Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1906-03-24
CHAPTER XIV.
NWYE had now prisoner of war,
WV lawfully taken in the fla
grant act, and must consider
what RI do with him For

grant act, ana must COuSlucF
what to do with him. For
myself, had already solved the riddle
in my own way. To say the truth, l
was getting distaste for the adven-
ture. 1t implied too many hard knocks,
too rough usage for a summer holi-
day. and, what was much worse, it
entailed on me grave responsibility.
1t seemed to me that the drift Of
these lawless events was wholly in the
direction of murder The word was
ugly enough, but it must be faced.
Murder is what the law would call 1t,
and murder was what 1t came near be-
ing at the best. The capture Of Hood,
then, opened road of escape, and l
had already resolved to employ it. OF
course 1t would have been possible
still to have surrendered the treasure
to the crown or to have handed it into
the possession of Sercombe's party;
but, though l was reluctant to continue
the bloody struggle, I was certainly
indisposed to haul down my flag If it
were to be peace, it should be peace
with honor. And the body of Hood
gave me my means.
I was able after some argument to
carry my point with the others They
had both kindly fancy for the fight
ing and were inclined to take my an
nouncement in a chapfallen manner
But explained that was making no
decision of myself; that was one Of
three and that I had merely offered
the suggestion as my contribution to
the counsels of war. Upon that add
ed the very cogent reasons which / had
prepared in favor Of my advice, and
the end of the talk was that they ac-
cepted the plans unfolded.
To execute my scheme 1t was neces-
sary to see Sercombe. But first
must pay visit to the prisoner, who
by the time we had arrived at a con-
clusion had lain in the blackness Of
that abominable DUNGEON for five hours.
Sheppard, indeed, had been eager to
interview him, and upon hearing of the
capture had at once betaken himself
to the keep. He was absa1t half an
hour, but did not inquire what he
had been doing. merely looked at
him interrogatively when he returned,
which he did wearing graver face
than was usual to him. Noting the
inquiry in my glance, he shook his
head.
'1rhat man is dangerous" he said
"abnormally dangerous"
Montgomery and have occasion to
know that" l replied. HE is snake
that is the substantive = and doubt
very much whether we can kill him."
81 have my doubts whether we can
even scotch him." said Sheppard dryly
and then dismissed the subject.
Yet my conversation with Hood later
was very commonplace and marked by
no particular points. He kept his Gus
tomary face of obsequiousness and,
gave me the briefest replies to my in
terrogations. l was specially exercised
in my mind as to the manner of his
entrance into the castle. For all his
dexterity and cunning, could not see
how, carefully watched as our fortress
was, he had managed to gain admit
lance over the drawbridge and through
the closed portcullis. At the question,
which was delivered point blank, he
turned his luminous eyes upon me- and
regarded me with shifty smile, the
shadow of a smile, betokening no
amusement.
II don't mind telling you, sir" he
murmured, though it's not what I
would say to most gentlemen. But you
have been gentleman, sir, throughout,
and should be proud to have served
you. 1 came with the party in the
morning, SIR"
"Whaty' said I. "You were with the
storming party?"
Eyes, sir. Seeing you engaged, I
crept away. know the house, sir, be-
ing with my poor master SO long. And
l don't hold with violence where you
can do without it"
opened my eyes. The mans plans
were conceived with excellent craft. 1t
would be the last thing should have
thought of, and yet it was so simple to
take advantage of the confusion and
secrete himself upon the battlements
after his allies had fed.
''You are rascal, Hood" I returned,
not without admiration. "But you are
a clever rascal"
'Thank you, sir" said Hood.
eyes, 1 continued, "you have had a
smart shot for it, but your game is up,
my man. Clever as you are, / have
you Gagged, and l think Captain Ser
combe and his scoundrels are further
from the gold than ever"
cit looks like it, sir" admitted Hood
1 looked round upon the dark and
grimy walls '"This is mean hole for
man Of your parts to lie fostering in"
1 said, "but l see no choice before you.
You have made your own bed, and you
must lie in it. A man might rot here
and drop into the bones Of skeleton
without sound or sense of the outside
world. The bodies of many captives
have decayed within these gloomy
walls"
"Have they, indeed, sir?" said Hood
politely. He sat upon one Of the oaken
cases, his eyes, bent upon me earnestly,
his body almost couchant for a spring.
could have believed the man was pre-
pairing a sudden assault upon me but
that knew he carried no weapon and
l was of stronger and bigger build than
he. But apparently nothing Of the