The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1904-07-29

The man frowned, uneasily.
"Well SOS many more than me
been convicts, and many as deserve
it precious sight wus nor what l
d." said the man And as he spoke
he threw from time to time an anxi-
Gus glance toward the window by
which he had entered. "But this
amt no time for to throw my failings
in my face. I'm united man, sir,
that's what l am The warders is
after me-
"What!" cried Sir Jasper, with
something so like relief in his face that
his guest scowled him promptly into
silence.
"Surely, guv'nor, you wouldn't go
for to betray united man, a noble
gentleman like you, with everything
'andsome and comfortable about him!
You wouldn't go for to give up poor
wretch that begs you to give him a
change of clothes, would you? Ah-h!'
The sound he uttered was an indie
scribable one, as he suddenly straight
ened himself and listened with strain
ing ears to the unmistakable sound of
a rapid footstep on the gravel.
"They're coming! They've traced
me ere! For mercy's sake, sir, don't
give me up!'
The baronet looked at the close
cropped head, with the ugly ears
sta ndiug out on each side, and the
coarse features distorted with fear,
with disgust he found it hard to
hide. He, too, heard the approach
ing footsteps, and secretly congratu-
lated himself upon his prospective de-
liverance from his tormentor.
Before he had time to answer the
mans entreaties the noise of foot
steps ceased; the convict threw one
glance at the window, second round
the room and then be made for the
door with all speed. Sir Jasper jump
ed up from his chair and ran to the
window.
Yes, there, at the distance of but
dozen steps, was one OF the prison
warders, with carbine in his hand.
He was standing still, and looking
about him. 1t was evident that for
the moment he had lost the track of
his quarry.
Sir Jasper beckoned to him quick
ly.
"Wardel!' cried he "Warder!
This way!'
The man turned and came rapidly
toward him. He was a tall, strong,
fine-looking man, with shrewd eyes
and clear-cut features; and, even as
Sir Jasper called him, he was smitten
by sense of the inequality of the con-
test between this stalwart, well-ted,
handsome pursuer and the under-siz-
ed, lean, grizzled rascal of whom he
was in pursuit.
Saluting as be came the warder
was under the window in a moment.
"You are looking for a convict who
has escaped?'' said the baronet.
Eyes, Sir Jasper"
"You know me then?"
"Why, yes, to be sure, we all know
Sir Jasper Peters, said the warder
with smile. "Have you seen any
thing of the man, sil?'
"Yes, yes; he's in my house at this
moment" answered Sir Jasper, in
stinctively lowering his voice with a
sort of fear of retribution at the hands
of the hunted man if he were to learn
he was betrayed.
"Where sir, where?'
Even before the baronet had finish
| ed his sentence the warder had put
his hand on the window sill and sprang
into the room. Sir Jasper pointed to
the door.
"He got away through there the
moment he heard you coming.'
The warder looked at him in con-
sternation as he crossed the room.
Then I'll be bound he's rifling your
strong room, sir,' said he. ''The
mans one of the cleverest thieves in
England, and he's got some sort Of
tools with him that he's manlged to
make; and, as you have got plenty of
stuff to steal, I'll he sworn he's hav-
ing shot at it,"
"W-w-w-what!" stammered the
startled baronet. GLOW can lie know?'
Already he was leading the warder
out of the room and across the hall,
in the direction of the strong-room.
"These chaps know most every
thing. Goodness only knows how
Else why should he have come straight
| horo7 Tee iloc from tho nricou yonr