The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1912-10-31
CHAPTER v-tcontinued.,

S11<At tR
Sir Godfrey signified his satisfac-
ton; each gentleman made a memoir
andum of the bet, and as the carriage
mad already been standing some min
utes at Prue's door, her betrothed
alighted, thanked his friend for his
courtesy in giving him a lift, and has
tened in to press his suit with renewed
arlor.
Beachcombe pulled the check string
n ordered the coachman to drive with
all speed to Newgate prison.
Newgate prison, in the reign OF
Queen Anne, was a fostering sink OF
iniquity and horror. Almost every
CRIME under the sun was punishable by
death-from stealing a penny loaf to
pheasant to slaughtering a family. In
fact the laws in relation to property
We're far more strictly enforced than
those for the protection of human life,
unless the value of the life was en-
HANGED by the rights Of property. There,
degree herded together-men, women
and children-all brought to al equality
under the shadow of the gallows. But
money was just as powerful there as
anywhere else, and the prisoner who
could a might have privacy, COM
pSLS, lue pest OIL IOOQ ana vine
everything except cleanliness-that no
power could bring into Newgate prison,
n 1T needed the cleansing fires of de-
struction to purge it off the face of the
earth.
Robin Freemantle, the condemned
hlghwayman, a money enough to Sc
cure him a cell to himself. One of the
had swept 1t out, n he a hired q
table and chair from the jailer at about
twice the price for which they had beer
bought ten years ago..
At his table he sat writing, with a
bottle of wine at his elbow, and the
debris of a substantial meal on a tray.
Through a barred window above his
to show the fine athletic form and
bronzed, manly face, on which the pal
Tor of Imprisonment was already tom
ing down the rudy glow Of health. On
the page before him he had inscribed
but four words, at which he sat gaz-
ing irresolutely while he nibbled the
feather Of his pen. The key turned in
the lock and a hoarse voice outside an
nounced, "A visitor for you, Robin
Highwayman.'
Lord Beachcombe walked in, and the
door closed behind him.
Robin rose. welcome, my lord" he
said, with an unmistakable ring Of re-
lief in his tone. your promptitude
will do us both a good turn"
Il received your letter, fellow" said
the other haughtily, land I confess I
was curious to learn how a man of
education a fallen to your condi-
ton" His eye glanced upon Robins
though he marveled why it had been
thought worth while to mend a collar
bone upon which the neck was set SO
insecurity.
Take this chair, my lord. I have
but one in my spacious apartment.
and his visitor sat down, not without
some show Of reluctance.
And now, be brief" said Lord
Beachcombe, watching him narrowly,
and let me know the service you wish
to render me"-with a sneer-"and the
member ever having been waylaid by
YOU, SO you cannot have stolen Jewels
to restore"
Yet YOU lordship has some idea of
what l have to offer-not to restore, for
you never possessed it-and if 1 die on
worth of it until too late. Your lord
ship has a lawsuit pending involving
your title and estate"
Every one knows that" said Beach
combe irritably. Some mysterious
person has claimed to be my elder
DiObiACA AAAC llliS - lly LII
possible, but he appears to have inter-
ested a lawyer of Sorts"
The thing is not impossible, Lord
Beachcombe. 1t is true. It is also
true h a this claimant can deprive you
not only of your title and estates, but
of your very name"
You are mad! If such a thing were
possible, what is it to you. and how
can you know anything about it 2"
Because all the papers are in my
possession. Oh! not herein perfectly
safe keeping; where they will remain
until / die, or claim them back"
How came they in YOU posses
sion?' demanded B~eachcombe. "In
robbing a coach, I suppose you took
them for something valuable"
They came into my possession by
the action of providence, to afford your
life and keeping your own honorable
name"
Your life, my good fellow! You
overrate my w n your w
value. If your papers are worth any
thing III give you all the money you
provision of those you leave behind
Wen come to that presently" said
Robin. First. I'll tell you what 1
have to offer. Some 80 years ago,
while his majesty King Charles was on
the throne, a certain lieutenant Of the
guards, younger son OIL a great earl S
younger brother, fell in love with a
poor schoolmaster's pretty daughter.
Passing himself off as a stage player,
under the name of Gregory Vincent, he
won the young woman's affection,
though not, apparently, her complete
confidence, for she went to the pains
of investigating the gentleman's pri-
waite life, and discovered his real mama.
Then she consented to e secret mar
| riage. at which she substituted a real
priest and legal papers for the sham
ones with which her honorable lover
had intended to cozen her"
This story has already been COM
municated to my attorneys" inter
rupted Lord B~eachcombe impatiently.
How are you acquainted with it, and
why do you expect it to interest me
in your
II know it because a vast number of
letters, written by this gentleman,
| first to his sweetheart and afterward
to his vito, nave fallen into my hands.
They tell the whole history, with many
entertaining details, and would prove
racy reading in the News sheet for