The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1875-03-05

lence on the painful SUBJECT, yet tnere was
not a day-uo, nor an hour-that / did not
think of the mysterious being. l heard
the Office door open without thinking Of
her but it was full year before she came
again.
1t was in the evening, as before. There
was no sound of footsteps, nor Of opening
doors but there she stood, in the same
suppliant attitude, her matcbless eyes fixed
on he careworn but handsome countenance
of our chief Karl BunsoE.
did not wait for instructions. / cleared
the space between us at a bound, yet l was
too late. She had left the room, but how
could not tell. l FASTENED TIN ough the
passage, conscious of a fighting presence
just before me, yet out of reach. Out into
the street, still guided by that unseen pres
ence | mounted behind a carriage that
was just starting away from the door.
After passing through many streets, the
driver halted before house we'll known to
me.
Without giving me time for thought, that
man got down from his seat, and went to
the door of the carriage. From my perch
l peered around the corner of the vehicle !;
but in my eagerness to see the strange be-
ing who had seemed to lead me on, forgot
my usual caution. My hand slipped its
hold, and fell awkardly to the pavement,
disclosing my presence and startling the
driver. He closed the door with a bong
that sounded like the report Of score of
muskets, while l slipped away in the dark
ness.
l returned to the Office iu a much cooler
frame Of mind, and could not help smil-
ing when thought Of what l bad done.
| had rushed ont of the Office like mad
man l had stolen a ride upon Archibald
RandaPs carriage, and when l stopped be-
fore the house, l had capped my adventure
by tumbling to the ground. Yet, after all
this, had discovered nothing.
The chief was waiting for me.
s'Welf, Herman? But l need not ask
! know it never can be-
He leaned his head upon his desk, and
such agony? l dared not ask him, but
pitied him. After while he looked up,
and brushed the hair off his forehead.
"There, Herman | know it seems fool
ish, but | cannot help it. 1t is all over
now and | must go. You are going with
me, aren't you? You know we arc engaged
for Randal's to night
felt very little inclined to 90 anywhere,
and least of all to Archibald Randal's but
l knew the chief would not go without me,
so told him | was ready.
There was a very pleasant company as
scmbled, yet | felt i'll at ease. The beauti-
full bewitching face of the lady in scarlet,
or the Scarlet Spectre, as Stein persisted in
calling her, was continually before me, re-
minding me of Kari Bunsen's S unhappiness,
l could not be merry while he was sad.
| did succeed in throwing off my gloom
iness long enough TO enjoy a brief tete-
a-te:e with our hosts pretty sister, Maud
Randall, but it ended abruptly.
! / became conscious of a strange sound
it only when my head came in contact with
the wall, and at first SO very faint that |
! could not likcn it to anything. After
awhile | detected the tones of a human
voice. There would have been nothing
surprising in that, hao l not been leaning
against the outer wall of the house.
! How were the sounds conducted through
that mass of stone? From whence did
they come? These were the questions
that coursed through my brain us l sat
there, entirely forgetful of the young lady
had been striving to entertain but they
were not answered.
| | listened-the voice growing more and
more distinct as my ear became accustomed
to the sound.
+ "No, madam" spoke the voice, 81 would
sooner take your iife.'
! Then came an answer, clear and distinct,
but in a differ lent tone of voice:
! "You dare not, sir; one murder is
enough"
| A short, hard cruel laugh came from the
first speaker, and then all was still again.
| / was pleased when saw the chief ap-
preaching, for was making sorry work at
entertaining Maud Randall l gave him
my seat, and had the satisfaction of seeing
his head resting against the tell tale-spot.
For moment there was no change i'm
his manner; but presently his face grew
shade winter, his eyes seemed 10 glisten
wildly, and, by the upieaving of his chest,
L saw that his breathing was short and
painful. | knew that the mysterious voice
from the wall had reached his ears.
As soon as he could leave, he beckoned
me to follow.
"Herman, | shall go crazy, if this lasts
much longer. 1t is horrible | cannot
bear it! o, Herman, if have been in the
wrong ~
/ had no comfort for him, SO I waited
until he grew calm again.
"Say nothing of this, Hermann he add
ed in something like his natural voice. .sBe
ready for business at noon tomorrow"