Adventure, February 20, 1922 — page 100: what you’re looking at

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

- 98 snapped back. where he wants to. /~ ~ the hall. “A Morgan usually goes I'll be back soon.” The moment he was gone I began imagin- ing the house had one or more stealthy occupants. Only when near the windows -was it possible to discern objects, and I kept back from the windows. I had left my two Highland pistols in my room and my first move was to go for them. I pawed over the top of the dresser, where I had left them, but they were not there. My groping fingers soon came to a drawer lf open, and a further examination satis- fied me its contents had been overhauled. I continued my investigation and found every drawer in the dresser had been rum- maged. I did not dare to light a candle, . and was about to give up my search when an outstretched hand struck a pistol on the bed. The two were lying close together. Whoever had ransacked the room had tossed them onto the bed. Taking the pistols and leaving my sword I crept into It was not likely my room had been visited after dark, as that would necessitate a light. But who had had the audacity to enter the. house in the, daytime? I descended to the ground, floor and wished for Bucks to come. room had been searched. Mother Baff had visited headquarters. Any* moment the house might be surrounded. The thought gave me a chilll and sent me to the back of the house, where I proposed hiding in the garden until my friend came back. The street remained quiet for what seemed to be hours, probably a. matter of minutes. Then came a discordant note. It was the murmur of voices, harsh and ugly, and coming from up the street. The confusion alone told me these could not be soldiers. I stole along some. flowering shrubs until I could look up the street. The clamor came nearer and. several, specks of light, like lanterns being carried at a run bobbed up and down. Fascinated I held my. position. A raucous voice was now audible above the others, and it. was crying: “God save the Enel Hang the spy!” My first thought that a street mob was hounding Bucks, and I drew my pistols to give the good fellow a chance. The clumping of feet increased and almost before I knew it the van of the pursuit was streaming by the house. First they came in twos and threes, separated by I was suspected. My* Adventure irregular intervals, and yet I had not observed the quarry. Then came a com- pact body of men and a few women, wild creatures who belonged to Canvas Town. “Faster, my dears! Faster! A gold- piece for those who catch him, free rum for all. Faster before the soldiers catch him! A sweet night’s work!” There was no mistaking the voice; and as old Mother Baff brought up the tail- end of the chase I could even hear the tap-tap of her tong staff. By the house they swept and much relieved to learn Bucks was not their victim I stole back to the rear door and collided with a dark figure. “Bucks!”’ I whispered, and even as I spoke I knew the figure was too slight for my friend. The unknown attempted to wrench away from mie, but I secured a firm grip and dragged him inside the house. “Stop it, or Pll knock your head off!” I warned, now discovering the fellow was quite helpless i in my hands. My strength crumbled away and left. me helpless when for answer there came a whimpering sob. Leading my prisoner into the butler’s room I closed the door and lighted the candle. I had captured Betsy Osmond. and she was dressed as she had been when she: stole through the garden to gain. Mistress Audrey’s room. ‘“‘And it was you those deyils were chas- ing?” I faintly asked. She crouched against the wall in the cor- ner and nodded her head and fought to stifleeher sobbing. “T was leaving the city—to go back to the Betworths. They chased me—turned me back.” “When did you get those clothes back? Yes, I know you left them in your mistress’s room.” She stole a glance at me and hung her head. ‘‘When I told you I’d come for my things,”’ she answered in a weak voice. “And went away without anything,” I reminded her. “Old Socrates had the bundle. He went out the back door and gave them to me after I'd left the house. You see, sir, I had to have them if I would get back to my mistress.”’ “You should <= been patient. I have been informed that my kinswomen are now on,their way here. Seems they escaped from the rebels.” EGomilcbooks=co