The Adventures of Arthur Lesley

(..continued) by H. J. Choles

SYNOPSIS

Goldstein, the landlord of the Bull-dog, is overheard, by his son, plotting with Osmond, Harper and Baker to steal Arthur Leslie.

Ikey warns Sir Richard Lesley. The attempt is made while the latter's son is out riding, but four armed men are ready to rescue him. The rascals bolt across the fields. Sir Lesley goes to the Bull-dog after this assault and returns home.

The following morning Arthur is missing, and his window is open, with a pane of glass cut out as with a diamond.

END OF CHAPTER III

Arthur Lesley had been carried off during the night, - evidently by the same men who had made an attack on him the day before. The whole neighbourhood was searched, the police communicated with, rewards were offered for the recovery of the boy, detectives commenced their search and everything possible that could lead to the recovery of Lesley was done.

CHAPTER IV.

After Osmond, Baker, Harper and Goldstein had run a short distance across the fields they came to a dry ditch into which they crept and there lay concealed. They had seen enough to convince them that the Baronet had got some inkling of their plans, and they were soon engaged in a discussion as to who could have told him. Making nothing of this, their conversation turned to the future. What were they to do next? The Baronet was sure to inform the police as soon as he heard of the matter.

Goldstein had seen Arthur Lesley and Salter ride towards Thornside, so they were evidently going to continue their ride to that place and they would not, therefore, return till evening. It was half-past three now so they had still an hour and a half, or two hours in which to act.

Baker suggested that they should leave the country altogether but Osmond said: "No, we made plans for the capture of young Lesley and capture him we must. Now this is what I propose. As soon as Arthur Lesley and his man get back home, they will report to the Baronet this afternoon's occurrence, and he will inform the police. Now the question is, which will he do; will he ride into the town and see the head of the police or will he send for him to come out to his place? If he rides in, that will suit my plans splendidly; but if not, he is sure to go with a police officer to the "Bull-dog" to arrest Goldstein (for Lesley and his groom are almost sure to have recognised him) and, of course, will not find him. Thus either way my plans will act. And they are: That two of us will go to Lesley Hall tonight, cut out a pane of glass from the window of young Lesley's room, open the window, get in, gag and bind the boy and then run away with him. How will that do?"

The others immediately agreed to this proposition, but naturally had questions to ask.

"But then how are we to know which is young Lesley's room?" asked Harper.

This was an important question but Osmond was equal to it and said: "Oh, you leave that to me. I have not remained idle since that night in the Bull-dog".

"Put how are ve to cut open a pane of glass?" questioned Goldstein, "Ve haf no tools."

"Haven't we?" answered Osmond, producing a diamond, "I thought out all these plans in case our former ones didn't act."

"Well, we may as well toss up now who are to go," said Baker. They did so, and the lot fell to Osmond and Harper.

"You two keep in this ditch," said Osmond, "We will bring the boy here."

"We had better form some plans now as to where we are to go after we have got the boy,"

After an hour's conversation, they had settled everything. It was still too early to do anything, so they waited until dark when Harper and Osmond sallied forth to Lesley Hall. By the time they arrived there it was perfectly dark. No moon was shining and the stars were hidden behind a heavy blanket of clouds. They could not have had a better night for the accomplishment of their schemes. Lesley's room was situated in the left wing of the house, the window facing the drive in front. Taking up a position behind an angle in the building not far from Arthur Lesley's window, Osmond and Harper waited to see what the Baronet intended doing; they commanded as good a view as was possible (in the darkness) of the drive. In half-an-hour they heard a carriage come up the drive and when it stopped near them they saw (by the light of the side-lamps) two men alight - an inspector of the Police and a man belonging to Lesley Hall.

The former was ushered inside the house. Twenty minutes passed, and the inspector returned, accompanied by Sir Richard. They mounted the dog-cart and drove away. Waiting until the sound of wheels had died away, the kidnappers crept alongside the wall to Lesley's window.

There was no light in his room, he was evidently asleep. Taking the diamond out of his pocket, Osmond commenced to cut a piece of glass out of the window. When this was done he inserted his hand through the opening, unfastened the latch of the window and, pushing the sash up, looked into the room.

The apartment was perfectly dark and only the heavy breathing of a sleeping person broke the stillness.

Osmond and Harper entered: the former carefully struck a match, making as little noise as possible, while the latter pulled our three or four large handkerchiefs. The light revealed Arthur Lesley fast asleep.

Osmond beckoned to Harper and they tied a handkerchief over the sleeper's mouth to prevent his giving the alarm. His hand and feet were also tied and he was carried through the window. They hastened away and reached Goldstein and Baker in safety.

It seems curious that Osmond and Harper should not have been discovered in their nocturnal visit to Lesley Hall, but all the grooms and other servants connected with the place, were having a grand supper in the kitchen which their mistress permitted them to do sometimes. The Baronet was, of course, away and his wife was reading in one her own rooms.

CHAPTER V.

During the following week enquiries were made all over the country and rewards offered for any trace of Arthur Lesley or his capturers.

No clue could be got by the detectives, however, and no trace by the numerous search parties.

It was late one afternoon, nearly two weeks after Arthur Lesley's disappearance, when a gentleman giving the the name of Hon. Edward Freeman, was ushered into the library where Sir Richard was sitting. The Baronet had heard of his visitor from several friends living in the latter's part of the country - namely Thornside.

Sir Lesley had never seen the Honourable Freeman before. He was well-dressed, short, and clean-shaven.

"Sir Richard Lesley I believe?"

"At your service."

"I have come on a matter of some importance - concerning your son."

"Why, do you know anything of him?" asked the Baronet excitedly.

"I know enough of your son to put the detectives right, but you must not say a word about me to anyone. Say no more than that you received your information from a reliable authority."

"But how did you come to know about my son? Is your source of information trustworthy?"

"I am not allowed to tell you whence I have derived my information, as I promised to be silent on that point. I can, however, assure that it is quite correct."

"Oh, that'll be all right then. Proceed, please."

"Here is a letter which will tell you where your son is. I believe it will help you."

"Thank you, sir, thank you!" answered the grateful Baronet. "How am I to show my gratitude to you sufficiently?"

"By not mentioning a word concerning me. I must be going now so good-bye Sir Richard."

The Hon. Edward Freeman departed and Sir Richard sat down to open the letter. With trembling hands he unfolded the notepaper and read the following epistle with great surprise.

To be Continued.