Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1906-04-19
CHAPTER XXI.

II u ERNOMbE cdlle 10 pause.
~ That's all, gentlemen he said
Il made tracks for the castle
then. don't know how far it
was, but covered the distance as fast
as | could. You see, was afraid.
was left for dead-dead was to those
two brigands, and dead am reported
to Mr.. Hood. That's all right. don't
regret it. 1t gives me a chance. I've
got my hand in now, and, by thunder,
I'll keep it7
He ceased and fell back in his chair,
while a silence held US for some sec
onds Then Sheppard rose and, a
brightness shining in his eyes, put out
his hand in his impulsive way. Cap
tain,p said he, you've blotted out a
good many points by this story, and
don't hesitate to say SO on my own be-
half.'
Sercombe accepted his hand and
laughed 1.-The trouble is Mr.. Shep-
pard,' said he, ''that had to strike the
bargain not with you, but with Mr..
Greatorex. / wish I'd known your feel
ings before"
"Are you all right?" asked. What
about this wound?"
He rose from his seat II pay no
heed to trif1es when I'm on real bust
ness" he declared. "You must remem-
Der that it was mainly exhaustion that
did for me, and, thanks to the wine and
the good meal and the brandy, I'm an
other man. Pm not cats meat yet, and
/ fancy I'll see other people out before
I am" he ended significantly.
every WELL" said l. "And now your
plans n
He looked at the clock. High time,
tool" he exclaimed. Tonight, know,
was the time fixed, but what hour /
didn't hear. guess about dark. The
place / can find with your aid. Isn't
there stream that runs south OF these
hills into the Rayw
ssThere is the stream behind u.s." l
answered. 81 believe, that wanders out
below the town, but I've never traced
it."
''That will be tia mile this side of
the river itself We can follow the
course and the sooner the better. Are
we ready?'
"Ready this moment / answered,
looking at Sheppard and Montgom-
cry, who nodded.
Then LET us get away"
We turned to leave the room, when
/ suddenly recalled what we had all
forgotten in the excitement of the mar
rative and this precipitate plan of cam
paign.
"Good heavensi What about the po-
lice? They will be watching for you. ?
Sercombe frowned "This is nasty
he said, sitting down again. ssYou are
right. Will they take mel"
sThey have a warrant" / replied.
Eyes, yes; true. Well, we must dodge
them. reckon the castle can do that
if the castle can stand a SIEGE" he
said, smiling.
AS we were considering, Sercombe
still with his smile upon his face and
the rest of us about the room, Shep-
pard leaning upon the back of a chair,
there came a knock at the door. We
all started, but, recollecting that it
could be no more than Mrs. Main, 4
answered to the rap. Mrs. Main it was.
but, after all, there was some reason
In our start Of uneasiDess.
sMr. Jones, sir, wishes to see YOU"
said she.
A look passed round the assembly.
1T seems that we are anticipated, re
marked Sercombe pleasantly.
did he ask who was here? I in
auired.
mo. sir; he said he would like to see
you"
Every well,'' / answered slowly;
"show him into the library" And
when Mrs. Main was gone I said:
"This brings the matter to a point.
Jones is here after you, captain. His
men were watching
"Of course, " put in Sheppard, there's
the outlet from the treasure chamber"
Now we're getting at it. said Ser
combe easily
"And the only path to that is by way
of the guardroom, and as like as not
Jones' men are without" retorted.
There's my room with the secret
staircase" interrupted Montgomery.
We looked at him. by Jover' said
Sheppard.
You're right said.
With that 1 went off to visit Jones,
whom / found in most portentous
mood and with his internal notebook
to hand
Il have reason to believe, sir" said
he coldIy and in his best official voice,
that a man for whom have war
rant out is harbored in the castle"
"Ah!'' said coolly. "And who might
that be, sergeant?"
zone Captain Sercombe, sir, seen en-
tering the castle an hour or SO back
by Constable Buckle"
''You seem very well posted in the
affairs Of my house." I answered and
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