Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1875-10-09
The i cir ofthe Mills
Che Attoyueg's fef.
By
ALFRED B. TOZER,
AUTHOR OF "BoUSD HAND AND Foor,"
"WHo WAS TO BLAME" ETC. Ere.
CHAPTER VIII.
THE WORK OF A MONT.

Grover Clayson set about his midnight
expedition SO energetically, that IN half an
hour rom the time of leaving Eugene,
he found himself, accompanied by an assist
ant. who had long been his contidant, di-
rcctly under the rear windows Of the room
where the dead man lay.
His companion, Uncle Billy, as he was
called by the villagers, was one of class
of men to be found in nearly every place.
Having no trade or occupation, and no
family. he did such odd jobs as came in his
way, and lived aloncina shants by the river,
not far from Mr.. Clayson's house. There
were rumours i'll the village, which gave
the old man hardly the best of characters.
but as nothing criminal had ever been
proved against him. his neighbors were
content to let him alone, especially us he
was goodnaturcd and obiigIng, and APP
poarcl to BE- well satisfied with any treat
mcnt the villagers were disposed to bcstow
upon him.
II am not certain, said Grover. 'glancing
up at the dark windows about II dozen
feet above his head, that II boldcr cour SO
would not have been better. 1t is not too
late now, however. to seek entrance by one
of the doors in the hallway. if you think
that course advisable, Uncle"
"lt amt safe" was the old man S reply.
"rh.- affair must be mighty we'll aired in
the village nov, an folks Us are curious.
not knowing the place is locked. may
be u-prowlm around the Office, 70" !, chance
to look at the body. We must get it out
of this here window, if We get it at
ull."
Agreed" answered Grover. "All we
need now is a ladder. DO you know where
one can be found near by"
Yes; | tinkcrcd one for FrIhck, this
mornin; it must he in his shed on the
back street now, will get it,
Be very careful. Uncle" urged Grover,
= judge the people around here are rest
less enough tonight ana the barking of II
dog might play the O1d Harry with U.S.
Il will take care of that" siid thc old
man. drawing long, keen knife, and dis
appearing in the shadows of Il row of out
houses.
II wish 1T wasn't SO clear tonight"
muscd the young man, after he had gone.
{" It's almost rs light as day. and we will
have to adopt ii new plLn for carrying off
the body, if the sky don't cloud up"
Even as he spoke. he noticed Il long
bank Of dark clouds driving fast across the
heavens from the West. accompanied by
htful gusts of wind which portcudcd ram
before morning.
1.-THE old lawyers office has been put to
Il use Now ;ts il is strange he thought.
seating himself in tn: deep shadow of the
buiidinG 81 never knew GAlHn Gray to
attempt the obliging before. | wonder if
the old fellow is doing anything about the
property? 1t is strange that there shoull
have been no will found. Mr.. Wallingford
was too careful Il man to make SO great and
50 irrcpdrublc Il blunicr as he is now claim
cd to have made. in dying without reveal
ing where had hidden the will, for every
one believes that there WAS will. and
some say that q tlen Gray has it in his
possession, but | cant believe that"
Then the young man ; thoughts reverted
to Eugcne
What business could he have had with
Gray. at this time Of night-or at any
other time, for that matter?' he qutrei.
"'rhc name is the same Eugene father
traced relationship bctwecn the families!
Can it be possibe'
The young mans reflections were here
interrupted ly the approach of Uncle
B.liy, who carried IL long, light ladder upon
his shoulder.
q came mighty ncrs being caught he
said lowering his burlcu AMI dro!'I'ing It
down by the young mans side. " lha
uoS bt!hcu' ANU h'IA W i"iee iii''A "-'
tins.
He drew the knife from its Sheath ana
Grover saw that 1t was covere" WIN
blood.
am sorry-Very sorry TINS h"ppehe"'
he SAID. Was there no other way
Nary. was the brief reply / oidn
like to 90 1t. for Bruce was a hne d0s
We hunted with nun many i 'iile. nuV
he didn't propose to renew acquaintance
with yours "nly-Jumped loI my "eAZeh,
and had to let nm have II. ne kno"
was therc Tor no good poor 1eiiow.
We may as well %et TO work. adoed
the old man. after short pause
wait S"i' ,'to'er. VIII DO uirA
IN a few moments. Sec; the clouds are
shutting out the llSht very laSt. u-,.,
Inc yo"h? man spoke truly: "hl,e
he had waited the mass OF clouds
which he had not'ced' mad nearly over
spread the SKY ana II was wi'h dlihe"lty
that surrounding OBJECTS could now DC DIS
cerned.
Presently 1t was suii'eiehtiy darK Tor the
two men to commence operations. AS
they dld so, large drops OF ram began to
pattcr around them.
We are III Tor sohRlnS' young man,
SAID Uncle Bdly, raising the ladder aS INST
the building. But won hlhu thtt II
we amt seen