The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1871-02-14

J.
cent compensation.
at is labor common to your calling"
replied the lady. The price is not SO
much for the labor, as the condition
under, which it is to be performed"
"And what is the condition. / in
quired.
THAT you will submit to being con-
yeyed from, and return to, your own
door blind-folded."
Ideas Of murder, burglary, and almost
every crime of yillainy, hurriedly pre-
sented themselves to my vision, and ]
bowed and said : -'f-EA4 :. .
III must understand something more
OF the character of the employment, as
well as the condition, to accept your
Offer ""la.T.
"Will not five hundred dollars answ er
in lieu Of an explanation q
"No-nor five thousand"
She patted her foot nervously on the
floor. She had placed too low an esti-
mate on my honesty, and l felt some
qualification on being able to convince
her of the fact. .
well, then, if il is absolutely neces-
sary for me to explain" she replied, 81
must tell you that you are required to
pick the lock Of a vault, and"
you have gone quite far enough,
madam, with the explanation. ! am
not at your service.
She continued :.."You are required to
pick the lock of a vault and rescue from
death a man who has been confined for
three days there
ITO whom does the vault belong p !
inquired.
my husband was the somewhat
reluctant reply.
Then why so much secrecy? or
rather, how came man confined in such
place ?"
81 secreted him there to escape the
observation Of my husband. He suspects
as much, and closed the door upon him.
Presenting he had left the vault, and
quilted the house by the back door, |
did not dream until to-day that he was
confined there. Certain suspicious acts
ofmy husband this afternoon convinced
me that the man is there, beyond hui
man hearing, and will be starved to
death by my barbarous husband, unless
Immediately rescued For three days
he has not left the house | 'druggcd
him less than an hour ago, and he is
now so stupefied that the lock may be
picked without his interference. ] have
searched his pockets, but could not find
the key; hence my application to you.
Now you know all. Will You accom-
pany me?'
TO the end of the world on such an
errandI
Then prepare yourself; there is a
cab in waiting.
Twas little surprised, for !. had not
heard the sound Of wheels. Hastily
drawing on a coat, and providing myself
with the requiredimplements, | was at the
door. There, sure enough, was the cab,
with the driver in his seat, ready for the
m ysterious journey.
| entered the vehicle, followed by the
lady. As soon as was seated she pro-
duced handkerchief, which, 10y the
faint light of an adjacent street lamp,
she carefully bound around my eyes.
The lady seated herself beside me, and
the cab started In half an hour 1t
stopped-in what part of the city ! am
entirely ignorant, as it was evidently
driven in anything but direct course
from the point of starting.
Examining the bandage to sec that
my vision was completely obscured, the
lady handed me the bundle of tools, and
taking me by the arm, led me through
a gate into a house which knew was
Of brick, and after taking me through
passage way which could not have been
less than fifty feet in length, and down
q flight OF stairs into what was evidently
an underground basement, stopped be-
side the vault and removed the hand
kerchief from my eyes.
Here is the vault-open it, said she,
springing the door of IL large lantern
and throwing beam Of light upon the
massive lock.
| seized bunch or: skeleton keys,
and after q few trials-which the lady
watched with the most painful anxiety
sprung the bolt. The door swung
upon its hinges, and my companion,
telling me not to close it, as it was self
locking, sprang into the vault. | did
not follow. ] heard the murmur of
voices within, and the next moment the
lady reappeared, and leaning upon her
arm man, with face so pale and
haggard that started at the sight.
How he must have suffered during the
three long days of his confinement
Remain here, she said, handing me
the lantern, Il will BE- back in a min
ute"
The two slowly ascended the stairs,
and heard them enter room imme.
diately above where | was standing. In
less than minute the lady returned.
"Shall close it, madam ? asked,
placing my hand upon the door OF the
vault.
"Nol No she exclaimed, hastily
selling nv arm. 1t awaits another
occupant
Madam, you certainly do not intend
to
"Are you ready {? she interrupted,
impatiently holding the handkerchief
to my eyes. The thought flashed across
my mind that she intended to push me
into the vault, and bury me and my
secret together. She seemed to read the
suspicion, and continued, DO not be
alarmed You are not the man.
could not mistake the truth of the
fearful meaning OF the remark, and !
shuddered a | bent my head TO the
handkerchief. Ny eyes were carefully
bandaged, as before, and | was led to
the cab, and thence driven. home 10y
more circuitous route, if possible, than
the one by which we came.
Arriving in front OF the house, the
handkerchief was removed, and |