The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1903-02-05

i he came out into the lane and began to
lcall after Harry with shouts of ironical
encouragement.
Ills appearances gave a new idea to
5harlie PendragOn, who, although he
was now sadly out Of breath, once
more appraised his voice. !.
Stop theft" he cried.
And Immediately the butchers boy
uad taken up the cry and joined in the
Ipursuit.
This was a bitter moment for the
Ipunted secretary. It is true that his
Iterror enabled him once more to i'm
prove his pace and gain with every
.Istep on his pursuers, but he was well
aware that he was near the end of his
resources, and should he meet any one
coming the other way his predicament
In the narrow lane would be desperate
Indeed.
~ must find a place of concealment,"
/ he thought, "and that within the next
few seconds, or all is over with me in
i this world
Scarcely had the thought crossed his
mind than the lane took sudden turn
Ing, and he found himself hidden from
his enemies. There are circumstances
1 In which even the least energetic of
mankind learn to behave with vigor
and decision and the most cautious
/ forget their prudence and embrace fool
i hardy resolutions. This was one of
those occasions for Harry Hartley, and
those who knew him-bes would have
sEbeen the most astonished at the lads
Iaudacity. He stopped dead, flung the
bandbox over a garden wall, and, leap
ling upward with incredible agility and
Selling the copestone with his hands,
he tumbled headlong after it into the
/ garden. 3D.. ..~--. T.
i He. came to himself few moments
IRfterward seated in border of small
ttosebushes. His hands and knees were
cut and bleeding, for the wall had been
protected against such an escalade by
b liberal provision of old bottles, and
he was conscious of a general disloca-
ton and a painful swimming in the
head. Facing him across the garden,
which was in admirable order and set
with flowers of the most delicious per-
fume,, he beheld the back of a house.
1t was of considerable extent and
plainly habitable; but, in odd contrast
to the grounds, it was crazy, i'll kept
and of a mean appearance. On all 9th
err sides the circuit of the garden wall
appeared unbroken.
He took in these features of the scene
with mechanical glances, but his mind
was still unable to piece together or
draw rational conclusion from what
he saw, and when he heard footsteps
advancing on the gravel, although he
turned his eyes in that direction, it
was with no thought either for defense
or fight.
The newcomer was large, coarse
and very sordid parsonage in garden
ing clothes and with a watering pot in
his left hand. One less confused would
have been affected with some alarm at
the sight of this mans huge proper
tons and black and lowering eyes, but
Harry was too gravely shaken by his
fall to be SO much as terrified, and if
he was unable to divert his glances
4 from the gardener lie remained :db ID SCI
lutely passive and suffered him to draw
near, to take him by the shoulder and
to plant him roughly on his feet with
out a motion of resistance.
For moment the two stared into
each others eyes, Harry fascinated,
the man filled with wrath and a cruel,
sneering humor.
"Who are your he demanded at last.
"Who are you to come flying over my
wall and break my Gloire de Dijons?
What is your name," he added, shak-
Ing him. land what may be your bust
ness here"
Harry could not as much as proffer
word in explanation.
But just at that moment PendragOn
and the butchers boy went dumping
past, and the sound Of their feet and
their hOarse cries echoed loudly in the
narrow lane The gardener had re-
ceived his answer, and he looked down
smile.
"a thief" he said, upon my word,
and very good thing you must make
of it, for I see you dressed like gen.
tleman from top to toe. Are you not
ashamed to 60 about the world in such
a trim, with honest folk, l dare say,
glad to buy your CASTOR finery second
hand? Speak up, you dog" the man
went on. "You can understand Eng
lish, suppose, and l mean to have a
bit Of talk with you before I march
you to the station
Indeed, sir,' said Harry, this is all
n dreadful misconception, and if you
will go with me to Sir Thomas Vande-
leur's, in Eaton place, l can promise
that all will be made plain. The most
upright person. as now perceive, can
be led into suspicious positions
"My little man." replied the garden.
er, II will 60 with you no farther than
the station house in the next street
The inspector, no doubt, will be glad to
take stroll with you as far as Eaton
place and have a bit of afternoon tea
with your great acquaintance. OF
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