The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1908-04-17
The Empires Dream
Amazing Adventures of a Gang of Thieves
Who Stole a World-Famous Dia-
mond of Fabulous Wealth.
CHAPTER Xv.-(Continued.)

CHAPTER xv.-(Continued.)
I'm going back ter Brighton ter
and it ove ter Percy Twist, an ave
1t disposed of immejut, an eft that
carn't be manidged Wen claim Their
reward an restore it ter it's howner
honorable. 'Ow dyer feel?"
In bruised and aching all over.
How soon can we leave this place."
Il dessay we could sneak out now;
'ates ter ave a row 18th a pal, SO l
'opes yer don't bear no malice?"
ooh, that's all right; we are all
three in it, and we must stick togeth-
er. | shall go to Leeds tonight and
settle with those two women
Please yerself, but my motter is,
Let well alone an I'd let that crowd
jolly well alone, l can tell yer; but
come hon, an IL see yer safe inter
Their station"
Hammond made a hurried scrutiny
of the road from the upper window,
and seeing nothing that looked like
danger they left the arch and made
their way back to London, where Win
ton booked on for Leeds.
With the leather case safely slowed
away in his pocket, Hammond waited
with his confederate until the train
started.
And so for the second time that day
Hammond Witnessed the departure Of
the Leeds train. and then himself re-
turned to Brighton. where Percy Twist
was %anxiously awaiting his arrival.
"Lor', wot a hexitin' day l ave 'ad.
ter be shooar; air brefY hescapes,
weddin' parties. an rough-an.tumble
nights. Ho, 1t as amoosed me-"
Tell me all about It,"
And Hammond thereupon gave
Twist q vivid and highly ornamental
account Of the days happenings.
And you say that he is married to
this Judith Ballard, Joe Brawn's
laughter"
That's about ther ticket; leastwise.
II e amt a widower by now; e
fetched 'er a horful whack. Ho, l was
amoosed"
And you got the diamond"
Rather; you bet on Bill Jack"
Then I think we have had enough
OF Winton; he's far too dangerous for
us. We must end it."
well, 'ow?"
He has gone to Leeds after this
Miss Brent, and expects us to follow"
Not arr, e doesn't. Ho, it Ices
make me larf; but what are yer goin'
ter do?"
Il think it would be a pity to disap-
point him If he expects somebody; so
the best man to meet him will be Joe
Drawn. l don't know his address, but
a wire to Griffin will put him OF the
track and rid us of him, and We'll clear
out tomorrow early"
my, what a cad you've got; it do
amoOse me-"
Twist sat down and wrote out a tel
egram;
Jasper Garlick left London for
Leeds this afternoon"
II will send this to the telegraph
Office at once"
He left the room and returned in a
few minutes, and somewhat startled
Hammond by locking the door.
Now, having attended to business
and put what think will prove a
spoke in Winton's wheel, l think we
might refresh ourselves with a look
at the Empires Dream"
"Right-ho! I'm hanxious ter ave q
look at Their lump O. liquid light again
meself. Lor', wot a treat it'll be when
we 'andles Their brass!"
He produced the leather case and
laid 1t upon the table. Twist took 1t
up and passed his hand lovingly across
it once or twice. and then. as they
both bent over the table, he touched
the spring.
The lid few up. and then they both
started back with a simultaneous cry
Of amazement and rage.
The case was empty!