The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1880-08-10

cOllur sCoOu Ddck unCOmprOmlSlnBly
showing slender neck draped in front
with a small cataract fall of gray
whiskers. Looking still closer, found
as he just then laughed uproarlously at
something which had said, that there
was no rising, falling, or wrinkling of
vest or coat. The man who laughed
was but the core of the plethoric form
before me.
What then?
Evidently the bulk was made of
stuffing.
If a legion of ants had been crawling
over me just then it would not have
produced more disagreeable sensation.
Here was, closeted with ruffian of
the most ferocious dye, whose hands
were even now stained with fellow
creatures blood, and the least sign to
betray that 1 suspected his identity
would be my death warrant. Yet
must have him, and must also have
help to secure him.
Directly fumed out about the cigars,
and wondered if the landlord had no
better ones-said I'd find out before he
had gone to bed.
went whistling out, not unmindful
that sharp pain from stiletto might
be the result.
AS l ran down stairs tore leaf from
my pocket memorandum, and scratch
ed upon it these words:
BRETFoRD, II o'clock. =" Harvey
Quick get down on the midnight ex-
press. Come prepared to do up sore
toe. CARNES.''
Here landlord" / exclaimed, get
that telegraphed to A in two min
utes-quick- caution = and you shall
have suitable reward"
With this 1 snatched handful of
cigars and went whistling back to my
room, while a score of thoughts more
vivid than pleasant ran through my
mind.
found him still seated unsuspecting-
ly before the fire-offered him cigar,
and again resumed my smoking.
The cautious reader may wonder that
1 did not either remain at a safe distance
below stairs, or give the alarm and
secure him Immediately. Neither plan
appeared feasible to me. In the first
place it was my business to catch just
such fellows as this one before me; in
the next place an alarm given among
crowd of persons, undisciplined, not
knowing how to act, invariably results
in defeat. No, must wait develop
ments just then. The night express
would be in at l o'clock, and Harvey
would come prepared for the emergency;
and it was only II now. How would
the next two hours pass? and what
might not occur?
AT half past II my companion pro-
posed retiring-and as it providentially
happened that the room held the two
beds, 1 could not object.
never take off my Clothes" he
remarked, "on such times as this
and then if there is fire one is prepar-
ed.''
pronounced the advice excellent,
and believed that should adopt it, and
to further win his confidence suggested
that we should place our watches and
purses under our pillows. He made a
show of doing this, and we flung our
selves upon our couches.
In short time he began to snore,
and not doubling but this might be a
feint, also began breathing even and
heavily.
AT twelve o'clock some slight noise
occurred outside. There was q rustic
and creak in the other bed.
whats that ?" he questioned, and
noticed that his voice was hardly the
same as had listened to an hour before.
"Url" 1 sleepily muttered.
He listened intently for a moment,
and then fell back and began snoring
again. had no doubt he had planned
to rob, perhaps murder me, and get off
before the house was astir.
A quarter to one o'clock the train
came blowing into the heart of the
place. A hot flush passed over me.
Was Harvey thereY and what would
follow the attempt to secure this des-
peradop
At / o'clock precisely there was a
creak upon the stairs. The landlord
was vigilant and understood shis busi-
ness. At the sound, the heavy breathing
in the other bed ceased. Then. came
another long, tremulous creak OF the
stairs; evidently some heavy person was