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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1906-04-13, Page 10-7-thr ---------- -144: APR direlho 111.1001111101111111111111MIEMONINTe 4116.1111111111MOMINIONIMINIIMOVE/NO The Mventorers By 11. B. HARR IOTT WATSON COPYsteOliT. -189$ BY HARPER. te ORO M lele e 411111111111111111111MINI,e111111411111INSIMIMVpairtell1111111111111•1111,11M11111111111110 =tinned- f.rom age thY ale. If you grant that, you may your own time." - •4q was in hopes," he saki, minim •for he took no, offense at my plainness lof speech, "that we might have set- tled the matter over a little dinner, iHood, an excellent host, 1 find, is 1111X- 10118 to show you what the Woodman tan do when,he spreads biraself. Ated a full stomach, warmed with wine; -is 'better for business, as my young friend here knows. But you shall have it your own 'way." "By all means let It be a dinner," weld Sheppard, suddenly springing tip from his seat "Mr. Greatorex, I am sure, would be Ioatb to rob you of your, pleasure, Captain Sercombe, and in his name I make bold to offer you the hos- *Rainy of the castle." I started in amazement and opened my mouth to refuse, but was saved the trouble by the captain's auswer. Ile was a good deal disconcerted. "I fear," said he, "that the hospitali- ty would be milli:nun on Mr. Greato- rexis part" "Not at all,- said 1 gracionsly. distinguished soldier like Captain Ser - 'hen. lair° is my young friend of the claret!" he caclaimed ligbtly, nodding •briefly to Montgoinere, who fixed a stolid and somewhat glowering glance upon hint, 'Then his eye fell on Shep- pard, whom he observed with dispas- slonate ehriosity. ' "I was In hopes to have met yon alone, Mr. Greatorex," vhith a little ;hesitation showing in his voige. ; "Tbese are my friend," said I, "from whom I have no secrets." "Allow me to introduee myself," said -Sheppard politely, stepping forward, "since Mr. Greatorex has overlooked the formality. Reginald Sheppard, Captain Sercombe—a gentleman, as I hope, but of no occupation and a vast deal of ambition, who is proud to make the acquaintance of so notorious a free companion as yourself." Sercombe stared, somewhat discom- posed by this deliverance, but; recover- ing hinaself, smiled genially. "The mride, sir, is on my side to encounterso pleasant a gentienaandh Then he looked at me. "I take it, Mr. 'Greatorex, that I may *ate my business here." _ • IriBy all means," I answered curtly, -thind the sooner the better." "To be brief, Mr. Greatorex," he said, 'I have come to strike a bargain with you, I will confess that so far you •liave outmaneuvered us. I will go so far eta to say that I thought I had you tornered yesterday. Yesterday morn- ing I would not have put 2 crowns up- on your appearance inithe race. But you 'have sharp eyes, dire and you a sharper man than I had reckoned. ,But upon the other 'hand, where do yott-stand? ask -you to consider that. 'Andwhat price do you put on your 'chances? You have, I should guess, about 88 Much chanee to lay ye* Oil What you want as 1 have. Is a so?" 9 am not here to diecues thy chanties with you, but to listen to you, ski" Said I. "What have you to say?" • -He made a slight grinmee, deliverhim -it instinctively to Sheppard and went on: "Well, I suppose -What you have to say will keep. Whet I have won't, if we are either of us to get any further._ We stand upon equal terms snow, hfr. Greatorex, as you will see, tut those terms are impracticable. You ;have only one half of a secret, end we have the other, and it will take a clev- erer man than you to find our half, as make 120 doubt you also have yours In pretty safe hiding. I don't reckon to hunt London for a piece of paper. But this brings me to thy 'point Let us show our hands. Let me see what you have in yours, and I give you the word of a gentleman you shall see all mine." He paused and interrogated me a mo- ment silently.. "Since the captain gives his word as a gentleman," put in Sheppard's suave voice, "1 think we stand on. safe ground. For my part I am quite will- ing to give mine as a burglar." Sercombe flashed a glance of annoy- ance at him_ "Will you be moro explicit?" said I. "I thought you took me," said he. "It's plain enough. Let us piece the document together, read it and start fair on the knowledge. That places us again on equal terms, only -with this ,differenee, that the best man wins. 'Whereas now a IMIT1 may be Satan himself ana Mil till the crack of doom." Sheppard threw an eager glance at me, and I read assent in it. Nor was I indisposed to figTee to the proposal, odd • and unexpeceiti as it came and involv- ing us, as f foresaw, in all the out- rages of actual warfare. Yet upon so pregnant a propoeition I dared not make up my rnind on the instant, and I suppose the men saw I his, for, turn- ing, he lowed to the windows again and looked out upon the lawns, hum- ming to himself. Ere he had turned again and faced me with his question in his eyes I had made up my mind. "I agree," I said. Sheppard whistled' softly and, as if imitating the captain, leaned forth up- on the w.telow. A. light of satisfaetion ptiyoll in Sert.,ulthe's gray -green eyes for :in inete at. As for 11 fontgoinery, I tlo eot tompoim that lie had any clear notion cf what it ivae an about "Trim." said Servoialte, "the sooner the hotter, and what. time hotter than todayY' -1 agree to :today," I replied. "(.:)(1'. And now there remain only 4he place and time." said he. "1 lity:e no wish to have my head y b r " said I bluffly, "or to be rnis- I taken for ti hare. and so I say the egg- I Imuted deeper, but he wasalways cool hand. '"I must ask you to remember, Mx thaeatorex," said he suavely, "that amyour guest." "That is true," said Sheppard, nod cling his head., •, Sercombe looked at me aelUt sola asperity. • • "I think, alr,"1 *aid he, "that in the circumstances you will see that you have overstepped the privileges of gen tlemen." "The word is hardly in the Case. I think"we are agreed that it is as thieves we meet," Interjected Sheppard smooth'. ly. "You are right, Captain Sercombe," answered, being in my turn in mem - mend of myself, "and 1 offer you my apology for the rudeness, but I. am at least the master of my own servants, and Hood shall keep his distance and not hang about annoying my guests." With which I ordered him forthwith to the window, a command which he has- tened to obey almost byanticipation. I must say that this unpleasant epi- sode at once changed the atniosphere of the room. On the whole, I Aid not regret this, as I conceived that we had perhaps reached the proper term of our familiarity with Sercombe. It was strange to see the instant revolution in our mutual attitudes'. Whether Ser - combo himself had been as easy as he had previously seemed, or whether be had- acted a part formur benefit, I can- not say, but it is ;certain that now he was charged with anxiety. Now and again his eyes, puffed and bloodshot, flickered uneasily on Hood, where the man stood in his corner; a memorial of black sobriety, anel his demeanor was carefully under restraint. The situa- tion became a little disagreeable, and I thought the time had arrived to end it. "Captain Sercombe," I said, quite farmally, "I fancy our dinner, such as it is, is over, and if you Will take no more wine perhaps we had better get to business." . "Certainly, sir;" said the captain cheerfully and draining his glass. "1 ani at your service." I looked at Hood. "It is time now," said 1, "that we were alone." And I waited to see the man move. A quick exchange of glances took place between. them, and then the inn- keeper turned his back on us and bus - led himself with the plates upon the sideboard. • Sercombe colored' angrily and was visibly disconcerted. "I beg your par - P don, sir," said he with a slight stam- mer, "but 1 have already had the honor of informing you that I atu not alonetin this matter." "Really," said Sheppard gently, "I do not think we can invite our servants to discuss this -matter with us." • Sercombe bit his lip, and after a glance at Hood, who still kept his atti- tude, "I understand your feeling, gen- tlemen," he replied, "and, in fact, I sympathize with its But"— Ile hesitated, and I began to perceive for the first time how far he was In- volved with the other and to what ex- tent he was under his control. It was eyident that he was chagrined by his position: "Leave the room, Hood," said I, not that I had any certain intention that he should quit us, but tether out of curiosity as to what would ensue. The Issue surprised me. Hood turned obe- diently on his heel and made for the door. As it closed upon him Sercombe turned to us and broke out with em- barrassment: "You are right, gentlemen, I agree with you. These things are better managed between gentlemen. But"— 'His perplexities .struggled in evidence upon his face, yet he had an uncom- mon gift of recovering himself, which I had had occasion already to admire, and I was to admire him still more -at this moment. "You will perceive, Mr. Greatorex," be said abruptly, but ,wltla a sudden suavity of voice, "that, as you have just pronounced, we have concluded our friendly dinner, and it .le to business that we turn. I take i a 1 -coulee is aleays Wek�me ill.1111111111rilln=" He hesitated, and then, coloring slight- ly, "I am not alone," said. he. Sheppard shot me a glance of tri- umph, as who would say, "I thought we should corner him." "No doubt Mr. Greatoaex would gladly entertain the other gentleman," he suggested. The captain looked at him, and a grin spread slowly over his features. , By Ms side stood Hood. "No," be said; "but, with Mr. Greato- reit'S permiseion, the other _gentleman shall entertain us." "I fancy," he continued, smiling, "that Hood is not a stranger to the castle ways, and he makes a good Wait - en" The idea tickled me. "Let us have Head by all means,". I said. "I had an excellent character. for him from Mr. Kesteven." , "I will bring Hood," said the capthin gravely and, taking up his hat, made to go. The dinner was set for 7 o'clock, and I fancy that ell three leaked forward to it with considerable expectation. Sercombe arrived punctual to the hour, and a little later I entered the morning room to meet him. He sat in a ehair, lounging very cozily, a light overcoat covering his evening dress, and by his side stood Hood, also Itt the orthodox costume and lookingas I could not help notichag„ uncommonly spruce and servant-like.' "I ate here, Mr. Greatorex, to the moment," said Sercombe le his leisure- ly voice, "and I go bail that 1 have -brought you 'un invaluable ally. With your permission, Hood. will now 'retire to the lkitchen." The innkeeper insensiblji straight- ened himself, Standing to attention like it MOM 'WIWI and I Signed ray as- sent. .• Is entirely Your affair, Captain, Sercombe," said I, - "and you may do what you like, with your own proper- ty." Iturned to Hood. "You will find Mrs. Main Inthe servant's' hallr I said. • With hia gliding, seepentine tread, ,Hood made .a motion of respect and vanished. Sercombe attired after him, meditating, and -gnawed, his mustache with a frown, which seemed to me to indicate a certain touch of perplexity. But he brighten eej at one and Wired Very freely and intis old manner till dinner was served. The interior sig- nificance of our dinner party would not have been visible 'to a stranger. For the main part, that preliminary skir- mish was occupied by conversation; the most distant from the subject ,we all had at heart. It was Sercombe himself who set the example of reserve, and we followed meekly enough. When say reserve I am thinking only of one particular poirit for heaven knows' that his talk was sufficiently frank upon other topics. . As I had occasion to take note now and 'subsequently, the man :was by nature framed for a. good talk- er, and, although he had every preju- dice against him, and Started, so to. speak, with a great handicap, he soon 'wore down the feelings with which We , embarked upon the entertainment. • And it was not nail we had broached a sort of good fellowship and the even- ing was far spent that anything hap- pened to mar one growing harmony. It fell out thue: Sercombe himself had just concluded au amusing narra- tive of his experiences among 'the brig- ) ends of Calabria, and Sheppard re- turned the conversation with an ad- venture of his, own. The evening had fallen dark and cloudy, and anald the starlike candles that illumined the room the dark figure of Hood moved noiselessly and constantly. • I had teard this story of Sheppard's, which, indeed, was not very exciting, and my mind, swaylrig from its polite duty, I'ested unconsciously upon the new inn- keeper. As I watched him I saw the two men exchanne telances—aa inter; rogating Reek upon Sercombe's part, a, baffling and inscrutable look from Hood. There followed an instant's, - pause, and - then the man- approached the master With the pretext of a Weil. Serconthe spoke low and across bus sboulder, nervously exploring the con- tents of the dish with a spoou. Hood. saiti nothing and, raising his eyes, soft- ly fixed them upon nie at the other end of the table. For a moment we regard- ed each other luminously, and then his. glance foil politely away, ziereoinhe, still whispered and, I thought, with a rowing anxiety. It was time for me 0 •interfere. 'apttilu Sercombe," I crie(1 sharply, roaking upPn the tail of Sbeppard'e urn. "these communications are not , tchided in the compact." The captain started. and his face red- 1 eaalamele7 therefore, that we are no longer he in the capacity of hosts and guests." "True," Said I. "Then," he exclaimed triumphantly, "Hood, I take it, is no longer a serv- ant?" "Captain Sercombe is right," said Sheppard promptly, turning to me, "and, by your leave, Ned, I will ring and have him up." "I accept your theory," I answered. "Let us have him up, certainly." Sheppard rose and when the man returned ushered him with some cere- mony to the table. "A chair for Mr. Hood," he said. "Where will you sit, Mr. Hood—by the captain? That's right._ Please make yourself comforta- ble. We have just enjoyed an excellent dither very well served, Mr. Hood, but I fear you are too late. Montgomery, a glass of wine for Air. Hood. Busi- - ness is business, and I iever conduct a piece without the usual sherry.", If this -elaborate irony disturbed Ser- combe, as if seemed to do, it had ni effect upon Hood. "Thank you, sir. I will stand, sir. No wine, thank you, sir." Such was his brief reception of the courtesies. imittliththhaumed a nlace at the back of their Sufferings Are Usuali3A. 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Pain in the abdominal region and. between the shoulders; loss of voice; nervous ckys- pepsia ; a tendency to cryat the least provocation --all this points to nervous Nothingprostration. 1 will relieve this distressing condition and prevent Months of prne- tration and suffering so surely as Lydia El Pinkhain's Vegetable Compound. • Miss Leith Stowell, of 177 WehIingtn St„ Kingston, Out., writes: Dear Mrs. Pinkham :— ." Your Medicine is indeed a Godsend to suffering women, and I only wish that they all knew what it can do for them and there would be no need of their dragging out miserable lives in agony. I suffered Per years with bearing -down pains, extrethe nervousness' and excruciating headaches, but a few bottles of your vegetable Cot pound made life look new and promisiig to me. I am light and happy and. I do not know what sickness is, and I have mijoyed the best of licalth now for over four yea ' . Lydia E. Pinklutin's Vegetable Compou d has sent sunshine into thousands of hom s and hearts." •Will not the volumes of letters fro women made strong by Lydia E. Pinlk- ham's Vegetable Compound convince a L women Of its virtues? Surely you ea not wish to remain sick and' weak an discouraged, exhausted eech ,day, whe you can be as easily cured as other wan, the captain, commanding a 'view or,t14 table. Sercombe spread his hands upi on the table. "Gentlemen, let us show our cards,' be 'sad. There was a momentary silence, and then I was conscious of a slight bus tlet of excitement that stirred the room into sound. Sheppard looked at mei and •Montgomery's gaze was riveted upon the captain. Sheppard cough gently and sipped his wine. "That hint very proper demand, Cape tain Sercombe,"- I said, "seeing that it Is What we are here for, but 1 bardly yet see my way clear to table all my tricks. Let us understand one another better." The captain did- not color, as he might well have colored under this im- plicit distrust. As I have said, he was singular in the partial hold he kept upon his gentility. Instead he laughed, but somewhat awkWardly.- "I see," lie answered and looked. down at his hands, appearing to con- sider. He lifted a big and. somewhat clumsy Windt and scratched his swoll- en cheek,ismOothing a long wiso of red' hair across his naked crown. "I cane not pretend to misunderstand you," he, declared at last and shot a glance. aside at Hood, who bad fallen slightly' away from the table _. and stood In- , tentiy watching the scene. "But. I think it is soutewhat unnecessary, mt. Greatorex,"he said, again very awk- wardly, and he laughed shortly,. and e, again this eyes 'flew to Hood, directing re at him, as it seemed to me in that light, a glance of warning, of appeal, even of fear. "No doubt," said 1 in. return, "but you must remember that I have al- ready had experience of your possi- bilities. But come; we shall get nep further unless we cau strike tt comprom mise. If you will produce your frag- ment of the_document"— 1 , "You aseume that I have it," he broke in, with 'his discordant laugh. "You are taking a good deal for granted," "I assun e nothing," said L "Do not let us bunt y words." Serconab lifted the decanter which stood at li s elbow and filled his glass with a hand that shook. He drained It at a draft and turned ie Hoods The' innkeeper glided to his chala, and sonaething passed from band to hand. Seecombe.put the torn fragment upon the table before him. He looked at me, as if inviting me to a shailer dem- onstration. We were to proeeed by moves, then. "1 have no evidence that this is the document," I objected. • "Nor I, in your case," he retorted. "Vera well," I assented. "We will take it' point by point, but I' fear we shall •finel it a tedious job." I drew the paper from my pocket and lald it before me. At the other end of the table I could see Sercombe's green eyes bulging in his head as they fasten- ed upon the white thing under my hand. His mouth dropped, and a por- tion of the glow receded from his face. Montgomery stared, A tense feeling stiffened the attention of all. I felt my heart throb in the silence, , and then suddeuly there was a sharp exclama- tion from Sheppard, and the next mo- ment I was conscious of a clatter and two figures struggling beside me. The affair lasted but a few seconds, and then Hood was hurled deftly back e against the window, and Sheppard flung upon the floor with a crash a long Spanish dagger. A hush fell on the room. Sercombe turned pale, and his eyes shifted un- easily. Had it been murder that was intended? If so, I could have sworn that Sercombe was no party to it. "It appears that we can't do quite without the 'law," said Sheppard, plac- ing this heel upon the weapon. Hood, breathing deeply, remained ,171 the shadows of the window. "What does this mean?" I asked. THREE Trying Times in A WOMAN'S LIFE WHEN •MILBURN'S HEART AND NERVE PILLS a ru te u re almost health.a an absolute necessity toward her f The first when she is just budding from girl- hood into the full bloom of womanhood. The Second period that constitutes a special drain on the system is during pregnancy. The third and the one most liable te leave heart and nerve troubles is during "change of life.'. In all three periods Milburn's Heart and Nerve Pills will prove of wonderful value to tide over the time." Mrs James King, Cornwall, Ont., writes: "I was troubled very much with hea-t trouble—the cause being to a great extent due to "change of life." 1 have been taking your Heart and Nerve, Pills for some time, and Mean to continue doing BO, as I can truthfully- say they are the best remedy I have ever used for building up the system. You are at liberty to use this statement for the benefit of other uflerers." Price 50 cents per box or three boxes for $1.25, sll dealers or The 'I'. Milburn CO., Limited, Toronto. Ont. _ Hood, black and lean, but Immovable as to feature, Stepped from his corner. "I beg your na don, sky he explained, "but I suppos the gentleman objects to my wearin it. It isn't a pretty weapon, sir, extct1y, but I have found it useful, sir. LI thought there would be no objectio : Mr. Greatorex, sir, more espeelallyl as the gentleman here carries a rev iver." He indicated Montgomery, w o grew red and stam- mered: "I beg your Pardon. Awfully sorry. I—D-here it Is," and extracting a Colt from under hie waistcoat he threw it on the table in front of me. Sheppard and I exchanged glances. "Come, sir," Bald Sercombe's voice, rising in an imperative key, "but this remarkable scene requires an explana- tion. Why may not Mr. Hood wear what weapon be likes?" "Was there a. ything?" 1 asked of Sheppard in a hisper. He frowned in, embarrassment. "To have waited for lanything would have been too late," he answered in the same tone. "I had to forestall.' 1 gueseedi but 1,11 swear I guessed right. I can't prove it. I caught the gleam." Then he turned ulckly from me and pleaing up the 1agger offered it to Hoo.l. "I am sorry for this misunder stem' hag, Mr. Heed," he said sweetly. "If I had stopped to think 1 should have known that a man like yourself would only carry a weapon for some good purpose. But I am a creature ol impulse; full of mistakes, but of a warm heart beloer all, and I offer you the dagger back in token of my ttusi in you," with which he sat hitnsell down in his seat and ostentatiously played with Mont omery's revolver fen the rest of the in erview. "Come, come. hat is well said and well ended," said !the captain genially, and he was eviti lievecl at the co "And now, Mr. G ntly very much re lusion Of this scene atorex, and to shom that It Is not boljh sides that are to unnecessarily suspicious, if you will bi so good as t4 take this paper from mt I will trust you to read out the wholt document." This proposal, -miming on the top ce What had happened between us, a* tounded us all, asi you may suppose. But Sercombe was rarely at a loss for some amazing movement, and he knew well enough that he was perfectly safe with me, whereas he was also aware that I knew I was absolutely unsafe with him. Therefore he assum- ed a golden air of courtesy and lofty faith, as between gentlemen. But these reflections are not to the point, for there was I, with the two parts of the precious document in my hands and four pairs of bright eyes burning upon my face with their eager interrogation. You may conjecture my emotions and he wem my pulse ran. I spread the aper I had received from Sercombe' 'mon the other, smhothed it with the back of a knife aid, forthtvith deci2 phering the following, compoettion, read It slowly aloud to the company: "I, Sir Ralph Vyrian, being now in my thirtieth year and upon the eve of exile through the malicioue treachery of friends, this lath day of April, in the year of our Lord 164G, do hereby, as follows hereunder, give and proclaim to all or any a my descendants, law- fully begotten, or their heirs, the en- suing information. It being in the twentieth year of the reign of our be- loved sovereign his gracious majesty and in the fifth of the lamentable and abominable strife with the disloyal houSes, I was besieged in Ivor castle by one Colonel hiorga.n, attathed to the army of the houses and more par- ticularly to th4" notorious traitor Sir Thomas Fairfax. I held this castle for the king for three days and. three nights, but upon the fourth day, this said 15th day of April, through the ae- cursed act of traitors, the enemy hath gained entrancb by the towers and even kon 18 pressing upon the garri- son.. And thus I set down these sev- eral facts here upon the instant of the final essay—to wit, that I, being the custodian. of divers cases of treasure, gold pieces, jewels and the like, des- tined for his majesty's uses, having taken counsel with my steward and my friend Sir John Clunes, have con- cealed this great treasure in a privy place within the eastle precincts and do hereby deposit this said writing also In a secret hiding place. And to whom - To His Pleased Customers The wise grocer studies his customers—knows their likes and dislikes—knows that his best trade want ?looney's Perfection. Cream Sodas He lets them know that he has their favorite biscuits —and sees that they are not asked to buy something "just as good," which is NOT as good. Grocers who want to please their patrons always have Mooney's Per- fection Cream SOdas. In their hygienic packages—air-tight and moisture -proof. fasmainasimmusur oever of zny descendants or th ful heirs this shall fall, in the event o my death or exile, 1 charge them to de liver the. same unto his gracious maj esty King Charles or unto his hetes, tit sovereign !chip of this realm, as a duti ful subject, being held in trust for the purpose. . "And here is how ye shall find th treasure: If ye will descend by th stairway In the guard room within tie northern tower ye will find a gallery among the donjons of the basement Keep upon this, feeling upon the walls until ye shall touch the corner where the castle turneth to the south"— Now I paused for a moment, for here the document which Sercombe bad gtv- en me was ended. I cast a glance at the others as I laid it aside and took up the other portion. Sercombe's face was appalling in its marks of greed. The vulture shone from Hood's eyes. 1 resumed: "Turning this corner, it Is necessary to proceed upon the western side of the castle for the space of thirty footsteps, and at the close thereof to pause and survey the walls. If ye will then, de- termine a height of five feet from the foot.ive.y, there will be hereupon dim elosed a small knobbe, the which re- volving will give access to a large cup- board within the wall. Observe dili- gently upon the biek of the cupboard and where the oaken liming adjoins the stone. Here will be a spring, the which pushing, a doorway shall' open behind the cupboard, and ye shall find entrance to an interior vault. A flight of stairway leadeth"— At this point, as you will remember, the document grew illegible and noth- ing but the blur of faint characters was discernible. But we had all that was necessary in that explicit narra- tive of the dead Cavalier, and in proof of this ,up jumped the captain, his greeu eyes shining with emotion, and— "You will give me a copy of that i sir?" he asked sharply. I nodded. ' e e "You are welcome," 1 said. "If you will write I will dictate," And forth- with, pen and paper being fetched, we proceeded upon the odd task. When we had finished he gave a look at Hood, who joined 'him, and the two pored over the sheet together. Then Sercombe rose and, putting the paper in his pocket, remarked: "You see I have trusted you, Mr. Greatorex. I take your word. And as 'you have As I rose a man. grappled suttlz, ram now the whole document of the late Mr. Kesteven in your possession I wish you joy of it." "There is one word more," said I sternly. , "The, man who stole this piece of paper from its owner is moral. ly guilty of his death." "Pish!" he exclaimed lightly. "We can't make an omelet without break- ing eggs, Mr. Greatorex. And now 1 must reluctantly wish you goodby. 1 ou;e you an excellent dinner, and if foe tune favors me I shall look forward te returning it. There is no need to part on bad terms." He held out his band, but ere 1 could accept or refuse it Sheppard sprang forward. "Allow me, captain," be said. 1"..41," smiled Sereambe, In no 'way *bashed liy my hesitation, "it Is a pity you and I are not cast for dompanIons, elre Sheppard." "Xt least," said Sheppard, "as scount drels we can respect each other." Sereombe broke out laughing, and witb one glance at Hood, in which, as I thought, he appeared to offer 'a ques- tion, he marched out of the room. The innkeeper followed, and Sheppard went after them, full ofgeniality, to the last and calling for Captain Sercombe's cloak. Out of the window I saw them pass under the dim light of the oil lamp before the doorway, and Shep- pard 'was still ushering them across the courtyard to the gateway of the castle. Suddenly I heard my name called in a loud voice, and Montgomm started to his feet and threw open the win- dow. This gave upon the courtyard from the northerly side of the castle. In an insthut I recognized the cry of Sheppard, piercing shrilly through the noise and clatter of a struggle. Shout- ing to Montgomery tie follow me, dashed out of the room and down the staircase, ahnost falling upon the slip- pery cobble of the courtyard in my haste. As I rose a man grappled with me; but, being now strung to fighting pitch by my excited anticipations, I flung him heavily to the stones, where he lay inert. and I leaped over his body to the assistanee of Sheppard. CHAPTER IX. you will remember, if I have been explicit enough, that the entrance i to the castle lay across the dran-bridge and by Way, of a great stone archway running through the width' of the easterly wing. Tiai'e passage, whihii was not more than teni feet across, was in effect a vault twenty feet high and thirty feet long,. •sin It was here hat the noise attracted ' me, and into this narrow chaunel I ran, breaking: tumultuously upon the aggregated knot of men that seemed to struggle in the: uecertain light. Stars illumined the, sky very faintly, but in that passage the gloom was heavy, and I could perceive very little. As I was casting about, tossing among the sway - to If mixer kidneys steal! baton- med—if &create s ing wins ht the s back and dull ache through, the hips—if there is a col:Ls-taut. desire to tneinatme—if the urine is blit and scaldh2g—if the head aches and %pecks floyf before the eyes iT'ott caret imagine what reiIef there its. for you hi E GENTLE KIDNEY CURE These wouderfa littIe soothe and heal kidneys suet bladder—take away all pool - clear the urine ---enable one to go through .the nigbt within* arising and relieve every trace of your kidney trouble. Cures Rheumatism THE CLAFLIN CHEMICAL. CO.. LaieffM, WitiosoR, Owr. ng bodies, 1 saw immediately to my right the fair head of Sheppard. Tie* struck with tiee evening glow froze without. ItorCeith I dashed the body' nearest me to the ground and with my. fist dislodged another man In front of me. Then I heard Sercombe's voice. raised in angry remonstrance. I gathered nothing. neither words nor sense, from it. but, occupied merely with the physical lust of battle, drove - right through the press of the melee' to. Sheppard. It seemed to me then that there were dozens of peoPle crowded' within those narrow walls, but I believe,. as a matter of fact, that there were only - some eight of us. Sheppard rose and: fell rose again. "Ned! hied!" be milled, and at the. sound, plunging upon human bodiei lurched and went ender.- A stampede - of feet seemed to rush over me. I felt bettered and bruised; the 'wind was ail. out of my lungs; but, slowly edging ono my stomachtoward ithe wall, I deew. out of the press. As I did so I heard en great duii noise, thud, thud, interven- ing upon the sounds of the struggle, anti presently, my eyes blig now ilec- cnitomed to the darkness, I car4it: sight of Montgomery's tall form, him bar of siiiproitted and wielding a heavy - "Bravo!" I cried and, struggling tm my feet, pushed toward him. "Tern, you fool! Curse you, 'turn!" said Sercombe's voiee. I was conscious 'then of white teeth, and a grotesque screw neck that er- up before me, and even while 1 pat upi my hands to choke it I felt the everrai sting of a knife in my shoulder blade. By some illagleal -thought da.wningi at the moment, I receiled Montgomery' revolver, which I carried in my breast. pocket, -and, -producing it fired at the - bestial form before me. 'Mere waI ay sharp cry, the en may appeared to re- coil, and then. Mentgom-ery's flail de- scended itt a pitilds shoWer of blows. Of Sheppard there was no sign. Seeing that the affray was turning. in our favor, 1 sprang to the side, aild, opening a small doorway in the senith- erly drum tower, rushed up the steers. It was fortunate that I had made so' complete a study of the etietle. I fonind the crank I wanted mid turned the wheel, putting forward nil the strength I had itt my muscles. Slowly tthe mighty portcullis descended, shrie as it fell, but this, as I had hoped, lowing upon the report of my revol and accompanied as it VAS with Ii1O goinery's -continuous and powerfuh blows, Proved the turning point for bin enemies. As the groaning gate ide. scended there were cries uttered foreign tongue, and a rush ensuedIfoi the gateway. Leaving The reacbine te revolve by Its own impetus. I flew doWn. Into the archway. Serconib* stood In. the light expostulating. Mont gomery's weapon stretched some Ione at upon the stones as I entelied, and the man crawled off. I fired another cham- ber of the revolver aimlessly, andI th ash lit up the passage while 1 tin sound reverberated dully from this groined 'vault. The porthultis fel) hew r and Sercombe Was driven =Q0 ths rawbridge by hie retreating fillies', "Dead br living, they shall have him," aid some one in ray ear, and I beheld - Sheppard, his face smeared with blood ragging a body in his arms. Togeth r we thrust it forth, and it lay half way across the threshold. The port ullis dropped inexorably and was nom within a foot of the ground. Tbe nein ay under the range of its iron spikes he wheels creaked above. and the istance shortened. Montgomery rat orward and shoved the body outward' But it still hung halfway. And thei erbombe came rapidly back tooping, by a swift movement amen he inanimate form from beneath the ron spikes of the drawbridge. Th aid no word, but merely glanced al, s as we stood behind the grille. As Sercombe's figure faded lelneklet tito the night I turned and p -d d Into the gloom of the archlyoy where my eonmanion Blood. Sheppard struelt a match. and be tiny flame Cat a mem:maim light mien the three of US, Two Stri:z1k8 of bliiod crossed Sheppard's forehead. "First blood aud first honors," Iihe- said. Montgomery breathed like a blatik- ith. 'It was a mean trick," be observied.1 An -acute pain etruck suddenly through my shoulder. "The foreigners use their knives aptly," I remarked. "They do that," said eiontgomery fiercely. "One devil has pierced mr stomach through." (To be oontinued.) Aimmtweessissessemmeinsatozet To Cure a Cold in One Day Z7voctys. Take Laxative Bromo Quinine irabiets.,R 644 at_ev,,213! Seven Mon boxes sold In past 12 months. This signa1 ture. ,4.4 owe 4corseyrsettoo