The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-05-13
he resisted the as


sassIn-
Help! help!" he cried Murder
deathly numbneess parayzed hif
voice and senses. He heard shout rinA
hoarsely from close by. and the quick
pattcr OF footsteps, and then conscious
moss entirely left him.
AT about the time when Tobias Clink
was riding down Into the nuliah, where
ms rate awaited him, three persons sat
IN the cozy living room of the bungalow
at Rampoorn. Lieutenant Fane had ar.
rived few minutes before, and while he
ate hastily prepared supper and slaked
MS thirst with bottled English beer, ha
told what had brought him there at that
hour OF the night.
Madge Estcourt beautiful, browns
haired girl OF twenty, hung on her lovers
words with rnpt attention. Her brother
listened with n serious face, with III
concealed anxiety.
This Is a bad business" he said, whex
the narrative was finished. II have fear
ed for long time that trouble was brew>
Ing, and ] was thinking only tonight
OF taking Madge to Meerut for safety
LII gladly give you the assistance you
want, OF course, and hopo We shalt
capture your treacherous servant before
he reaches Jhaapur Your plan for
heading him on Is excellent. provided hs
travels on foot How many men will va
need Jack?"
mot more than half Dozen" the
subatern answered. "Nill you attend "a
II at once. old chap? You see. feel a BIZ
nervous, for It's quite on the cards that
Spanish was able to get horse
Just then. from n distance. sharp
report rang on the still night air. All
heard It distinctly.
"Whnt was thnt7" exclaimed Madge
1.-THE crack OF pistol" said Ralph
Fstcourt, land from tho direction OF
Mecrut. 1t was about mile away.
should Judge. But who can be on tho
road ut this hour?"
''Who else but Joel SPANISH" cried
Jack. That's my idea. and It's a plaus-
iblc ono. He probably lurked about
Meerut until he could steal a horse. and
that's how got ahead Of him"
a"And the shot?"
.IIe fred ut q PIndnroon robber, or
seme other prowling scamp" Jack an
s~ered. But possibly It's the other wny
round. This must be looked into at once,
Ralph. VIII you 80 with me?"
"By oil means. I'll be ready In mo-
mcnt. Fame
Tho visitors horse was tied at the COM
pound gate. and Estcourt hurried OF to
the stable to saddle stecd for himself.
first slipping a pistol and q small dark
lantern into HIS pockets. Madge clunY
to her lover apprehensively. 10th to let
him 60
~ am afraid" she whispered. Como
lack quickly. dear. and don't expose
yourself to danger"
Jack kissed the girl. little dreaming what
events were to happen, what terrible days
were to pass before he would see her
again. Then with a few hasty words OF
comfort he hurried of TO join Estcourt.
who was waiting for him with both
horses. They swung themselves into tho
saddle and were gone
Rampoora. as tho plantation was called.
cSmDrispd the usual number of factories
ut-buildings and quarters for the coolies.
which were all in the vicinity OF the bung-
allow IT occupied an Isolated position.
surrounded by heavy jungle. and there
were no other stations or houses within
some miles.
A trce-lined avenue. half milo In
length led to the highway, and when
Jack and his companion had nearly
reached the bottom OF this they heard tho
pounding OF hoofs of to the right In tho
direction OF Meerut
Pull up said Estcourt, warnipgly.
They checked their steeds in the dark
shadow and waited. keping as quiet as
possible. The road was dimly visible
short distance ahead and within couple
of minutes five horsemen. all apparently
natives, rode by ut n trot. The CLINT OF
steel as they passed told that they wero
armed.
II would give something to know who
those fellows are and what business they
have In the neighborhood," said Jack,
They are evidently going to Jhalapur"
renlied EstcUurt, land one or them must
have fred tina t shot. They are nearly out
Of hearing now. Shall We push ahead and
investigator"
Jack assented eagerly. for he had Sc
c,et conviction that Joel Spanish had
come to grief at the hands OF the mys-
tcrious horsemen. They swung from tho
avenue into the main road, and brlsk
trot OF n quarter of n mile brought them
to the edge OF n nullah.
They rode down to a brawling stream.
crossed It and began the ascent OF the
opposite slope. Half way to the top
Jacks horse suddenly snorted. plunged to
one side and refused to bulge step far
Their
Eatcourt scratched a match and Lit HIS
lnrtern. Both men dismounted, and as
tho yellow beam Of light flashed IN 'front.'
of them they saw a spectacle that forced
EXPLANATIONS OF horror to their liDs.a
fallen horse. with its throat cut. BODY
lying In the road In a pool OF blood, ana
O. broken sword close by.
by Jove. the traitor has met with his
dies crts!" gasped Estcourt.
EMO, this is not Spanish" Jack said
hoarsey. as he bent over tho limp figure.
"It's n strnnger-an Engllshman!"
Dead, of course?"
Ing. Hold the light nearer, Ralph, Have
you got any brandy? Give 1t to ma
quick!''
(To be continued to-morow.)