The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-12-29
LITER nature.


then recovering his selfpossession, he said, with
feeble smile
II am needlessly depriving you Of your rest"
said the detective.
mo nc, = replied the preacher, = am better
now, and many thanks for your sympathy. ID is
not often meet with one kind yourself; hard
| fare and bad treatment have not made me insensi
| bic to attentions
Where do you propose going tomorrow 1N in,
| il is |. long distance to the nearest town"
1.-THE Lord will be my guide said the preacher;
crossing his hands with resignation.
Never mind rejoined Mr.. Duffy, kindly; lyon
shall go with me. have horse and ohaise; IL is
large enough for las both.
| II accept the offer with gratitude said the
preacher; your generosity affects me; you go in
| the morning."
"As early as dawn" replied Duffy; ~ must be
| off as soon az possible brief pause ensued.
| "This is a lonely place y remarked the preacher,
stirring the fire, for its expiring embers were
already casting deep shadows around the apart
/ ment 9A..
| Lonely enough such place as ] fancy might
be the rendezvous of vany," replied the old
man thoughtiully. "Do you know, continued he,
lowering his voice TO a whisper, THAT there is
something about this house and its inmates that
| do not ike" .E
Indeed exclaimed the preacher, with sur
| PRISE
! Yes, wait one moment and + will tell you,''--
the detective arose and cautiously bolted the door;
after listening few seconds, TO assure himself the
movement was unnoticed outside, he returned to
/ his seat II believe,n said he, speaking low and
earnestly, that this is o den of some kind--the
inkecper is honest looking enough, but as was
\ passing to this room"
Whisper lower or we may be overheard" in
terrupted the other excitedy, and in atone so diff
| ferent that the detective involuntarily paused.
| "Ha.' whispered Duffy, never mind me; you
| see a. was passing 70 this room, caught sight
| through little creyice, which the deuse himself
4
| looking scoundrels, one of whom am certain
| have met before--don't be alarmed, may be
| mistaken in their character
do you not feel afraid, y asked the preacher.
mo, am used 10 these things rejoined the
detective, with q smile. "See,' he added, pulling
out two revolvers, these are modern inventions;
invaluable as they are, their is not generally
known or appreciated. There will be time when
even scoundrels will know their yalue. With
them,n continued the detective, ~ am more than
match for q scoro Of desperadoes."
"Yoi; think there is danger, them" observed the
preacher.
"No immediate danger, ] apprehend,' replied
the other as he returned the pistols to their hid
ing place. IL have made arrangements to remain
in this room, preferrng to sleep on bench rather
than trust myself in a chamber that ! know
nothing about. The door, as you see, has good
bolt and think you bad better remain also. Iou
will be safe enough
you think me 2 Coward said the preacher,
smiling.
Prudence is not cowardice,'' remarked the
other There are times when the bravest quail;
our nerves have more to do with that than you
imagine; but surely, you do not intend TO risk
yourself anywhere elsey'
Il do" said the preacher, quietly; "the inn
keeper pointed out my room, and by this time it is
ready. ! should judge it safe."
Very well, if you will co. observed the detec-
tive, examine your apartment carefully before
you retire; ascertain whether 1t has good, strong
| bolt; make sure there is nobody under your bed,
and look out especially for trapdoors and sliding
| panels
II viii take a careful look, and il anything JUS
tifes suspicion l shall return,' rejoned the
| preacher. Good night
| He extended his hand, and IL was warmly
| grasped by the detective.
II will see you in the morning said he; re
member, my vehicle is at your service a. Tar as
| go. Coed night"
| The preacher again expressed his grateful ac-
| acknowledgements for the kindness Of his friend, and
| with another cordial press Of Us hand, gathered
up his saddlebags and cloak. and slently retired.
! A. the door closed on himself, The Tomut flor 1t
| was be) gave a low derisive Laugh.
| Pool he muttered between his clencbed teeth,
| II have you now have you now"
CHAPTER III.
| The Burglars Nest was well named.
Situated in one OF the loneliest and most mac
cessible parts Of Pennsylvania it, existence was
hardly known; few travellers stopped there, and
ONE Of those that did were never head from
again, so little could DC lNid.
Rugged and steep was the way that led TO it,
with here and there frightfu rayine TO break the
gloomy expanse Of giant trees and tangled shrub
berry that lined the road for mses.
Tlse structure itself was venerable wood build
ng, evidently built during the Revolutionary war,
though fer Whist purpose could hardly be con.
coived in so Wild and unfreQuented portion OF
The country. Twenty-Five years ago the tourist,
Ia his woodland raWbles, might have often met
with mysterious looking haoitations. long I'M
tenanted which 10 the country people had .
ghostly prestige; where spectral lights could be
seen at night, and unearthly noises were heard
during the day; Of which variety Of dark
stories could be told, terrible 10 childrens ears,
and listened 10 even by 'hc stranger with vague
horror.
These old abodes were perhaps some former
tavern, where dreadful murders we're said 20 have
been perpetrated, still haunted by the troubled
spirits Of the victims; the sign swinging mourn
fully in the wind. and the door broken from its
hinges, from which issued the reptile and it's COM
panion, the owl, screeching its melancholy song
during the night
way houses and Boar Hesds, Of olden time.
but the Buresrs Nest hcssa q Haa9oesfa sA a.
then something dark and tragcsi would take
place, but there were no ghosts TO vex the actors
in the bloody scene, save their own disordered
there everything was social and lively enough.
and, a. Mr.. Beg opined, little more 50 than was
necessary.
The former occupants of the Nest were an old
couple, who, having mysteriously disappeared,
left the Tomtit 70 take quiet possession without
the trouble and expense OF questions asked, aud
monthly rent 10 pay. The place was fitted up a.
a tavern, according to the suggestion Of the Bur-
glar Chief and Mr.. Beg obtained the appointment
Of custodian Of the same receiving a. . recon-
pensc for hs services share in the yearly profits
Of the trade, which, a. that gentleman sGgaciously
observed. was q very good thing when ii paid"
but a. the old novels say let usresumc the thread
| Of our story.
well, It's mean, that's vot IL Isl" calculated
| Dick lat On with an oath, the moment his leader
had left the room, a. narrated In Introductory
| chapter ''Nunce wos Their time ther Tointit would
ave broken 4 ed afore he'd let sich same alp,
but blast my peppers, he's gettin' dummy"
There was general grunt OF approval from the
Burglars az this expression 81 Ar. Hatton's views,
who rendered them more emphatic By bringing
his bra wny fat on the tabIe with treme udous yo-