Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1906-04-03
/ The AdvGGll tlIrerS
\ Bv II. r. MARRIOTT WATSON
\ COPYRIGHT. 1905. BY HARPER {, BROTHERS
Bv H. r. MARRIOTT WATSON
eyes he came from behind mo n

.'N'Se
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.
1t was possible that he had not seen
It's. but | doubted that. If he had. he
would throw his party forward with
greater speed. We were now, how
isfied. and each man loosened his PTS
tol and grit himself for the eventual
encounter. That Hood would show
fight had no doubt and 1t was more
than probable that he would endeayor
to trick us We must be on the watch
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 neghborhood seemed
in peril of discovery. We had agreed
to postpone the attack until the party
reached its goal. II Hood had not seen
us (and was now disposed to believe
that he had not 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 a high pitch.
BY this time we had lost count Of
our direction in the innumerable wind
ings of the path, but apparently we
We're now mounting hill, and l 1udg
ed that it lay somewhere to the soltl
of the castle and toward the southern
threshold of the Gwcnt. We were pro
ceeding with our customary diligence
and precautions when a noise of feet
stamping on the earth assailed us, and
round corner came posse OF Inen
and fell upon us. 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 wert
sparse, fell upon the face Of Jones
'.Jones!!" l said, In a voice in wllicl
dismay, fury and disappointment
blended.
The man in front of me dropped hi
hand.
/ "You, Mr.. Greatorex?' he aslle
sharply. How do you come here?"
"God knows" l replied angrily "Anf
1 what are you doing l stopped sue
denly, for the next face that came int
my line Of vision was the black, i'm
passive face of Hood
MAY I ask, sir, what brings you ou'
tonight on this expeditions" asked
Jones, pulling out his execrable pocket
book.
was silent, but Sheppard broke
1--WE have no objection, Mr.. Jones, t.
give you our confidence, if you will bt
equally liberal with us. We were hunt
ing for Captain Sercombe."
"Ah!" says Jones, making note un
der the stars "Then it is lucky met
you, gentlemen, for am doing the
same"
l began to see.
"Mr. Hood" said Sheppard, with a
polite gesture of his hand, "was guild
ing your"
MIR. Hood had an idea," responded
Jones sourly
"Ah, Mr.. Hoods ideas are very valu-
able" said Sheppard quickly. pray
treasure Them
81 think, Mr. Sergeant" l interrupt
ed, being at length come to myself,
that we have been both badly deceiv-
ed, and if l were you should go
home"
Jones hesitated. / think he had had
enough of it. Wherever Sercombe was,
1t was certain to me that he was very
far from the place into which Hood
had decoyed the police.
II give you the same advice, Sir, re-
piled Jones, land with your permis-
sion will accompany YOU
II wish for 10 better escort than SO
Jealous an officer" l answered, with
some bitterness.
Jones spoke word with Hood, and,
that done, we retraced our steps
through the forest in mutual and I'M
Uttered silence.
l think there was little conversation
between us on our journey back. Inc
sergeant used us very CURLY, as IL ne
would imply that we were defendants
upon our trial. But one thing he did
say, and that, as Sheppard remarked
afterward, without giving us the Gus
tomary warning.
II should like to ask you, Mr.. Great
orex," he said, what you want with
Captain Sercombe?"
II ut a good DEAL" answered
bluntly. 81 want to warn him that ne
is wanted on a fatuous charge by
very obstinate and blind eyed officer"
Il don't think he needs that warning,
SIR" said Jones after a pause and
somewhat dryly.
! Besides, you forget, Ned" put Ii
Sheppard, chat he owes me t2o
sAhy' said the sergeant In tone
which implied that he was not to be
startled by anything that SercomDe
owed.
And now," said, in my turn, you
will perhaps be good enough to tell me
how you came to find us?'
Mr.. Hood heard you," be answered,
civilly enough this time.
ut was good of Mr.. Hood-very
sharp of Mr.. Hood" returned, 'and
take leave to thank Mr.. Hood ana 10
wish that he had discovered us little
sooner. Maybe you and I would nave
been spared useless tramp"
If we slept soundly that night 1T was
owing more to the labors Of the e.xpe-