The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1906-08-30

sionate sobbiag. Al last she contin-
ued:
Il will tell you about last night. You
are aware, perhaps. that in this house
all the servants sleep in the modern
wing. Thsa central block is made uE
of h dwelling rooms, with the kitchen
behind and our bed room above. ny
maid, Theresa, sleeps above my room
There is no one else, and no sound
could alarm those who are in the far
ther wing. This must have been well
known to the robbers, or they would
not have acted as they did.
Sir Eustace retired about half-past
ten. The servants had already gone to
their quarters. Only my maid was up,
and she had remained in her room at
the top of the house until I needed her
services. I sat until after II in this
room, absorbed in a book. Then !
walked round to see hat all was right
before I went upstairs. TWAS my
custom to do this myself, for, as
have explained, Sir Eustace was not
always to be trusted. I went into the
kitchen, the buffers pantry, the gun
room, the billiard room, the drawing
room, and finally the dining room. AS
I approached the window, which is
covered with thick curtains. I suddenly
felt the wind blow upon my face, and
realized thai 1t was open. I flung the
curtain aside, and found myself face
to face with a broad-shouldered elder
~ man, who had just stepped into the
ROOM. The window is a long French
one, which really forms a door leading
to the lawn. I held my bed room cam
die lit in my hand, and, by its light,
behind the first mani saw two others.
who were in the act Of entering. ]
stepped back, but the fellow was on
me in an instant. He caught me first
by the wrist, and hen by the throat.
I opened my mouth to scream, but he
struck me a savage blow with his fist
ground. I must have been unconscious
for a few minutes, for when I came to
myself I found that they had torn down
the bell cope and had secured me tight
ly to the oaken chair which stands at
the head OF the dining table. I was so
firmly bound Ia I could not move,
and a handkerchief round my mouth
prevented me from uttering a sound.
1t was at this instant that my unfor-
tunate 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 cudgei in his hand.
He rushed at the burglars, but another
1T was al elderly man, stopped,
picked the poker out of the crate, ana
struck him a horrible blow as he
passed. He fell with a groan. and
never moved again. I tainted once
more, but again 1T could only have been
for a very few minutes during which
I was insensible. When I opened my
eyes I 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 a glass in
his hand 1 have already told you.
have I not, that one was elderly, with
a beard, and the others young, hair
less lads? They might lave been a
father with his two sons. They talked
together in whispers. Then they came
over n made sure that I was securely
bound. Finally they withdrew, clos
ing the window after them. 1t was
quite a quarter of an hour before I
got my mouth free. When l did so,
my screams brought the maid to my
assistance. The other servants were
% alarmed, and we sent for the local
with London That is really all that I
can tell you, gentlemen, Inc 1 trust
that it will not be necessary for me to
go over so painful; a story again."
ANY questions, Mr.. Holiness" asked
Hopkins
Il will not impose any further tax
upon Lady Brackenstalrs patience and
time said Holmes. Before l go in
to the dining room I should like to
hear your experience" He looked at
the maid.
IT saw the men before ever they
came into the house." said she "As
l sat by my bed room windo I saw
three men in the moonlight down by
the lodge gate yonder, but I thought
nothing of it at the time. 1t was more
than an hour after that I heard my
mistress scream. and down 1 ran, to
find her, poor lamb, just as she says,
and him on the floor, with his blood
and brains owe the room. 1t was
enough to drive a woman out of her
wits, tied there, and her dress spotted
with him, but she never wanted cour-
age, did Miss Mary Fraser Of Adelaide,
and Lady B~rackenstall 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 The
resa, to get the rest that she badly
needs"
With a 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 ba.
by, 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 uo nowadays. This way, Mr..
Holmes, if you pleased"
.. /Na,4ip,oA kJa,L Nh..j\