Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1906-03-22

what to do with him. For
myself, had already solved the riddle
In my own way. To say the truth, /
was getting distaste for the adven-
ture. It implied too many hard knocks,
too rough a usage for summer holt
day, and, what was much worse, it
entailed on me grave responsibility.
1t seemed to me that the drift Of
these lawless events was wholly in the
direction of murder The word was
ugly enough, but it must be faced.
Murder is what the law would call it,
and murder was what it came near be-
ing at the best The capture of Hood,
then, opened road Of escape, and
had already resolved to employ it. OF
course it would have been possible
still to have surrendered the treasure
to the crown or to have handed it into
the possession Of Sercombe'S party;
but, though l was reluctant to continue
the bloody struggle, I was certainly
indisposed to haul down my flag. If it
were to be peace, it should be peace
with honor. And the body Of Hood
gave me my means.
l was able after some argument to
carry my point with the others. They
had both kindly fancy for the fight
ing and were inclined to take my an
nouneement in a chapfallen manner
But I explained that l was making no
decision of myself; that was one of
three and that had merely offered
the suggestion as my contribution to
the counsels of war. Upon that add
ed the very cogent reasons which had
prepared in favor of my advice, and
the end of the talk was that they ac-
cepted the plans unfolded
To execute my scheme it was neces-
sary to see Sercombe. But first l
must pay visit to the prisoner, who
BY the time we had arrived at con-
sclusion had lain in the blackness of
that abominable dungeon for five hours.
Sheppard, indeed, had been eager to
Interview him, and upon hearing of the
capture had at once betaken himself
to the keep. He was absent half an
hour. but / did not inquire what ne
had been doing. I merely looked at
him interrogatively when he returned,
which he did wearing a grayer face
than was usual to him. Noting the
inquiry in my glance, he shook his
head.
That man is dangerous" he said
"abnormally dangerous
Montgomery and have occasion to
know that 1 replied. 'sHe is snake
that is the substantive = and doubt
very much whether we can kill him.
II have my doubts whether we can
even scotch him, said Sheppard dryly
and then dismissed the subject.
Yet my conversation with HoSA later
was very commonplace and marked by
no particular points. He kept his Gus
tomary face Of obsequiousness and
gave me the briefest replies to my In
terrogations. / was specially exercised
in my mind as to the manner Of his
entrance into the castle. For all his
dexterity and cunning, ] could not see
how, carefully watched as our fortress
was, he had managed to gain admit
lance over the drawbridge and through
the closed portcullis At the question,
which was delivered point blank, he
turned his luminous eyes upon me and
regarded me with shifty smile, the
shadow Of a smile, betokening no
amusement.
81 don't mind telling you, sir" he
murmured, though it's not what I
would say to most gentlemen. But you
have been gentleman, sir, throughout,
and should be proud to have served
you. / came with the party in the
morning, sir"
ssWhat!D said /. ''You were with the
storming partyY'
Yes, sir Seeing you engaged, I
crept away. know the house, sir, be-
ing with my poor master SO long. And
don't hold with violence where you
can do without it,
opened my eyes. The mans plans
were conceived with excellent craft. It
would be the last thing should have
thought of, and yet it was SO simple to
take advantage Of the confusion and
3 secrete himself upon the battlements
after his allies had fed.
ssYou are rascal, Hood, / returned,
not without admiration. "But you are
clever rascal"
ssThank you, sir, " said Hood.
Eyes,, continued, ''you have had a
smart shot for it, but your game is up,
my man. Clever as you are, ! have
you Gagged, and think Captain Ser
combe and his scoundrels are further
from the gold than ever"
ut looks Like 1t, sir" admitted Hood.
/ looked round upon the dark ana