The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1904-06-09
WALTER BLOOMFIELD

house was alarmed, and one Of the
women fetched DR.. Thurlow. At first
We thought you had been struck by
a burglar; but DR.. Thurlow dlsproved
that by your wound, which he has
shown was caused by a fall. Why
you went into the crypt we know; but
exactly how you came to fall as you
did you must tell us. If you can, when
you get quite WELL
"Why was it went into the crypt.
do you think?"
1--WE suppose you heard the same
noises that old John heard. and went
downstairs to ascertain the cause. 1t
is strange that both Of you should be
so mistaken. Nobody had broken into
the house; all the outer doors were
fast, and nothing is missing. One cir
cumstance none of us can understand
is how a certain lantern came to be
lying by your side; it belongs to the
stable, and l have never known it to
be brought into the house. But l am
talking too much; DR.. Thurlow will be
back in a minute and lecture me for
disobeying him."
Your conclusions are as 1 thought
they would be. Has DR.. Thurlow
gone home" ....,..
mo; he is with John"
why with John?"
"The old man is very i'll; he has not
yet recovered from his fright at find
ing you as he did"
"Ah. have much to tell you which
should make you angry with me for
concealing it from you so long; but
you are so good and gentle with your
foolish boy that ! don't suppose you
will be-"
my Ernest would have to act very
differently from anything I have ever
known Of him to excite my anger"
declared this best of fathers. Il have
nothing to forgive; or. if have, for
give you with my whole heart before
I know what is the offense you charge
yourself with"
At this point our colloquy was inter-
rupted by the entry of DR.. Thurlow.
He stayed but a very little while, how
ever, and having expressed his salts
faction with the condition of both
his patients, and promising to call
again in the evening, he took his de-
parture. AS soon as the sound Of his
footsteps in the corridor had died
away, 1 resumed the conversation
with my father.
Tell me what are the matters I
Lave raved about since that night in
the crypt" I said. ut may be that
you know something of what would
tell you"
My fathers face relaxed into a smile,
and his eyes twinkled in manner pc
culiar to him in moments Of amuse-
ment.
"Oh. we will tell you about that in
years to come"
What was it I talked about" /
asked again.
MANY things. I don't remember
tenth of them"
Tell me a few that you do remem-
ber." l urged.
About vast stores Of gold coins
being stolen from this house-about
the beauty of your aunt Gerrude's
the Rev. Mr.. Price-and
q lot of similar nonsense which may
perhaps recollect more of by-and-by.'
mo, father; it was not nonsense l
talked about. but sober fact; though
maybe 1 didn't know what / was say
nc at the time. In very truth, as true
rs you are listening to my words, you
have quite recently been robbed OF
IN immense treasure in gold" And.
raising myself on my elbow. 1 ac-
1uainted him as clearly and briefly
as 1 could with the information / had
obtained from Roger Trueman's Rec
ord, and of my consequent action and
It's result.
NV father, who soon became deeply |
Interested, suffered me to continue my |
narrative without interruption. When
had ceased speaking he made no ra-
mark, but rested his face upon his
hands and appeared lost in thought.
After waiting some time, and finding |
:ha. my father exhibited no sign OF
upon my story, / asked him
f he did not now believe that he had |
been recently robbed Of a quarter OF |
, million seQuins.
81 believe 1 have been robbed of so |
much treasure" he assented; but l
nope and pray it was not recent"
what an extraordinary wish!
astonished. Surely the
chances of recovering the treasure are
much greater if it was lately stolen
han they would be if it was taken
away years ago"
do you know, Ernest" said my
:ather, appearing not to notice my re-
mark; your uncle Sam was talking
Q me about that very treasure the
irst evening you saw him here"
Then its existence was known to
Iou both?"