Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1906-03-31

over grave and anxious face. Hood
got to his feet at once.
"The rascal gave me the slip" said
Sercombe, "but am much in your
debt for stopping him."
"Ahw said I. "That's the story, is
NJ"
1t is extremely odd, and l recall the
fact now with some sense of discom-
future, but this sudden appearance OF
Scrcombc and the evidence that he ha'
been chasing Hood completely put NJ,
reckoning out The events had turne'
things topsy t,lrvy for the time, ne
did realize ut once that we were 81
antagonists. opposed upon the posse
sion of the very treasure which. ! Ia
conceived. was concealed in the car
rage. But if l was late In coming 4
my wits, not so Hood He might quar- :
rel With Sercombe privately, but Il
against us he was the captains par
ner, and. siding up to him. he wllis
pered few words Sercoinbe noddca
and ere / had time to observe all th
properly he had edged his horse be
tween the carriage and myself and
pulled forth revolver
very sorry, Mr.. Greatorex," SAID he,
potnG1.es 1t ut me. 1t seems an I'M
grateful return, but upon my soul |
can't help It. I'd Il deuced sight sooner
offer the barrel elsewhere, but there 1t
is-we are such creatures of fortune
He grinned pleasantly, and Hood
carriage about. AS for Montgomery
and myself, we We're entirely taken
aback. They had the advantage Of us,
and we should have been fools to re-
fuse to recognize it. So, after the first
stare of CONSERVATION, made the best
of 1t.
Delighted to be of service to Cap.
tain Sercombe any time" said. "And
now. as presume we are all going the
same way. we shall have the pleasure
of your company"
That's right" he observed. Hood,
drive ahead. not too fast this time"
And the innkeeper, who had now re-
sumed his placid air, obeyed him. We
logged along together, conversing quite
affably, but the captain kept an eye
upon us, riding little to one side and
holding hand ostentatiously in his
pocket.
In this manner we rode through Liam
elan and drew near to the Woodman.
Sercombe turned to me a little way off.
II reckon" he said, that you'll want
to know where those chests are?"
II reckon I have that chance now"
said l.
Faith, and you're right! he remark
ed, gnawing his mu-tache in some per-
plexity. Hood never swerved in his
course and l tell you'll kept a sharp
watch on him. He drove up to the
door of the inn and, throwing the reins
on the horses back, jumped down.
And now the adventure began to prom
Use greater interest even than before.
racked my brains to guess what
way they would try for an exit to this
blind alley. But In the midst Of my
speculations perceived suddenly that
there was crowd Of people before the
door Of the Woodman, and Immediately
upon our arrival we were hailed with
excited shouts and cries. jumped of,
and the others followed suit. AS did
SO / perceived Jones, the police SER
geant, elbowiig his way toward me
through the thrOng.
"What is it," / asked.
"Is that Captain Sercombe who came
with your" he asked.
Eyes, yes. But what is it?" repeat
ed impatiently, for the ominous faces
about me alarmed me with strange
fears. Jones made a motion to go, and
then turned to me.
David Williams" he said formally,
"a man employed by you, Mr.. Great
orex, was found at 8 o'clock this morn
ing stabbed to death in the lower
Gwent"
(To Be contsAued.)
~nu~Hen 10 ~oIH rlcNNNEoEo