CHAPTER XVii.—WE TURN HIGHWAYMEN.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 10215, 10 December 1898, Page 2

CHAPTER XVii.—WE TURN HIGHWAYMEN.

I parted from the Vicar at the gates of the Castle and hurried through the park, in a lively state of anxiety. I had not yet conceived for myself what had happened in the interval of my absence. Sercombe, to be sure, had thrown out hints, but I knew better than to put any faith in him. Still, it was certain that anything might have happened, and we might from now be in possession of the treasure. But what gave mc my first blow was the sight of the drawbridge peacefully spanning the waters of the moat, and the spike of the portcullis protruding just below the arch way. This apparently seemed to point in one direction, end acquaint mc that the game was up. Inside I tact Mrs Main, who started in alarm, and pursued mc with her excited enquiries, so that it was very plain where the news of my disappearance had raised the police. She informed mc that Mr Sheppard and Mr Montgomery were both within, and seated, in fact, at lunch. In the diningroom, therefore, I sought them and broke in upon them. I will not say with what delight I was welcomed, embraced affectionately by Sheppard, and sturdily shaken by Montgomery's great fist. They had been anxious, and yet not alarmed by my absence. Sheppard's wits were always quick, And said he: "I knew it was not worth their while to •laughter you, Ned; but what other devilment they might be up to I could not guess. On the whole we decided finally in favour of what actually occurred," and then, "So you Were taken':" he asked. "But how?" "Give mc food and wine, and I will give you my story," I replied, sitting down to the table. Sheppard laid his hand on my shoulder. *No," said he, "not yet. There is something further first," and looking at him I perceived a great gravity an his features. He showed a worn and troubled face, now that the excitement of my return was over. "What is the matter?" I asked. "Is the treasure ?" 'That is it," he said. "I want that key. We tried the door in vain. We could not "break it down. It is adamant. Goodness knows it is not for want of trying." "I fear the key is no use to us now," I •aid, quickly. He regarded mc seriously and with a pale face. "You must forget," Ned, he said, gently, "♦what you left there." Montgomery's face fell, and he sat echoing the consternation of Sheppard. Suddenly a light dawned on mc. It was Hood they had in mind. Not once in the course of my reflections those three days had this idea struck mc. And now, although I did not envy them their gruesome fears and that ghastly nightmare, the discrepancy between the ■tarved and dwindling body of the prisoner, as they pictured it, and that live and actual scoundrel afoot with his devilish tricks, appealed to mc with a sense of the ludicrous, and I could not forbear laughter. *_ood's not here," I said. Sheppard stared at mc. "Not a bit of it," I went on. "He's plump and alive as ever, and a worse rascal." "But how—but/ why—" exclaimed Montgomery. "I thought the poor devil was dead by now. We tried all we could." ■ v "Oh, I see, I must fasten on to my story without more ado," I said; began at once upon my narrative. Cheer-fulness-grew-tipon their faces as I proceeded, and I was interrupted only by the expressions of astonishment and anger which the curious episodes of my adventure evoked* from both. When it was over Sheppard rose. "With your leave, Ne£," said he, "I will go down to the keep forthwith," jjjjd he left the room with Montgomery at his heels. I, too, followed, for I was eager to know the worst without unnecessary delay. My surmise was quite correct. The ' dungeon rested as it had done when I saw it last, and apparently had suffered no trespass. The chests stood in the co-ncr ""as before; but they were bare of every piece of gold, amulet, or jewel. .The thi.vet 1-ad made a clean job of their depredati)?. We ■tared at one another in dismay, nnd retreated dismally to the upper regions of rhe house. "Well, there's an end," said Montgomery, ' with a sigh; and I fancy we were all of the same opinion in that early blast of despair The treasure waa gone, and he must t". a sharp fellow, indeed, who could discover its hiding place throughout the district of Gwent, or, maybe, within £he borders of the kingdom. Our multifarious counsels, our strenuous efforts, the time, and trouble and blood spent upon this enterprise had all been for nothing. Better had the secret of the Castlo remained immured within its cruel walls, and we ourselves been given over to the placid enjoyment of a summer holiday. Sheppard was the first to show us the way out of our deadly apathy.

"1 am not going to see it-stop here, Ned," be said, with determination ,"and that's cho truth. That treasure, must be somewhere,, and we've got to find* it."

- It was not so much that there was reason in bis words, as that their spirit sharpened „ both to more virile thoughts. There was no avenue to our goal, so far as I could see, and yet it did mc good to hear him.

."I say •ditto* to that," ones Montgomery, stalwartly, heaving a sigh of resolution. "If we could name the fieid," I said. "Pshaw," said Sheppard, "they can't have fri it fa-." ? "Ifow many days is it? Why, they can't have got the money out all at one shot; other wise they would not have kept you locked tip. I'll go bail that the last was fetched out only last night, if as early as that. And Jfso the treasure is not very far from the Caatle." . ,

"Some of it may be in London," I , answered moodily. "Well; mind you I don't admit it. But ■ay it is so. There must be something still about the Gwent, and we've got to run it down.. I think from what you say you surfrised them by your flitting with the Vicar, t is evident that they wished to keep you a little longer—no doubt until tuey had disposed of the Treasure under our noses. And to think that we were melting with pity for that damned cut-throat, Hood!"

"You ore right, I believe," I replied."Why did they want to keep mc? Not because they bad not the treasure, but to prevent an alarm. And yet the motive was not strong enough that they dared risk a misunderatanding with Morgan. Yes, you've hit it, Sheppard. But the Gwent is wide enough, heaven knows."

"Come; we have reached one point," said Sheppard. , "Perhaps v*» can do moro-on reflection. Don't let us give it up. Is'this treasure likely to be anywhere about the Inn?"

"There is the bam," said I, "and the stablelofts, and there are the cellars."

"Oh, Ned; there is everywhere," groaned Bheppard. "We might watch, if they haven't got away," suggested Montgomery with some hesitation. It was not often that he intervened in our commands, bub his intervention was now to the point. "Good!" said Sheppard, smacking -Am on the shoulder." "Watch is the word. We've hitherto kept our watches in the battlements; we must now merely transfer them to where the treasure has gone." "Where is that?" I asked. "Let us say, the "Woodman," replied Sheppard, smilingly. "A very much more dangerous duty," I said slowly. "Dangerous! We thrive on danger," says Sheppard gaily. "Anyhow let us break up the conference, and take an airing. There's nothing to keep us now in the Castle;and hence we are in no need of drawbridges. If) is we that are the assailants." renunds mc," I put in, "I found the —wwbndge up, when I came in just now." SKepmrd winked. "My dear boy, if you'd had to answer afl the awkward quesS_2' I k*™ 0 durin 8 *- —* _ree *&?£ ** m ** **-**«- "Jones?" I queried. ibis-the Majesty of the law; and an __fen__Uy «_picio_ Uw it i_. w_ have bean trusting toluck and dayligfct _d

the police while the sun was up; and drop- ~ ping the.abridge at night. And now let us walk?" It was yet early in the afternoon, and there might be time to put a point upon our resolutions. This thought ran in our heads, as, all three, we turned down the road that led to the "Woodman. 1 '

Sercombe was sunning himself before the door of the inn seated in a comfortable chair beneath the swinging sign. As we came abreast of him he looked up and greeted us. "Good-day, gentlemen," he.said sharply. 'Tin glad to see you back, Mr Greatorex. We heard that you had disappeared, and were beginning to be anxious about you?" The amazing impudence of the man took away my breath, but I managed to recover and say. "Yes; I have been taking a little holiday. Private business, you know, Captain?" i "All!" says he, shaking his head. *'I ! wish I had "the time; but I find holidays must look after themselves. I've too much Jon hand." ! "I sympathise with you, Captain Sercombe," said Sheppard. "For myself I never could abide business. But I think we understand to what you refer—a bad business, a very bad business." Sercombe studied him attentively. "You seem to know a great deal, my dear sir," he replied. "I know, and you know that I know, that you have the heaviest team to drive up-hill that ever man undertook," says Sheppard. watching him. "Maybe," said the Captain, after a pause. "Life's not all beer and skittles, gentlemen. Perhaps you're right. I don't say you're wrong. But the fact is that L—well, it's a pity we couldn't have fixed an arrangement together earlier." "I think I have the pleasure of re-calling a bargain struck between us, Captain Sercombe," said I dryly. "Oh, as for that," he answered with a frank laugh, "I will admit the soft impeachment. But I have come to the conclusion that you cannot upset the coach, when the horses have started." "No, sir; we should have started on a different tack —that's my point." He spoke so freely that I inferred he was not any more in the fear of Hood, which meant for us that Hood was absent. "Was he absent, looking after the treasure?" Upon consideration I decided that this was unlikely; otherwise Sercombe would not be resting so comfortably in his chair. The two scoundrels dared not trust one another. In that case the odds were that the treasure lay in the "Woodman ;" and here was Sercombe and as likely as not a Greek or two keeping guard upon it. This was all I wanted to know ,and having gained this information I deemed it time to retire. You will think mc rash in my conjectures, but you must conceive that in the game we were playing it was necessary to compose the mind quickly, and I had learned to come to a conclusion on the slightest evidence. Anyhow, I guxe..the signal for retreat, and went back to the Castle by a circuitous route, so as to avoid any suspicions on the part of the Captain. Night was tlio occasion I wanted, and it was for the fall of dark that we waited with great impatience. Sheppard agreed with mc., that the treasure lay in the inn, and most probably in the cellars. The two thieves would secure it against one another. I admit that I entertained little hope of cujiting out the treasure under their noses by; the evening. On the other;hand, it woiild be difficult to say what I really did anticipate or aim at in this most unusual expedition. I think we all felt that we could not com-, pose our minds to rest and an imperturbable indifference; we must be upon our' legs and bustling about some business, even though it should form the veriest moonshine; and I believe, too, that a notion was current amongst us that we might by some felicitous chance, or by some heroic effort, accomplish something under the cover of darkness, if we might not actually wrest from its abominable holders the gold and jewels of the treasure. At ten o'clock we three were gathered within the shelter of the deep ditch before the "Woodman." Montgomery had taken up his position there by right, and reported that there had been no movement in the inn. The thicket, which was closely grown with underwood, and opened in a yawning little grassy dell immediately before the sign of the inn, upon the further part sloped by great steeps into the valley. Here a mile or less below the Castle the woods were still hanging above the sharp descent, as though in reluctance to go down. But presently, and a little deeper from the sun, the Gwenfc rolled on suddenly and swiftly in a fall upon the bottom below. Here, on the night, rose the sound of a small cataract, leaping down the face of the rocky hill into the interior blackness of the forest.

Within this coign of vantage we rested, peeping through the interstices of the foliage upon the "Woodman." The windows gleamed with light, but beyond that there was no mark of life. Half an hoar went by in this way, • and then a sound of voices rose from the inn, and promptly there emerged from tho doorway two men, who stood in conversation for a few minutes before the house. It was too dark to make them out distinctly, but one I set down as Hood. After a time they separated, Hood, as I supposed him to be, returning into the inn, and his companion wulking down the road away from us. If we were to effect anything this man must be followed; and I whispered as much to the others, determined to take the duty on myself. Slipping through the copse, therefore, I stru&k downwards through the fringe of wood that bordered the road. My progress was naturally slower than that of the,man I was tracking, and soon I was surprised to lose the sound of his feet. But a moment's reflection convinced mc that he had turned off the roadway and was proceeding like myself through the forest. This conviction became certainty a little later when paus,-. ing to resolve upon my direction I heard the noise of breaking sticks ahead of mc, and a brushing amongst the foliage. Guided by these to him I shifted my path and went forward. I imagine now that the man must have heard mc, just as I. had news of him in the wood, and that he knew he was being followed. At the time I thought myself undiscovered, for I moved with slight noise. Yet what happened was this: I suddenly ceased once more to get tidings of him. I paused and waited, but the valley —for we were now winding into the bottom—was stagnant with silence, save for the purling stream in" the distance. Slowly and cautiously I pushed on, and came out into a more open space, when I stood silent, waiting again. .1 must have remained there, still and attentive, to all the tiny ruptures of the nocturnal "uietude, for more than half an hour. But I received no news of my man, and so in some disgust I resolved to abandon the pursuit. Retracing my steps I climbed up the road and rejoined my companions in the thicket. I found Sheppard in what for him was a bad temper. "Our sport is being spoiled," he said, impatiently ; and to my questions, added:

"Jones." "What is he about?" I asked. "Apparently on the same errand as ourselves," he observed. I considered. "We'd better go back," I said. "The less Jones sees of us the

better; and, besides, he'll do our work for us."

I think we all welcomed the suggestion, for we were all mightily weary of the game, but we retreated to the Castle in some

chagrin. Sheppard pulled at his pipe for some time in silence. "Well, what do you think of it?" he queried, after a time. I shook my head. "I felt better this afternoon?" "So did I," he returned. "You're not going to give up?" asked Montgomery. .-We both laughed. "Not yet," I said. "There's plenty of time"for despair." "Well, we'll consider the position tomorrow," said Sheppard, yawning, with which we got to bed, and I for one slept like the graveyard dead. I rode into Raymond next morning with Montgomery, taking fhe road upon the south side of the valley away from the "Woodman," upon which Sheppard promised to keep his eyes.. I was anxious to di<«cover what progress Jones had made in his in-

vestigations, and, moreover, I felt slichtly uneasy as to our own posture in the affair.

Had the law got wind of us?

And were wi

connected in Jones's mind with the mysterious transactions of the Gwent?"

As luck had it,' we did not find Jones, who had returned very early in the morn-

ing but'had been hastily summoned hack into the G-weht. after breakfast. He had, my informant imagines!, crossed us, but I accounted for our not meeting him by the newroute we had taken. Therefore, none the wiser for our excursion, -we turned the horses homewards and climbing the rise beyond the river clattered down into the forest. We

had ridden half way to Llanellan when Montgomery's horse fell lame, and be dismounted to examine her shoe. As he was engaged for some time in the occupation I , pulled my nag into the shade of the big trees by the way and waited for —in. Throwing myself off, I F a t m J arm through the bridle and walked over to the margin of the , wood, where the grass grew in abundance, ; now fading a drab yellow under the magnifi- | cence of the autumn sun. Tlie}rqad here ! took a sharp bend, and in the act an abrupt | peninsula or headland a* out . from the main continent of forest. As my ! horse nibbled at the grass i heard a noise of 1 j wheels in the distance, and glanced through the tangle along the highway. Down from I Llanellan a trap was being driven furiously towards us. The rate at which it rolled was prodigious, and clouds of dust flew up and enveloped the horse, the vehicle, and the [ j driver in their course. Thinking that this I must be a runaway I slipped the bridle over i the horse's neck, and calling to Montgomery leaped upon the saddle and turned the corner ! to meet it. As.l did so the carriage, which '. was of a rude, serviceable type, common in the country, was plainly visible to mc and I to its occupant. What astounded mc was to see him raising his whip through the smoke of dust in act to strike fiercely at the flanks of the animal, and the next second ha stopped, ' dropped the whip, and, as it seemed to mc, reined in his, horse. At all events, the pace . was now much slower—in fact, but a comfortable amble. While I was wondering on this curious manoeuvre the trap drew near enough for mc to notice the driver, and to my astonishment I saw that it was Hood. His face was all a sweat and grimed with dusti and plainly he had been squeezing the last ounce out of his beast, as the saying is. Why, then, did he pull up on seeing mc? A flow of thoughts rushed through my brain, but it was not until he came well-nigh ; abreast of mc that the inspiration seized mc. He made as if to pass, airily touching his ! hat; but by a sudden movement I wheeled my horse across the road and barred his way. Had he been going at his previous rate. I confess that I would have thought twice ere I took this hazard, but as it was there was no harm done. Hood himself, taken by surprise, pulled back and jerked his left rein, sending the beast towards the ! ditch. I cried to Montgomery, and, leaning over, caught at the reins. "It',s all up, Hood," I said; "you're a done man this time." "Beg your pardon, sir," says he, staring at mc; "but I was going to Raymond." "Yes, and I daresay you were," said I; "but now you're going to vie Castle." At that'moment Montgomery came up, leading his mare, and- took in the situation. Running round he held the other rein. Hood looked from one to the other. "This is highway robbery, gentlemen,' ac said. "Call it what you will," I replied, with nonchalance. "Montgomery, I'll trouble you u> peep into that carriage." At the words Hood's eyes shot with a malignant light, and his nostrils curled and showed like those of a vicious horse. The next second he sprang from, his seat across the horse's back and leaped at my throat with his open knife.- My horse plunged, and took the blow upon his shoulder, which was , ripped in a red gash. Then, without a sound, Montgomery pinned the ruffian to the earth. It was not the first time that he had felt the grip of those great arms, and he lay still underfoot in the dust. We had been so engrosed with the incident that we had not noticed the sound of an approaching horseman, and now his voice broke in upon us, startling us. " Thank you kindly, gentlemen. I« m obliged to you," it said; and there was Sercombe, very red and very dusty, but with a twinkling smile struggling over a a grave and anxious face. Hood got to his feet at once. "The rascal gave mc the slip," said Sercombe, "but I am much in your debt for stopping him." "Ah!" said I; "that's the string, is it?" It is extremely odd, and I recall the fact now with some show of discomfiture, but this sudden appearance of Sercombe and the evidence that he had been chasing Hood completely set my reckoning out. The events had turned things topsy-turvy for the time; nor did I realise at once that we were still antagonistic, opposed upon the possession of the very treasure which I had conceived was concealed in the carriage. But if I

was late in coming to my wits, not so Hood. He might quarre] with Sercombe privately, but as against us he was the Captain's partner, and sliding up to him he whispered a few words. Sercombe nodded, and ere I had time to observe all this properly he had edged his horse between the carriage and myseli, and pulled forth a revolver. "Very sorry, Mr Greatorex,'' said he, pointing it at inc. "It seems an ungrateful return, but upon my soul I can't help it. I'd a deuced sight sooner offer the barrel elsewhere; but _ere it is—we are such damnable creatures of Fortune." He grinned pleasantly, and Hood v.Lipped into his seat and turned the car/iage aoout. As for Mcntgomery and myself, we were entirely taken aback. They Had the advantage of us, and we should have tt< n fools to refuse to recognise' it. So, after-he first stare of consternation I made the best of it. - . "Delighted to be of service to Cat*', yin Sercombe any time, I said. "And now, as I nresume we are all going the same way, we shall have the pleasure of your coinoany." "That's right," he observed. "Hood, drive ahead—not too fast this time. And the i-inkeeper, who had now resumed his plat id air, obeyed him. We jogged along tog_*Aer. conversing ouite affably, but the Caita'i; kept an eye* upon us, riding a little to one side, and holding a hand ostentatiously m his pocket. In this manner we rode through Lien eUan and drew near to the "Woodman." Sercombe turned to mc a little way off. "I reckon," he said, "that you'll want to know where those chests are." "I reckon I have a chance now," said I. "Faith, and you're right," he remarked, gnawing his moustache in some perplexity. Hoed never swerved in his course—aid J .to- you I kept a sharp watch on him. He arove up to the door of the inn, and, throwing the reins on the horse's back, jum.ied down. And now the adventure began to pro-nisi-greater interest even than before. I racked m- brains to guess what way" they wcul'J tr-- for an exit to tnis blind alley. But in the midst of my speculations I perceived suddenly that there was a crowd of peovi'e before the door of the "Woodman," and immediately upon, our arrival we were hailed with excited- shouts and cries. I jum>i«l off, and the others followed suit. As 7 did so I perceived Jones, the police serg-jnt, elbowing his way towards mc through tin: i throng. , • I "What is it?" I asked. "Is that Captain Sercombe who came with you?" he asked. * "Yes, yes—but what is it?" I repnted i impatiently; for the ominous faces about ,mc alarmed mc with strange fears. Jones I made a motion to go, and then turned to mc. » "John David Williams," he said, "formerly a man employed by you, Mr Great-"ci, j was found at eight o'clock this mociing stabbed to death in the Lower Gwent. I (To be Continued.)