Mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado Co., Cal.) 1854-1860, 1858-10-16

passes IN tue Otner; when ne na0 come up
with me, he would describe with the compass.
es magic circle, out of which could not
stir; plant his ladder against my back, as
though ! were q cucumber frame, and mount
ing upon my shoulders, trOwel in hand, would
mutter some cabalistic words, addressed to
surrounding nature, explanatory Of the reason
Of my being sacrificed; at which period was
wont to be awakened with the chattering Of
my teeth. Once, l remember throwing N.Y.
self upon the protection Of policeman who
happened to be patrolling the desert for the
greater security Of the Ostrich-eggs; and he,
instead Of taking the Provincial Grand into
custody, pointed to the collar of his own uni
form, upon which, in place Of a number, was
emblazOned the fatal triangle which proclaim
ed the Pecler to be a Deputy Grand Arch
himself My state Of mind became at length
so unsupportable that was obliged to take u
friend into my confidence. | did not, Of
course, confide to him the secret, but told
him Of the anxiety which was continually con-
suming me regarding it.
"Well," said Jones, after having listened
patiently to the sad recital--he was very
well meaning young man, only rather volatile
~ have plan which, | think, will benefit
you; for your sake-although know the
come q freemason myself; then, you see, you
will have . eOntldant-a being in whom you
may repose your trouble. We will retire to-
gether for an hour or so every day into some
lonely spot-down- the well, or up the chin-
ney, or into the House Of Lords while they
are desPatehiRg business-ahd there we will
converse about this secret, If there be secret,
and relieve your mind"
This project transported me with Joy and
gratitude. made the necessary arrange
ments with the officials in our lodge for Jones's
admission, without Of course, mentioning my
particular reason for getting it done, and he
came down to my house from London upon
the evening preceding his installation. had
been useful to Jones more than once in the
way Of lending him little money when he
was hard up, and l was therefore not surprised
when, as We were sitting together after dinner
over our wine, he requested ofme the Temporal
ry loan Of q ten pound note.
However, as there was 4 small account al
ready between US, moved ns an amendment
that the sum should be decreased by one half,
to which, after q slight discussion, my friend
acceded, and retired to rest apparently salts
fled, with fve-pound note Of mine 10 his
purse.
We lay in double bedded room for the
convenience Of conversing upon my all en-
crossing topic, and We fell asleep while talk
ing Of it. l was awaked in the morning BY
the entrance into the room Of my companion,
ready dressed and with his hat on, as though
he hah been out for an carly stroll.
Why. never heard you get up" must
have slept very soundy."
"YOu did" replied Jones in solemn and
unusual tone; very, very soundly; and you
dreamed, I thinkY"
81 believe you, my boy" cried I, chuCkling
with the thought Of how soon such things
would be all over II just did drcam."
"You dreamed Of the-thc secret, did you
not?" continued he.
"Of course did" said 7 II always do
dream Of the secret"
Indeed" observed Jones, with an unplcas-
ant dryness in his manner; land do you also
always talk in your sleepy
felt exactly as If jug Of ice.coId water
had been poured down the nape Of my neck.
We were both silent for at least q minute,
and then Jones quietly remarked; 4 think you
might ;;Ist as we'll make that pound tenner,
10 you know!
"Mnke it twenty" exclaimed l. with eager
ness; "oblisc me by accepting twenty
pound note"
"Thank you," replied Jones coolly; ~
think ] will. From what you said last night"
added he with grim smile understood that
you had not SO much money in the house."
Then remembered having made use Of
that little tarriddle, or delicate evasion, in or
der to get rid of his importantly upon the
previOns evening. BY his reminding me oft
thus boldly, it was evident that must have
put mySSlfinto his power indeed.
"DO you know ally" inquired hoarsely.
"Well," said he carelesSly, "therc is no
need for my being masoniied; knowsall
about the"-He cnuncatcd the awful Sc.
cret the mystery of the ages the hidden WON
der, as though he were retailing some political
title tattle Of the clubs. You sec,' he contin-
ucd, you awoke me- and kept inc awake by
repeating it so very distinctly over and over
again, that have got i'll pat. l could not for
get it if would. Since you seemed to be in
such admirable ease for it, could not help
trying that expcriment-with which you are
doubtless cquainted-of interTogating Sleep
ing person regarding the subject Of his dreams,
and your answers were astorishingly clear
and pertinent. never was spectator of any
thing more interesting and curious. 1t is pos
itively contribution to psychological science
think, indeed, that shall publish an ac--'
At that instant, made my long cOntcmpla-
ted spring out Of the bed clothes, and placed
myself between my enemy and the door. In
my hand was the life preserver with which
my pillow is always furnished, and in my eyes
was the determination to use it as life-pre-
server. -" Jones'" observed, "as must
save my own life-you must diet"
"You mean to kill me, then, do your" said
he jauntily.
my friend replied ], waving the weapon
to and fro to give sOlemniIy to my manner,
~ have unfortunately no choice; you have
wantOnly opened the Bluebeard's chamber Of
my mind, and now you must pay the penalty.
regret the sad necessity, believe me, almost
as much as you can yourself. but the thing
must be done. ] shall hit you between the
eyes as nearly as can, so that the whole mat
ter will be but the work Of an instant, and the
pain scarcely appreCiable. However, in the
meantime, If you have any message or dOcu-
ment to leave behind you, intrust it to me,
and be sure Of its delivery"
-" Yes, !" said Jones decisively, there are
two documents down stairs in the possession
Of my servant with whom had but just left
them. The one is to be delivered to your
friend the Provincial Grand ut once if any.
thing should happen to me, and the other to
the mayor Of this town. The law will there
fore, hang you upon strong circumstantial cv-