The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1880-09-09

But in this fortune favored them: and
as the Doctor had foretold, the lock of
the stable-door, rusty as it looked.
moved without difficulty, and the two
conspirators glided in,a unseen and un-
heard.
Weary, weary work, crouchino there
In the darkness, with ear and eve
STRAINED to the utmost for the first sign
OF the coming danger. DR.. Bistoury' s
practlced nerves bore even this pro-
ionged trial easily enough; but to the
lmpulsive. 'cxcitable Everett it was alb
solute torture. Like all young soldiers.
ne. found the suspense before the action
INFINITELY more trying than the fray It
sell Ihe stable opened on the street
close to the garden door, and it's farther
| window, at which the two watchers had
1 posted themselves, commanded the
whole side of the house, the blackness
ofwhich was relieved only by solitary
hight in one of the upper windows. Sud-
denly the light vanished and reappeared
moment later-a performance repeat
ed three times in quick succession.
That must be the signal" whis-
pered the Doctor. keep your ears
opens Harry ~ abfr- ra5,., r
Courageous as Everett was he felt his
pulse quicken and his hand went in
stinctively to the, revolver, which, de-
spite the Doctors verdict, he had per-
sisted in bringing with him. 95J3l81fo5
..'aHark! Was that a stealthy foot
step outsider
The next moment came low whistle
instantly answered from the house, and
then shadowy figure, issuing from the
building, glided noisely to the garden
door, and opened it to admit two others.
l. They've got the LADDER whis-
pered DR.. Bistoury, as the three phan-
toms crossed the garden. s'Be on the
lookout, my boy; you're going to see
something worth seeingr' : f s,.r,.:
The ladder was soon planted against,
the mysterious window; and Badger
Bill, after whispering to his comrade to
keep an eye'' on their worthy confed-
crate, ascended, and cutting out pane
So dexterously that the sound was bare
= audible, put his hand through and
shot back the hasp. His two assistants
mounted after h'-a; and Bill, stepping
cautiously into the room, turned the
8 bull 's-eye" of his lantern upon its in
Il
Instantly the treacherous, servant re-
coiled with stified cry: 90 Amt that
cetSn over yonderp" whispered he trem-
ulouslly. s3..... Good gracious! suppose
there should be a dead man in it, and
---'' lAJs 915H 5sl2fsu9g GgH1 ls,s1
S'pose you should be a thunderin'
big fool!'' growled Bill savagely. s'Shut'
your mouth, will yer, or thar Il be an
other dead man soinewhar round soon.
Pm a-goin, right in-I am!'' And he
stepped resolutely forward !, a1oss3
Crash! the eoffin-lid burst open and
a skeleton, thrown out in ghastly relief
by the red light that fanedin its eve 4
less sockets. started up with hideous
rattle, thrusting forward its bony arms
and grinning jaws, as if about to spring
upon them. The Sauce qai,peut, of Ma !
poleon was not more decisive. The
honest servant gave one veil sufficient
to wake the whole neighborhood and
rolled on the floor in convulsions. Tn.
second burglar, 1eaping backward, 4
dashed his head with such force against
the corner of a bureAu that he dropped
as If felled with an ak; while Badger
BID, making q frantic rush for the win
dow, overturned the ladder and fell
Crashing along with it, breaking his leg
In the fall. Ii, s.f,a.ree.4,fto,., an -
& You see now, Harry" said the Doc
tor, as they went up stairs after seeing,1
their unbidden guests marched off BY
the police. g that my night-watchman
did know his duty although there's
nothing more unearthly about him than
a few concealed springs, which are re- 4
leased upon the approach aof any one.
and q little phosphorus. AS for this
wonderful room you see it's only lab
oratory after ALI. But the stories that |
people told about it amused me so much
that | must plead guilty TO having given
them a good deal oof encouragement
Now, let us be off to bed, and think
you may y-sleep in peace after this, for it
strikes me it'll be some time before
anybody robs my house again.
And, indeed, no one has ever at
tempted it Chambers Journal. i