The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1915-08-20

morning, while the place was beine
thoroughly searched, we came upon
the spot where these bulrushes had
been cut down, and we found them
caught in the low boughs OF a tree
drifting down the river"
Quest had lit fresh cigar and was
smoking vigorously.
/ What astonighes me more than
anything he pronounced, as he stood
looking over the desolate expanse OF
country, is 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 diabolicai resource. Who's
this. Lord Ashleigh?"
The latter turned his head. An
elderly man In a brown yelveteen
suit with CATERS 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.
mot day older, Middleton" he
exclaimed. $50 you are the man who
has given us all this trouble, Ell? This
gentleman and have come over from
New York on purpose to lay hands on
Craig"
Il am very sorry, sir" the man re-
Piled. / wouldn't have fired my gun
If had known what the conse-
quences we're going to be, but them
poaching devils that come round here
rabbitfng fairly send me furious, and
that's fact. It amt that one grudges
them few rabbits. but my tame
pheasants all run out here from the
home wood, and I've seen feathers at
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"
II is rather worse than inconyen-
fence. Middleton the professor said.
graTely. "The man who has escaued
Is one of the worst criminals of these
days"
He won't get far, sir" the game
Keeper remarked. with a little smile.
It's wild bit of country, this, and /
admit that men might search it for
weeks without finding anything. but
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-yeH
they don't know everything, and that's
a fact"
This gentleman is from the United
States" Lord Ashleigh reminded him,
so your criticism doesn't affect him.
BY the bye, Middleton, / heard this
morning that you'd been airing your
opinion down in the village. You. seem
TO rather fancy yourself as a thief
catcher"
Il wouldn't go so far as that, nv
lord, the man replied. respectfully,
but still, hope may say that I'VE
as much common sense as most PEG
pie. You see, sir he went on. turn
ing to Quest, the spots where he
could emerge from the tract Of coun-
try are pretty well guarded, and he'll
pc IN a fine mess, when he does put
In an appearance, TO show himself
upon public road. Yet BY this time
! should say he must be nigh starved.
Sooner or later he'll have to come out
Tor food. I've q little scheme OF nv
own, sir, ! don't mind admitting" the |
man concluded. with a twinkle in his
keen brown eyes. I'm not giving |
1t away. II catch him for you. that's /
all that's wanted, imagine, and we /
shan't be any the nearer to It for let.
ting anyone into my little secret"
His master noddeu.
You shall have your rise out of the
police, II you can. Middleton he OBJ.
served 1T seems queer, though. TO
believe that the fellows still in hid.
Ing round here"
They made their way. single file. TO
the road and up to the house. Lord
did his best to dispel a queer
little sensation Of uneasiness which
seemed to have arisen in the minds of
Ill of them.
Come" he said, I'VE must put aside
our disappointment for the present
and remember that after all the
chances are that Craig will never make
his escape alive. Let us forget him
.or little while Mr.. Quest" he
added, few minutes later, as they
reached the hall. "Moreton here will
'how you your room and look after
Tou. Please let me know IL you will
axe an aperitif. can recommend my
sherry. We dine at eight o'clock. Ed
,ar. you know your way The blue
DOM, of course. / am coming up
With you myself. Her ladyship back
'et, Moreton?"
Not yet. my lord"
Lady Ashleigh," her husband ex.
'lained. has gone to the other side of
he county to open a bazaar. She is
cooking forward to the pleasure OF vel
oming you at dinner time"
Dinner. served. out Of compliment to
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