The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1912-12-19
CHAPTER xIII--(continued.)

E H- "
CHAPTER xIII-(Continued,)
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ION his way to Newgate?n cried the
little clerk, rubbing his hands with
glee. Then, IL we can agree on the
price, your lordship a nave them In
an hour" A
IF you bring them to me-without
reading them--in an hour, ! will give
you ten guineas," said Lord Beach
combe magnificently. i
'Ten g~uineas!" echoed Samuel, with
q falling countenance. They cannot
be so very important after all, II
that's all they're worth"
How much did you ~expect2" de-
manded ~Beachcompe, who hated part
Ing with his money, and was still
writhing under the agony of having
had to disburse so considerable a sum
already over this affair. Il
Considering the risk, I think / ought
TO have a hundred pounds" pleaded
Samuel, trembling at his own audacity.
"A hundred devils!" growled Beach
combe: do you think I am made of
money!" a.. ~
'It's well worth. It, my Lord" urged
Samuel. You don't know the risk /
run, even IL the captain is in Jail. And
why wouldn't he get out2 He's been
there before and cheated the hangman;
he's as artful as a fox, and has more
friends than you and I know Of"
Beachcombe reflected a while. well
bring the documents to my house and
you shall have the hundred pounds.
But IL you eve betray the slightest
knowledge Of them, II will be worse
for o than IL the captain, as you call
him, escaped from prison and came
after you with all his friends"
They're in a sealed packet, my
lord, and IL / break the seal you a
keep your money" said Samuel, grow
ing holder, al a confederacy in dis
honor brought the naughty peer nearer
to his level. Beachcombe signified> his
over to the window, while Mr.. Perry
gave Samuel instructions how to make
sure of the packet falling into no other
than the right hands.
Goods DEATH" Beachcombe suddenly
exclaimed, in 80 strange q voice, that
the others hurried to the window and
looked anxiously out to see what had
quiet. A couple Of barristers, with
their gowns tucked up, stood talking
and laughing, a street vendor shouted
the praises Of his wares, a slatternly
woman, with a baby In her arms and
another clinging to her skirt, lounged
under the trees opposite, and the group
of c~onstables, still expectant, chewed
budWS anu Spdl IleIu out IN the gutter,
with h utter absence Of hurry so
frequently observed in men whose
time is owned and paid for by the gov
eminent. Nothing else was in sight.
What are those men waiting for? p
roared B~eachcombe. cts that scoun-
drel hiding in this house? Call them
in, Perry. and make them search every
corner. BY Heaven! IL you have let
him slip through your fingers"
$40 VOII maan fha panfaip 0b aaxod
the trembling clerk. He went out half
an hour. ago, just before me and Mr..
Double"
"And no one stopped him? He passed
through the constables unchallenged?
II is collision; they shall hang for 1t.
Give me my hat, Perry"
Samuel flew to obey, and after a brief
search, emerged from beneath a table
with a somewhat weather beaten beav-
er, turned up with a silver buckle.
Beachcombe dashed 1t from his hand.
THAT is not mine!" he shouted: that
Is he n that fellow wore when he
came in. He has left 1t behind and
taken mine: he has used IT as a dis
guise, ard those idiots have been taken
IN by it," He flung out of the room.
and the next minute was heard furi-
ously cursing and berating the crest
fallen constables, who, taking him for
their long awaited prey, sprang upon
him as soon as he appeared, and but
for the speedv interference OF Mr.. Per-
~. would have handled him roughly.
The men fell back in confusion as
the situation Gawned upon them. This
the real lord? Then who was the
naughty and self important parsonage
who had ridden away from them so
cody after issuing orders with such
an air OF authority? .. >.a
You shall sweat for thisl" cried
Beachcc mbe. fWhere is my horae?"
No one seemed able to answer this
question. The men glanced from one
to another; and the mysterious crowd
that spriLgstup from the roadside when
there Is any excitement, began to col
lect. Some n suggested that a GEN
tlensan in a Hack hat and feather had
been seen riding cut of the squars,
on a fine chestnut horse, and a mu:-
muir from the crowd confirmed the
statement. ~. .a.. ID. ..t
BY this time Lord Beachcombe had
become s~psechless with rage. He signed
to q passing chair, and getting In bare
headed, pulled the curtains close, and
departed without q valedictory greet
ing. .
After a visit to Bow street which
gave promise or a warm quarter of an
hour to the constables on their return,
Beachcombe hurried to his house, over
looking st. James park, to await Sam
uers visit, and concoct plans by which
Robin should not only be arrested. but
brought to an ignominious and linger-
ing death. Torture was supposed to
have been abolished In those days, but
treason was still punishable by drawing
and quartering, and while the county
was still astir with Jacobite plots. TIE
charge OF treason might easily be fas-
tened on any man who could not readily
account for his cominge and goings.
The day passed slowly, for Lord
B~eachcombe, shut mp in his study, gave
orders that no visitor should be admit
ted except the lawyers clerk. Once