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

ment and as Sir Jasper turned the
handle he said:
. "We'd better have th e butler with
US, had we not?'
The warder smiled and raised his
carbine.
II think this will be protection
enough for US both, Sir Jasper; and l
wouldn't call the man if was you.
You're never quite sure with men
servants, whether they'll be help or
a hindrance."
So the two descended together into
the basement, looking and listening,
but without coming upon any trace
of the escaped convict until they
reached the strong room door.
=. Sir Jasper turned up the electric
light in the opposite wall, and heaved
a sigh of relief as he saw that there
was no sign Of any attempt having
been made to tamper with the lock.
The warder, however, was STOPPING
to listen at the tiny keyhole, and max
ing a sign to the baronet to keep quiet.
Then he nodded and came toward
him.
"Will you listen at that door, sir,
and tell me if you hear anything?" he
asked.
Trembling, and sick with alarm,
Sir Jasper took his place at the key
hole.
"I-I fancy l hear a kind Of scratch
ing," whispered he at last.
The warder nodded.
"That's it sir. That's our man at
workr'
"But how did he get in?' said he,
with white lips.
The warder shook his head.
The baronet took his little key
from his watch chain, and proceeded
to fit it in the lock.
"Have care, sir!'
Sir Jasper, thus warned, opened
the door most cautiously, and flung it
wide. Then hastily pressing the but
ton just inside, he flooded the small
apartment at once with light. He
drew long sigh of relief-there was
no one there.
"And the jewelry is that all right,
Sir Jasper?"
The baronet advanced into the
room, and opened safe at the farther
end. Lady Peters emeralds and dia-
monds were almost world-famous, and
a sudden momentary doubt flashed
through his mind as to the wisdom of
letting even the prison warder know
the exact place where they were kept
when her ladyship had them for use
in the country.
But glance at the warder reassur-
ed him. The stalwart guardian had
bis watchful eye, not on the safe where
the baronet was busy, but on the
dark corners inside and outside the
room, and even as he looked about
him he held his carbine ready in case
of surprise from unseen enemies.
"It's all right" cried Sir Jasper,
with relief, as he came to the snug vel
vet nest where the jewels we're spark
ling.
But even as he uttered the words,
the warder's cry broke upon his
ear:
"Ah! would you?"
And, looking round, Sir jasper
saw the convict rush past the warder
from some unseen corner outside, and,
jerking up the arm which held the
carbine, make a dash for the jewels.
the next moment, before the baronet
had time to make all safe, he per-
cieved that the warder's weapon had
fallen to the ground, and that his right
arm hung limp, while he cried out, ex-
citedly:
"Seize him, Sir Jasper; seize him!"
The convict, even as these words
were uttered, was springing upon the
baronet, who, good man, living an
easy life, was not in condition to grap-
pie on equal terms with the 1.-the,
spare frame of his assailant. In an
other moment both were on the floor,
the convict on top.
There was short sharp struggle,
during which the baronet felt himself
for some moments blinded, choking.
Then the man was pulled from off him
by the superior force of the warder,
who, even with one arm disabled, !,
knew trick or two which made him
more than match for his man.
"Now, Sir, up with you, and help
me with him. cried the warder, while
the convict muttered curses on them
both and vainlv struooled to oct