Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1908-04-17

Ing lntO Tue muZzle OF pistol.
You know me, Higginbotham," be-
gan Strathgate
Yes, my lud," said the coachman,
greatly surprised and endeavoring to
rise.
Strathgate pressed him down in his
bed.
Lie still. l want to borrow q pair
and a carriage from your master. I'm
driving far tonight and want a good
pair. No, you are not to bother about
hitching them up. ! simply wished to
tell you the facts 80 you won't make
any trouble"
But, my lud, why don't you ask
Lord Darlington? I'm sure he'd give
you anything you want"
Its not necessary to go into my
reasons" answered Strathgate shortly
This looks crooked to me, my lud"
began the coachman, land It's my
duty to awaken his lordship."
He opened his mouth to cry out
Strathgate showed his pistol barrel
closer to him, truculently remarking:
IF you make a sound, I'll blow out
your brains. Now, do you under.
stand? l don't intend to steal the
horses. You'll find them well at some
wayside inn 20 miles from here. Mean.
while, we will have to tie you up and
gag you"
Mercy, my lud," began the coach.
man.
Nov, we mean you no harm. All
you have to do is to keep quiet. You'll
be released in the morning" g.
Very well, my lud," returned His.
ginbotham, to whom the shining
weapon was . powerful persuader.
Straps and other bits of harness
hung about the room. At a nod from
Strathgate Ellen handed him several
pieces of leather and the coachman
vas soon buckled hard and fast III
hands behind his back, his fest tied
together and gag In his mouth. Ellen
had kept in the background and she
was certain she had not been recog.
nized. She laid guinea down on the
mans table after he had been bound
securely and followed Strathgate out
Of the room.
They found Deborah shivering with
cold and terror in the shadow and
greatly relieved at their safe arrival.
To enter the stable was easy. Three
OF the stable boys were there. They
were devoted to Lady Ellen. She had
to trust some one. She went boldly
to their quarters, aroused them and
told them she was going away. II
anyone objected-she handled her
weapon threateningly! II they be-
haved themselves, there was a guinea
apiece for them on the table. They
would have to submit to being tied
and gagged, which indeed they were
willing to do, for only thus could they
escape their masters wrath when he
found his wife, his friend and his
horses gone.
The stable boys made no objection
durihS the process and swore that II
they were tightly bound so that there
was no appearance of connivance on.
their part, no alarm should be given
until the morning. Strathgate and
Ellen trussed them up as they had
done the coachman and then started
for the horses. I'D fi'
Which are the best pair for travel
Ing, | wonder?". queried the earl as
he, Ellen and Deborah surveyed the
long row Of stalls. ... g.
4 have heard my lord say that the
bays were the most reliable horses
he had"
The bays it'll be, then" said Strath.
gate.
And now l cannot help YOU" said
Ellen. \.
And now l need no help, madam"
returned the earl.
He quickly selected the harness, led
out the bays and in q few moments
the two were attached to a light tray.
cling carriage.
Where now?" said Strathgate when
all the preparations had been COM
pleted.
we are going to Portsmouth, as |
think l told you, my lord"
Very good" said Strathgate. I'll
drive, suppose?'
III you will be so good"
Get in, then, you and Mistress
Deborah, and we will start away" ,
God send We may win safely past
the house. There's no other way to
get to the high road except around BY
the drive" -. ~, y
i shall put the horses on the turf
and keep OF the gravel so far as DOS.
siole," said Strathgate, "and | think
well probably get away without any
alarm being given"
Strathgate was an expert whip and
ne found no difficulty in keeping the
spirited horses going quietly over the
grassy turf which bordered the drive
way and as he had predicted, they got
past the house without making /,
sound. But one obstacle remained be-
tween them and treedom-the lodge
Keeper and the lodge gate. Ellen had
forgotten It until they had gone some
thing like a quarter Of mile through
tne park, when she suddenly thrust
ner head out Of the window of the
carriage and called Il 10 Strath1ata,.