New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-06-24
The Hdvenfures Of Harry ReOeI.
BY H. 4. OUILLER-COUCH GO. J.
Copyright: 1903: BY Charles scribner's Sons,
TO be sure he did" said Mr.. Rogers.

TO be sure he did" said Mr. Rogers.
Il cannot find it among his papers-which
for the rest, are in apple pie order
Thereupon we all fell to searching In half
an hour had ransacked the room. and all
to no purpose; and so. as If by signal. broke
off and eyed one another in dismay.
And as did Miss Belcher laughed aloud
and pointed at the valise lying in the middle of
the foor-the only thing we had left UNEMPLOYED
Mr.. Rogers flung himself upon IL. tossed its
contents right and left dived his hand under
flap. and held up paper with a shout.
The rector clutched it eagerly and. unfold
ing it as he went. hurried to the bureau ex-
anime it by the light of the candles he had
taken from the chimney piece and placed there
to assist his search.
It's the 1icenser' he announced
The two others pressed forward to assure
themselves. He put the paper into their hands
and stepping to the rifed valse bent over it.
rubbing his chin medtatively
Now why" he asked. would he be taking
this particular paper with him?'
Because" Miss Belcher answered, with a
glance at Mr. Rogers he villain. but
not a complete He was a weak fool-oh,
yes. and I hate him for it; but I won't believe
but that he loathed this business"
ct don't see how you get that out of his
packing the paper. to carry it off with him,
though it's queer I'll allow" said Mr.. Rogers
It's plain enough to me. He meant, If he
reached safety, to send the thing hack 10 you.
rector. and explain: he meant to set this thing
right: I'll go bail he abonlinated what he'd
done and abominated the man who compelled
him
He called it damnable." said 1. Il heard
him.
The words were scarcely out Of my mouth
when my ears and senses stiffened at sound
from the night without borne to US through the
open window-the boot of owl.
The others heard it. too
There he is" I whispered.
''who?" asked Miss Belcher. But nodded at
Mr. Rogers who understood
'Letcher; that's his call
Mr. Rogers glanced at the window and
grinned
Now. here's a chance he said softly.
En-
He hasn't seen US. Stand close. every one
OH Moses. here's a game He seemed TO be
considering.
Lets have it. Jack" Miss Belcher urged
Don't be keeping all the fun to yourself
Whist moment and don't hustle mani 1
was thinking what to do with you three The
doors in line with the window. and he'll spot
any one that crosses the ROOM
1 pointed to the window skirtfng. Not if one
crossed close under the window. sir-on hands
and knees"
Good boy, Can you manage it. Lydia? Keep
close by the wall, tuck in your tuppenny and slip
across
She nodded. And where them
Under the bed or behind the far curtain
which you will: and no tricks this time The
near curtain will do for the Rector Is that your
hat sir-there beside you. the bureau?''
7 1aft in he naYf
belong to whitmore."
Better still, Pass it over-thank you. And
now. if you please. we'll exchange coats" Mr.
Rogers began to strip.
The Rector hesitated. but after moment his
eye twinkled and he comprehended. The coats
were exchanged. and he. too. began to steal
toward the window.
This will do for me. sir said I. pointing TO
cupboard under the bookcase
Plenty of room beneath the bed he decided
as Miss BeIcher disappeared behind her curtain.
And so it happened that, better than either she
or the Rector. I sa what followed
We were in hiding some while before the owls
crv sounded again, and (as it seemed to mel
from the same distance as before. Mr.. Rogers
in the Rector's coat and the curate's hat
stepped hurriedly TO the valise and began TO re-
pack it, kneeIing with his back to the window
and full in the line of sight. am fam to say
that he played his part admire 'y. The sus-
pense, which kept my heart knocking against
my ribs either did not trouble him or threw
into his movements just the amount of agitation
to make them plausible. BY and by ne scram-
bled up. collected heap of garments and flung
them back into a wardrobe beside the bed
stepped to the bureau-still keeping his face
averted from the window-picked up and pock-
etad the license which the Rector had left there
returned to the valise and, STOPPING again.
raroroed IT'S contents tighter saw then that he
had disengaged the leather straps which ran
around it. pulling them clear of their loops
II was then that I heard a light sound on the
cobbes outside and knew it for a footstep-
.rW'stv' said a voice "W'st-Whitmore'
CTo be ContinuedD