Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1906-08-16

Yes; but what queer nightcap," l
said, for the Presidents head was swath-
ed in white linen.
The Colonel strobe quickly up TO the
bed.
Done - he cried. Its Johnny Carr p
1t was true; there lay Johnny. His
excellency was nowhere to be seen. The
Colonel shook Johnny roughly by the
arm. The latter opened his eyes and said,
sleepily:
STEADY there! Kindly remember I'm
a triAe fragile"
What's this plot? Where's Whiting
ham?"
'Ah, it's McGregor." said Johnny with
bland smile, "and Martin. How are you,
old fellow? Some beasts hit me on the
head"
Where's Nottingham" reiterated the
Colonel savagely shaking Johnny's arm
Gently z" saiG 1 after all, he's sick
man"
The Colonel dropped the arm, and
Johnny said sweetly:
Quits, isn't it, Colonel"
The Colonel turned from him, and said
to his men sternly:
Have you had any hand in this?"
They protested vehemently that they
were as astonished as we were; and sc
they were, unless they acted consummate-
". They denied that anyone had entered
the outer room or that any sound had
proceeded from the inner. They had kept
vigilant watch, and must have seen any
intruder. Both the men inside were the
Coloners personal servants, and he believ
ed in their honesty, but what of their
vigilance? Carr heard him sternly ques
tioning them, and said:
Those chaps aren't to blame, Colonel
l didn't come in that way. If you'll take
a look behind the bed you'll see another
door. They brought me in there. l wa:
rather queer and only half knew What
IVES up"
We looked and saw door where he
said. Pushing the bed aside, we opened
it, and found ourselves on the back stair
case of the premises. Clearly the Presi
dent had noiselessly opened this door ant
got out. But how had Carr got in with
out noise? The sentry came up, saying
Every FIVE minutes, sir, l looked anC
saw him on the bed. He lay for the frs
hour in his clothes. The next look, HI
was undressed. 1t struck me he'd beer
pretty quick and quiet about it, but
thought no more"
Depend on it, the dressed man was tn,
President, the undressed man Carr
When was that?"
about half-past two, sir; just aftel
the doctor came"
1.-The doctor! :" we cried.
yes, sir; DR.. Anderson"
"You never told me he had been here
He never went into the Presidents
into General Nottingham room, sir
but he came in here for five minutes, t.
get some water, and stood talking with u
for time. Half an hour after he CAM
in for some more"
We began to see how it was done. Tha
wretched little doctor was in the plot
Somehow or other he had communicate
with the President; probably he knew o
the door. Then, I fancied, they mus
have worked something in this way. TIL
doctor comes in to distract the sentries
while his excellency moves the bed Find
ing that they took a look every five min
utes, he told the President. Then h.
Went anu SOI OOuuHy CdII lie
turning, he takes the Presidents plac
on the bed, ar1 in that character under
goes an inspection. The moment this i
over he leaps up and goes out. Between
them they bring in Carr, put him int
bed, and slip out through the marrow
space of open door behind the bedstead
When all was done, the doctor had COM
back to see if any suspicion had beef
aroused.
II have it now.'' cried the Colonel
THAT doctors done US both. He couldn'
get Nottingham out of the house with
out leave, so he's taken him as Carr
Swindled me into giving my leave. All
look out if we meet, Mr.. Doctor"
We rushed out of the house and fount
this conjecture was true. The man VIII
purported to be Carr had been carried
out, enveloped in blankets, just as we sa
down to breakfast; the doctor had pu
him into the carriage, followed himself
and driven rapidly away.
Which way did they go?"
Toward the harbor, SIR the sentry re
piled.
The harbor could be reached in twent,
minutes fast driving. Without a wore
the Colonel sprang on his horse; I imi
tated him, and we galloped as hard a.
we could, everyone making way before ou
furious charge. Alas! we were too late
As we drew rein on the quay we saw
half a mile out to sea, and sailing befor
a stiff breeze, Johnny Carr's little yacht
with the Aureataland flag floating def
antly at her masthead.
We gazed at it blankly, with never
word to say, and turned our horses heads
| Our attention was attracted by a small
group of men standing round the storm
signal post. As we rode up, they hastil!
scattered, and we saw pinned to the pos
sheet Of note paper. Thereon was writ
ten in a well-known hand:
Il, Marcus w. Nottingham, Presi
dent of the Republic of Aureataland
hereby offer reward of five thousand dol
lars and free pardon to any person oil
persons assisting in the capture, dead oil
alive, of George McGregor Oate Colone
If the Aureataland army and John Mar
tin, bank manager, and | do further pro
claim the said George McGregor and Johr
Martin to be traitors and rebels against
the Republic. and do pronounce their lives
forfeited. Which sentence let every loya
citizen observe at his peril.
MARCUS w. WHITTINGHAM,
President"
Truly his was pleasant.
CHAPTER W.T.