The Lambertville press. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1858-1???, 1861-04-03
B. B. BLACK WE'LL. EDITOR.

again, and have been thus particu
lar in describing her visit to the shop,
to render probable subsequent rec
ognition.
! About two O'Clock one morning, in
the latter part Of May following, was
awoke by gentle tap on the window
of e little room back of the shop ia
which l lodged. Thinking of burglars
| sprang out of bed, and in moment
was at the window, with heavy ham
mer in my hand, which usually kept
at that time within convenient reach
of my bedside.
+" Who's there z" l inquired, raising
the hammer, and peering out into the
darkness-for it was as dark as Egypt
when under the curse eff IsraeIs God.
" Hist !" exclaimed the figure, step
ping in front of the window, open
the door; I have business with you. "
Rather past business hours /
should say but who are you 2"
+" No one that would harm you,''
returned the voice. which l imagined
was rather feminine for burglar.
Nor one that can |" / replied rath-
er emphatically, as a warning, as /
frightened my grip on tie hammer and
proceeded to the door. l pushed back
the bolt, and slowly opening the door,
discovered the stranger already on the
steps
What do you want ?" I abruptly
inquired.
will tell you," answered the
same soft voice, " if you dare to open
the door wide enough for me to en-
ter"
Come in" said I, throwing the
door ajar, and proceeding to light
a candle. Having succeeded, turned
to examine the visitor He was
small and neatly dressed gentleman,
with heavy Raglan round his shout
ders, and blue navy cap drawn sus-
piciously over his eyes. As adj
vaneed toward him, he seemed to hes
itate moment, then raised the cap
from his forehead, and looked at me Gu
riously in the face. | did not drop
the candle, but ! acknowledge to q
little nervousness as / hurridly placed
the light upon a table, and silently
proceeded to invest myself with two
or three articles Of clothing. AS the
Lord liveth, my visitor was a lady,
and the same for whom I had opened
the little box about month before !
Having completed my hastY toilet, l
attempted to stammer an apology for
my rudeness, but utterly failed. The
fact is / was COMPOUNDED.
Smiling at my discontinue, she
said
Disguise is useless presume you
know me ?"
believe I told you, madam, that
l should not forget yonr face How
can l serve you ?"
BY doing half an hours work be-
fore daylight tomorrow, and receiv-
ing five hundred dollars for your la
lor," she replied
1t is not ordinary work." said I,
inquiringly, that commands so mu-
nifcent compensation.
1t is labor common to your call
ing," returned the lady. 1.-THE price
is not SO much for the labor, as the
condition under which it must be per-
formed"
And what is the condition p in
quired.
That you will submit to being con-
veYed from and returned to your own
door, blindfolded."
Ideas of murder, burglary, and al
most every other crime known to vii
lany hurridly presented themselves in
succession, as l politely bowed and
said
ri must understand something more
Of the character of the employment,
as well as the conditions, to accept
your offer"
Will not five hundred dollars an
swer in lieu of any explanation 2" she
inquired
No, nor FIVE thousand.
She patted her foot nervously on the
floor | could see she had placed ZEN
tirely too low an estimate on my hon
esty, and felt some qualification in be-
ing able to convince her of the fact.
"Well, then, if it is absolutely ne
cessary for me to explain, she replied,
Z" / must tell You that you are required
to pick the lock of vault, and"
You have gone quite far enough,
madame, with your explanation" ]
interrupted, II am at your service y
AS / said," she continued, "you
are required to pick the lock of vault
and rescne from death a man who has
been confined there for three days"
"To whom does the vault belong p
| inquired.
My husband" was the reluctant