Omaha daily bee., 1910-07-31
Beneath the Statue of the King
by ARTHUR wAKELING.


about TO celebrate the Declaration Of In /
dependence in fitting manner over on the |
Bowling Green"
How so7' the master OF the queens /
Head asked.
by pulling his maiesty's statute through /
the streets, q fitting emblem Of fallen mon |
srchy."
A man at a smyl table at one side Of
the public room sprang to his feet and
motioned emphatically for silence.
Upon this day Of good omen his majesty
" doomed 70 abasement, even unto dust"
The bearer Of the news bowed deliberately |
He was confident that Gregan was 10y
alist at heart, and he felt IL his duty 10 be
properly sarcastic.
1T must not be-" Gregan Numbered
Would you try to stop it?" the man at
the door suggested.
Gregan's companion, who had been sit
ing opposite him without seeming to notice
what was going on, started up.
You fool" he warned what does IL
matter to you? SIT DOWN.
Duer spoke authoritativeiy. II was not
that he cared particularly what happened
to Gregan, who, after ALL was not an alto
gether acceptable acquaintance of his lie
did not want to see his companion killed,
however
Never, That statute must never fall,o
Grsgan Kissed
he made a violent effort 10 rise, but
Duer flung him back.
"Quiet"' he commanded. I'm not over
anxious TO be seen in the company Of
common brawler."
0regan suddenly seemed TO become aware
that the few men in the taproom including
Sam Fraunces, were watching him curl
ously.
but must get there and save'-he con-
tinued In a lower tone.
You will only get yourself run through
before you get within the fence at Bowling
Green"
But my fathers jewels are hidden be-
meath the statue, in the hollow Of the
basel"
Your fathers jewels2" Duer demanded,
the frown on his face deepening. Beneath
the statue?''
Gregan nodded.
I'VE must save theml" he exclaimed.
1.-The Breclzson necklace and the French
rings-those jewels7"
A cold, biting note had made ITSELF evil
dent in Duer's voice. and IL Gregan had
been less excited he would have noted it.
Duer silenced him with a notion
Let me think" he commanded.
The truth flashed upon him SUDDENLY. II
had been said that those jewels had been
stolen. Indeed. one man had been tried
and tacitly found guilty by public opinion,
although not by the laws OF the colony
so you-you. his son--stole those pearls
did your
The way in which Duer spoke made
Gregan shudder.
''You stole them, did you, from your own
fatharT
mo
"You liei'' Duer flashed.
The man in front of him went white ut
the accusation.
WELL" he replied. weakly, "he was 60
ing to leave them to me. Then he changed
his will and cut me off. He all but dis
owred me. So thought To-
You thought you would make sure of
tho pearls?"
The hiding place was the best in the
world, and they were mine. anyway"
''Yoursl' Duer laughed savagely. Gre
gan began to buster.
TITS not your affair, anyway. 1t is a
matter merely between my father and my
self. We will drop the subject just now,
IL you please, I must
He started to get up, hut Duer pushed
him back.
You'll listen to me-" he Kissed. Some
one was blamed for that robbery. One
man was judged guilty, although by no
court OF law The disgrace nearly killed
him. And 1t was through you-you theft"
What is that to your
That man was my brother!"
Gregan shrank back.
your brother?' he gasped
The few men who were in the public
room of the ordinary had passed out leav-
ing only the two men and Fraunces to-
gether. The sound of the rapid footsteps
OF crowd OF people passing along Broad
street In the direction OF Bowling Green
reached the taproom through the open win
dow. Gregan realised that he would have
a desperate time in saving the priceless
pearl necklace that was under the leaden
statue Of King George III.
He sprang to his feet and dashed toward
the door. Duer caught him and hurled
him back. In an instant they were strug-
Cling around the room. Heavy man that
Gregan was, Duer was able to throw him
backward. But Gregan returned with a
rush like bull Duer sprang aside, crash
ing into table, but he was OH Gregan
before the heavier man could recover him
self. There was crash and Gregan was
lying on the floor.
cellar, Quick!"
Frauhces. no lover of men who cherished
loyallst feelings, picked up ORGANS feet
and together they carried him down into
the musty vaults Of the wine cellar.
Lock him up" Duer painted,
rhe ordinary keeper obeyed without ques-
ton.
Now, let him stay there, till 1 return
rl answer for all, so long as he Is KEEP
safe"
Duer rushed up the stairs, through the
taproom, snstching up his sword from the
table where he had been sitting and rar
toward Bowling Green.
He pushed his way recklessly through
the crowd around the statue OF George III
Ropes had already been fixed 10 the leader
horse and its leaden rider. ana even al
he reached the base, the huge mas
Numbered to the earth. A cry OF deligh
arose from the great crowd, and wilC
cheering broke out.
Without pausing, Duer clambered upoE
the base OF the fallen statue.
Independence" he shouted. waving hi
sword.
Independence the circle OF peopl
reared back.
Duar hoNycvar had not baaO vafchiu