Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-01-16
CHAPTER XVII.

ceived for myself what had happened in the interval of my absence. Ser combe, to be sure. had thrown out hints, but I 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 drawbridge peacefully spanning the waters of the moat. and the spikes of the 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 witt her ex- cited inquiries-so that ii was very plain whence the news of my disap pearance had reached the police. She informed me that Mir Sheppard and Mr Montgomery were both within and seated, in fact, at lunch. In the dining room, therefore, I sought them and broke in upon them. I will not say with what delight I was welcomed, embraced affectionately by Sheppard and sturdily shaken by Montgomery's great fist. They had been anxious, and yet not alarmed. by my absence Shep- pardss wits were always quick, and said he: it 8sf& 5sss
 T knew that it was not worth their while to slaughter you, Ned, but what other derilment they might be up to I could not guess. On the whole, we de- cided finally in favor of what actually occurred" And then, 50 you were taken" he asked. But how?'
 -Give me food and wine and I will give you my story" 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, worn and troubled face. now that the excite ment of my return was over.
 What is the matter:' I asked. '1s the treasure"-
 That is it." he said 'I 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" I said quickly.
 He regarded me seriously and with . pale face.
 You must forget. Ned" he said gen tly. what you left there"
 Montgomery's face had fallen, and he sat echoing sheppard's consterna- ton Suddenly light dawned on me. 1t was Hood they had in mind.
 Floods not there,' I said. Shep- pard stared at me.
 Not bit of it. I went on. Hes plump and live as ever, and a worse rascal"
 r But how-but whyy" exclaimed Montgomery. T thought the poor devil was dead and rotten by now. We tried all we could"-
 ''Oh, see I must hasten on to my story without more ado" I said. and accordingly began al once upon my narrative. Chagrin grew upon their faces as I proceeded. and I was inter rupted only by the expressions of as tonishment and anger which. the vsri- ous episodes of my adventure evoked from both. When it was over, Shep- pard rose.
 With your leave. Ned" said he, T will go down to the keep forthwith" And he left the room. with Montgon- cry at his heels i. too. followed. for was eager to know the worst without unnecessary delay.
 My sr-mises were quite correct The dungeon rested ss t had done when I saw il lsst and apparently had suffered no trespess. The chests stood h the corner as before, but they were bare of every piece of gold. amulet or jewel. The thieves had made a clean job of their depreciation. We stared at one another in dismay and retseated dis mally 10 the upper regions Of the house.
 "WeiL there's an end said Mont eomery, with a sign. and fancy We were all of the same opinion in that EaTl. N4I-A UL tAt.hsGAE-
 The treasure was gone. and he must be sharp fellow indeed who could discover its hiding place throughout the district of the Gwent CT maybe within the borders 1f the kingdom Sheppard was The first 70 show us the way out Of our deadly apathy.
 "I am not going 10 see it stop here. Ned he said. with determination and that's the truth. That treasure must be somewhere. and we've got to ind n-
 .I ssy ditto n that cried Mont gonery stsIwartly. leaving a sigh Of resolution
 Hive could 1arrov the aeld.- Isaid
 -Pskav- said sheppard They can't have got it far. How many days is ifs Why. they can't have got tbe mooey out an st one slot; otherwise they would not have kept you locked up. I'll % ba1 that the last was fetch cd cu1 only lsst night # ss early as that. Ani- f so. the treasure is ags verv far from the csstie-
 -so-.e of f nay te ia Lo1dga.- an ewer~i ncs1iIy.
 -swen u.Dd you I dgat admit ft Bur eay n is %. there uust te soue- nfnz x-iH about the GEz1t- and we've epf 7ts run il down thi1k- froz l. whxf rec say. ys1 su-prSed then hE 1our fft-s-g ulrh the viez-- IL is evi- nnnf thst they z5Shed to kssp y0a a ms<<~ turwr- raa Hr-r- v---fT -fsr Nal5