Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-10-13

you ii catcn your tram.
Sir William Tankerlane grinned,
and left the room. When he had
gone, Shil turned off the electric light,
and threw himself into an armchair
before the fire. There was much to
be thought of before he dressed for
dinner. He had to leave for Conasea
Island early in the morning and ne
had to get away without being fol-
lowed by Tankerlane. He was glad
Ito think that the later would prob
ably have TO spend the night in the
open air, as there was no inn within
FIVE miles of Black Hall. 1t would
surely be easy enough to elude the
man, even if he watched all night. 1t
would be impossible for anyone to
successfully patrol the whole park.
But Shil intended to leave nothing to
chance. He rang the bell, and when
the footman answered the summons,
he gave him careful instructions.
please tell the headkeeper, Mar
tin he said, that l want him and
two of the underkeepers to watch the
house and grounds all night, and see
no one is hanging about. If by
chance they should come across the
gentleman who has just left, they can
either lock him up in the stable, or
take him out of the park by the west
gate. Do you understand"
Yes, sir" the man replied, with
solemn face, which gave no indication
of his surprise, or of the enthusiasm
with which he intended to retail the
news in the servants hall.
well, look sharp about it," said
Shil, "and they'd better start the job
at once. By the by, shall be out all
night myself. I'm going away to shoot
duck, and it's possible that I may not
be back to breakfast See that a
packet of sandwiches is made up for
me, and that my large flask is filled
with whisky and water"
The man left the room, and John
Snil lit cigarette and leant back in
| his chair. The interview he had just
had with Tankerlane would provide
material for many an hour of hard
thinking. But for the moment only
two thought occupied his mind. The
Tankerlane's knowledge, and the sec
alive or dead.
He finally resolved to leave after
dinner, and go down the creek on the
last of the ebb tide. He would have
the shelter of the darkness and the
certain assistance Of the wind, which
still blew steadily from the west. He
would also have an excuse for the jour
ney. for he often spent night in
duck-shooting.
And lastly, he would have the gun,
even If he came across no ducks, it
was just possible that a gun might be
very useful to him.
CHAPTER XVII
Directly Shil had finished his din
ner he changed his clothes and made
preparations for spending the night on
the water He put on two heavy
Jerseys, and placed sandwiches and a
flask in one of the pockets of thick
overcoat In the other pocket he put
two dozen cartridges.
Then, calling the dog, he left the
house by back entrance, and made
. his way through the park to the creek
Before he had gone fifty yards, he was
hailed by one of the keepers.
Cali right, Jocelyn,' he said, as the
man came up to him. I'm going out
, to see If can get duck or two. Have
! you seen anyone about?'
mot a soul, sir. We've couple Of
dogs with us, and they amt give nc
sign"
well, you can come down to the
creek with me, and carry my sun ane
rug. It's warm walking in these
I clothes"
: you'll need 'em, SIR" replied the
keeper as he relieved his master o
: the thick rug and the heavy gun, I'll:
\ powerful cold in them marshes. Blu
l l doubt if you'll get any duck tonight
Y The air amt crisp enough"
il "There's nice moon, Shil replied
+ curtly
I'D go right down into the Dark
:, water, if l were you, sir, and lie III
u among them little islands on the ia
side. 'Tis long way, but gram
place for the duck at this TIME Q
>, year.
e 81 think that's what 1 shall dc
;, Jocelyn," Shil answered.
h "Sam Dowsett'n giveee breakfas
II on Consea," the man continued, quit
S UNCONSCIOUS Cnat MS ADVICE coincide
h with the plans his master had alread
il made. And like as not he'll be gla
. of company. IT'S a mortal lionel
IS place in winter. This be queer spo
d amt it, sir?'
u They had come to the Tidal Poo
n and were walking along the path b
the, edge of the wood. The moor
o. which had not yet risen far abov
Ut the horizon, was almost hidden by tn
trees, but a dim light filtered throug
e. the leafless branches, and showed th
e outline of the wall, faint and ghostl.
ly like fairyring. The water, ebbin
lg out through the narrow culvert, gu
20 gled noisily, and the faint sigh of tn
re wind in the trees was not loud enoug
III to drown the sound of it.
at You're right. Joselyn," Shil r
piled; I'm thinking of filling it u
Al or else cleaning it out. What's tt
If matter with the dog?''
Of Pat had stopped. with his head la
W close to the ground, and his eyes t1xe
| !,