The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1881-02-17

There was thud on the floor, and
| started. [ had been asleep, and In
my slumber had knocked book of
the small table at my elbow. The fire
was burning low, and [ rose in a con-
fused state to trim it, when my eyes
fell upon what I had seen on the pre-
vious evening. In the imperfect light
it seemed taller and more CHASTITY look
ing than before, and was approaching
me from behind. As my eyes fell
upon it, | gave loud shrek, and
caught hold Of the chair to support
ME. As | did so, | saw the figure
gradually recede from me, and the
room seemed to grow suddenly darker
| am certain that, left to myself, 7
should at that moment have tainted
right away, for the whole thing I'D
been SO sudden, and found me so un-
prepared. that in my confusion / for
got all about the business of the
night. But just as the white figure
seemed to be approaching the cur
tanned windows, Isaw two dark figures
dash quickly upon it from behind,
then sharp and violent struggle, in
which all three rolled on the floor, as
if locked together in deadly embrace.
The white figure had managed to
wrench one arm loose, and in another
moment there was the sharp click Of
a pistol. Thanks to our forethought,
the weapon was harmless. By this
time the noise Of the struggle thsC
was going on had brought the black
smith and Andrew up to my apart
ment; and with. their help, the white
figure was in few seconds manacled
and led forward to the light, his white
garment-an old surplice-hanging in
tatters about him. He was at once
known to the majority of the compa-
ny-it was the steward! He turned
his back ON me with stihed oath.
Leaving him, now helpless, with his
hands fast behind his back, in charge
of the blacksmith, Mr.. Burrowes led
the way to the housekeeper's rooms
below, the door Of which was found to
be locked. 1t was at once burst open,
and taking candle with US, we en-
tered. The out room was in the same
condition as [ had seen it during the
udY DuU U1lc IOOI1 SllOW6u Gut
bed drawn forward, and the panelling
of the recess which we had discovered
standing open. Nobody was there.
Taking the candle forward to examine
the the recess, Mr.. Burrowes found
that the box had movable bottom,
in addition to that which we had dis
covered and that by its removal an
opening sufficient for one person at
time led down a trap-stair into the
cellars below. Mr.. Burrowes and the
joiner at once descended, taking the
light with them, the rest of US wait
ing as directed in the outer apartment,
or watching the lobbies that led to it. |
In few minutes | heard sudden foot
steps in my bedroom, and rushing
thither found that Mr.. Burrowes and
the joiner had reached it from the Gel |
lars, into which the trap-door led, the
whole Of the woodwork of one side of |
the window of my room being inge-
nlously made to move back upon HIM
ges like door, yet SO constructed that |
it could not be opened by any one in
the room. When the steward was
searched, there was found on him, be-
sides the pistols. IA bunch of duplicate
keys, which could open any chamber.
or other lockfast place, IN the house.
The constable having been called in
from the garden, the steward, who had
hitherto stood silent and sullen, with a |
dark expression of malice and revenge |
upon his face, was handed over to him, |
and he was instructed by his superior to
convey him to the local policeofficer and |
place him in acell. The blacksmith he
ordered to accompany the constable,
and see that the prisoner did not effect |
an escape.
Meantime the gardener, who, since
the ''ghost" had been discovered to be
but flesh and blood like himself, had |
become as bold as a lion, volunteered |
to stay in the house with us all night
and help me to soothe the fears of my
poor terrified children; while Mr.. Bur-
rowes, accompanied by the joiner, pro-
ceeded to the house Of the steward. |
need not burden the reader with details;
but | may mention that in answer to
a quiet tap at the window, the door of |
the house was Immediately y opened, and |
old Mrs. Weevil was at once in the
grip of the officer. She was absolutely
thunderstruck, and quite lost her pres
ence Of mind. Without telling her
anything of what had happened, Mr.
Burrowes asked for her son, the stew
ard. At first she hesitated, then said
he was i'll in bed.
NO." said Mr.. Burrowes; she is'not