The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1875-08-11
J. Aereed.. answered Grover. AL W

Agreed. ;. answered Grover. AL we
need now is a ladder. Do you know where
one can be found near by2"
"Yes; Itinkered one for Fralick, this
mornin'; it must be in his shed on the
back street now, will get it,
"Be very careful, Uncle" urged Grover,
II Judge the people around here are rest
less enough tonight, and the barking of
dog might play the Old Harry with u.s."
Il will take care of that" said the old
man, drawing long, keen knife, and dis
appearing in the shadows OF row Of out
houses.
II wish it wasn't so clear to-nis sht,"
mused the young man, after he had gone.
"It's almost as light as day, and we will
have to adopt new plan for carrying off
the body, if the sky don't cloud up"
Even as he spoke, he noticed a long
bank of dark clouds driving fast across the
heavens from the West, accompanied by
fitful gusts of wind, which portenIcd rain
before morning. ea
"The old lawyers office has been put to
q use as new as it is strange" he thought,
seating himself in the deep shadow OF the
building. "I never knew Galen Gray to
attempt the obliging before. 1 wonder if
the old fellow is doing anything about the;
property2 It is strange that there SHOULD :
have been no will found. Mr.. Wallingford
was too careful man to make so great aud
30 irreparable q blunder as he is now claim-
ed to have made, in dying without reveal
ing where had hidden the will, for every
one believes that there WAS a will, nnd
some say that Galen Gray has it in his
possession, but can't believe that"
Then the young mans thoughts reverted
to Eugene. :.
"What business could he have had with
Gray, ~ this time Of night-or ut any
other time, for that mattcri' he q'leried.
"The name is the same-Eugonc's father
traced relationship between the families!
Can it be possible"
The young mans reflections were here
interrupted by the approach OF Uncle
Billy, who carried IL long, light ladder upon
his shoulder.
al came mighty near being caught" he
said lowering his bur'lcn and drorplny,i il
down BY the young ~ ms Lide;; Ihs
dog barked, and had to q(ict him with
this"
He drew the knife from It's sheath, and
Grover saw that it was covered with
blood.
"I am sorry-very sorry this happened
he said. "Was there no other way p
"Nary,' was the brief reply. "I didn't
like to do it. for Bruce was fine dog.
I've hunted with him many time But
he didn't propose to renew acquaintance
with yours truly-jumped for my weazen.
and had to let him have it. He know'd
I was there for no good, poor fellow"
"We may as well get to work" added
the old man, after short pause
"Wait," said Grover. "lt will be dark
in a few moments. See; the clouds are
shutting out the light very fast"
The young man spoke truly. While
he had waited, the mass of clouds
which he had noticed, had nearly over
spread the sky, and it was with difficulty
that surrounding objects could now be dis
cerned.
Presently it wag sufficiently dark for the
two men to commence operations. As
they did 30, large drops of rain began to
patter around them.
"We are in for a soaking" young man,"
said Uncle Billy, raising the l.dderagainst
the building. "]Iut l won't mind that if
we ain't seen."
On ascending the ladder, Grover found,
to his great Joy, that the windows of the
rear Office where the body lay, were not
fastened. In few minutes, therefore,
both himself and his companion, stood in
safety, by the side of the rrostrate form,
which had been left lying on q rough
table Of pine boards
In leaving the body, the men who had
gathered in the Office ut the time Of the
supposed accident, had simply composed
nl.T ,1..<l
away, and left TIE neat suit the victim
Of the lawyers rage. had worn, on his
person.
81 nm glad Of this" said Grover, ''for
the circumstance will greatly aid us, in
carrying away the body"
1t WIS the work Of but few moments to
wrap the body in large cloak, brought for
that purpose, conveyit to the open window,
and lower it to the ground below, by means
of rope. Scarcely had the ladder been
Withdrawn, when the sound Of voices was
heard in the room they had just left.
The rain was now falling rapidly, and in
the noise of the storm, the two men could
only catch fragments of the conversation
going on, on the other side of the open
window.
"My God!" exclaimed q voice, which the
old man recognized us that of Galen Gray,
the body has disappeared"
A voice, unknown to the listeners, gave
vent to an ejaculation Of surprise, plenti-
fully mingled with oaths, and then, the
violence Of the storm shut out the CONVEX
sation for time.
Presently, there came lull in the rain,
and the voices Of the attorney and his
companion again reached the ears Of the
anxious listeners.
"What object could anyone have in ro-
moving the body p the attorney demanded,
"And how could it have been taken away
without detection ?"
"See The window is open!" exclaimed
the strange voice. The thieves may not
be very far away"
"Look,' said the attorney, "your eyes
are sharper than mine.''
The two men below, drew near to the
building, rs they heard the mans clothes
brushing against the window sill.
Growers heart beat excitedly, as he
waited for him to report
Il can see nothing for this cursed dark
ness," they heard the man say. at is
safe to make light now, suppose"
, eyes. yes" said the attorney, "any-
thing to recover the body"
"l say, youngster." whispered Uncle
Billy, eve must climb out of this. They
will be down here in less than no time,
smelling of our tracks, like so many
dogs"
"Shall We attem pt to move the body
now ?"
"It's risky, but il won't do to leave it
here for them to return" WAS the reply.
"Whcre shall we take p" asked Grover,
rendered almost incapable of thought by
his fear Of discovery.
Uncle Billy hcsitated moment.
"I have it," he finally whispered. "We
are but a short distance from the river. I
saw small row boat, tied just below, this
afternoon. We will take the body to the
bank, and then drop down to my place
with the current. No one will think Of
looking there