The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1904-06-22
IS -N
THE SPLENDID SPUR
THE ADVENTURES OF JACK MARVEL.
By ARTHUR T. ou.ELER COUGH. s
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BY ARTHUR T. QU!ELER CoUCH...

| tOrCeQ me 10 OIueI d So"hS hN" q"
hanging, who might If kept alive be
forced in time to give us news OF
value. l dar'd not refuse"
He that you caught with the
Kings letter"
"Aye-a trumpery m;ssive, dealing
with naught but summoninS OF the
sherif's posse and the like. There is
more behind, could We but wait to
get at it."
Tile gallows may loosen his tongue.
And how of the girl that was taken
too"
81 have her in safe keeping. This
very evening l shall visit her, ana
make another trial to get some speech.
Which puts me in mind"
The Colonel tinkled a small hand
bell that lay on the table.
The pause that followed was broken
by the Earl.
MAY : see the letter."
The Colonel handed it, and tinkled
the bell again, more impatiently. At
length steps were heard in the hall,
and a servant opened the door.
Order the coach around the barDi-
| can in twenty minutes from now
twenty minutes, mind, without fan.
And say-'twill save time-the fellows
to drive me to Mistress Finch's house
in st. Thomas's Street-sharp"
AS the man departed on his errand.
the Earl laid down His Majcstys
letter.
Hang the fellow" he said, "if they
want it,; the blame, if any, will be
theirs. But, in the name of heaven,
Colonel, don't fail in lending ME this
thousand men! Twill finish the war
out of hand"
"Ill do it," answered the colonel,
slowly.
And I'll remember it," said the
Earl. Tomorrow, at 6 o'clock, l set
out"
The two men shook hands on their
bargain and left the room, shutting
the door after them.
l crept forth from behind the screen,
my heart humping on my ribs. Thus
far it had been all fear and trembling
with me; but now this was chang'd
to q kind Of painting Joy. Twas not
that 1 had spied the prison keys hang
ing near the fireplace, nor that chino
the screen lay q heap Of the Colonels
riding boots, whereof a pair, ready
spurr'd, fitted me choicely we'll; but
that my ears tingled with news that
turn'd my escape to a matter of pub
lie welfare; and also that the way TO
escape lay plann'd in my head.
Shod in the Colonies boots, I adj
vanced again to the table. With seal
ing wax and the Governors seal, that
lay handy, l clos'd up the Kings let
ter, and sticking it in my breast,
caught down the bunch Of keys and
made for the door.
The hall was void, I snatch'd down
q cloak and heavy broad-brimm'd hat
from one Of the pegs, and donning
| them, slipp'd back the bolts Of the
heavy door. 1t opened without noise.
Then, with q last hitch Of the cloak,
to bring it well about ME, l stepp'd
forth into the night, shutting the door
| quietly on my heels.
My feet were on the pavement of
the inner ward. Above, II star only
broke the blackness Of the night!
Across the court was 4 sentry tramp
ing. AS 1 Yalk'd boldly up, he stopp'd
cI,n,.t 1N,- fhp rota hntu-nnn tho words
and regarded me.
Now was my danger. I knew not
the right key for the wicket; and if l
fumbled, the fellow would detect ne
for certain. l chose one and drew
nearer: the fellow look'd, saluted,
stepp'd to the wicket, and open'd it
himself.
Good night, colonel"
I did not trust myself to answer;
but passed rapidly through to the
outer ward. Here, tony JOY, in the
arch'd passage of the barDican gate,
was the carriage waiting, the porter
standing beside the door; and here,
also, to my dismay, was a torch light,
and under it half q dozen soldiers
chatting. A whisper pass'd on my ap-
| proach-"Thc Colonel" and they hur-
ried into the guard room.
Good evening, Coloneln The por-
tor how'd low. holding the door wide.
/ pass'd him rapidly, ciimb'd into the
shadow of the coach, and drew a long
breath.
Then ensued a hateful pause, as the
great gates were unbarr'd. l gripp'd
my knees for impatience.
The driver spoke q word to the
porter, who came round to the coach
door again.
ITO Mistress Finch's, is it not?"
"Ay," muttered; land quickly"
The coachman touched up his pair.
The wheels mov'd: went quicker. We
We're outside the Castle.
After 4 short drive the coach came
TO Il halt. l looked out.
Facing me was q narrow gateway
leading to Il house that stood some
What back from the street. as if Slip
ping away from between the lines Of
| shops that wetG'd it IL on either hand.
Over the grill q link was burning. l
stepp'd from the coach, open'd the
gate. and crossing the small court,
! rang at the house hell.
at first there was 70 answer. / rang
| again: and now had the satisfaction
to hear a light football coming. 4 bolt
was pull'd and Il girl arrHar'd holding
a candle high in her hand. Quick as
thcuGht, l stepp'd past her into the
passage.
"DaIiaw