Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-01-16
By H. B. MARRIOTT WAITS


 to prevent an alarm. And yet the mo- tive was not strong enough that they dared risk misunderstanding with Morgan. Yes; you've hit it, Sheppard. But the Gwent is wide enough. heaven knows
 Come, we have reached one point" said Sheppard. Perhaps we can do more on reflection. Don't let us give it up. Is this treasure likely to be any where about the inn?'
 There is the barn. said I. and the stable lofts, and there are the cellars"
 "Oh, Ned, there is everywherer' groaned Sheppard. We might watch, if they haven't got it away" suggested Montgomery, with some hesitation. It was not often that he intervened in our counsels, but his intervention was now to the point.
 Good" said Sheppard, smaeking him on the shoulder
 { Watch is the word. We've hitherto kept our watches in the battlements. We must now merely transfer them to where the treasure has gone" rg Where is that:'' I asked. a. % Let us say the Woodman," replied Sheppard, smiling.
 "A very much more dangerous duty," I said slowly.
 Dangerous. We thrive on danger" said Sheppard gayly. Anyhow, let us break up the conference and take an airing. There's nothing to keep us now in the castle. and hence we are in no need of drawbridges. It is we who are the assailants."
 "That reminds me-" I put in. T found the drawbridge down when I came in just now"
 Sheppard winked. My dear boy. if you'd had to answer all the awkward questions I have had to during the last three days you would have let down the drawbridge in despair
 "Jones?' I queried.
 "Jones it is, the majesty of the law, and an internally suspicious law it is"
 It was yet early in the afternoon, and there might be time to put a point up- on our resolutions. This thought ran in our heads as. all three, we turned down the road that led to the Wood man.
 Sercombe was summing himself be- fore the door of the inn, seated in a comfortable chair beneath the swing ing sign. AS we came abreast of him he looked up and greeted us.
 Good day, gentlemen" he said cheerfully I'm glad to see you back. Mir Greatorex. We heard that you had and were beginning to be anxious about you''
 The amazing impudence of the man took away my breath, but I managed to recover and say:
 "Yes; have been taking a little hol- iday; private business, you know, cap- tain"
 "Ahr' said he. shaking his head. T wish l had the time. But I find holi- days must look after themselves. I've too much on hand
 T sympathize with you, Captain Ser combe," said Sheppard. For myself. I never could abide business. But I think understand to what you refer bad business. very bad business"
 Sercombe studied him attentively ''You seem 10 know a great deal, my dear sir" he replied.
  that you have the heaviest team to drive uphill that ever man undertook" said Sheppard, watching him.
 Maybe" said the captain after pause "Life's not all beer and skit- ties. gentlemen. Perhaps you're right I don't say you're wrong. But the fact ,s that well. it's a pity We couldn't have fixed an arrangement together earlier"
 He spoke so freely that inferred hs was not any longer in the fear ot Hood. which meant for IS that Hood was ab- sent.
 Was hs absent. looking after the t7easuref rpon consideration I decid- ei that this was unlikely: otherwise serrombe would nor be resting so con- fo-ably ln his chair. The two sroun- dreis dared nor trust me another. Tn ths' rase the odds vera that the treas u-e lav n th~ woodnsn. and here wav Se-comhe. and as likely S not a Greek or two. hesping guard upon tt This vss al waEcei 70 know. and. having gained this information. I deemed it tine to retire Y0u will tLiak ue rash h ny con5ee-ures. but gyu must COZ Sfive that 2 the game Ue were playin. Il vas necessary 10 cone 10 a concIu- sion quick .y. and I had learned 70 come to 8 conclusion on the slightest e-:- 6ence. Anyhow. ! gsvs the signal f9i retreat and back ve went to the eastls by a circultguz route. go as 70 avoid rny suspicious ca the part Of the cap tain
 Night was the occasion i wanted. ana .t was for the fall Of dzrz that VI waited with great impauence- S1ep pzri agreed Eltb me that the treasure lay in the i'm and r9St probably in the ceilsrs- The -Vo thieves would se~ure it against one an1tbe-. I admit that I entertained little hope nf cutting out the treasure under -be ng=es of the eu- euT- On the 5-be- hand. 1T would i.e di6eult 70 say what ! r@zEy d5d ss- tiezpate Or ain at z1 thls n0c--nzI e1- pedition- I thInk ue all feI- rtzr wa could n5t c01Vose our uinis 10 rest and an iupe-ru-bzbse i1dl1s-zare- We must te upon o1r les and bzStIlaz about soue b11sinesz. even tagzEa fl sh5zld prUve the ve-5est Egsz-a-ae- zzsi I beIieve- tSo- that s n0-sz uss