Life — September 5, 1901 — page 14: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

194 weeping, and her hair was disarranged. «LIFE She only glanced at me, and then walked straight up to Padlock Bones, and held out her hands. “You are going to help me in my trouble, aren't you ?’’ she asked. This made Bones a little angry, as it was rather in- fringing upon his copyright of being the only person to ever hit the nail on the head. However, beyond grow- ing a trifle paler than was usual with him, he gave no sign of this. “Yes, Mrs. Masters,” he said, ‘I came here with that express purpose. “How did you know looked really frightened. “Your husband being a physician, I saw his name on the door-plate ; but that,is not important. Tell me your story, if you please, so that no time shall be lost.”” months ago,"? began Mrs. Masters, ‘* my child climbed into one of the trees you see in front of the |, house. When we thought he had been up there a suf- ficient time we went outandcalledhim, He sat crouch- ing on the topmost branch, with a look of such inde- scribable terror on his face, ana he refused to come down or to speak to us. I cannot explain this terrible mystery. He is wasting away, and yet ho remains there through sheer terror. It is breaking my heart." Here the poor lady burst into tears. “ Leave it all to me,”’ said Bones; ‘‘ only answer me one question. How old is the child?” “ He was two when he went up into the tree; he must be two anda half now. You and your friend must make yourselves at home here, and everything shall be at your command.” “ Thank you,” said Bones. ‘I should like a shoulder of lamb, a camera, and a dog's leash.” When he was provided with these things he went out and took a casual look about the place. Then he went back of the house and lay down flat on his back on the grass and stared at the sky for the rest of the afternoon. I knew his methods were odd, but this seemed almost lazy. Right after dinner he went out into the garden with the camera, and as soon as it was dark he began taking flash- light pictures. All through the night I could hear his step my name?” she asked, and DEM BOTH, UND YOU MAKE A urt. A THE FOXY LION. The Lion : 12% MB SEE, 1 PREFER DARK MEAT TQ LIOUT. LL JUST war BIT AND IT WILL ALL BE DANK MEAT. upon the gravel, and at intervals the slight explosion of the flash-light powder. The next morning he slept until noon. Then with his magnifying-glass and tape measure he went over every inch of ground around the house. Suddenly, at two forty exactly, ho cried: “I have it, Chumpson! I have it!’? Then I knew the wonderful train of thought that had been going on in his mind. “‘ By four o'clock this afternoon that child will be safe in his mother’s arms.” He condescended to explain his theory tome. The child had climbed the tree and probably had gone higher than it had meant to, and had become a little frightened; then turning to come down, it had discovered a fierce bulldog seated at the foot of the tree, and it had simply not dared to pass it. ‘‘ That dog, with the tenacity of its race, has continued to sit there for six months,”’ he said. “But why didn't the child speak? ’’ I asked. “Because it was too young; it didn’t know how. I know about the bulldog, because I have discovered paw- prints in the garden. Now, my plan of action is this: This afternoon I shall throw the dog the leg of mutton, and while it is devouring it, I shall put the leash on it ; then you will take it away, while I climb up tho tree and rescue the child.”” . It happened just as he had planned. The dog was a savage brute, and even after the leash was on him I felt afraid of him ; but I led him to the barn and chained him up. When Icame back to the house I found Mrs. Masters with the emaciated child in her arms, tears of gratitude rolling down her cheeks. “Come,” said Bones to me. ‘I need something with more blood and thunder in it than this; let us go back to London.” Mabel McGinnis.