The Wenatchee daily world. [volume] (Wenatchee, Wash.) 1905-1971, 1906-03-29


Thank you. sir" said Hood with his
usual effrontery. Thank You kindly.
sir, I'm sure"
could Eave sworn the man was
more of Il gentleman than q valet. ana
he was certainly more of sc0uniTei
than either. But, having discharged
this civility he turned his back and
paid me no further attention. merely
issuing an order 10 his cutthrOats The
two dirty Greeks. one of whom was
my squirting acquaintance, nla"che!
me along without more ado. And if
had considered the possibility of es-
cape the fancy was diSpelled by the
presence of two more besides Hood
himself. which | discovered when we
began to move. | said nothing. keep
ing my eyes wide open AMI my BRAIN
as ready as might be, nor was any
word spoken upon either side until we
drew up at the Woodman, stopping be
fore which Hood requested Inc to ell
ter in his most conyentionally hospita
bic manner.
was much exercised i'll my mind as
to the use these brigandS could have
for me, but as yet the situation WAS
too novel to allow me consecutive
thought | was led into Il large. barn
Ike building beyond the inn and reach
ed by flight of wooden steps outside.
The room was large and airy and had
evidently not been used fer Il granary
these many years. Indeed. it bore the
plain marks of recent habitatiOn. and
il came across me that maybe this haG
been the hiding place of the Greek
sailors.
Into this cell the Greeks thrust me
and locking the door behind them. dis
appeared, leaving me to my own refec-
tons That these were net cheerful |
need not assure YOU. Although | was
but partially awakened to my misfor-
tune. | had no difficulty i'll seeing
whittier it tended. Hood. as | now per-
ceived. had discovered the secret gal
lery and had made his escape by that
and not by the sally port. But why
was he lingering about the entrance to
the passage? And how came lie in
company with his allies? | had not
contemplated this problem for five
minutes ere the secret OF my capture
dawned Oh me and, | will confess,
fairly turned my stomach. Through
the gallery lay the one road to the
treasure, and Hood and | We're the
only two people i'll the drama who
knew that. My seizure meant, then.
that the way was now clear for him
and his enterprise. The treasure of the
Vyvians was at his mercy.
In these desperate considerations |
spun out the better part of an hour, at
the end Of which time the key creaked
suddenly in the door, and SercomDe en-
tered, bearing heavy lamp. This he
set down upon the rude bench table
and turned 10 me. seating himself in
chair and diSposing himself with COM
fort
Il regret, Mr.. Greatorex." said he
suavely and pulling at his cigar. with
his hat on the back o. his head, Il re
greet that | am somewhat late to my
appointment with you 1t was to have
Deen y clock, L fancy.
Now | recalled what, to say the
truth, | had completely forgotten in
the adventure which | had experienced
that | had myself named such an
hour to receive the captulation of the
captain. 1t maddened me TO remember
the fact and my triumphant diplomacy
Of the afternoon in the face of my dis
mai failure and this bland and sprawl
ing creature. But | was not to take q
rebuff with my ears down, and so !
spoke up as calmly and as politely as
himself
You are right" said l. Nine
o'clock it was. But, like you, | have
been unavoidably delayed. So please
don't apologize"
y smile lit up his face-and he was
always best when he smiled-and his
eyes tWinkled.
Il begin 10 see. Mr. Greatorex." he
said, ''how it is that you have come so
near winning this campaign"
Il have no doubt I shall win it vet"
| returned.
NO doubt" he replied cordially. "But
forgive me, Mr.. GreatoreX. | see you
have no refreshments here. and am
sure you are in need of them. 1t was
objectionable of Hood" SO saving. he
rose and went 10 the door, shouting
some order to a man below, whom, I
judged, | must consider my sentry.
Presently. and before the captain re-
sumed his seat, Hood himself entered.
bearing in his bands tray containing
a bottle of whisky. a carafe of water
and some glasses. He cast an eye of
scrutiny on Sercombe. who lolled once