Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-02-06
CHAPTER xxlll.
Besleged.

no one had manifested an appetite, and we were cheering ourselves with the idlest talk possible. Stoddard. who had been to the chapel for his usual seven o'clock service, was deep in the pocket Greek testament he always car ried.
 Bates ran in to report summons It the outer wall, and Larry and I went together to answer 1t, sending Bates to keep watch toward the lake.
 Our friend. the sheriff. with dep uty, was outside in buggy. He stood up and talked to us over the wall.
 You gents understand that I'm only doing my duty. It's an unpleasant business, but the court orders me to eject all trespassers on the premises. and I've got to do it."
 "The law is being used by an in famous scoundrel to protect himself. I don't intend to give in. We can hold out here for three months. if neces- sary, and advise you to keep away and not act as a tool for . man like
 
 Pickering"
 The sheriff liftened respectfully. resting his arms on top of the wall.
 You ought to understand. MT. Glen arm, that l ain't the court; I'm the sheriff, and it's not for me to pass on these questions. I've cot my orders and I've goS to enforce 'em, and hope you will not make it necessary for me to use violence. The judge said to me. We deplore violence in such cases. Those were his honor's very worlds"
 "You may give his honor my compli- ments and tell him that we are sorry not to see things his way. but there arc points involved in this business that he doesn't know anything about, and we, unfortunately. have no time to lay them before him."
 The sherif's seeming satisfaction with his position on the wall and his disposition, to barley had begun to arouse my suspicious, and Larry sev. eral times exclaimed impatiently at the absurdlty of discussing my affairs with a person whom he insisted on calling constable. to the sheriff's evi. dent annoyance.
 You, sir,-we've got our eye on you and you'd better como along peace able. Laurance Donovan; the descrip itions fits you to t."
 You could buy nice farm with that reward, couldn't you" began Larry, but at that moment Bates rar toward us calling loudly.
 They're coming across the lake sir," he reported. and instantly the sherifrs head disappeared. and as VI ran toward the house we heard his horse pounding down the road toward St. Agatha's.
 "The law be damned. They don't in tend to come in here by the front door as a matter of law" said Larry. Pick ering's merely using the sheriff to give responsibility to his maneuvers."
 It was no time for a discussion oI motives. We ran across the meadow past the water tower and down to tho boat-house. Far out on the lake VI saw half . dozen men approaching thu Glenarm grounds. They advanced steadily over the light snow that lay upon the ice. one man slightly in ad vance and evidently the leader.
 Its Morgan" exclaimed Bates sAnd there's Ferguson"
 Larry chuckled and slapped hi' thigh.
 "Observe that stocky little devil jus behind the leader. He's my frient from Scotland Yard. Lads! this | really an international affair" ; "Bates, go back to the house ana call at any sign of attack" l ordered sThe sherffs loose somewhere"
 And Pickering is directing hi forces from afar." remarked Stoddard
 T count ten men In Morgan's line, said Larry. "and the sheriff and hi deputy make two more. That's 12, no counting Pickering. that we know O on the other side"
 "warn them away before they ge much nearer" suggested Stoddard we don't want to hurt people if VI can help it"-end at this I went to tn end of the pier. Morgan and his mel were now quite near. and there was n mistaking their intentions. Most O them carried guns, the others re yulvers and long ice hooks.
 Morgan" I called. holding ur m. hands for e truce. we wish you n' harm, but if you enter these ground you do SO at your peril"
 They had paused at a word iron Morgan and listened sullenly.
 We're all sworn deputy sheriffs. called the caretaker smoothly. "We'v' rot the law behind us"
 That must be why you're comini an the back way" I replied.
 The thickset man whom Larry hal Identified as the English detective nov came closer and addressed me in Sigh key.
 sYou're harboring a bad man. Mi Glenarm. You'd better give him ur I've got my papers and the Americai law supports me. Yoan get yoursel into trouble If you protect that man You may not understand. ST. that hei . very dangerous character"
 Thanks. Davidso1,- called Larry You'd better keep out of this Yo' nov I'm a bad man with the shillalahi
 That you are. yod blacksuard: yelled the officer. 50 spitefully that VI all laughed.
 I drew back to the bozshouse-
 They are not going to kill a1ybod. H ther can heIp ft- remarked Stod