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

pard agreed with me that the treasure
lay in the inn and most probably in the
cellars. The two thieves would secure
it against one another. admit that
l entertained little hope Of cutting out
the treasure under the noses Of the en-
envy. On the other hand, it would be
difficult to say what l really did an
ticipate or aim ut in this nocturnal ex-
petition I think we all felt that we
could not compose our minds to rest
and an imperturbable Indifference. We
must be upon our legs and bustltng
about some business, even though it
should prove the veriest moonshine,
and believe, too, that notion was
current among us that we might by
some felicitous chance or by some hero
ic effort accomplish something under
the cover of darkness, II we might not
actually wcest from Its abominable
holders the gold and jewels Of the
treasure. At 10 o'clock we three were
gathered within the shelter Of the deep
thicket before the Woodman. Mont
gomery had taken up his position there
by light, but reported that there had
been no movement in the inn.
Within our coign Of vantage we rest
ed, peeping through the interstices of
the foliage upon the Woodman. The
windows cleaned with light, but be-
yond that there was no mark of life.
Half an hour went by in this way,
and then a sound Of voices rose from
the inn, and presently there emerged
from the doorway two men, who stood
in conversation for few minutes be-
fore the house. 1t was too dark to
make them out distinctly, but one /
set down as Hood. After time they
separated, Hood, as supposed him to
be, returning into the inn and his COM
panion walking down the road away
from us. If we were to effect anything
this man must be followed, and l
whispered as much to the others, deter
mining to take the duty on myself.
Slipping through the copse, therefore,
I struck downward through the fringe
Of wood that bordered the road. My
progress was naturally slower than
that of the man l was tracking, and
soon was surprised to lose the sound
of his feet. But moments reflection
convinced me that he had turned off
the roadway and was proceeding, like
myself, through the forest. This con-
viction became certainty little later,
when, pausing to resolve upon my di-
rection, heard the noise Of breaking
sticks ahead of me and brushing
among the foliage. Guided by these
sounds, shifted my path and went
forward. imagine now that the man
must have heard me just as / had
news of him in the wood and that he
knew he was being followed. At the
time I thought myself undiscovered,
for I moved with slight noise. Yet
what happened was this: suddenly
ceased once more to get tidings Of him.
l paused and waited, but the valley
(for we were now winding into the bot
tom) was stagnant with silence, save
for the pulling stream in the distance.
Slowly and cautiously pushed on and
came out into more open space,
where l stood silent, waiting again. ]
must have remained there, still and at
tentive to all the tiny raptures of the
nocturnal quietude, for more than half
an hour. But heard nothing Of my
man, and so in some disgust l resolved
to abandon the pursuit. Retracing my
steps, climbed up to the road and re-
joined my companions in the thicket
l found Sheppard in what for him was
bad temper
Our sport is being spoiled" he said
lmpatientlJ. and to my questions add
ed, Jones"
What is he about?" l asked.
Apparently on the same errand ~
ourselves" he observed.
considered WED better 60 back
I said "The less Jones sees Of us the
better, and, besides, he'll do our work
for u.s."
think ygasAN welcomed the susyes-
ton. fer wesSstee al,miihti,g weary q.