm all right"
But you'd 60 to Mr.. Goddard's as
sistance If an alarm was given at
night% said
II amt employed for that" John re-
plied evasively. shifting his eyes from
object to object. "I've got wife an
child to look after, an there ain't no
reason why should get killed to save
my master q few dollars"
mo? Well, I'd go as soon as l found
he was In trouble"
"Well. you haven't anybody depend
ent upon you" he answered.
That's true" Then I added: "You
say most Of the houses around here
have been entered in the last month or
two. Has Mr.. Goddard's been rob-
bed"
mo; his an DR.. Squires' are bout
the only ones that haven't been rob-
bed"
That's curious" reflected aloud.
Not at all. We expect the robbers
any night here, an that's why the serv-
ants all threaten to leave. The rob-
bers wouldn't take the trouble to break
into DR.. Squires', fur there amt nothin'
in that old place to take. He's too poor
to have anything valuable aroun'."
Breakfast at this juncture inter-
rupted Johns talk, and we had no
chance to renew it that morning. But
about noon the subject was recalled to
me rather forcibly by the appearance
Of MIR. Goddard. He looked troubled
and dissatisfied. He came into the
barn dressed in his ordinary morning
smoking jacket.
"John, I've got to make some change
here" he said. MY butler has be-
come frightened over the recent rob-
berries and won't stay. and the rest Of
the servants are up in arms too. They
all talk of leaving. l must have some
manservant in the house who isn't
afraid Of every little sound and ready
to Jump at his own shadow. Now the
question Is, Who shall install there?'
He looked significantly from John to
me.
II have a family to look after" John
began to stammer, and as he spoke q
look of annoyance swept across Mr..
Goddard's face.
did not let him finish, for l knew
that he would only get himself into
deeper water by displaying his coward
ice. AS good, faithful coachman and
kindly husband John was a success,
but as a man of courage he was total
failure.
IF you have no objections, sir,
would like to offer myself as one will
ing to live in the house and look after
things" | said modestly. II don't
think you will find me afraid Of any.
thing or anybody that may attempt
to enter your house"
could not help noticing pleased
expression on his face, although al
first l expected he would resent my
Intrusion. recalled the old, but 1ome,
times erroneous, saying that there's
honor even among thieves" for in spite
of what be knew about me he was will
ing to trust me. There was certainly
a very peculiar relationship springing
up between US.
"Thank you, William" he answered