The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1855-01-17
feared to tetatd the gOldsmith's opera

a foot, and placed stick under to sustain
it. Cautiously he laid down upon the shol
floor, and thrust his head through the aper
ture.
In this position he obtained full view o
the goldsmith, and Of his operations. H,
was engaged In taking down the wall of til,
cellar, in front of the secret vault. Enough
was already removed for the young man t.
obtained view Of its contents. When {
sufficient portion Of the wall was removed tc
permit his ingress to the vault, he took
knife from his pocket and entered it. His
purpose, before suspected, was now appa
rent. But Robert could not see him dis
tinctly; for he had penetrated TO the further.
est corner of the vault.
After the lapse of few moments, Wal.
deck emerged from the vault. In his hand
he held the ring and the knife. STOPPING
down he examined the former by the light
of the lantern, and then rubbed it with his
handkerchief as if to remove some stains
Apparently satisfied with the operation, he
desposited the ring in his pocket, and pro-
ceeded to relay the stones in front of the
vault.
Congratulating himself that he had at
last obtained clue the guilt of the gold
smith, he closed the trap with the utmost
caution, and crept out of the shop as he
had entered.
The position Of Waldeck, decided as he
was to restore the lost ring, was surround
ed by uncertainties. After closing up the
vault he returned to the shop and seated
himself at the work table. Drawing the
ring from his pocket, he proceeded to a
more minute examination Of its condition.
The smallest sign of blood would criminate
him. With brushes, and various other I'M
plemcnts, he gave it very thorough cleans
ing. He was about to make the repairs
which it needed, when his attention was
arrested by slight knock at the street
door. Suspending his labor, he listened
for repretition OF it, scarcely believing
that any one would desire admission at that
hour of the night. But the knock was re-
peated. In the shattered state Of his ner-
vous system, he trembled with apprehcn.
sion, and connected the visitation, as he was,
wont to connect every unusual event, with
the one great topic of his rcfeclion--thc
murder.
"Who i. thcre!" asked he in tremulous
tone.
"Open the door, Mr.. Waldeck."
"Who is it!''
at is Robert Dcwre!'
"Go to the back door and | will admit
you," answered the goldsmith, wondering at
the object of the visit, as well as at the te-
merity of the young man.
Passing to the door in the rear, he ad-
mitted Robert, who had removed his false
whiskers, and they both entered the back
parlor
"Robert, believe your are mad," said
Waldeck. "You will yet expose yourself
in spite ofall my exertions to screen you.
"If am not mad, it is no fault of yours.
But no matter; I will not reproach you;
am in distress--deep distress. Fearful for
my life. l have not dared to approach the
habtaton of man in my own garb," said
Robert, in an humble tone.
care you not safe in this disguised"
"No, tremble for my life, and wander
about half starved, like friendless dog"
"Why not 60 to another part of the coun-
try, or to England!"
81 am beggar without name or MEANS"
replied the young man in despohding tone,
so naturally counterfeited that the goldsmith
was completely deceived.
81 offered to furnish you money!" said
Wadeck, exceedingly rejoiced to find that
Roberts lofty spirit had been humbled.
"Will you now!" said Robert, in sup
plicating tone.
81 will--any sum you require in reason,
if You will give me lien on your estate,
whenever it comes to light
God bless you. Mr.. Waldeck, you are in
deed my friend"
81 have always endeavored to be, Robert,
notwithstanding your unjust suspicion of
me-"
Robert could hardly smother his indig-
nation at Waldeck's gross hypocricy, but
his great purpose compelled the utmost cir
cumspecton.
"Now, Robert, perhaps in your altered
frame Of mind, you will be willing to do
me a service"
"Gladly, sir. If you are the murderer of
my uncle, forgive you from the bottom of
my heart"
81 find you still persist in that unjust
suspicion"
"Pardon me, will not mention it again."
said Robert, little fearful that he might
overdo his part by acquiescing too readily
in his own guilt "What can l do for you!"
"You remember on the day of your un-
cle's Disappearance will not pain you by
saying murder--that Colonel Powell left
ring in his charge for repairs!"
IL do. ."replied Robert, hardly able to con-
ceal lis satisfaction at the mention of top
ic which he had been studying to introduce
st,You remember that he slipped it on his