Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1906-04-07
4 The Adventures
BY II. 3. MARRIOTT WATSON
By H. B. MARRIOTT WATSON
CHAPTER XXI.


as could. You see, l was afraid.
was left for dead-dead was to thos,
two brigands, and dead l am reported
to Mr.. Hood. That's all right. l don
regret it, 1t gives me chance Nv,
got my hand in now, and, by thunder
I'll keep it,"
He ceased and fell back in his chair
while a silence held us for some sec
onds. Then Sheppard rose and, ,
brightness shining in his eyes, put on
his hand in his impulsive way. Cap
tain" said he, you've blotted out {
good many points by this story, and
don't hesitate to say so on my own be
half"
Sercombe accepted his hand and
laughed 1.-The trouble is, Mr.. shep
pard," said he, that had to strike the
bargain not with you, but with Mr.
Greatorex. l wish I'd known your feel
ings before"
care you all right?" l asked "What
about this wound?''
He rose from his seat. 81 pay &c
heed to trif1es when I'm on real bust
ness" he declared. You must remem
Der that it was mainly exhaustion that
did for me, and, thanks to the wine and
the good meal and the brandy, I'm an
other man. I'm not cats meat yet, and
l fancy I'll see other people out before
l am" he ended significantly.
Very WE'LL said l. "And now your
plans?"
He looked at the clock. High time,
too!' he exclaimed. Tonight. know,
was the time fixed, but what hour l
didn't hear. guess about dark. The
place can find with your aid. Isn't
there stream that runs south of these
hills into the Ray?'
"There is the stream behind u.s." l
answered. 81 believe, that wanders out
below the town, but I've never traced
it."
"That will be tia mile this side Of
the river itself. We can follow the
course-and the sooner the better. Are
we ready?'
Ready this moment" I answered.
looking at Sheppard and Montgom-
cry, who modified.
''Then let us get away"
We turned to leave the room, when
l suddenly recalled what we had all
forgotten in the excitement of the mar
rative and this precipitate plan of cam
paign.
Good heavens! What about the po-
lice? They will be watching for you"
Sercombe frowned. "This is nasty"
he said. sitting down again. you are
right. Will they take meY"
''They have warrant" replied.
Eyes, yes; true. Well, we must dodge
them | reckon the castle can do that
If the castle can stand siege,' he
said, smiling.
AS we were considering, Sercombe
still with his smile upon his face and
the rest Of us about the room, Shep-
pard leaning upon the back of chair,
there came knock at the door. We
all started, but, recollecting that it
could be no more than Mrs. Main, l
answered to the rap. Mrs. Main 1t was.
but, after all, there was some reason
In our start of uneasiness.
'Mr. Jones, sir, wishes to see you,"
said she.
A look passed round the assembly.
ut seems that we are anticipated" re-
n, rl-ol Cnroo,,,ho
did he ask who was here?" I in
CURED.
mo, sir; he said he would like to see
you"
every WE'LL" answered slowly;
"show him into the library" And
when Mrs. Main was gone l said:
''This brings the matter to point.
Jones is here after you, captain. His
men were watching"
"Of course" put in Sheppard, there's
the outlet from the treasure chamber.
"Now we're getting at it," said Ser
,ombe easily.
'And the only path to that is by way
IF the guardroom, and as like as not
Jones' men are without" l retorted.
There's my room with the secret
staircase" interrupted Montgomery.
We looked at him. "By Jovew said
Sheppard.
you're right" said.
With that / went off to visit Jones,
whom I found in a most portentous
mood and with his internal notebook
% hand.
II have reason to believe, SIR" said
lie coldly and in his best official voice,
that man for whom 1 have a war
ant out is harbored in the castle"
"Ah" said coolly. "And who might
hat be, sergeant?"
zone Captain Sercombe, sir, seen en-
ering the castle an hour or so back
" Constable Buckle"
You seem very we'll posted in the
lffairs of my house." l answered and
it cigarette Perhaps you will be
,ood enough to find him" And turn
d on my heel l felt that this was the
My way in which to take my friend
ones official impertinences. He reck-
med us for Sercombe's companions.
The captain had been seen to enter,
nd had no defense save to leave the
'olice sergeant to his own devices.
Il beg your pardon, sir" he said; II
ave your leave to search the castle?"
every inch of it." l answered indif- |
erently How long do you propose
o take, q fortnight?''
Jones coughed .If YOU will give me