The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1910-09-07
pered Smithers.
Ronald shook his head.

IL Npulu bS SNhiN'NAAN AOA NH
But not for the lady, sir. EN-
cuse me, Mr.. Ronald! My cad seems
to have screwed itself round the
wrong way; but I'll get it right side
70 the front directly, sir Is there
anything else we ought to take?'
Yes; Ievolvers, replied Ronald
quietly. we may have trouble
Pm almost 'oping We shall, sir
said Smithers, longingly. For the
first time in my life I've got an
unoiy cravin to shoot somebody.
I'd no idea till | card of this poor
young lady's trouble that was
such a savage at cart. Give you
my word, sir, that I'm jest thirstin
for blood. But don't you be afraid,
sir: I'll keep my cad all right;
you'll see. Just before dawn, sir?
That don't give us much time; but
I'll be ready. Mr.. Ronald
As usual. he was as good as his
word; and in the hour of the great.
est darkness they were rowed to
the quay, where Smthers had got
a carriage in waiting; the sailors
kit-bag, with the rope-ladder inside,
was slowed under the seat, and they
drove within half mile OF the
villa Here they pulled up, telling
the CONTAMINATION Smithers had
bribed SO heavily that he would
have looked on at an actual muir
der with placid indilierence-to wait
fer them in the secluded spot at
which they had stopped the master
and man, the latter shouldering the
kit-bag, went on towards the scene
of an adventure which was roman.
tic and dangerous enough Tor even
these two reckless and daredevil
individuals.
They went in silence, meeting no
one, and apparently unseen. They
reSched the wall; ana SmitheIs
quickly took out the light ladder
and proceeded to make his first
attempt to throw up the end with
the grapplingt on, so that they
might catch on the coping, when
Ronald griped Smithers arm.
Hold on he whispered "Wha,
was that"
Il heard nothing, sir" Smithers
whispered back. What did you
ear?"
Something that sounded like the
clang of IA gate" said Ronald.
Smithers scratched his head, and
looked puzzled.
"'Tisn't very likely that any
body would be goin' out o the
place this time o he mornin sir,
ne said. Sure you amt mistook?'
Il may have been said Ronald.
but, whatever it was, | have no
time to lose Up with that ladder, ~
Smithers, after several failures,
succeeded in getting one of the
hooks to grapple with the top of the
wall: the next instant he was up
like a monkey, and Ronald was
close behind him. They drew the lad
der up after them and dropped it
the other side of the wall; they
themselves then dropped over, and
after moment, in which they
looked round them, they stole
through the shrubs to the house;
but they had not gone far before
Ronald said:
Il am uneasy about that gate,
Smithers; the man may have heard
us-may be on the watch. You un.
derstand-"
Smithers nodded, and his shrewd
lips grew tight while the craving
for a fight cleaned in his blue
eyes They turned aside, and, crouch
ing low and going cautiously made
their way in the direction of the
lodge; when they came close be-
hind it, they stopped and listened
Not a sound could be heard: the
keeper was not in sight But Ronald
was not satisfied, and, signing tC
Smithers Significantly, he led the
way, with an increase of caution
to the front of the lodge.
There was now sufficient light fol
them 10 see distinctly, and. to theil
amazement they saw that one o
the great gates was ajar; the doc
OF the lodge was also open; there
was no light in the interior Tn,
two men gazed at each other Will
mute interrogation for a moment
then Smithers whispered.
What's it mean, sir? The gate.
open, the doors open; there is n,
one to be seen. Is it plant. sir?'
Well see said Ronald, grimly
Revolvers in hand, they crept NJ