The L'Anse sentinel., 1924-02-22
Three Men and a Maid

nahase somehow, / expect. Cling to
the upturned boat or something, l
shouldn't wonder. There's always a
way. Yes, that's the plan. When is
the earliest you could arrange thisT
Il fear such course must be con-
sidered out Of the question, sir. 1t
really wouldn't do"
Il can't see a flaw In It."
"Well, In the first place, It would
certainly jeopardlze my situation. :"
"Oh. hang your situation You talk
as II you were prime minister or
something. You can easily get an
other situation. valuable man like
you," said Sam, overwhelmingly.
mo. sir" said Webster firmly.
From boyhood up I've always had a
regular horror Of the water. I can't
SO much as go padding without an
uneasy feeling"
The image Of Webster padding was
arresting enough to occupy Sans
thoughts for moment. II was an In
spring picture, and for an instant up
lifted his spirits. Then they fell
again.
"Well, don't see what there Is to
be DONE" he said, gloomily. "It's no
good making suggestions, II you have
some frivolous objection to all Of
them"
MY idea," said Webster, would be
something which did not involve my
own personal and active cooperation,
SIR II IL is all the same to you. I should
prefer to limit my assistance to advice.
| am anxious to help, but l am a man
of regular habits, which do not wish
to disturb. Did you ever read Foot
paths Of Fate In the Nosegay series,
sir? I've only Just remembered It, and
IL contains the most helpful suggestion
OF the lot. There had been a misun-
| derstanding between the heroine and
the hero-their names have slipped my
mind. though l fancy his was Cyril
and she had told him to hop II :"
ITO what7"
ITO leave her for ever, sir. And
what do you think he dldr
"How the deuce do I known"
'He kidnapped her little brother, sir,
to whom she was devoted. kept him
hidden for a bit, and then returned
him, and in her gratitude all was for
| gotten and forgiven, and never :"
II know. Never had the bells Of the
old village church :"
"Rung out blither peal. Exactly,
sir. Well there. II you will allow me
to say so, you are. sirl You need seek
no further for a plan OF action"
Miss Bennett hasn't got little
brother"
"No. sir But she has dog. and Is
greatly attached TO It."
Sam stared. From the expression on
his face II was evident that Webster
imagined Himself to have made sug-
gestion Of exceptional intelligence. II
struck Sam as the silliest he had ever
heard.
"You mean / ought to steal her dogr
| "Precisely. sir"
but. good heavens! Have you seen
that dogT' I
"The one to which I allude is
small brown animal with fuzzy tall"
"Yes, and a bark like steam siren,
and. in addition to that, about eighty
Ave teeth, all sharper than razors. I
couldn't get within ten feet of that dog
without Its lifting the roof OF, and.
II I did, IL would chew me into small
pieces"
81 had anticipated that difficulty, sir.
In Footpaths of Fate there was a
nurse who assisted the hero by drug
ging the child"
-~.By Jove!" said Sam, impressed.
"He rewarded her." said Webster, al
\ lowing his gaze to stray nonchalantly
over the countryside, "liberally, very
literally"
IF you mean that you expect me to
reward you II you drug the dog" said
Sam. "don't worry. Let me bring this
thing off. and you can have all, Tveigot,
and my cufr-links as well. Come, now,
this is really beginning to look like
something. Speak to me more OF this
matter. Where do we go from hereY
"I beg your pardon, sir?"
81 mean, what's the next step In the
scheme? oh, Lordl" Sans face fen
The light Of hope died out Of his eyes
"Its all or 1t can't be done! How
could I possibly get into the housef
take II that the little brute sleeps In
the houseT
"That need constitute no obstacle
sir: no obstacle at all The animal
sleeps In a basket In the hall.
Perhaps you are familiar with the In
terror of the house, sir2"
"I haven't been inside 1t since l wa'
at school. I'm Mr.. Hignett's cousin
you know"
.Indeed, sirf wasn't aware. Mr.
Hignett. sprained his ankle this morn
ing, poor gentleman"
"Has he7" said Sam. not particular
" interested. II used to stay with
him" he went on, during the holidays
sometimes, but I've practically forgot
ten what the place Is like inside.
remember the hall vaguely. Ffreplac'
Mt one side, one or two suits OF armol
standing about, sort Of window-ledg'