Maryland free press., 1866-06-21

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We met again, and have been thus par
ticular in describing this visit to the shop
to render probable subsequent recogni
ton.
About two o'clock in the morning, in
the latter part of May following, l was
awoke by gentle tap upon the window Of
the little room back of the shop, in which
| lodged. Thinking of burglcrs, sprang
out of bed, and in moment was at the
window, with hammer in my hand, which
[ usually kept at that time within conve-
nient reach of my bedside. e..
"Who's there ?' l inquired, raising the
hammer and peering out into The darkness
for it was as dark as Egypt when under
the curse of Israel's God. 80
"IIist!" exclaimed figure, stepping in
front of the window; ''open the door, I have
| business with you"
"Rather past business hours, 1 should
say; but who are you?"
''No one that would harm you," return
ed the voice which was rather feminine for
burgler's.
"Nor no one that can!" replied, rather
emphatically, by way of warning, as l
tightcned my grip on the hammer, and
proceed to the door, discovered the strau-
ger already upon the. steps.
What do you want!'' abruptly in
quired.
II will tell you," answered the same
soft voice, ''if you open the door wide
enough for me to enter"
"Come in" said l, resolutcly throwing
the door ajar, and proceeding to light
candle. Having succeeded, l TUNED to
examine the visitor. lie was a small and
neatly dressed gentleman, with heavy
Raglan around his shoulders, and blue
navy cap drawn suspiciously over the eyes
AS l advanced towards him he seemed to
hesitate a moment, then raised the cap
from his forehead, and looked me curious
ly in the face. l did not drop the candle
but acknowledged to little nervousness
as hurriedly placed the light on a little
table, and silently proceeded to invest my
self with two or three very necessary articles
ofclothing. Asthe Lord liveth, my visitor
was lady, and the same for whom l had
opened the little box about u month before!
Having completed my hasty toilet, 1 at
tempted to stammer an apology for my
rudeness, but utterly failed. The fact is
[ was confoundcd.
Smiling at my discontinue, she said:
disguise is useless; l presume you re-
cognize me %
Il believe 1 told you, madam, should
not soon forget your face. In what way
can l serve your
"By doing half an hours work before
daylight tomorrow. and receiving five
hundred dollars for your labor" was the
reply.
at is not ordinary work." said I, in
quiringly, "that commando so muniiccnt
compensation"
at is labor common to your calling"
replied the lady. The price is not 50
much labor, as the condition under which
it is to be performed.
"And what is the condition" inquired.
THAT you will submit to being convey
ed from and returned to your own door
blindfolded."
Ideas of murder, burglary, and almost
every other crime Or villiany, hurricdly
presented themselves to my vision, and |
politely bowed, and said: II must under
stand something more of the character of
the employment, as well as the condition,
to accept your offer"
"Will not five hundred dollars answer
in lieu of an explanation p she inquired.
"No-nor five thousand"
She patted her foot ncrvously on the
floor. l could sec she had placed an en-
tirely too low an estimate on my honesty,
and felt some qualification in being able
to convince her of the fact.
"Well, then, if it is absolutely neces-
sary for me to explain" she replied, Il
must tell you that you are required to pick
the lock of vault, and"
"You have gone quite far enough mad
am, with the explanation" L interrupted;
Il am not at your service"
LAS l said," she continued, ''you are re-
quired to pick the lock of a vault, and res
cue from death man who has been con-
fined there for three days"
ITO whom does the vault belong?" in
quired ..
"My husband" was the somewhat re-
luctant reply. .... .
''Then why so much secrecy? or rather,
how came o man confined in such place?'