Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1903-05-23
clothcs--and threw himself all Of a

Il
self. Concern, surprise, indignation,
were the feelings expressed on both
sides, and confess / shared them
and was deeply affected when ]
heard the colonel's story, which, aft.
er a good dose of brandy, he was
strong enough to tell.
He had returned to his chambers
hte one night from his club when
he found message waiting for him.
An old soldier friend of his who
had just come home and was stay
ing at the Royal hotel, Blackfriars,
had been taken suddenly dangerous
ly i'll. Would Colonel Hardyment
come at once in the cab sent?
Gle jumped in and was driven off
rapidly along the embankment, the
long line of lights on which were
the last things he distinctly remem-
bered. Somewhere there he lost
consciousness vague recollection
Of the odor of chloroform chung to
him-and only came to himself long
afterward, as it seemed, and then he
was awakened by sharp sense of
discomfort and pain.
"He found that he was bound
hand and foot to the bench on which
he lay, Then the pale dawn broke
and gave a dim light into the den
in which he was imprisoned. It was
a back scullery of probably a long
empty and deserted house.
''He made frantic, frritless efforts
to free himself and shouted at inter
walls till he was voiceless and faint
from exhaustion. At last in one of
his widest struggles the bench to
which he was fastened toppled over,
and he came heavily to the ground.
"He must have lain senseless for
hours. When he regained con-
sciousness he heard voices. Two
men were in the kitchen too busily
engaged to take any notice Of him.
Where'll ye stow it?'
Here in the chimney, high up
above the damper. It'll lie there
safe until tomorrow; then we'll
fetch in key to trade
And this cove?' said the first
speaker, giving Hardyment savage
kick.
"'Let him rot. Leave him where
he is. Maybe tomorrow we'll do for
him. It'll be safest, eh?'
'eThen the two rudians-one of
whom the colonel recognized as his
servant, Raskelf- de
parted without another thought of
their captive
'"There was no hope for him
present torture prolonged past en-
durance perhaps, then a violent
death. He rolled to and fro, now
above and now under the bench, con-
injuring himself and yell
ing often with the pain of some sud ]
len collision or blow.
'SThen he struck against some
hing. The fingers Of his right hand
,ouched it, and with the exaggerated
sense of touch due to his position he |
realized that it was a match box?
although his wrist was bound, |
lis fingers were free, and at last, aft
II endless attempts, he opened the |
oox, and then ensued long strug-
sle before he could strike a match. |
But he succeeded, finally succeeded
llso in applying the light to one Of
lis bonds.
ga second and third match were
necessary, but at last the cord
;aught fire and was burned-oh, SO
lowly -smoldering, smoldering, all /
he night through. The dawn had 1
broken before his right hand was
rec.
"To escape from the house was
n easy matter. But it took three
lours to drag himself to Pail Mall
rom Seacole street, Stratford, and
lie was well nigh done when he
cached his home.
S'In less than an hour watch was
ct upon the house in which the
olonel had been imprisoned. The
wo .scoundrels who had been first
lis captors, then his jailers, and one
t least of them his personator, were
AIKEN red handed as they returned
n search Of their 'swag.'"
Not the Same Name.
A ladv who nridas herself nnon !