Eaton Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1843-1856, 1855-02-01
New Series.

own discovery; he only feared 10 retard the
goldSmlth's operations.
Procuring from the table al which his uncle
had forme riy worked a small eau OF oil, he
felt for the hinges OF the trap and poured lis
contents upon them. Thus prepared, he raised
the door very gently about foot, and placed
stick under TO sustain ii. Cautiously he laid
down upon the shop floor, and thrust his head
through the aperture.
In this position he obtained full view of
the goldsmith, and OF his operations. He was
engaged in taking down the wall of the cellar,
in front OF The secret vault. Enough wUS al
ready removed for the young man to obtain
view of lis contents. When Su ufficent por.
ton of the wall was removed 10 permit his in
presS TO the vault, he took knife from his
pocket and entered His purpose before sus-
pected, was now apparent. But Robert could
not STE him distinctly; for he had penetrated
10 the furlkercSt cO;neI or the vault.
Afterthe lapse Of few moments, WaIdeck
emerged from the vault. In his hand he he Id
the ring and the knife. STOPPING down lie
examined the former by the light OF the Ian
tern, and then rubbed it with his haudker-
chef as # to remove some stains. Apparently
satisfied with the operation, he deposited the
ring in his rocket, and proceeded 10 relay the
stones in front OF the vault.
CongIatulating himself that he had at last
obtained a clue 10 the guilt OF the goldsmith, he
closed The trap door with the utmost caution,
and crepl oul Of the shop as he had entered.
The position Ol Wa,GeCk, decided as he was
to restore the lost ring, was surrounded by un-
certaineS. After closing up the vault he re-
turned TO the shop and seated himself at the
work table. Drawing the ring from his pock-
ct, he proceeded to more minute eX3mma
ton of its condition. The Sma Hest sign Of
blood would criminate him. With brushes,
and various other implements, he gave il a
thorough cleansing. lie was about to MIKE
the repairs which it needed, when his slen-
lion was arrested by slight knock at the
street door. SuSP-ndlng his labor, he listened
for repetition OF it, scarcely believing that
any one would desire admission al that hour
OF the night. Bat the knock Was Tepeated.-
In the shattered state Of bis nervous system, he
trembled with apprehension, and connected
the visitation, as lie was, wont 10 connect ev-
cry unusual event; with the one great topic oI
his renec .ion-Ihe murder.
"Who is there :" asked he in tremu ouS
tone.
| ''Optl lHC NOulJ 4hI' w uluCNh'
"WhO is it %
at is Robert Dewrie ~
"Go to the back door and | will admit you"
answered the goldsmith, wondefitg at the oh.
iecl Of his visit, as well as the tenerlty Of the
young man.
Passing to the dor in The rear, he admitted
Robert, who b d removed his false whskeIs,
and they both entered The back paror.
"Robert, | believe you are mad" said Wal
deck. "You viii expose Yourself in spite Of
! all my exertionS to screen you.
"lf am not mad it is no fault of yours
But no matter; will not reproach yon; am
in distress deepdistreSs. Fearful iormy life,
| have not dared to approach the habitN'ion oI
man in my own gaTb," said Robert, in all
humble tone.
care ven not safe in this disguise %
"No, trem|ie for my life, and wander obou
half starved, like friendlesS dog"
"Why not 90 10 another part Of the country
or to England"
am beggar without name or MEANS" re
piled the young man in q drSpondng tone, 81
naturally counteTteled that the goldsmith wa:
completely deceived.
al ifered TO furnish you the money!" sac
Waldeck, exceedingly 1t oced 10 fnd tia
Roberts lofty spirit had been BUNDLED.
"Will you now :" SAID Robert, i'll suppl
eating tone.
81 will-any sum you require in reason, i
YOU viii give ME a lieu on your estate, when
ever it comes TO light"
Good bless YOU, Mr.. Wadeck, you are in
deed m, friend"
al have always enleavored 10 be, Robert
Notwithstanding your unjust suspicion oi me-
sa id Waldeck.
Robert could hardly smother his indignation
at Waldeck's gross hypocrisy, but his grea'
purpose compelled the utmoS, circumSpec;lon
"NOw. Robert, perhaps in your ALTERED
frame Of mind, you will be willing to do me
service"
"Glodly, sir. If you are the murderer c
T my uncle, forgive you iron Tie bottom ol ny
heart"
"a find you sill, persis: in that unjust sus
pcon."
"Pardon me, will not mention it again,
said Robert, a little fearful that he ngh 'oyer
do his part BY acquIescing too readily III hi
own guilt. "What can ! do for you :"
"You remember on the day of your uncle
dlSappearance-lwilI not pain you by sayIn!
murder-that Colonel Powell left ring III hi
charge for repairs Z"
al do" replied Robert, hardly able to con
ceal his satisfaction at the mention OF topt
which he had been studying To introduce.
"You remember that he slipped it on hi
, finger and was unable to remove 1t ~ salC
Waldeck, intenlly regarding his companion.
al distinctly remember H." replied Robert
apparently beStowlng but little attention upoI
The subject.
"You were with your uncle after Colone
, Powell left him :"
al was %
"Now do you know what he did with tina
ring Colonel Powell's daughter is exceed
ingly anxious to recover il. Do you know
, whether lie succeeded i'll getting it of Of hi
fngerW
Robert, feeling that the critical moment q
, his mission had come, paused 10 reflect.
al saw him take it off in the heat Of his an
ger, but, if mistake not, he replaced ii again,
said he.
"Replaced il again What, after all tn
{ trouble that had been made about 1t Z"
al am not sure about it. | was too muc
. excited myself 10 observe very accurately; bu
: during our dispute he was all the lme at wor
on his finger. Ny impression is is that he re
moved it,"
: at is probable that he cid, for he had pc
9 culiar talent for dsplsCing tight rlng," sal
5 Waldeck "IIave you any idea where b
. could have deposite it ? have seOTche
the house opef several times Sw;houtsuccesS'
$ al have mott as you are aware, he had
orsat m nv nIacae nf oonrpalmpnL for little al