The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-05-12
CHAPTER III.

y | Ta
Drop It'll"
Joel Spanish reluctantly let a piece OF
paper futter to tho floor Tho fiery con-
tact of tho lash had been his first inti-
nation OF danger, and he looked the de-
tected culprit that he was. very fright.
ened and uncomfortable. ns he STOOD
in half-cowering attitude, with one
arm raised to ward Off a further assault.
I Tho discovery that the desk had been
opened with a key not his own did not
improve the young officers temper. AS
yet he was unsuspicious. in spite OF the
colonel's warming He kept gold and
silver in the bungalow, and he FORMED
tho too hasty conclusion that TINS was
tho motive OF the burglarious visit. he
was very careless with money anu
might easily have been robbed on pre-
vious occasions. I,
TITS good thing I've caught you
he went on This Isn't the first time.
I'll warrant. You rascal, I've mind 70
give you what you richly deserved
sound tllrashing." ,,.,
He advanced step. his arm sSlifted.
Joel Spanish, backed against the desk.
and his face burned dusky red under
the brown skin.
"stopv, he said hoarsely, with an ugly
fash in his eyes. II won't take another
hlow. sir. And the one you've given me
shant forget"
"Bc careful, my man." Jack replied.
mo insolence, or you'll pay dearly Tor IL
In the end"
with a Jerk he flung the whip across
the room, lest he should DO tempted 10
uso 1t, and so degrade himself IN ms
own estimation. II am amazed at your
conduct. bitterly disappointed" he. con-
tin,1ed. you ungrateful dog, to rob the
man who trusted you and treated you
wills 1,indnessi And now you have ruin
ed your career.
'it you'll try me again. sir-
THAT'S imposs1ble! :,
"What do you intend to do with me? g
.'Have you locked UP to await your
}court-martinl?' 90 9ans q
Never that. sir!' snarled Spanish -;
showing his white teeth. by God. noH'
DI,nd ia the consequences OF his folly.
which meant death sentence, ne ac-
cornpanied the mutinous words with a
staggering blow on the young othcef .
chest. Then, leaping over table INA,
barred the way. he snatched pistol
from n rack at the rear OF the room ana
turned, Jack livid with rage, selzed d
sword that hung over the desk ana gave
instant chase. "a J..
Spanish realizing that It was 10 to J
,,a would he cut down before he could
make good his escape. stood at bay. LII,
..a,'Keent back, curse you'll" no cried. m 7,
!, dasnerate man, and II you come on,
ll"You Internal scoundrel!
Tho interruption, roared in furious
voice came from Colonel Erlton. His
sudden appearance on the threshold OF
the room startled the would-be murderer,
and caused his hand to shake as he was
In the act Of firing.
The trigger fell, there was Splash OF
flame and a report. The bullet whistled
by Jacks ear, and struck and exttngush-
ed the lamp, shatterfng It to fragments
spanish, profiting instantly by the DARK
ness. flung the empty pistol with crash
ntnifths litter on the table. and then
plunged headlong through theMnearest
window, carrying the curtains with MIN.
It was quite dark outside. and though
Jack and the colonel hurried with all
speed to the veranda, and thence across
the compound to the low wall, they
caught only a brief and disappointing
glimpse OF the fugitive as he plunged
into the edge of the Jungle
Knowing that he had escaped them Tor
the present, and that 1t would be USE
les to follow, the officers returned to the
bungalow, and Jack procured fresh
light. All was quiet. NO other
houses were in the immediate Vicinity,
and the pistol shot had evidently not +
tracted attention
u.
said Colonel Erlton. II don't know how It
was but something seemed to tell me
that l had better come after you. And
T got here in the nick of time. But
what was the trouble about? The fellow
must have been mad, or drunk.
'rIe was noither.' replied Jack.
Hc briefly explained In few sentences
willie he searched tho desk with eager
fingers
"This looks serious" said the colonel
II doubt If the scoundrel's object wa.
money. Are my papers safe-the plans9
"They are gone, sir!' 6s;e .banx-s
Don't say that, You are mis- taken alfee
Fane!" ri
In tone OF despair. Here Is the book
but the plans are not inside Of II. Ant
You can see for yourself that they arr
not in the desk. Spanish has carried
| them off,
"By heavens, It's black case as ~, i s,nr
Is treason In tho very air, and II the SLED Is!
ara to be belleved-hullo, what's thls!
The colonel picked up bit OF pape'
from the floor. glanced at It keenly, htie
tossed it to his companion with an eH
clamation OF disgust,
| "a letter OF yours" he SAID, as ~
turned to tho table and mixed hlmsel
| a brandy peg $50 tho plans are gone
| It'a n bad business. ] must thlnkalt owe
and decide what to do"
| Tie young subalterns race narReneu a
no examined the object that Spanish ma!
! dropped. 1t was an empty envelope ad
blessed to himself, with the left-hand to-
conner torn off, The postmark was Lon
| don and there were other marks to shoy
| that it had been forwarded from Cal
cutta and had reacher Meerut that YER
wrhe scoundrel!" cried Jack.
"What now Missed anything else?
| asked the colonel.
spanish has opened letter that cam
during my absence and has stolen tn
contents cannot imagine, why; Here J
the envelope, stamped London The writ
Ing is utterly strange to me-" ~
ut looks like n legal envelope, the KIN
solicitors use,' Colonel Erlton REPLIED
| "And so Joel Spanish has carried off tn
relosure thought though III the na man was TO
al him to YOU He has black recor
back of Observation-Disclosures a couple 9
licgglngs and an attempt to desert. ~
Ave years ago he turned over. new lea
4 and from that time there hasn't bee
a. mark against him., not private IN IN