The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1880-01-21

humping away like sledge-hammer, but /
continued to breathe heavily and to watch
keenly.f Gently and noiselessly the cover
was pressed upward until it reached an angle
which completely shut out from my view the
window beyond. A moment later the figure
of a man came out from the shadows while
the box-cover was let down as noiselessly as
it had been raised
This, then, was the burden of the box.
This was the meaning of the mysterious
warning whichthe sounder had spoken.
With cat-like tread the figure moved to-
ward the door of my room. Still l lay as in
deep sleep On the threshold the figure
paused, and Il moment later single ray of
light like silver thread pierced the dark
ness and fell upon the bed. Luckily, it did
not strike my face, and in an instant 1 had
closed my eyes. As / had anticipated, the
ray of light was directed toward my pillow,
and by the sense of feeling knew it rested
a moment on my face. Satisfied that was
in deep slumber, the figure still with cat-like
tread, glided through the bedroom and into
the ticket-offiee. Ny eyes were wide open
again by this time. The light from the dark
lantern had increased, but its rays were now
turned toward the safe. Obviously the rob-
Der believed the treasure he sought was there,
l waited until he had knelt down to examine
the lock, and then, with step as noiseless as
his own, j slipped from the bed and toward
the halfopen door. So intent was he in ex-
aiming the safe that it was not until / was
within reach of him that he heard me-
He sprang to his feet, bringing the glass of the
lantern full in my face, and reaching for his
| revolver, which he had laid upon the top of
the safe But he was too late With the
| rusty old pistol, held by its long barrel,
dealt him crushing blow on the head Just
as his fingers graaped his own weapon. He
fell heavily, without uttering u groan The
| lantern was extinguished as it fell, and with
trembling fingers struck match and lighted
| the lamp in the Office. As its rays fell upon
| the upturned face of the robber l saw that
blood was flowing from the wound had in
| flicted, and | saw too that the mans face was
| delicate in its outlines and intelligent in ex-
preston. had time to notice no more, for
| l felt now that the long, nervous strain was
over-nOw that the 7danger was past-the
need of aid. So, after hUrriedly binding the
| unconscious mans feet and arms and bathing
his head in cold water, pulled on my boots
and overcoat and started in hot haste for the
hotel.
Half way on the road met covered car
| rage drawn by one horse, took it TO be the
Il
and wondering where he could be out Tor at
that hour, | shouted his name. l got no re-
/ Spouse. Then i cried out at the top of my
/ voice:
ave killed burglar Down at the stationp'
| Whoever was in the carriage must have
heard me, but the horse only quickened his
sharp trot and disappeared in the darkness.
They give me great deal more credit, the
people of Red RayIne, for that nights adj
venture, than deserve. And L do not blame
them for laughing at how things came out.
For when party of us got back to the station,
my unconscious burglar disappeared, and the
tracks next morning showed that the covered
carriage, which had met on the road, had
drawn up at the platform. Who was in it?
Well, couldn't swear, but have notion
that it contained the gentleman who had
come on with the dead body. AT all events,
neither he nor the body was ever seen in the
town again. l had the satisfaction of de-
livering the money-package safely TO
Eldridge & Ricketson, but the check they
| gave me was really not merited. For what
would have happened had it not been for the
| mysterious message which no man sent?