Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1914-12-18
LET me CO." she said Historically.

scream, had gone to her and, taking in
the situation, had grasped the tele-
phone receiver and had only time to
call Hackstaff's number when the man
pulled her away, Then followed the
shrieks, the barking of the dog Hack
staff had heard as the burglar dragged
Mildred from the instrument, threw
her into her room and shut the door.
Hector had defended her, but the man
had succeeded in shutting him up In
the room with Mrs. Thorne.
Hector was of the hound breed and
keen Of scent. Hackstaff was anxious
to follow the burglar, and after neigh.
bors had been called he left In pursuit
led by Hector and armed with 70.
volver Mildred gave him. The dog
quickly took the scent, and the two
pushed out into the night on an err
rand Of vengeance.
Hector kept his nose to the ground
without barking. There was no water
IN which the robber could lose the
scent, and IL there had been 1t Is
doubtful II he would have used It, for
he had not much reason to suspect that
he would be 80 quickly followed, and
he had shut the dog in the room with
his victim.
Hackstaff felt 80 deeply tho outrage
that he thought little Of meeting with
man who was doubtless armed and
would shoot to kill. On went Hector
with his nose to the ground, and on
went Hackstaff some twenty yards be-
hind him This pursuit had continued
for some time and day was breaking
when Hackstaff heard in a thicket
ahead simultaneous growl of the dog
and the cry Of man. Running for
ward. he saw by the dim light man
on the ground and the dog at his
throat
Cooking his revolver, Hackstaff push.
ed forward and saw that the man had
evidently been taken unawares by the
dog. He had lain down to rest or to
sleep perhaps, and Hector had him
at disadvantage So fierce was Hec-
tors attack that his enemy had oil he
could do to resist his grip and no time
to draw weapon. He gasped to
Hackstafr to call tho dog off. and Hack
staff. covering him with his revolver,
did so. Then. directing him to put his
hands above his head, he dlsarmed
the march homeward.
Hackstnff, after persuading Hector to
let go his victims throat, being alb
sOrbed In the man, thought little about
the dog. Presently Hector came trot-
ting along with little cotton bag in
his mouth. Hackstaff took 1t and put
II in his pocket.
Drawing the burglar to a road, Hack
staff waited till farmer driving q
team came along, then put his prisoner
on the wagon and took him to the jail
at the county seat, where he was lock-
ed up Then Hackstaff set out to the
Th0rnes'. He found crowd about the
house and learned that Mrs. Thorne
had been mortally wounded. Since
Mildred WINS attended by friends, he
did not disturb her. going at once to
his own home
Mrs. Thorne died the next day, as
much from shock as from wounds. 1t
was not till the day after the funeral
that Hackstaff went to see Mildred.
She told him that In her refusal Of
him she had been Influenced by the
fact that her mother needed her, and
she did not believe that she would be
happy or make him happy 80 long as
her mother lived. She was ready to
marry him, but he must take her with
no dowry except the place in which
she lived, which was of little value.
She had supposed that her mother had
some money hidden away. but nothing
had been found.
Hackstnff gladly accepted this with
drawal Of her answer to his PROPOSE
ton, and since Mildred was now en-
tirely alone an early marriage was ar
ranged. The burglar was tried, but
since there was no evidence forth
coming except the scent of n dog that
he was the man who had committed
the murder the jury refused to con
Wet him. But he was hardened
criminal and was wanted for another
offense, for which he suffered.
A short time after the marriage Of
Hackstaff and Mildred Tbone the
husband one day put on the coat he had
worn on the night Of the murder. Put
ting his hand into n pocket, he drew
forth little bag.
81 wonder where that came FROM"
he said, looking Mt It curi0usly.
whats In itT' asked his Wife
Thurstlng his hand In the bag, he
drew forth number OF diamonds
Then he remembered Hector's trotting
beside him with the bag in his mouth
while he was engaged with the pris-
Oner.
It turned out that the diamonds had
been taken from Mrs. Thorne on the
night of the murder, and they proved
to be worth $4,000
The robber had thrown them away
when captured. How he knew they
were in tho house and Mildred did not
know OF It is n story in itself.
After all, Mildred's dowry was sat
isfactory TO herself and her husband.
As for Hector, he lived from that
time forward the life Of n prince Of
dogs. His mistress insisted upon hav-
Ing him with her night and day. Since
her husband was not with her In the
daytime she relied upon the dog for
protection What induced Hector to
pick up the bag the robber threw AWAY
Ia hard TO determine. 1t was certain