Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1906-01-30
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CHAPTER XVII.


 through the park ill q lively statt
 of anxiety. l had not yet con aseived for myself what had happened 3n the interval of my absence. Ser eombe, to be sure. had thrown out hints, but l knew better than to put any faith in him. Still it was certain that anything might have happened and we might even now be in posses sion of the treasure But what gave me my first blow was the sight of the arawbridge peacefully spanning the waters of the moat, and the spikes of Ghe portcullis protruding just below the archway. These appearances seem ed to point in one direction and to ac- quaint me that the game was up.
 Inside met Mrs. Main, who started in alarm and pursued me with her ex- cited inQuiries-so that it was very plain whence the news of my disap- pearance had reached the police. She informed me that Mir, Sheppard and Ar. Montgomery were both within and seated. in fact, at lunch. In the dining room. therefore, sought them and 
 with what delight was welcomed, embraced affectlonately by Sheppard and sturdily shaken by Montgomery s great fist. They had been anxious, and yet not alarmed, by my absence. Shep- pard's wits were always quick, and said he:
 "I knew that it was not worth their while to slaughter you. Ned, but what other devilment they might be up to 1 could not guess. On the whole we de eided finally in favor of what actually occurred" And then "So you were taken?' he asked. But how?''
 Give me food and wine and l will give you my story" I replied, sitting down to the table.
 Sheppard laid his hand on my shoul- der. "No,' said he; mot yet There is something further first" And, look ing at him. perceived great gravity on his features. He showed a worn and troubled face, now that the excite. ment of my return was over.
 "What is the matterf' l asked "Is ihe treasure"-
 That is it., he said. II want that key. We tried the door in vain. We could not break it down. It is ada mant. God knows it was not for want of trying
 ''I fear the key is no use to us now said quickly.
 pale face.
 You must forget, Ned" he said gen fly, "what you left there"
 Montgomery's face had fallen, an( ne sat echoing Sheppard's consterna tion. Suddenly a light dawned on me It was Hood they had in mind.
 Floods not there,' 1 said. Shep pard stared at me.
 Not bit of it, l went on. "ue'. plump and live as ever and a wors, rascal"
 But how-but why?" exclaimed Montgomery. "I thought the poor devi was dead and rotten by now. We triel all we could'-
 "Oh, see I must hasten on to my story without more ado," I said, ant accordingly began at once upon my narrative. Chagrn grew upon thei faces as 1 proceeded, and I was inter Supted only by the expressions of as tonishment and anger which the vari ous episodes of my adventure evoked from both. When it was over, Shep pard rose.
 With your leave, Ned" said he, q will go down to the keep forthwith And he left the room, with Montgom cry at his heels. 1, too, followed, for was eager to know the worst without unnecessary delay.
 My surmises were quite correct Tn. dungeon rested as it had done when saw it last and apparently had suffered no trespass. The chests stood Ill tht corner as before, but they were bare of every piece of gold, amulet or jewel The thieves had made clean job O their depreciation. We stared Ut ont another tn dismay and retreated dis maly to the upper regions Of th, house.
 well there's an end," said Mont gonaery, with sigh. and I fancy wt were all of the same opinion ill tha early blast of despair.
 The treasure was gone and he mus be sharp fellow indeed who coult discover it's hiding place throughou the district of the Gwent or maybe within the borders of the kingdom Sheppard was the first to show us til, way out of our deadly apathy.
 ''l am not going to see it stop hero Ned" he said. with determination, "anl that's the truth. That treasure mus, be somewhere and we've got to fine it."
 II say ditto to that" cried Mont gomery stalwartly, leaving a sigh o resolution.
 "If we could narrow the field" said 'Pshaw" said Sheppard. .'rheS can't have got it far How many day. is it? Why, they can't have got th' money out all at one shot; otherwise they would not have kept you locked up. I'll go bail that the last was fetch