The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1908-11-26

lie put down his sack in front of
the lantern. opened wide its mouth and
gradually rolled 1t inside out, disclos-
ing to Kits Mortified glance human
creature tightly doubled up and bound
rs he undid few of the larger band
ages, and the figure Strengthened itself
out, hit recognized the young squire
of Hawkesburg. He was tightly gag
ged. since he was able to utter some
low cultural and inarticulate sounds,
which might have betrayed his pres
ence; but now in the grim isolation of
the belfry. where there was none to
hear, there was no need for a gag, and
the highwayman stripped it away at
one hasty snatch and cast 1t on the
floor. Then he set the terrified lad
still bound hand and foot, with his
back against a huge beam which form
ed part Of the bells. and stood back to
contemplate with grim satisfaction the
results Of his work.
And now" he said after short
pause. "let us have one last talk You
and Sir Godfrey they say are the last
of the Hawkesburys But l know an
other and Hawkesbury Park, and all
that goes with 1t will be his, when you
and your father are gone. Sir Godfrey
cheated MY father years ago and to-
night | will have my revenge. You will
never leave here alive"
He stayed a moment to enjoy the
anguish which was plainly visible on
the young lads face, which twitched
hideously In his vain efforts to speak
Kit puzzled his brain to know what he
should do. Should be shout for help?
The little town was wrapped in its
slumbers and ere he could rouse it and
obtain help, there was ample time for
| the highwayman to commit his foul
deed and effect his ecape. Should Kit
| attack him? He was unfortunately
quite unarmed and mere STRIPPING by
/ the side Of this powerful man. In whose
| belt there were both pistol and dag
ger
| II have planned my revenge a long
| time" the man resumed. when you
are gone Sir Godfrey will not last long
and then Ivy every proof of law the es-
tate will be mine. But it would mar
all IL the murderer were discovered or
even suspected. So have brought you
here. Suspicion may, perhaps fall upon
the old sexton, or upon one of the old
bell ringers, or upon anyone-I care
| not whom. I wish. indeed, I could
have made 1t fall more closely upon
some victim. But it is enough have
caught you, and got you here"
He laughed hideously, a mocking, ma
niacal laugh. There was no fear, no
remorse, no hesitation In his manner
His hands itched for their work, and he
sprang forward eagerly, and gripped
the young squire's throat In exutant
glee.
Kit Cowley felt the strength of a
mad fury as he burst open the door of
the window, and sprang into the bell
chamber. At the first sound of The ris-
ing latch the highwayman released his
grip and turned towards the intruder
| His first expression was one of blank
surprise, which gave place to one of
demoniacal joy when he had taken the
measure OF his antagonist and seen that
he was unarmed.
Suddenly shrill, piercing shrek.
followed by loud cries for help, rang
! through the bell chamber. The dumb
lad had suddenly regained his voice
/ by last gigantic effort in this moment
Of tense excitement
| Kit and the highwayman stood
aghast and for the first time the latter
deadly pale and like hunted animal
brought to bay and attacked on every
side he swept furtive glance behind
him, and in his effort to ward off the
sudden attack the highwayman tripped
and fell sprawling on the nearest bell.
In an instant Kit was kneeling on
his chest. and gripping at his throat.
BY one strenuous effort he got the
mans left arm doubled across his chest
and under his own knee and both his
hands were free to pin the Villains
neck against the floor.
movement of the highwayman's leg
brought Kits foot against the rim of
the bell. Tightening his grip he felt with
his foot for the swinging tongue Of the
bell and gave it a vigorous kick The
bell uttered two sonorous notes. which
sounded singularly weird to Kit As
the sounds died away, he heard cries
of excitement and alarm In the streets
below and presently the creaking of
the watchman's rattle. 1t was but a
matter now Of few minutes. Tighter
than ever he squeezed his victims con-
vulsive throat, until he felt his fingers
throb with the pulsations of his blood
Not till he heard footsteps on the steps
leading TO the bell chamber did he relax
: his hold, and even then he kept his
fingers where they were ready to grip
once more II the struggle should be
renewed.
But the strong man was broken and
helpless now, and when at last the star
tleo townsmen clambered into the bel
chamber the light of their lanterns fell
upon the livid features of Il dead man
n few days later when the inquest
had been made into the manner a: d
circumstances of his death, they buried
him as quietly as the occasion would
permit in the family vaults of the Haw
kesburys. Kit received much common
dation for his sturdy valor but the one
thing which gave him the greatest sat
isfacton was TO see the young squire Of
Hawkesbury alive and well, and t,
hear him tell with his own voice the in
cidents of that terrible midnight hou
in the bell chamber of the Keldol
e church.-Phlladeph Telegraph.
i Thin.
I "Gee. but amt his legs thin?"
o "Rather-he was arrested once FOL
3 having no visible means of support