Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1906-03-22
CHAPTER XI1-continued.

. N12S, NJ
CHAPTER XII-Continued.
eercombe kept his appointment with
commendable punctuality, entering our
council chamber. IL l may so describe
the smaller of the halls in which we
usually sat, with the jauntiness of his
mornings encounter. Lunch was but
newly over, and l felt myself descend
In Mortgomery's eyes when I offered
the captain glass Of wine. He took
It airily, even with kind Of rude
grace, which sometimes characterized
him, and nodded us good health.
plungirlg at once into the matter of his
visit
"You will excuse me, gentlemen.
can spare little time today. You will
understand that am very busy" this
with twinllling eye. But we must
needs oblige friend, and am here
over dusty road to meet you"
1--WE are gravely indebted to you."
said l tremendously. "But I must
point out that this point touches you
MS much as, If not more than, 1t affects
u.s."
eve have shed no blood" said the
captain emphatically, settling back for
argument
"'Tis not your fault, then" retort
ed, land, in any case, what blood was
:hed was spilled in self defense In re
polling an illegal assault upon our per.
sons and our property"
"You would find it difficult to prove
that in court Of law" says he, cast
ing his eye at me.
II thought we were agreed to leave
the law alone" said l.
"Unhappily,' observed Sercombe
with laugh, ''the law won't leave u
Alone
..Oh, come" said impatiently, "w
are confined to this, Captain Sercombe
Are you prepared to help ms? Yo'
yourself say time presses. II not. it
may well be that we shall throw the
onus upon the proper offenders and
leave you to shift for yourselves"
"An,i what about the treasure, my
friend?" asked the captain, with an
ogle.
II know nothing Of any treasure" l
remarked calmly, "nor does either OF
my friends here. Presumably an at
tack was made upon the castle for the
purpose of burglary, and l can con-
ceive that my silver only was aimed at.
I think that will suffice to explain the
cowardly attack Of some ruffianly for
khn DovnnnA Vn1i0Q
will easily understand that"
Sercombe looked somewhat blank,
but ir moment resumed his cheerful
ness. "Quite SO, and, as such a course
would benefit no one, we are to COM
bine forces against common enemy
Well, fire ahead"
At this moment an interruption came
through the entrance of the maid with
the announcement of some visitors al
the door. We all stared at one an,
other.
'sWho are they?" demanded.
But the girl, being raw and unso
phisticated, had not inquired their
names. They were, however, gentle
men, and there was policeman with
them. This was enough for us, and
an uncomfortable silence fell on us
! Sercombe raised his eyebrows and
sucked in his lips soberly.
'sHave 'em in,' said Sheppard.
looked dubious. We had arranged
nothing and had no plan Of action be
tween u.s. ut is far wiser" urged
Sheppard. Don't give 1t too elaborate
an appearance" And, turning, he gave
the order to the maid.
was still doubling and Sercombe
was regarding Sheppard with certain
grave interest when the maid return.
ed, ushering in an important looking
old gentleman with very ceremonious
manner and man whom took to be
aIser'geant in plain clothes.
"Mr. Greatorex?" asked the old gen.
tleman, with heavy courtesy.
bowed That's my name" re.
piled. II suppose you have come upon
this business Of last night?"
eyes, sir" said he, signaling to the
sergeant, who forthwith pulled out a
notebook. ut looks bad thing for the