Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1915-06-24


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. sis that when one comes
face to face with the fellow he pre-
sents all the appearance of nerve
less and broken-down coward. Then
all of a sudden there spring up these
evidences of the most amazing. the
most diabolical resource. Who's
this, Lord Ashleigh?"
The latter turned his head. An
elderly man in brown velveteen
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.
SHOT a 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"
81 am very sorry, SIR the man re-
piled. wouldn't have fired my gun
If I had known what the conse-
quences were going to be, but them
poaching devils that come round here
rabbiting fairly send me furious, and
that's a fact. 1t amt that one grudges
them a 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, ito have been the cause OF any
Inconvenience e ~ ~ -i''.~-
"It Is rather worse than inconven.
fence, Middleton" the professor said
grayely. "The man who has escaped
is one of the worst criminals of these
, days. -%A"fa
HE won't. get far, sir" the game
/ keeper remarked, with a little smile
Its q Wild Bit Of country, this, and
admit that men might search It fol
weeks Without finding anything. BY,
those gentlemen from Scotland Yard
sir, If you'll excuse my making ths
remark, and hoping that this gentle
man." he added, looking at Quest, III
> in no way connected with them-well
! they don't know everything, and that's
fact"
"This gentleman is from the United
States" Lord Ashleigh reminded him
$50 your criticism doesn't affect him
| BY the bye. Middleton, ] heard this
morning that you'd bee, sss. airing you
opinion down in the village. You seen
20 rather fancy yourself as a thief
catcher"
~ Wouldn't go 10 far as that, m.
lord" the man replied, respectful,
"but stiff, ] hope may say that I've
as much coii1aon sense as most PEG
pie. You see, SIR he went on, turn
ing to Quest, the spots where b.
could erisrse from the tract of coun
try are pretty yell guarded, and hel
be in fine mess, when he does pu'
In an appearances. to show himself
upon a public road. Yet BY this time
should say he must be nigh starved
Sooner or later he'll have to come 6til
for food. I've little scheme Of my
own, sir, don't mind admitting" the
man concluded. with twinkle In his
keen brown eyes. I'm not givins
it away. If catch him for you, that's
all that's wanted. ] imagine, and w
shan't 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 OBJ
served. ut seems queer, though. tc
believe that the fellows still in hid
ing round here"
They made their way, single file, t.
the road and up to the house. Lore
Ashieigfi did his best to dispel a queer
little sensation of uaeasiness which
seemed to have arisen in the minds o.
all of them.
"Come," he said. I'VE must put aside
our disappointment for the present
J and, remember that after all ths
chances are that Craig win never make
his escape alive. Let us forget hin
for little while. <. Mr.: Quest" hi
added, few minutes later, as they
reached the hall, "Moreton here will
show you your room and look after
you. Please let me know if you viii
take an aperitif can recommend my
J sherry. We dine at eight o'clock. Ed
gar, you know your way. The blue
room, of course. ! am coming uI
; with you myself. Her ladyship bach
yet, Moretong" oAa
mot yet, my lord"
Lady kshleigh," her husband ex
plaiaed. has gone to the other side o.
. the county 20 open bazaar. She !.
: looking forward to the pleasure Of wei
, coming you at dinner time
: Dinner, served, out of complainant t.
their transatlantic visitor, in the great
! banqueting hall, was to Quest. espe
; cially, most impressive meal. The,
, sat at small round table lit BY
} shaded lights, in the center Of al
apartment which was large in reality
, and which seemed vast, by reason o
r the shadows which lowered around tn,
: unlit spaces. From the walls frownet
: down long succession of family por
4 traits--Ashreighs in the queer Tudo