Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-01-17

that bracken without some sound, the fern lay SO thick about our legs. But we moved with the utmost caution, silently making for the distant patch of forest whence the pheasants had started. No word was spoken be- tween us, but we communicated by gestures, which were just visible in the faint starlight. Drawing close in this manner, we halted at length upon the margin of the spot over which our suspicious brooded Sheppard crawled stealthily forward, and after a time we followed him. He caught my arm and pointed to the ground.
 Some one has passed here, he whis. pered. Were on side track"
 "So much the better" I answered in the same voice. We shall make less noise in walking"
 With that we resumed our way with the same microscopic caution, and must have covered, as should guess, about the quarter of mile, when suddenly Sheppard came to a pause.
 Hear anything?" he murmured in my ear.
 shook my head.
 T believe they're just ahead-seyeral of them," he continued. "Step lightly, for heavens sake"
 I needed no reminder, nor did Mont gomery. We were like church service for solemnity, and crept rather than walked as we stalked closer upon our prey. All of sudden Montgomery. who was walking just before me, drop ped on his knee and moved his hand back to me. I followed his example and crawled on all fours toward him. What is it?" asked.
 There's some one behind that tree," he whispered, pointing to'a huge oak some ten feet from the path.
 There ensued deep silence, and then, just as I began to find my posi- tion intolerable and was thinking of changing my feet, twig cracked in the forest, and there came a noise as of feet among the dry leaves. What shall we do?' he asked.
 To say the truth, I had no idea, but it was plain that if we had been seen, concealment was of no further use. and if we had not, that the spy could not now discover us through the under growth. So we resumed our path, rather speedily, and caught up with Sheppard. He came to meet us in a state of excitement, laying his arms upon our shoulders and drawing our heads together.
 Hood, as I livew he cried in whis- per.
 Did you see him?" we both spoke at once
 "Yes. he came from behind me and crossed just in front. I had barely time to fall, and the light just took him in the eyes. We're safe now"
 Our hearts were full of triumph. and we pushed on with no more talk. It was possible that he had not seen us, but I doubted that. If he had, he would throw his party forward with greater speed. We were now, how ever, upon his track. and we were sat isfied, and each man loosened his pis- tol and girt himself for the eventual encounter. That Hood would show fight I had no doubt, and it was more than probable that he would endeavor to trick, ps,i Wesmust be, op the. watch, forYtreacheryor'We' wound along the track for the better part of an hour. now getting news of the enemy and again leaving space for them to get away when our neighborhood seemed in peril of discovery. We had agreed to postpone the attack until the party reached its goal. If Hood had not seen us (and I was now disposed to believe that he had noO that goal would even. tually be the hiding place of the treas. ure. This was how we comforted our selves, and upon this faith our spirits rose to high pitch. . By this time we had lost count of our direction in the innumerable wind ings of the path, but apparently we were now mounting hill, and judg- ed that it lay somewhere to the south of the castle and toward the southern threshold of the Gwent. We were pro- ceeding with our customary diligence and precautions when noise of feet stamping on the earth assailed us. and round corner came posse of men and fell upon us. I drew back and lift ed my revolver. Already Montgom, ery's rang out on my right-and then the light of the moon shooting through the trees, which in those parts were sparse, fell upon the face of Jones.
 'Jones.' said, in voice in which fury and disappointment blended.
 The man in front of me dropped bis hand.
 "You, Mir. Greatorexy" he asked How do you come bereT'
 God knows" replied angrily. And what are you doing''- I stopped sud denly. for the next face that came into my line of vision was the black. i'm passive face of Hood.
 May I ask. sir. what brings you out tonight on this expeditionT asked Jones, pulling out his execrable pocket book.
 was silent. but sheppard broke in We have no objection. Mir. Jones. to give you our confidence. if you will be equally liberal with us. We were hunt ing for Captain Sercombe."
 "Ah-' says Jones. making a note un- der the stars Then it is lucky met you. gentlemen. for I sm doing the same"
 I began to see.
 .Nr Hood.- said Sbeppsrd. with a