The Argosy, Vol. XI, No. 22 — page 2: what you’re looking at

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

340 close to the brink, he threw the rays of light into the hole, and then discovered that the cavity must once have been a cesspoo!. At one side he could see an aperture which was unmistakably the mouth of the sewer which emptied into the pool. ‘The place had evidently been for a long time un- used, for it was in bad repair, and half filled with the earth which bad fallen in from the sides; and this, mixed with the water that filtered through, remained ina soft, muddy state. Upon the surface of this slime Brad readily dis- cerned the figures of the two men, one of whom lay quiet, as if stunned, while the other was struggling to gain a foot- ing on the uncertain bottom. The drop, being shor: of six feet, had been insufficient to injure the men, but the heavy sack, which they would not leave behind them, had fallen upon one of them, burying his head in the mud. Unsus- pectingly they had run into a trap. But the trap was none too secure, for, while it might have been difficult for one person to get out of the hole, it was quite possible for two to assist each other in such a manner as to make their escape. Brac, not daring to leave his prisoners, set down his lan- tern and began firing his revolver off as a signal of alarm to arouse the household. At the first shot the man who had been struggling to escape, recognizing the hopelessness of his position, ceased his vain efforts and sat doggedly awaiting results. Brad emptied three chambers of his revolver, and then paused to note the effect. In afew minutes he heard foot- steps, and presently he saw Samuel, who slept in the rear of the house, standing in the doorway of the lavatory, scantily clothed in his boots, coat and nightdress, wild eyed, dis- sheveled, and shivering with cold and fright. Brad could scarcely help laughing at the comical picture he presented. ‘It’s all right, Sam,” he cried. ‘‘ Go, call the folks from their berths, and don't*lose a minute. I've caught a brace of pirates.” : But the summons was unnecessary, for white robed and half dressed figures now came flocking down stairs and crowding into the narrow passageway. Prominent among them was Mr. Prentice, who hurried forward with a revol- ver in his hand, and seized Brad by the shoulder. “* Here, what’s this?” he exclaimed, Brad, who, from what he had seen and heard of Mr. Pren- tice, had taken him to be a rather tame and Insignificant in- dividual, was surprised at his coolness and decision of man- ner. “Ttis all right, Mr. Prentice,” he said. ‘'T fired my re- volver merely to give an alarm. I caught two thieves in the pantry, and drove them into this hole. There they are, fast enough,” and Brad pointed into the cavity. While Mr. Prentice was examining the situation, Brad felt another hand on jis shoulder, and, turning around, found Dr. Hope facing him. <A few words explained everything. ‘' Better send at once for the constable,” said Mr. Pren- tice. ‘* Here, Samuel, hurry on your clothes, saddle one of the horses, and ride into town for constable Armstrong and two assistants,” While Mr. Prentice was giving these directions, Dr. Hope was questioning Brad, “But,” he asked, at length, ‘‘ who has removed these planks and the iron lid that covered this hale 2” There was no answer. “Tt must have been done within a few hours,” remarked Mr. Prentice, ‘for the board walk was as usual just after dinner.” There seemed to be no solution of this mystery. THE ARGOSY ‘It's all for the best, though,” said Brad; ‘‘for we've caught our thieves, and I’ve had a narrow escape. I was on my way down here when I heard them, so that if fécy hadn't tumbled into the hole, I would have.” Several of the boys shivered at the thought of a fall into that dismal spot on such a cold night, and expressions of congratulation at the lucky turn of affairs were forthcoming from all sides. Meanwhile Mr. Prentice, assisted by Tom Sweeny, the stableman, and severai of the boys, was dragging one of the men from the hole. As soon as this was accomplished, the fellow was securely fastened with a stout clothesline from the lavatory. ‘Then the other man, who had only been slightly stunned by his fall, was treated similarly, after which their masks were slipped from their faces. Immedi- ately a number of the boys started back with expressions of surprise. ‘“ Why, one of them is Dick Barney!” exclaimed several together. Barney had been for several years the gardener at the Hall. ‘Dick, I am sorry for this,” said Dr. Hope, looking at him sadly. ‘* Well, what was a feller to do?” growled Dick. ‘‘ Old Ivers told me you was going to discharge me, so 1 made up my mind to take the things and skip.” ‘Mr. Ivers was mistaken, Dick,” said Dr. Hope. ‘' He urged me to discharge you only last Wednesday, but I tolc him I was determined to vive you another trial.” Barney relapsed into sullen silence, and no amount e* questioning could draw anything further from him. The sack, which was also drawn up from the hole, was found to contain all the silverware, and would have consti- tuted a valuable prize, had the burglars been successful. Half an hour passed. and the excitement had somewhat subsided, when Samuel returned with the constable and as- sistants. “TT krow that other fellow,” he said, as he handcuffed the two. ‘ He’s a bad un, and we've been looking for him for some time.” : The clock in the tower was on the stroke of twelve as the constable took bis departure with his prisoners, and the chattering groups made their way to the various bedrooms. Tom Sweeny set about replacing the planks that had been taken from the board walk. while Mrs. Hollis and several of the servants lingered behind a few moments to lock up; then the lights were again extinguished, and the Hall re- sumed its customary quiet, though for hours sleep was im- possible in the bedrooms, where the stirring events that had just transpired were discussed in excited whispers. CHAPTER VIII. UNDERHAND WORK. S Brad was about to go up stairs with the others, he felt some one touch him lightly. It was Mr. Prentice. “Come into the Nbrary, Mr. Mattoon,” said he. ‘“ Dr. Hope wishes to speak to you.” ‘To be sure. I came near forgetting all about that,” an swered Brad, suddenly remembering his summons, which the episode in the lavatory had entirely driven from his mind, He turned at once and followed Mr. Prentice into the hibrary, where he found Dr. Hope standing by the hearth. ‘Bradley,’ said Dr. Hope, as soon as the door was closed, ‘there is a mystery connected with this whole affair which Iam at a loss to explain. Do you know nothing concerning the removal of those boards?” ‘S} GON (GDOO COU