Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1916-01-14
ROCKVILLE MARYLAND FRIDAY MORNING. JANUARY H. 1916


an intimate woman friend. In the
evening, rs soon as It was dark, she
would go to the Jail where Henry was
confined with some delicacy for him.
This program enabled Hardy to shad-
ow her, keeping at a distance that
would not connect him with her.
Hardy placed especial reliance on her
being communicated with on her even
Ing visits to the jail, for then she
might be approached In the dark. The
distance from her house to the Jail was
about mile, and nearly every even
ing she set out either with fruit or
some dish she had made. Her morning
and afternoon outings she made less
frequently, for It was plain that the
evening walks, being In part over an
unoccupied district, would give Kilgour
or his messenger an excellent opportu-
nifty to join her.
However, 1t Is the unexpected that
happens. She had been making her
outings for week without even a sus-
picion of any one being interested In
her movements when one morning, sit
ting by window In the rear Of the
suit of rooms which she occupied, a
man appeared on the fire escape and
knocked on the window. Mrs. Ashurst,
not having any idea what he wanted,
threw up the sash.
"a missing man may be had for &c.
900 In gold" he said.
As soon as Mrs. Ashurst could col
lect her faculties she asked where the
money should be left. He replied that
when 1t was ready she was to hang a
white cloth from one Of her front win
dows, with n figure on 1t denOting the
day OF the month she would pay It.
On the evening named at 8 o'clock she
was to set out for the Jail where her
husband was imprisoned. When she
came to the unoccupied space an auto
would pass her, slowing down near the
curb. She was to toss the gold into It..
Within week Kilgour would send an
autograph letter to her that would free
her husband and document that
would put her I'm possession of her for
tune. All this was spoken rapidly, and
as soon as the messenger had finished
he fastened down the fire escape and
disappeared.
Mrs. Ashurst was relieved and began
Mt once to think how the money could
be raised TO set her husband free.
When she told the story to Hardy he
thought out n plan to bag the black.
mailer. This was more difficult than
would at first appear, for Kllgour
would probably not receive the funds
In person, and, II the receiver should be
captured he might claim that, having
heard of the case, he had attempted to
make money without delivering the
goods.
After studying the matter he told
Mrs Ashurst to hang out cloth ap-
pointing an evening for the delivery Of
the gold. She was to go to the rendez-
vous with an electric lamp, which she
was to keep concealed unless an Oc-
casion arose to use 1t. She was to CON
sent to pay the money only to Kilgour
himself. II he claimed to be In the
auto she was TO fash her light II not
she was to make an appointment, II
possible, for another evening, when
she would return with the gold, which
she would exchange for the promised
letter and document. A force OF armed
detectives was to be scattered In con
cealment along the road.
Mrs. Ashurst set out on the appoint
ed evening and when walking in
the unoccupied section heard an auto
coming behind her. When 1t swerved
toward her she said, 81 will give the
gold only TO Jonas Kilgour." She saw
two dark forms In the auto and heard
them talking IN a low voice. Then one
of them said, "Come tomorrow night
and you Will receive the answer"
Then they drove on.
Hardy now hoped that, the rascal be
lleving he had woman to deal with
whose husbands life was In jeopardy,
she would gladly pay the money and
take no risks. lie arranged for her 10
be interviewed the next evening within
certain limits where there would DO
several men concealed under layers of
earth near the sidewalk. Mrs Ashurst,
armed with n bag OF stones and her
electric lamp, walked slowly within
the limits till the auto came to halt
beside her.
"All right" said voice which she
recognized as KllgOur's. Here are
the documents; produce the gold" The
lady reached forth one hand with tho
bag Of stones in It and the other to 70
celve the papers. She wore dress
with loose sleeves, and the moment
she had received the papers and let go
the bag, shaking the electric lamp from
her sleeve, she flashed II In the mems
faces, revealing Kilgour and the man
who had appeared on the fire escape.
The detectives sprang up, tho auto
went forward with jump, and 1t
seemed as II II would escape. But
Mrs. Ashurst flashed her light on II,
and several shots we're fired by tho
detectives ut the rear tires, both Of
which were pierced, and the machine
after humping along for n short dis
tance over the stones, Mt last came TO
halt, ana the men were captured.
That's the end Of the story. Mrs.
Ashurst had the refusal TO marry her,
necessary 10 give her her inheritance,
and proof Of conspiracy on the part
Of Kilgour 10 bleed her as well as to
place her husbands life In jeopardy.
Henry ABllurst WIS released, and his
wife received her property They de-
cided not TO prosecute Kilgour, but
the state took the mntter up and sent