The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1904-11-11
Lost! as bowT he asked. sitting up.
"St0len-taken from me-"
"Where's Israelp


Lost! as bowT' he asked. sitting up.
"Stolen-taken from me-"
where's Israeli
! told him OF Van IIoecn terrific
preseDtiment, and the circumstances
under which he bad left the house.
I'VE will md him, parGner" said
the Judge. in his slow, sententiOus
manner. which was que .rsy at varl-
ance with his speed In hunylng into
his clothes. I'VE Will find him, and
see IL his presentiments will go as fur
as 10 explain what's become OF the dis-
mond. Let up what has happened.
pardner. Reel IL of. am all awake"
! i narrated briefly the events Of the
night while he completed dressing.
| Lola. standing by the window, listened
in silence. There was just enough
light 10 reveal the mischlevlous exult-
alton that sparkled in her eyes.
Here's Vigilance Committee job
IL ever there was one" said the Judge
hastily lacing his boot. IL amt lighted
on anything so much like Californcy
since the good old days. Now. sir.
IL YOU air ready, well hunt up Is
rael, the prophet. He's got TO tell us
sOmethin about this than We know
on"
IL was striking five when we quilted
the house. The Judge left me 10 look
about the garden and its vicinity for
Van Hoeck; he himself struck out at
once for the wood, taking Lola with
him. The girl would have stayed with
me, but her father had her hand in
his. and there was no getting away
from that grip.
After exploring the garden. ] took
the path that led to the lodge. as be.
Ing the one that Van Hoeck frequently
walked i'm when alone. The lodge
Keeper was not up, but, passing
through the open wicket into the road.
/ came upon laborer trudging along
to his work with a pick upon his
shoulder. and n tin flask in his hand.
II was then half-past five, or little
later.
Have You passed a blind gentle.
man on the road?' | asked.
II amt passed i'm" he answered:
"but as ] come by the cross roads /
sec some 'un as looked gentleman like, /
kind 'er fumbling his way along the
road down by Marley bottom"
| knew the cross roads; they were
nearly two miles distant 1t was in .
10 me how Van Hocck 4
had strayed 80 far from the Abbey; /
but the laborer's description left little /
room for doubt that II was Van Hocck .
he had seen, and started at once in
the direction indicated
j could not see Van Hocck from the
cross roads, but on turning the angle
OF the lane at the foot Of the hill
perceived him feeling the way with
painful slowness on the side Of the
hedgerow hundred yards in advance.
Hearing my step, he turned, and, rec
ognizinS it, came 10 meet me. He
seemed 20 forget the danger Of making
n false step. and advanced with eager
whole body partaking
he expression Of anxiety imprinted
Jn his features
'Is IL YOU. ThorneY' he called.
Yes" | replied.
what has happenedY
waited until ! got UP TO him. then
putting my hand on his shoulder. /
said:
Il have bad news for you, Van
IToeck.'
He trcmblcd violently under my
land ana opened his lips to speak. but
40 sound came; his condition was pit
able, and to keep him no longer in
suspense. | said:
u have lost it, II has been taken
rom me"
"Who has taken it?" he asked in a
hick husky voice.
Il cannot say. could not see the
Gan who robbed me-"
lie was silent for time. and then !
ais feelings found expression. al first
II cNecration, then in incoherent SEN
cnccs, broke up with words of Dutch
where the English tongue failed to
give sufficient force 10 his anger and
He aSsaled me with
very Kind OF inycCtivC, accused me OF
'owardice, of completely in robblnc
him, Of | know not what basenesS and
lcartlcSsness; indeed, il seemed as
though the blow had deprived him OF
'cason for the moment At length,
when his passion was somewhat eX.
laustcd. he said:
And what is your dcfense?"
| took his arm, ana as | led him up
lie hill toward the cross roads, went
over the story once more. When |
was telling him how Lola had come 10
my rescue, he stopped me
THAT is liew he said. FOR she has
been with me"
impossible" I exclaimed.
To be Continued.