Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-01-10


 You are right; you are right agreed the justice. But here the ser, geant struck in for the first time, cast ing glance from sharp, beady eyes on the captain.
 Where were these gypsies, sir:"
 We all looked at Sercombe. who showed not the least discontinue, but bit the tip of cigar.
 T trust have your permission, Greatorex" said he. "The gypsies, sir, are encamped at the bottom of the valley: have been so; indeed, for a week
 I was astonished at the mans au- dacity. He had actually revealed the secret of his nest of cutthroats The sergeant turned the pages of his note book.
 ''The man Williams, examined this morning, states that one of the men, seen closely. looked like foreigner dark, stoutish; shouted in gibberish.' He repeated the evidence monotonous- ly.
 Sercombe, puffing at his cigar, nod ded That bears out my belief" he said. .Precisely-I thought so"
 Colonel Landell turned to the ser geant This is important, Jones'" he said. You'd better attend to it at once. But one question more, Mir. Greatorex. Would you be able to iden- tify any one of your assailants!"
 T fear not said. You must re- member that it was quite dark"
 Nor you, sir, I suppose:" he added, looking at Sheppard. .".
 Sheppard shook his head doubtfully. We were engaged in pellmell strug gle The utmost I saw was the out lines of the men, but I can recall that one looked very like my friend Cap tain Sercombe-that is to say, in the dark r-.
 Sercombe laughed. My dear fel- low, wish had been there. I'm sor ry I missed it. But I shall have bet ter luck another time, if I stick to Sergeant Jones"
 The officer smiled without emotion, and the colonel put his question formal ly to Montgomery, who promptly re- turned a negative. Landell moved to- ward the door. but suddenly the police officer touched him on the shoulder and whispered in his ear. then faced us again.
 It was lucky you had that moat filled and the drawbridge up, sir. What made you take those precau- tionsT he demanded. --r
 We were forewarned, as you have heard" I answered.
 He referred to his notes. Was the warning sufficiently urgent to induce you to go to that troubleT he asked slowly.
 You can judge for yourself, if we went to the trouble" returned sharp ly
 Imperturbably he repeated his ques- iou dsdiu' what NciC thS tciAs oA the warning?'
 The man took me aback, and, more over, was little angry at this i'm pertinent inQuisition, but before l could arrest my thoughts for reply Sercombe intervened.
 T can recollect what l said very we'll" he said, taking the cigar from his mouth, If it interests you. ser geant. I said: 'Greatorex. there's of very indifferent looking scoundrels down the valley. You have some valuable plate, and this is lone ly spot. Moreover, saw a couple of them hanging furtively about the plan tations as l came up. Now, I've never seen a moat full nor a drawbridge work. and if I were you and you were ne. l fancy this ditcn would be filled and the bridge hung up for my satis- faction and your edification and for the confusion of any nefarious scoundrel with big maw.' These were the ex- act words. as I happen to remember, n which I introduced the subject, as Mir. Grestorex will no doubt recall. l .hough he is not likely to have the | erms on his tongue. like myself. But 1 hat. reckon. is what started it." And l with this Sercombe replaced his cigar l between his teeth and went on smok- ! ng tranquilly.
 The sergeant thanked him. drowning 1 n some embarrassment: then he turned l n his heel and, salutiDg to the con- any. vanished afte: his superior trough the doorway.
 Sercombe got up. Well, we can ,reak up now. gentlemen" he said. Sorry 10 interrupt harmony, but I've 'ot business to do.r
 ''1 am greatly obliged to you" I said. sheepily. ' You're very welcome" says the aptain. with a wide smile.
 But what about the gypsiesy' ' con inued.
 ''Oh. I suppose the police will catch hem" he remarked. his grin growing roader. "But. you see. none of you -ould be able to recognize them Sheppard burst into laughter. and -as fain to follow him. but Montgom- " stared in smszement and with q ertain latent dislike at the advent1r- [. pursuing him out into the courtyard nth his steadfsst eyes.