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


/ have filed Jones with stories, and we
can make bold stroke now that the
castle is quiet. They've had enough
for time, think, and, what with the
police, they'll have enough to do to
look after themselves, as I have ar
ranged it. Can you sail boat7 said
he.
"a little said I, 'as you ought to
know
Yes, sir; forgot said he, falling
unconsciously into the old habit of a
servant. Well, suppose we rush for it,
now ais clearg
What's your gamer I asked.
tive got boat down by the Ray
he said, and we can make for the
channel
"sWell, it sounds good | replied,
though it's risky. But the Greeks are
all sailors, and we can manage at a
shift
eat that he looked rather strangely
at me and was silent. He moved off a
bit and peeped into the cavern through
the bushes; then he came back. They
sleep pretty sound he said and again
gave me an odd glance.
"sWhat is it?' l asked, for knew his
ways and that there must be something
underneath.
The Greeks are nuisance he OBJ
served, watching me. We can do well
enough without them
81 thought began to see now, and
= IN. Of
them myself, but how can we give
them the slip? We can't fetch out the
cart and harness and get away with
out waking the whole BROOD
No. said he softly; I wasn't think
ing of that
Well, let's have it, said l.
HE stared at me moment. We
don't want any evidence against US,
and we don't want partners he said.
We DON'T agreed.
There's another way out he said,
with his furtiye eyes upon me.
Suddenly the whole business flash
ed upon me. And, gentlemen, what do
you suppose he was proposing? Moth
ing less than the murder Of those poor
devils as they lay in their sleep. You
think judged too quickly. Wait bit.
The thing came upon me in an illumi
nation. believe it was his eyes that
did it. But / said nothing of what I
felt; what said was this:
There's no other way out that /
can see, and if there was another way
wouldn't take it, and 1 looked at him
very closely, so that he should see
what 1 meant He dropped his eyes.
All right he said. You'd better
go and lie down I'll think it out
Il went, for was pretty sleepy, and,
besides, | thought I had disposed of
that worm in his head. And presently
/ got to sleep, but it couldn't have been
for long, for I was awaked by some
sound in the night and sat up, The
Greeks were snoring about me, but
somewhere / could hear a regular
noise, struck at intervals and coming
from little way off. 1t was still dark,
but l guided my steps to the sound, and
what do you think found? Mr. Great
orex, gentlemen, it has nasty sound,
and might very well go for lie in an
other mans mouth"
Sercombe took sip from his glass.
II struck match, and there were some
feet of earth piled just in front of me
and below that a man digging digging,
with his head at the level of my feet.
He started at my light and uttered an
exclamation, and then stopped, looking
at me- We watched one another till
the light went out. Then l stepped
forward and grabbed his neck.
"sBy the Lord cried, I am in two
minds to throttle you and make this
place a grave for yourselfY And, by
George, / would have done it for two
pinsl He wriggled in my grasp, and
jerked him up and landed him on the
surface.
Look here, Hood said l, releasing
him, I've known your bad qualities
for ten years, and I've seen you do
things that beat most things I've seen,
but / haven't come to this, nor you
won't, while I'm by
VERY WELL said he, like a lamb.
I'll fill it in And he never said an
other word.
II went back to the cave, but this
time l was not going to sleep, for I
would not trust that black devil any
more than BeeIzebub. A little after
/ took sleepy fit on me, but I fought
against it tooth and nail sat up,
with my back to the rock, and looked
out Of that window, as you might call
it, at the growing light. OF Hood l
got no sign, and there sat and yawn-
ed and swore and pinched myself to
keep my eyes open until one by one the
Greeks stirred about me, kicked their
legs and opened their eyes. Then !
knew that my vigil was over, and when
6tamboulos got up, shook himself and
went outside to look at the morning !
reckon I fell asleep.
Il slept very heavily for an hour or
two for when | aWOke the sun stood