Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1859-02-17

munlcatlng Jne discovery W Doyuoh, Uho 1Wo
soon entered the loft. Thus far they had pro-
ceeded when a muttered imprecation reached
their ears, and in silence they listened for
repetition of the sound. Gradually it came
near and the Spy exclaimed
Rand, we are discovered These villains
have awoke from their slumbers, and are COM
ing into the loft"
Fortunately. we have no light, so he will
fail to discover u.s.
Look " exslaimed Boyden, at this smoment
ctling Rands attention to an aperture through
which the light was streaming. 'iThey have
procured light
&C Then we must act at once. D}}4ak as they
donbtlses are, we can snccessfuiAy easae with
them.''
"Aye, and let US secure this enc as he enters
the loft"
Slowly the door was raised, and soon u head
appeared above the floor, and at last Forney en-
tered the loft. He cast his eyes around, but
ere they reached the object sought, the light
was snatched rudely from his grasp, and hand
laid over his mouth.
'' Ills vain,' exclaimed Boyden, as he held
the struggling Tory with giant grasp. You
are in our power. Do you remember me?"
As the light shone upon Boyden's features, a
look of fearful malIgnity poured over the Iorys
face, and freeing his mouth, he uttered shrill
cry.
Your belt, Rand said Boyden hurriedly.
" This must not be. W
A moment sufficed to render the Tory incapa-
BILE of further effort and the hunting cap of
Thomas Rand thrust into his mouth, efectually
stopped his utterance.
"Now for the room below, said the Spy and
followed by Rand, he descended to the room in
which the Tories were lying. The light re-
vealed the two men in state of unconscious
ness from the effects of the liquor; but in vain
they sought the person of Forney's wife.
"She must be in the cabin said Rand "
am certain heard her voice. as Forney entered
the loft"
{" She cannot have left the cabin to SUNNI
A click, as if caused by rifle lock, caused the
Spy TO cease his utterance, and start suddenly,
and the next moment ball whistleu past him
burying itself in the logs. A glance revealed
the source of this unexpected danger. From IL
erevice without, Mrs. Forney had endeavored
to prevent discovery Of the ohisct sought by
the Spy and Thomas Rand. As the latter COM
pretended the cause of the report, lie sprung
quickly from the cabin bearing the woman who
| had attempted their lives.
Now, woman" he exclaimed, " as you
value your existence, tell us where your prison.
er is concealed.
;" Prsoner?" replie1 the. woman gazing with
a wondering look at her interrogator f" What
do you mean, sir?
THAT there is a woman concealed in this
cabin, and we have come to take her from your
power"
tThere isn't soul in the cabin only Forney
and his companions. You may search as mucl
as you please, but you'll find no one.'
Woman. you know me too well to think
would trihe with you. Your husband is in ou'
power, while your friends are too much intoxi
Gated to help you. If we do not find the pris
oner We seek, Forneys life shall pay the for
felt
You can search If you choose. I've tolt
you the truth, and you'll find it SO after you VI
searched the cabin"
Binding the woman, and preventing her ut
terance, Boyden and the Scout searched in vain
for some traces of Mabel Archer. The room
had been all carefully examined, and at las
they descended to the cellar. But nothing W,
found to aid them there.
I" Is it possible that this woman has beel
, telling us the truth and We have mistaken ou
object ~ asked the Spy as he stood gazing will
an undecided look at Thomas Rand.
,, No believe me she is here, or else thi
hag suspected my object, when questioned he
in regard to the singing, and has concealed he
in the vicinity"
. " She could hardly have done tlis withou
resistance, if Mabel was conscious of the caus
of her removal"
:" She might have been rendered incapable q
opposition, and the darkness would have rer
dered the woman aid in her work. Let us con
sign this woman and the men to the cellar, an
:, then ascend to the loft, and il possible, fore
: from Forney the information we desire.'
This task accomplished, they barred the doc
: and assembled to the loft. As the Spy eutere
it an exclamation of surprise fell from his lip
and turning to Rand he said:
. +" The mystery is revealed at last
y How? 1 do nosr4aiaderstand you"
. Do you not perceive that this room doc
y not extend entirely over the one below? :"
You are correct see it now, replie
Rand, as he gazcd around the loft . There
:, a room beyond this
= " There is, and in it wo shall find Nab,
q Archer
! A careful scrutiny revealed nothing save a
unbrokcn surface Of smoothly hewn logs.
It door was visible Rand stood for moment i
n silence, and then with his rifle he dealt u blo
l. upon the logs. Ahollow sound was the effect
the conclusion.
d "There is a room, it is evident beyond u
10 and it enters as this has done, from the roof,
; he said at length
With hearts in which emotions of ioy wei
!, dwelling, they repaired to the roof once NOR
l. and soon there was revealed to their eager vi
ions an aperture, similar to the one by viii,
Is they had entered the cabin. The Spy DR.
,f nounced Mabel name, but there was no an
wer, and bidding Rand hold the light so til,
st its rays might penetrate the room, he descend,
70 through the aperture followed by the Scout,