Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-01-11
The AdventurerS.
 By H. B. MARRIOTT WATSON COPYRIGHT. 1898. BY HARPER C BROTHERS
CHAPTER NH.
.ERCOMBE's frankness proved of

NIA a piece with his conduct hither- N " to. l could not imagine the old
 soldier making bad blunder. and the news that came to us later demonstrated ti,c method in his candor. Sheppard encountered the sergeant near Laneilan aid found that his eX- pedition into the GWent had had no tuck There was no camp in the bot tom, Evidences of the recent presence of strangers there were in plenty, but not a sign rernaiIed7toEfndicate into what hiding place they had withdrawn. To move a number of persons. with their effects. ana the men foreigners. too, and thereby certain to attract the attention of the vilagGfs. wbTfd seem impracticabie without some public no tioe. But apparently no oneahad seen a trace of the fugitives. They had van ished as completely as though the en- campment had been d mirage Of OUT : disordered brains.
 2 It was clear however. that there would be no assault upon the castle ' that night. Jones and his troopers < hung about the village, and the for < -mer was too jealous to allow any. dis :sorder under his nose. Scrcombe would Ssnot dare to risk a second attack. That tmuch was for our comfort, He had 4-put it to me ingeniously that the inter- \ ference of the police would embarrass him, and I was heartily glad to hear sit. for we needed some further re .4ssources for our defense. That was U-o hN1 hcpn n .resst the enemy on his first two at .ftempts. but we had a most cunning s-and deadly foe, and 1 began to doubt ! if we could hold out against renewal of hostiities unless. indeed. we broke <, our silent compact and called in the assistance of the law. We had de- cided to discard Williams from our so- ciety. He was too hazardous an ally, and we could not hope to circumvent the police second time. As it was, saw that some suspicious were breed : ing in the sergeants mind Isuppose we took too lightly what was bruited about the country for a great "sensa- tion.' The storming of the castle even in the distorted narrative which VII Hams had delivered to his friends sounded remarkable in so dull and un- eventful a place as that countryside. Pieces of rumor concerning it crept into the London papers subsequently, and we were most unwillingly become the figures in tragic and heroic ad- venture.
 We resolved despite the promised respite to preterinit no one of the pre- cautions, and Montgomery mounted guard at o'clock on the keep tower. As Sheppard and I sat over our wine we were interrupted by Mrs. Main, who had been greatly stirred by the visit of justice. She came ostensibly with question. but in reality to breathe the air of our central excite ment.
 'I am to give Williams his supper tonight, as last night. sir:" she asked. told her No" and her wits wan dercd to the events of the day without omore ado.
 But presently she came back. Then I'm not to prepare supper for Will Hams, sir"
 Williams will not be sleeping here tonight" I replied He left at the usual hour-6 o'clock"
 Her face wore blank lOok as of one struggling with perplexity and, as. stunning that she had fears on her own account to combat, went on. You see. we shall bc perfectly safe with the police looking after us HGs "Oh. Lord sir. 'tisn't that" she made esanswer. as though deprecating my re- fection on her courage but Williams isn't gone. sir.
 But he is said sheppard. "I saw eim myself two hours ago halfway to Llanellan."
 hal, Mrs. Main looked her incredulity. If t wasn't his back I saw no more than two blessed minutes ago. I put il to afyou, whose waS it. sir?''
 I sat up. and wc stared at each other "Whcra vas liiS:" asked .I was Ieaviu: the Kitchen for the pantry. sir. iuSt preparatory with some dishes Ike. and. the blinds being down against thc window that faces the courtyard. see Williams shadow -lcastwars what took tD De Will Isms'-pass across tue blind. sir
 Tt couldn't b" Williams said after a pause Williams has never l. ;leeI in fine east" Siner : o'clock. and. besides. the dra '. n-idse ls Jp.'
 Did you sec II face" asked Shep- parI.
 No. sir: t was OH tine blind like. but happening io have a gbestion to put to him just drops inc dishes on the sideboard. and run to the door. but when I'd got 1t open Williams was gone
 it was not Williams" I repeated testily.
 What I tOok to. be Williams. sir" corrected Mrs. Main with gentle ob- stinaey. E -Did yol hear any sound of foot stepST' .
 ''No. sir but then [ was making a noise with the dishes ike. and VII Hams walks veTy gentie-=
 '-Oh. well I murruHresi at length. you must have bepn deceissd. and if Williams WaS here he has gone since. snd at any rate he won't want his 1supper--
 When the hOuSekeePer had retired I found Sheppard watching me What do you make Of it- NeiE- s-s T make nothInE'--I I answered Ifs z srractieaIfv fursr=S5Flr far any ore f9