The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1907-04-25
THE SECOND
DANDY CHATTER
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CHAPTER Xxx.
Neptune to the Rescue.
By Tom Gallon.

Not daring to venture near the cot
tage again, Philip got as near to the
village as he could, and hung about
until lights were cleaning only in the
upper windows OF cottages and until
the doors OF the Chatter Arms had
been closed for some time upon the
last registering yokel who had more
than was good for him. His purpose
was to see Betty Siggs, and assure her,
in accordance with his promise, of
Clara's welfare. But it took longer
time to carry out his purpose than he
had anticipated.
Over and over again, when he was
almost within touch of the place, he
would fancy he heard a door being
opened or that footsteps were coming
cautiously toward him, and would
make a dash back into the darkness.
At last, however, he managed to get
round to the back of the inn, and to
take survey of its windows.
Now, 1t so happened that two Of
those windows were lighted, clearly
showing that some one else was going
to bed in addition to Toby Siggs and
his wife. Knowing nothing about the
disposition of the various rooms up
stairs, Philip was, for time, at
loss what to do, being dreadfully afraid
that he might rouse the wrong party
and bring disaster upon himself. At
last tired of waiting, he determined
to take the risk and to throw few
small pebbles at the larger of the two
lighted windows. This he did, sending
the stones rafting smartly against the
into the darkness and awaited results.
Unfortunately it happened that the
chief guest room at the Chatter Arms
was the largest room upstairs. and
that Mr.. and Mrs. Siggs, in their mod
esty and with an eye to business, oc.
cupied smaller apartment. And in
that guest room at that particular
time, reposed the important figure Of
Inspector Tokely, who had been
stopped in his projected return to Lon
don that afternoon, by the intelligence
that his prisoner had broken goal, and
was thought to be in the neighborhood
of Bamberton.
At first the rattle of the stones had
no effect upon the sleeping officer of
the law; but Philips second attempt
reused him from sleep. and drove him
to the unwelcome thought that some
one was playing practical jokes upon
him, as form of rustic humor. Not
at all relishing this, he sprang out Of
bed, just as a third handful battered
against the panes.
The indignant Tokely dashed to the
window and drew up the blind; then,
unable to see anything, he flung up the
window sash and poked out his head.
Who's down there?" he cried out.
You'd better come out, because l
know who you are, and I'll lay you by
the heels tomorrow morning, as sure
as gun. Now, then-are you coming
out of it,"
Philip, who had drawn himself up in
the darkest corner of the yard, horror
struck at his blunder, very naturally
to obey the inspectors bid
ding, that indignant man continued to
shout various threats Of future punish
ment into the darkness, until he con-
trived to rouse his host and hostess;
so that, In minute or two, the second
lighted window was raised, and old
Toby Siggs put his head out, with a
most prodigious nightcap upon 1t. and
looked round at Tokely.
''Wots all this?" he asked. in his
slow, heavy fashion. ''if so be as you
ave pain anywheres. the missisll be
on'y too glad to git UP an make
poultice, or anything Of that kind,
on'y don't go a 'owlin' at
the moon like that there--iist like
lost dorg-'cos it amt restful at this
time O. night"
'Tm not bowling at the moon-or at
ANYTHING else," retorted Tokely, saw
agely. "And I'm not in pain, you idiot.
Only some yokel has had the impu-
dence to keep on shying pebbles at my
window. this half-hour past-by way
Of a joke, suppose. I wish they'd
try any one else's window, for a
change.
'wot did you ave for SUPPER" was
the extraordinary query propounded
by Toby, after a thoughtful pause.
what the deuce has that got to do
with it," snapped out the inspector.
"Oh-nothing," replied Toby, inno-
Gently. "On'y thought you might
p'faps ave bin dreamin'-that's ALL"
Tokely muttered something decided
" uncomplimentary under his breath.
and jerked down the blind-quite for
getting in his rage, about the window.
Moreover, being thoroughly reused
from any sleep, or thoughts Of 1t, he
sat down near his bedstead to think
about the matter, and to decide how
best he could visit his wrath upon
some one for the offense on the NOR
row.
Sitting thus, engaged with his own
angry thoughts. he lost count Of time,
until presently he was startled by an