The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1870-11-29

"What is his name then?"
"Ahl you doubt my sincerity. / will
CO."
And she stepped away.
reflected moment, and resolved
to accompany her, let good or evil be
the result. I sprang forward and
touched her arm.
81 will accompany you"
Thanks, she said, turning. "Allow
me to bandage you eyes,"
Iprotested against such proceed
ing, but finding her inexorable, l suf-
fered myself to be blindfolded.
On we went. l tried to enter into a
conversation with my mysterious guide
but was unsuccessful. 1 gained no in
formation, save that the man to whom
l was being conducted lay dying in a
brasement. After walking some dis
tance, mile or two l should judge,
we stopped. My guide knocked at a
door, which was opened. Down a flight
of steps l was led till another door
was reached, which opened. 1 was
pushed forward, the woman saying:
"He is here"
I heard the door shut, the key turn
ed. and steps ascend the stairs. l tore
the bandage from my eyes and looked
around. 1 was in small room, evil
IDENTIFY cellar, in poor portion of
the city, for the apartment was very
small, A lamp burned upon a rude
table, upon which lay writing mater
ials. But what attracted my attention
most was two masked men, a few feet
from me, directing two pistols at my
breast. ] had been deceived and
drawn into q murderer's net.
Quick as thought my hand moved to
my revolver, but the luminous click
click, checked me.
"Two can play at that game, Tom
Howard ?" said one the masks.
"You know me then?"
"Of course we do; and take great
pleasure in informing you that your
-" ,A.i>. y~~'---.J-.i'- --~r--'- -
it?" l ventured to say.
"Well-no-yes. Ifyou sign a GER
tain instrument of writing, you live.
If not you die"
81 would like to know in whose pres
ence I stand" said 1, stepping forward.
"The murderers of John Royston,
the banker" replied the masks.
I recognized one of the voices in
stantly .as belonging to tall dark-faced
fellow, who for some months l had folf
lowed like a sleuth hound.
"Ha!" l cried, at is you, my Co
vey. Two days more and your carcc;
of crime would have ended"
"You must catch a man before you
hang him, my dear Howard" was the
taunting rejoiner.
"We'll see, SIR"
"a truce to this badinage," said ont
of the men, stepping up to the table
while he companion kept a pistol a
my breast, "you must sign this pape
if you value your life."
/ went to the table and read the fol
lowing oath, written in an uneven bu
legible chirography:
az, Thomas Howard, a detective, d.
solemnly swear that will desist iron
the pursuit of the murderers of Johl
Royston, banker, for the period of on
year, so help me God.
"Signed with my own blood. this
the 10Th day of July, 1885,"
1 turned to the men after reading i
and said:
"What does signed with my ow
| DIOOu uSttH
Exactly what is said," was the on
? calculating reply.
"Then / refuse to sign"
"You are rash, Tom Howard. I'll
bond is good for one year only. Sig
it and live"
There was something so signifcal
,. this last sentence that 1 changed N
resolution.
81 will sign," said, "but at the Ell
; ; of the year mentioned in my bond,
j will hunt you down, and bring you b
fore and outraged justice"
e "No boasting, sir; make ready
d have some blood spilled" and one
= the assassins laid aside his pistol, al
II produced lancet.
+! barred my arm to the elbow; b
e he laughed, saying:
L "Not your arm Howard the bio,
must come from nearest the hea
s Bare your BOSOM"
"Is this another Shylock affair ?"