The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1916-03-14

red hot as they are, though my mate
here doesn't agree with me-"
The man with the beard very en-
{ phatlcally shook a matted head. now
/ relieved of the stolen helmet, and oh.
served that the quicker they we're the
better It would be, lie was rs taciturn
n bushranger as he had been bishop
but Stngaree was perfectly right
Even these few words would have de
stroyed all chance Of Illusion IN the
case Of his mate.
Their very clothes, which become
us so WELL" continued the prince OF
personators, who happened to be with.
out hair upon his face at this period
and who looked every inch his part;
their very boots, we have only Dor
rowed. | will tell you presently where
we dropped the rest Of their kit We
left them a suit Of pajamas apiece and
not another stitch, and we blindfolded
and drove them into the scrub as
last precaution. But before we go I
shall also tell you where a search par
ty is likely to pick up their tracks.
Meanwhile you viii all stay exactly
where you are, with the exception OF
the storekeeper, who will kindly ac-
company me to the store. shall nat
urally require TO see the inside Of the
safe, but otherwise our wants are very
simple"
The outlaw ceased. There was no
word in answer A curious hush had
fallen on the captive congregation.
IF there is a storekeeper," suggest
ed Stingaree. "he'd better stand up"
But the accomplished Chaucer sat
stark and staring
up with you" whispered Car
michael in terrible tones, cor we're
doner'
And even as the bookkeeper rose
TREMENDOUSLY to his feet a strange and
stealthy figure, the cynosure of all
eyes but the bushrangers' for a long
minute, reached the open end Of the
veranda, and with a final spring a
tall man in silk pajamas, his gray
beard flying over either shoulder, hurl-
ed himself upon both bushrnngers at
once. With outspread fingers he
clutched the scruff Of each neck at the
selfsame second. Crash came the two
heads together, and over went the ia
BILE with the three men over it.
Shots were fired In the struggle on
the ground, happily without effect.
Stingaree had his shooting hand man
gled by one blow with n chair whirled
from height. Carmichael got his heel
with a venomous stamp upon the neck
Of HOWE, and in a fewer seconds than
It would take to write their names the
rascals were defeated and disarmed.
HOWE had his neck half broken, and
his face was darkening before Carmi-
chael could be induced to lift his foot.
THE cockroachw bawled the mana
ger. drunk with battle. "Fd hoof his
soul out for two pins!
A moment later he was cropping for
his glasses. which had slipped and fall
en- from his perspiring nose, and max
ing use Of such expressions withal as
to compel a painting protest from the
tall man in the sllken stripes.
MY name is Methuen," said he. II
know it's a special moment, but-do
you mind?"
Carmichael found his glasses at that
instant, adjusted them, stood up and
leaned back to view the bishop. and |
his next words were the apology Of
the gentleman he should have been.
My dear fellow" cried the other,
81 quite understand. What are they |
doing with the ruffians? Have you any
handouts? Is 1t far to the nearest po-
lice barracks?'
ITO be continued