The Huttig news., 1915-07-17

| We tried them for four or five hours before we took them home. The next morning, while the place was being thoroughly searched, we came upon | the spot where these bulrushes had been cut down, and we found them caught in the low boughs of tree drifting down the river"
 Quest had lit fresh cigar and was smoking vigorously.
 What astonishes me more than anything" he pronounced. as he stood looking over the desolate expanse of country, lis that when one comes face to face with the fellow he pre- sents all the appearance of a nerve less and broken-down coward Then all of sudden there spring up these evidences of the most amazing, the most diaholical resource Who's 1 this, Lord Ashleigh? ?'
 The latter turned his head. An suit. with gaiters and thick boots raised his hat respectfully.
 This is my head keeper, Middle ton,' his master explained. "He was with us on the chase
 The professor shook hands heartily with the newcomer.
 | Not a day older, Middleton" he exclaimed. "So you are the man who has given us all this trouble, eh? This gentleman and have come over from New York on purpose to lay hands on Craig
 ''I am very sorry. sir" the man re piled. I wouldn't have fired my gun if I had known what the conse quenees were going to be, but them poaching devils that come round here rabbiting fairly send me furious, and that's fact It ain't that one grudges them few rabbits, but my tame pheasants all run out here from the home wood, and I've seen feathers al the side of the road there that no fox nor stoat had nothing to do with All the same. sir, I'm very sorry" he added. "to have been the cause of any inconvenience"
 "It is rather worse than inconven fence. Middleton" the professor said gravely. "The man who has escaped is one of the worst criminals of these days
 He won't get far sir" the game keeper remarked, with a little smile Its a wild bit of country. this, and admit that men might search it for tuit iro hut those gentlemen from Scotland Yard sir, if you'll excuse my making the remark, and hoping that this gentle man. he added. looking at Quest, "is in no way connected with them-well they don't know everything, and that E a fact"
 This gentlemani is from the United States, Lord Ashleigh reminded him ESQ your criticism doesn't affect him By the bye, Middleton, I heard this morning that you'd been airing youl opinion down in the village. You seen to rather fancy yourself as thief catcher"
 I wouldn't go so far as that, m, lord,' the man replied, respectfully but still, l hope I may say that rv as much common sense as most pet pie. You see, sir" he went on, turr ing. to Quest. "the spots where h. could emerge from the tract of coun try are pretty well guarded, and he'l be in fine mess when he does pu in an appearance, to show himsel upon public road. Yet by this time l should say he must be nigh starved Sooner or later he'll have to come out for food. I've little scheme of my own, sir. don't mind admitting" the man concluded, with a twinkle in his keen brown eyes. I'm not giving it away. If catch him for you, that's $ all that's wanted. I imagine, and we | shant be any the nearer to it for let ting anyone into my little secret"
 His master nodded.
 You shall have your rise out of the police, if you can, Middleton" he ob served. Tt seems queer. though, to believe that the fellows still in hid | ing round here''
 They made their way. single file, tc the road and up to the house. Lord Ashleigh did his best to dispel queer little sensation of uneasiness which | seemed to have arisen in the minds ol all Of them.
 Come" he said, I've must put aside our disappointment for the present and remember that after all tho chances are that Craig will never mak. his escape alive. Let us forget hin for little while. !. :. Mir Quest" h. added, a few minutes later, as they reached the hall, "Moreton here vii show you your room and look aftel you. Please let me know if you vii take an aperitif. I can recommend my sherry. We dine at eight o'clock. Ed gar, you know your way The blue room, of course. 1 am coming LII with you myself. Her ladyship bacl | yet. Moreton?"
 Not yet, my lord"
 Lady Ashleigh," her husband ex plained. has gone to the other side O | 4