StNicholas [serial] . dimly lit up by a clouded moon. For amile or so he saw nothing but trees. Then camea small clearing. They reached the lane —and with a sharp mo-mentary spell of nervousness Jack found thewagon turning in. They were at their destination ! As they rattled by a small unpainted house, atall, unpleasant-looking woman appeared in thedoorway, and greeted the men. Good luck again,eh ? she said. Sure, replied Watts. Is tea ready? Yes; come in, and open the boxes after. All right. igio.] THE LAST OF THE FREIGHT THIEVES 999 Passing on, the wagon came at last to a haltbefore a good-s
StNicholas [serial] . dimly lit up by a clouded moon. For amile or so he saw nothing but trees. Then camea small clearing. They reached the lane —and with a sharp mo-mentary spell of nervousness Jack found thewagon turning in. They were at their destination ! As they rattled by a small unpainted house, atall, unpleasant-looking woman appeared in thedoorway, and greeted the men. Good luck again,eh ? she said. Sure, replied Watts. Is tea ready? Yes; come in, and open the boxes after. All right. igio.] THE LAST OF THE FREIGHT THIEVES 999 Passing on, the wagon came at last to a haltbefore a good-sized barn, and dismounting, themen opened the large side door and backed thewagon to it, then quickly unhooked, and ledthe horses into the stable. As the horses clattered over the stable floor, At what then followed Jack barely stifled ahorrified cry. It was the voice of Watts, sayingquietly and coldly: Now, my clever friend in thebox, kindly come out! They had overheard the detectives exclamationwhen the box fell!. THE NEXT INSTANT, JACK FELT HIMSELF HURLED OUT INTO THE DARKNESS there came to Jacks ears a soft tapping. Withrelief he instantly replied, and heard the detectivewhisper: Are you all right, lad? Yes, Only a bit nervous, acknowledgedJack. Keep cool, and we 11 soon have them. Asthey are going in to supper first, we 11 not comeout till then. That gives us a fine opportunity. Here they come! Catch hold, said Watts. Jack heard the de-tectives box slide out, an Up! from Watts, thestaggering steps of the men across the barn floor,and a thud as the box was dropped. Scarcely breathing, Jack listened. Would thedetective give himself up ? There came a muffled report, immediately asecond, louder, then silence, and the terrified boyrealized that the detective had been hit. Will you come out now ? demanded Jacks further alarm, there was no repeated the order, then called on his com-panion for an ax, and there came the sound ofblows and splintering w
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1870, bookidstnicholasse, bookyear1873
