Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1875-09-09

of these soliloquies, looked at him for mo.
ment suspiciously; but apparently coming to
the conclusion that he was an eccentric indi.
vidual, with whose peculiarities it might not
be prudent to interfere, passed on without
comment
Having finished his light supper, Mr.. Hold
veg paid his bill, and Sailed forth again into
the street. 1t was now quite late, and only
the tramp of the watchmen on their beat, and
the occasional echoing footstep of pedestrian
hurrying homeward, broke the stiffness that
reigned supreme over the tranquil town.
After little more deliberation, he retraced
his steps to the hotel and sought the night
clerk, who was doing at his post.
"Cau be accommodated with room here
to.night?" he asked.
eyes, I suppose so," was the reply. 1--WE
are pretty full, but we can put you away
somewhere. You had better have come ear
lier, though; we could have made you more
comfortable
ooh! am not particular" rejoined Mr..
Holdweg. "By the way, could you kindly
tell me whether gentleman by the name Of
Thornton is stopping here?"
"Thornton-I'll refer to the book" said the
man. "Friend of yours?"
eyes; understood be was coming here.
The fact is, I wanted to see him on little
business, aud would have come earlier, but
was detained however, tomorrow will do as
we'll"
"Thornton-H Thornton is here-second
floor, room g." said the clerk, who had been
running over the entry of names. "Perhaps
I can get you room on that same floor; l
think there's one vacant, but it's small one,
lust over the yard-not extra comfortable.
We are pretty full, as l said just now. Fol
low me, will your"
Mr.. Holdweg instinctively trod lightly as
they ascended the stair case but the clerk
wore loud-creaking boots, which made hor-
rible noise in the silence of the night, causing
his companion to glance uneasily around, as
if fearful of seeing some door opened and a
head thrust out No door opened, however,
and they reached their destination without
encountering any one.
The room into which the clerk ushered him
was small one-a very small one-which,
in hot weather, would have been intolerably
close, but was comfortable enough on this cold
night, owing to the fact that it was over the
kitchen, where brisk fire had been burning
all day. The clerk again apologized for the
Inconvenience of the situation; but Mr..
Holdweg, apparently somewhat impatient Of
his apologies, assured him that it suited him
extremely we'll, and that he wished nothing
more than few hours of repose, as he had
travelled all day, and was very tired. Upon
this hint, the man was about to withdraw
when Mr. Holdweg again stopped him.
"My friend, Mr. Thornton's room is, you
say, on this same floor" he said. 81 want to
see him quite early in the morning"
ayes, sir, number eight-the fourth door
from the opposite end of the corridor. Shall
I have message carried to him in the morn
ing for you7''
mo, thank you. I will 60 to his room my
self-or, stay-yes, I suppose might as well
send message. Just say to him that Mr.
Stevenson is here, and would like to see him.
cat what hour?"
"At-say seven o'clock you need not dis
turb him before"
"Very good" said the clerk. "Pll not fai
to have him called at seven. Is there nothing
more I can do for you?"
"Nothing at all. am obliged to you"
"Good-night, them"
:'Good night"
When the man was gone, Mr.. Holdweg sal
down, and leaning his head on his hand, sal
for long while, thinking. Everything
around him was profoundly still. His candle
burned dimly on the table where it had been
placed, shedding but feeble light over the
room. Presently clock in a neighboring
church-tower chimed the hour of twelve
The strokes rang out sharply on the night.air
each one seeming to fall with curious force
and distinctness upon the listeners hearing
Directly after, the voice of watchman was
heard, crying loudly and clearly: "Past
twelve o'clock we'll" Then the pro.
found silence again.
Still the adventurer sat thinking-think.
ing Thinking of what? Something that
seemed to chill the current Of life in his veins
making it creep sluggishly and slowly along
something that brought a fixed stony look
upon his face blanching it to the lips, and
setting his teeth hard with cold and cruel
resolution-a resolution that nothing could
shake.
At last he arose, and softly turned the
latch of his door. 1t turned easily, without
creak or jar Then he tried the lock, holding
the candle near that he might see how it
worked. 1t was of simple construction, and
not very strong.
"No difficulty here," he murmured. 81
suppose they are all alike" He re.closel
the door and set his light in corner on the
floor, putting screen before it to preclude
the possibility of its rays shining through the
cracks of the door or window. Then he re-
moved his shoes, substituting pair of list
slippers which he had in his pockets. Then
he drew SOMETHING from the breast of his
coat and looked at it, bending low over the
; candles feeble flame. AS he did 80, there
was sparkle and glitter as Of FURNISHED steel.
He touched the thing he held lightly with his
finger, nodded his head in satisfied manner,
and then replaced it in his breast.