Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1906-01-05

tom to do TINS myselr, Tor, as / nave
explained, Sir Eustace was not always
to be trusted. went into the kitchen.
the buffers pantry, the gun room, the
billiard room, the drawing room and
finally the dining room. AS 1 ap.
preached the window, which Is covered
with thick curtains, suddenly felt the
wind blow upon my face and realized
that 1t was open. I flung the curtain
aside and found myself face to face
with broad shouldered, elderly man,
who had just stepped into the room.
The window is long French one,
which really forms door leading to
the lawn. l held my bedroom candle
Lit in my hand, and by it's light behind
the first man l saw two others, who
We're in the act of entering. 1 stepped
back, but the fellow was on me in an
instant. He caught me first by the
wrist and then by the throat. | opened
my mouth to scream, but he struck me
a savage blow with his fist over the
eye and felled me to the ground. 1
must have been unconscious for few
minutes, for when came to myself
found that they had torn down the
bell rope and had secured me tightly
to the oaken chair which stands at the
head of the dining table. I was so
firmly bound that could not move, and
a handkerchief round my mouth pre-
vented me from uttering a sound. It
was at this instant that my unfortu-
nate husband entered the room. He
had evidently heard some suspicious
sounds, and he came prepared for such
a scene as he found. He was dressed
IN his shirt and trousers, with his ia
vorite blackthorn cudgel in his hand.
He rushed at the burglars, but an
other-it was an elderly man-stooped.
picked the poker out Of the CRATE and
struck him a horrible blow as he
passed. He fell, with groan, and
never moved again
Il tainted once more, but again it
could only have been for a very few
minutes during which I was insensi-
Die. When opened my eyes found
that they had collected the silver from
the sideboard, and they had drawn a
bottle of wine which stood there. Each
OF them had glass in his hand. 1
have already told you, have I not, that
one was elderly, with beard, and the
others young, hairless lads? They
might have been father with his two
sons They talked together in whis-
pers. Then they came over and made
sure that I was securely bound. FL
nally they withdrew, closing the Win
dow after them. 1t was quite quar-
ter of an hour before I got my mouth
free. When did SO my screams
brought the maid to my assistance.
The other servants were soon alarmed,
and we sent for the local police, who
instantly communicated with London.
That is really all that can tell you.
gentlemen, and trust that it will not
be necessary for me to go over so pain
full story again."
"Any questions, Mr.. HolmesW asked
Hopkins.
II will not impose any further tax
upon Lady BrackenstalPs patience and
time" said Holmes. Before 1 go into
the dining room l should like to hear
your experience" He looked at the
maid.
II saw the men before ever they
came into the house." said she. Gas
l sat by my bedroom window 1 saw
three men in the moonlight down by
the lodge gate yonder, but 1 thought
nothing of it at the time 1t was more
| than an hour after that heard my
mistress scream, and down l ran to
ind her, poor lamb, just as she says
| and him on the floor, with his blood
and brains over the room. 1t was
enough to drive woman out of her
wits, tied there and her very dress spot
ted with him; but she never wanted
courage, did Miss Mary Fraser Of AIDE.
la1de, and Lady Brackenstall Of Abbey
Grange hasn't learned new ways
You've questioned her long enough,
you gentlemen, and now she is coming
to her own room just with her old
Theresa to get the rest that she badly
needs"
With n motherly tenderness the
gaunt woman put her arm round her
mistress and led her from the room.
She has been with her all her life,''
said Hopkins. "Nursed her as a baby
and came with her to England when
they first left Australia eighteen
months ago Theresa Wright is her
naMe, and the kind of maid you don't
pick III, nowadays. This way, Mr..
| Go,:.es. II 81 pleascm
TO be continued.