Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-11-27

there was no sound throughout the coun- tryside save now and then the lowing of COW or the paying of a dog at some one of the neighboring farmsteads.
 About midnight the form of man might have been seen issuing from the shade in the rear of the trustees home, and going in the direction of the spring which issued from a small cave. It was followed by the Reef dog, which, strange ly enough, trotted famfliarly along After few minutes the man returned and reentered the shadows of the house.
 Probably an hour later two other per- sons approached the house. Something perhaps the furious barking of the dog-caused them to make away. They were followed across the fields and into the road leading to the village by yet another person, who was evidently shad- owing them.
 Reef slept until about two o'clock in the morning, when he was awakened by his wife, who said she had heard the report of a gun in the direction of the village. Only partially awake at first. he grasped his pistol, rushed to the door, and fired out into the night.
 SpGCC you ulI CAC WOIiu SOlA CAo Jake," grumbled his wife. What did you do that for-disturbin' the neigh bors that-a-way."
 Jest bluff, guess" said the trustee, rather sheepishly. Eff there's any rob- bers around, it'll let lem know I'm fixed"
 The next thought was of the wallet. Raising the pillow anxiously. he was mortified to find that 1t was-gone!
 It can be surmised that the neighbor- hod was aroused long before dawn. Dur ing the search which followed, it de- veloped that Rufus Dent had been wounded that night, and that handker- chief with his initials thereon had been found near Keefs house. The young man was too severely wounded to walk home that night, and so the trustee and others confronted him with the suspi- cious handkerchief He said that 1t was his and that he had been near Reefs after midnight.
 From my window" he went on to explain, 'T saw two men lurking near my home. Being out so late looked suspi- cious, and going downstairs got where \ out being discovered. The men were those MT. Reef thought yesterday were too closely watching him. They were not acquainted in the vicinity, I thought, and were evidently hunting his resi- dence. This was confirmed in my mind when they left and went toward his home. I followed at distance, saw them leave his premises when the dog raised the alarm, and then shadowed them for something like half mile, when, discovering me, they fired and ran. It was my intention to see them safely out of the neighborhood before returning to tell of the incident. MT. Reef was already much worried and frightened, and, if unmolested, there was no need to add to his vexation during the night
 There was no plausibility in this story to Reef Anyone could shift his crime on others with some countenance if the others were not present to explain; and then there was the wound-in all prob ability his shot, fired at random, had hit the mark It was easy to believe, fur ther, that Dent had made his way to where found after being wounded.
 A warrant was issued forthwith and Dent was arrested. He gave bond for his appearance at the next term of court which would convene in March.
 But if the public was surprised over the arrest of the young lawyer, it was genuinely astonished when the day for trial come The prosecutor, when tho case was called. asked the judges per- Ao a7~A S+a%N CnS1 hns
 "I have done the defendant a great wrong; if there is any way to repair it, am willin' to try to do so. Isometfmes walk in my sleep-I believe the states attorney calls it somnambulism. Last night, while in this condition, my wife found me in our cave-spring. She watched me in amusement till reached under a crevice an withdrawed-wha do you think, judge? It wus this wallet O gov'ment funds, an not red cent missin'! Putin all things together, Pm certain that in my worry that night the money wus missin', had one O them spells an hid it myself. It looks quare, but rememberin' his life now since have got over my scare, it ain't stranger than that I should have thought Rufus Dent guilty"
 John Strobel hesitated to open the next letter he received from his ward. Per- haps he was expecting taunt. But breaking the seal he read:
 March 10, 1902.
 Dear Guardian-Can you still say you are not surprised? What do you now think of the Judgment cf a mature business man when pitted against the tpromptings of sentiment? I have so far recovered that shall start home next week.
 Your ward,
 'JUDTTHMAYS."
 French Convicts Adrift at Sea.
 VICTORIA, B. C., Nov. 26.-%T steamer Mona, which has arrived fN&m Australia brought news of the nick