The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1877-02-01

then made desperate efforts to klc
down the door but it was too stron
and heavy, and inspection reveale
the fact that it was thickly plated wit
iron.
"A vague feeling of terror had driv
Ell me almost frantic, when a sligh
noise attracted my attention. A por
tion of the door turned outward, as
upon hinge, disclosing small, ,squar
aperture, through which 1 discernet
the face of DIR. Crotchett, with it's rig
id, sickenin smile.
''What is the meaning of this?'
demanded fiercely.
''Come, come, Mr.. Clavering, b.
calm, said the doctor, in his smooth
hypocritical tone; excitement will d.
you great harm, you see. We trus
you'll soon be BETTER
''Betterv L exclaimed -'w why
there's nothing on earth the matter
with tne?'
'You are scarcely the best judge o.
that was the quiet response.
''But | tell you l was never sick in
my life p yelled, driven to phrensy
by such insolent mockery.
Not exactly sick, perhaps returned
the imperturbable doctor, but you
have not been quite yourself lately
you see--not quite and he tapped
his forehead significantly.
''Then you take me to be crazy p
said bursting into laugh at the alb
surdity of the thing.
"Well, we'll, if you only keep quie,
and avoid excitement, we hope te
bring you round in a month or So
Il stroye to dash my fist in the
scoundrel's face, but the aperture
closed suddenly, and only skinned
my knuckles.
Next morning breakfast was brought
by servant and passed through the
opening. The mau was coarse and
brutal looking. apparently of the class
not usually money proof. There could
be no harm i'm making the trial, at any
rate.
| had considerable sum about me,
and began with all offer sufficient, as
thought, to tempt the mans cupidity.
He rejected it, however, but in snch 4
way as to render it evident he was on
ly holding out for more.
i was too impatient 10 higg;e.
Only help me out of this, land, will
give you all haye,' said,naming the
EN- put you i'm the way of working
out, he replied; that's the best can
do, but it must be cash up job
Put the means of escape in. my
hands,' L answered, 'and that moment
The money goes into yours
with my next meal my new friend
d ought a small steel saw and a coil of
'Ope.
';.'All you have to do he said, SIS to
'aise the sash and saw through a cou-
Die of the iron bars. Then wait till
light, and by means of this rope you
nay safely reach the ground. It's the
ongest l could get, but when you
each the end, you'll only have to drop
few feet. Once you're safe off, I'll
ome in and remove the rope, and
wist up your sheet, letting it hang
ut Of the window, so they may think
'ou'ye done all without help
with one hand l received my pur-
hase and paid the money with the
ther.
The little tool worked like magic.
n couple of hours l had sawed
early through twoof the bars, leav-
ng barely enough to hold them in
lace till night set in, could hardly
yait for the darkness, but when it
anne. it took but moment to com.
lete the work, remove the bars, ad-
ust the rope. and begin my descent.
Soon my feet had passed the end. l
vas about to let go my hold, confid.
ng in the servants word as to the
istance remaining. But that man
nay have played me false something
whispered; me may think my death
he best security against the discovery
If his bribery
Il had been unable, whilst a prison
II, to look out from my window upon
he ground, and now all beneath was
,lack darkness. l had one way of de-
ermining the truth. pushed my hat
rom my head, and listened closely.
Cor several seconds heard nothing.
hen came sound as of some object,
ar below, bounding from cliff to cliff.
t was evident that hung suspended
'ver rocky precipice, and that if l
eleased my grasp, l should be dashed
o pieces!
with what speed I could, / clam
ered back into my old quarters. Soon
heard step outside. Doubtless it
7as tie perfdious wretch comming to
emove the rope aud arrange the
heet, crouched so as to be hidden
y the opening of the door. Soon as
t swung inwards, springing from my
oncealment, seized the villain by
he throat.
Make the least noise and Iii stran-
lie you? ? | Missed through my clinch-
4 teeth. sNow give me back my
loney.'
''Do-don't choke me, and l WILL
e gasped.
Il relaxed my grasp, and the money
yaS restored.
Now the key = | demanded,
1T was handed over.
'Springing out of tho door, | closed
nd locked it on my late accomplice.
rushed down the stairs and along
he passage to the front dOor Enrfun