The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1912-03-28

Copyright. by w. e. Chapman.)

closet and crouched there, her suit
case at her side. Lord Jocelyn closed
the door and went back to his smoking
room. He strained his ears. but not
a sound came from the closet.
well, my boy, you've done all you
a do" he soliloquized, relighting his
pipe and sitting down again. There's
no use getting excited, Dick. The next
moves up to her-or the enemy. I
wonder who he can be. 1 shall GER
tainly hit him once or twice for fright
ening such a pretty young woman"
The sound of heavy footsteps made
itself heard from the floor below. Then
somebody came stumbling hurriedly
up the stairs, followed by another;
and in the footsteps of the latter
Jocelyn recognized the approach of
his servant Talbot. who was returning
from his Afternoon Off" At the head
of the flight the steps commingled,
voices were raised in angry argument,
and a scuf1e ensued. Jocelyn bounded
to the door and opened 1t, to find Tai
bot holding in his powerful grip a
slight man of foreign aspect, who
raved and struggled quite unavailing-
ly.
Wont you finish your fight in my
apartnents?" asked Jocelyn politely.
II have a pair Of boxing gloves-or
foils, If they would suit you better.
Let the gentleman In, Talbot"
Yes. SIR" replied Talbot, dropping
his arms instantly, and the stranger
pushed his way past and turned on
Jocelyn furiously. his eyes cleaning
with the violence of his emotions.
where is she?" he demanded in
broken English. Where is my wife. I
demand her, instantly"
MY FRIEND" said Joceiyn calmly,
laying his hand upon his shoulder,
you have come to the wrong place.
The Offices of the matrimonial bureau
are at-let me see," he continued,
scratching his head thoughtfully-"Oh,
yes, 997 East Three Hundred and
Ninety-eight street. I believe they
close at ten," he added, looking at his
watch. You'd better hurry. or you'll
be late. Take the Madison avenue car
and transfer at"
Give me my wife or I'll murder
you." shouted the stranger. and he
drew a savage-looking knife from his
hip and brandished it In Jocelyn's face.
Here is the certificate OF our mar
riage." he continued, waving a paper
which, however, he almost Immediate
ly replaced in his breast pocket. Il
saw her enter here. She is with you.
Give her to me or IL have your life,
curse you!"
Talbot flung his muscular arms
round the stranger from behind, and
the two began wrestling round the
room.
Pardon me for disoheying you, sir"
gasped Talbot during an interval of
cessation. "'E said ed kill some
body, sir. Lucky l caught i'm"
Hold him; I'll truss him up" said
Jocelyn, and tearing down a curtain
from the window, he knotted it round
the intruder's limbs until he had re-
duced him to a condition OF impo-
tence. From the loose end he tore OF
a large fragment.
Now, my friend" ne said, twill you
go %peaceably, and without a word, or
will you be gagged until you have
cooled OFF,"
MY wife:" shouted the man, strug-
Cling desperately In his bonds. you
have her. you dog, you hound, YOU"
The words died away In an inaudible
gurgle, for Jocelyn adroitly inserted
the muslin down the intruder's throat
and stopped his speech. He tied the
gag in place with another strip which
he passed round his head and fastened
at the back. Bring him into my bed
room. Talbot" he said, land see that
any tricks sit on him."
Eyes. SIR" said Talbot. and together
they carried the wrtthing figure into
the bedroom and laid 1t on the bed.
Then, leaving Talbot in charge, Lord
Jocelyn went back and took up his
pipe again.
The Madison Avenue Boarding
House for. Those Mentally Deranged,"
he soliloquized, putting out a cloud Of
smoke. we accommodate all who
apply. Race, creed and color no OBJ
lection. Now, should I go to the girl,
or will she start screaming too? 1
think, Monsieur and Mademoiselle,
that the next nov is still up to you"
He went back into his bedroom.
The mar on the bed, exhausted by his
%unavailing struggle, nov lay passive
under Tablets strict guardianship, but
glared defiance at Jocelyn out OF his
bloodshot eyes.
Talbot" said Jocelyn, we've got
another Of them in there" He indi-
Gated the recesses Of his apartment
with his hand.
Eyes, sir: indeed, sir?" answered
Talbot respectfully.
Its a girl, Talbot. She came in a
couple of minutes before your en-
trance upon the scene and begged to
be hidden somewhere where her ene-
mics could not find her. She"
The figure on the bed writhed con-
vulsively and strained until the bonds
seemed ready to burst. Talbot leaped
promptly upon his chest, depositing
his portly form there with considera-
BILE violence. A strangling gasp came
from the gag.
an>A 80 r>VA>Su a>-k>- -.