New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-06-25

and perhaps wisely-to keep your knowledge
to yourself, I'll start by making out the war
rant and We'll have in the consta bles" Mr.
Rogers stepped toward the bureau.
WI" Leicester attempted a low whistle.
but his mouth hurt him and he desisted- An
ugly grin of comprehension spread over his
face-of comprehension and, at the same time.
of relief. That explains" he muttered; but
where did he find the pluck?'
"Eh?" Mr.. Rogers in the act Of seating HIM
self by the bureau. had caught the tone but not
the words AS he slowed round with the query
l heard another sound in the adjoining room.
'Oh, go ahead with your warrant, my Jes-
samy Justice! It tickles you and don't hurt
me. Shall I help you spell it?"
L was thinking to ask you that favor" Mr..
Rogers replied demurely. Your name, now?"
acknowledgment North Willis
Regiment"
Thank you-Letcher.' you say? Now was
on the point nf writing Leicester.
In the dead silence that followed he laid down
his pen. and with his hands behind him came
slowly across the room and stared into Leices-
ters face.
THE game is up, my friend"
Leicester met the stare butshis jaw and throat
worked as though he were choking. 1 thought
he was trying to answer. If so. the words re-
fused TO come
Some one knocked at the door.
Mr.. Rogers stepped to it quickly. THAT you.
Jim
"Yessfr"
rs Miss Brooks with you?" He held the door
a very little ajar-not wide enough to give sight
of us behind him.
"Yessir. gentleman too. sir; leastways he
talks like one though dressed like private
soldier. He won't give his name Jims tone
was an aggrieved one.
Thank you: that's quite right. You may go
home to bed, If you wish; but be ready for a
call ] may want you. later on"
BE this ali you want Of me?' Jim was evil
IDENTIFY disappointed
7 fear So
'"P'rhaps you don't know IT, sir. but Hodgson's
gone. There was nobody at the gate when We
came by
"Hodgson has a little job on hand 1t will
certainly occupy him all night but I am afraid
you cannot help him. Now don't stay asking
questions, my man. but be off 70 bed I'll send
word if I want your services
Jim grunbled and Withdrew. Best to get
him out of the way" Mr.. Rogers explained to
the Rector. You and I take this fellow
back to Plymouth at daybreak." He lis
tened for a moment and announced. He's
gone. Keep an eye on our friend. please, while
prepare Isabel for it My word!"-and he
heaved a prodigious sigh-"Fd give something
to be through with the next ten minutes!"
He opened the door and, passing through,
closed it as quickly behind him. He was absent
for half an hour perhaps. We could hear the
mutter OF his voice in the next room and now
and again another masculine voice interrupting
never IsabePs. The Rector had found seat
for Miss Belcher beside the bureau. He himself
took his stand beside the chimney and fingered
q volume Of the register. making pretence TO
read, but keeping his eye alert for any move
ment Of Leicester's. No one spoke; until the
prisoner intercepting glance from Miss Belch-
er, broke into a sudden brutal laugh.
Poor old LADY," he 1eered. and his eyes trav-
eed wickedy across the disordered floor
''Whitnore left lot behind him, Ell?
She rose and. turning her back on him. walked
TO the window. Then she leaned out seeming
to study the night: but I saw that her shoulders
heaved-
The Rector looked across with a puzzled
frown. Leicester laughed again, and with that
Miss BeIcher came back to him, slipped out the
riding crop which trussed him. and held it un-
der his nose Her face white, but calm.
She lifted the stick slowly to bring it across his
face, paused, and flung it on the floor.
You tempt me to be dirty as yourself"
she said But one woman has shown you
mercy tonight. despising you Think of that,
George Leicester"
The door opened again and Mr. Rogers nodded
to us.
"Hullo!" he exclaimed. perceiving the riding
crop on the floor.
He can't rum" said Miss Belcher nonchalant-
Iy But he can stand now, fancy-and walk
if you loosen his legs bit. He'll be wanted for
witness, won't he?"
You're all wanted" Mr. Rogers helped
Leicester to stand and slackened the bond about
his ankles. We'll tighten IT again in the next
room my friend Stay moment. Rector
He pointed to the wardrobe. The Rector went
to it and. unhitching clean surplice, laid 1t
across his arm. So we filed into the room where
lisa bel and Archibald PlinIimnon awaited US
They stood in the shadow Of the window cur
tains talking together in low tones, and by
their attitudes she was vehementIy pleading for
favor which he as vehemently rejected. But
when she caught him by both hands he yielded
and they faced US together-she with her beau
tifuI face irradiated.
Miss Belcher stepped 10 her at once and
kissed her and across that good lady's shoulder
she cast one look at the prisoner, now being
shuffled into the room by Mr.. Rogers. It was
neither vindictive nor recriminatory, but cheer
full and calm with utter scorn. looked ner-
vously al Archibald Plinlmmon. His face was
dUsky red and suIen with rage but 1 noted
with a leap of my heart that he. too. looked
Leicester squarely in the face. and from that
moment (if boy may say so) I felt there was
hope for him.
The Rector unfolded and donned the surplice
Isabel disengaged herself from Miss Belcher's
arms and. drawing off her ring. handed it to
her lover. Their eyes met, and hers were srnil-
ing bravely; but they brimmed a sudden as
the tears sprang into his And I felt that
there was strong hope for him
Thus l came TO be nresent at their Meddin.