Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-01-03

"Sh 'HC ShtSts were ahs.ss.
over the house. ''
What fine brace Of weaponsp,
marked the gentleman, bending 49,
case of pistols
Being the keeper Of the crown 49,.
l am likely to have use for thns, y !. I.
piled Mr.. Edwards y
MY friend" said the other ss,,.
tiously. do you know those uissols -
just what I want for friend of 49,
What are they worthT"
II paid guinea for Them
81 will give you double the auno,,,. !.
NO; since you wish for them -
shall have them for what PAID
When the pair left the Tower ths =.
itor took the pistols with bin.
Now, you men listen attentive,x :,
what i have to say My plan Il a..
pie and can be carried out without ar
ficulty if every one knows his part a.
does it. Parrot. you are TO take -
globe Hunt, you are to take ~. s-s
a bag with you, make two parts ~ ~
scepter with the file and put the psr,s
in the bag"
What are you going to take. solo.
nel?'' asked third man. HaIIowar.
II shall take the crown. You. Hano
way, are to remain outside the fevel
room and watch. Let each man carrv
a cane with sword in il and an tba
arms he can conceal in his cIothinr
See to it that these instructions arr
carried out to the letter"
''All right. colonel said Hunt. "weu
stand by you and do our parts. but
must say that this is the most auhi.
tious move you have ever made. To
take the crown jewels of England from
the Tower in broad daylight and got
away with them is a bigger job than
taking Old Noll's body from Westmip-
ster abbey"
1t was the 9th of May at z o'clock IN
the morning. Colonel Blood, the GER
tleman who had established himself IN
the confidence Of the Edwards family.
knocked at the door of the keepers
apartments with three companions
Hunt, Parrot and Holloway. Being ad-
mitted. he apologized for the nonap
pearance of his wife and nephew, say
ing that they would soon arrive. The
friends he had with him desired to see
the crown Jewels and would Mr.. Ed
wards kindly show them while waiting
for the others? The keeper consented:
the party entered the jewel room, and
the door. as usual, was closed.
In a twinkling the keeper was on the
floor bound and gagged. But he strug-
gled and was stabbed. Parrot, who
had worn a loose pair Of brooches pur-
posely. thrust the globe in his pocket
Blood crushed the crown to save bulk
and put it under his cloak, while Hunt
began to file the scepter in two parts
to get it into the bag.
While this scene was being enacted
young soldier from the British army
n Flanders entered the Tower gate and
vent to the apartment of the keeper.
open the door. he took his
mother into his arms and then en-
,raced his sister.
where's father?" be asked.
Hes in the jewel room with some
,isitors."
whats that;" exclaimed the young
nan, hearing a cry, and, without wait
ng to say more to his mother and sis
er. ran to the jewel room. Just be-
ore he passed in the visitors passed
ut The young man found his father
n the floor covered with blood. bound
nd gagged, but able TO make gut
ural sound. Pointing to the door. his
on understood what he meant, and.
INNING after the thieves. shouted to
ne guard TO stop them. They were
II taken and the regalia found on
lem.
ut was a bold attempt" said Blood.
but it was for a crown"
1t would seem that there was moth
lg more to our. story but TO mention
lie hanging of Colonel Blood and DIS
ssistants at Tyburn. But the Close
lough not exciting. is the most re-
arkable chapter of all. Blood refus-
to plead except TO the king private
]. He managed to secure an interyie"
it'll Charles IL. and then made stare
ents that changed the situation.
Charles had in his childhood beeoms
wanderer In foreign lands. His H.
er had died at the block. After many
.ivations he had been recalled TO the
rome of England. His object was .
Icify the various factions and cement
EN- that he might have peaceln
ign. Under these circumstances
rs natural that a desperate like BLOOD
ould affect him. He had been %
'th sides during the parliamentaf!
nr. at one time having Joined tas
fth monarchy men," He conTiseea
e king that his death-if he was exc
ted-would be avenged by hundred'
his associates
Another Influence doubtless presaP
Charles was an immoral man nin
If and admired any villain VINO We
ave as well as wicked.
By hanging Blood Charles could nav
t rid of him. but even in his poWs'
desperate a man was TO be feafea
Ie king pardoned him. restored W
nfscated estates. and he was o'isa
ereafter seen in the presence cnan