The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1904-11-18
CHAPTER XII.
Continued.

Continued.
Impossible, according 10 your story
but il is the truth for all that. ! got
of the path, and could not find my
way back. She led me TO road-God
knows where!-and left me-"
"When?
How can tell? Tine night has been
an age"
Granting she led you for an hour
you would scarcely suffer her to lead
you longer-that would allow her to
return to the Abbey, and come TO my
rescue at the time speak Of"
"Have 1t as you will; it makes no diff
ference now. She got me out OF the
way, and that was her object In be-
ing there. Go on"
/ came TO the end OF my narrative,
and then suggested that the theft
might be traced to one OF the servants.
Anything 10 shield Brace" he said
bitterly; and then, stamping his foot,
ne added, "You know he took It,"
II was useless reasoning with him in
his present condition.
"You stand convicted by your own
statement" he continued. what or
dinary thief would be fool enough,
having obtained the diamond, to wait
there, risking discovery, and leopard
izing his own life-for the sake OF
butcherlng your II Brace was the
thief such a thing is possible; for he
must kill both you and me to profit by
the possession Of the diamond. Where
is he nowr'
with Lola, in the woods looking for
you"
what? AlreadyT he exclaimed in
alarm. "He is losing no time. Where
are the woodsp
1--WE are in them now" replied, as
we had passed the cross roads.
He stopped short. Shaking OFT my
hand. he muttered in tone OF dread:
Are you three hunting together"
BE reasonable, Van Hoeck," l said.
"I am" he said; leave me here"
made no reply. and we stood there
In the middle OF the road, he quaking
with fear, and turning his head from
side to side to catch the sound that
might confirm his fears. He looked like
a hunted beast, that knows not which
way to escape the hounds.
whats that? he asked, under his
breath, quickly. There's some one on
the road. It's his step. IL you have
any mercy, save me from him"
While / was turning to look up the
road. to see IL his fdssrs were justified,
he groped about until he sought hold
OF my arm.
had heard no sound, but his finer
sense was not at fault. On the brow
OF the hill-which we were now de
scending-stood the gaunt figure OF
Brace. Tho light OF the rising sun
shone upon him, but we stood in the
shadow OF the wood, where the mist
still hung over the sodden earth
II do not hear him; where is he
now" Van Hocck whispered.
HE is standing on the hill, couple
OF hundred yards behind US. He does
not see us"
"If we could but get to tho Abbey!
Forget what | said, Thornc. Have
pity on me-" he murmured.
what do you want me TO doP'
LEAD me back TO the Abbey. II |
escape that man now. may protect
myself after"
saw no possible reason for refusing
compliance with this request and
taking his arm, led him along that
side Of the road where the shade was
deeper
But before we had gone 4 dozen
yards, shrill whoop rang through
the echoing woods TO our right, and
Van Hoeck again stopped. i looked
I'm vain over the brake for Lola. whose
cry recognized; but, glancing up the
road, j perceived tat the Judge had
heard the signal, and was coming after
us. At the same moment Van HoeCk
starting forward, cried
Quick, quick-he sees us-hc is com
ing down upon Csr' and then, after
another dozen yards. do you want
him to overtake Us that you stick 10
this cursed roadT'
u am looking FOR a path; we cannot
push through the brake" / replied
GlaDcing over my shoulder / saw the
Judge. his shoulders bent forward, bis
arms swinging from side TO side. bear
ing down upon US with long strides,
and rapidly diminishing the distance
between Us.
He is gaining upon ne. How far
are we from the Abbey" asked Van
Boeck.
Nearly two niles; we will run FOR
81 If you like"
We ran for some distance Again
looking back, saw the Judge still
plodding on, with the came rhythmic
swing Of his long arms. Running bad
given us no sensible advantage. Van
Hoeck's ear told him this. Drops OF
moisture stood on his llyid face. the re
cult OF terror rather than exeriion.
There is no one in sight-no enc
we can call TO for helpf" he asked.
NO one. ] see a footpatb through
the Wood, 81 You think that will bS
safer
Yes, yes-anything is better than
This open road"
We took the path had caught sight
of. IL was good sound bride way
covered with short turf; we ran aloni
noiselessly. The angle we made shu
OF the view from the road. Brac,
could not cut OF the corner without
getting entangled in the underground
of briers interviewer with the TAI
brake.