The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1885-12-18

ly disappeared. If I accepted the
common rumor Of the village, he was
a convict from London, long since lost
in the byways of villainy from which
he had emerged; but preferred to be-
lieve that he was some person who
knew his victim and had deliberately
hunted him down. The murderer was
robber as well.
''Sooner or later we shall meet
again." l thought, land them
i had gone out one fine evening,
and, tempted by the beauty of the
prospect, had walked some distance
into the country before the gathering
darkness warned me it was getting
late. Being in no hurry TO return, 1
continued to stroll leisurely ON when
1 suddenly discovered that was in a
strange neighborhood of which I
knew nothing, and where there was
NO person of whom L could ask my
way.
More vexed with nv own carless-
ness than was, perhaps, altogether
reasonable, 1 stopped, and looked
around for some familiar landmark.
There was heavy mist prevailing
which made it difficult to see far, but
it presently cleared around me, and
the moon shone out brightly through
halo of tieecy clouds. Having turned
to the right, on the chance of reach
ing the line. from which 1 had stray
ed, found myself in a lane which
sloped away in the distance. After
following it for about a mile, climb
ed over a gate, and landed on the
side of hill.
l started in astonishment. / was
back in my old quarters. and before
me was the cottage of the dead man.
Presently dscerned a human figure
moving rapidly along, but when I
looked again it had disappeared. AL
mos disposed to think that my fancy
had deceived me, l was hesitating
what to do next, when l saw the cot
tage window lit up from within.
hurried across, and as / got near
heard a strange noise, followed by a
sound like the chinking of money.
Then came IL shout, and a hoarse
laugh rang harsh and loud on the
damp night air.
1 crept to the window and looked
in.
The first object that met my view
was Cole. He was sitting on the bed.
A trap-door, of the existence of which
| had been ignorant, was open at his
feet, and on the table beside him were
a number of bank notes, and a guam
tity of silver and gold. Sovereigns
and shillings were tumbled carlessly
and he was thrusting his
hands among the coins and letting
them slip through his fingers with an
of the highest relish. l
drew back in horror-silent, breath
less, my blood curdling in my veins
us l beheld him.
He had never noticed my presence;
he paid no attention to anything but
the money he was gloating over
the money which was the price of a
crime.
withdrew little way off to regain
my breath and decide ON my course of
action. At first thought of summon
ing Joyce to assist me, but my dread
of what might happen to the farrier in
my absence induced ME to abandon
the idea, and l ended by determin-
ing to arrest him myself single
handed and unarmed. 1t wat a des-
perate task, but there was no help
for it.
Resolved on this, l took the pistol
from my pocket and drew the charge.
Next removed my coat and rolled up
nv shirt sleeves to the elbow. Then
stealthily raising the latch of the door
threw it open.
AS the farrier confronted me, /
'aw an awful look of CONSERVATION
pass over his face: his complex
on turned to the hue of lead; his
igure grew rigid and motionless.
At that moment l pitied him from my
SOUL
..Wm. Cole" said 1, calmly, Il ar
:est you in the name of the law
He staggered to his feet, and his
ips moved, though he said nothing. 1
Kept my back to the door, and walked
boldly up to him. There was fierce
glitter in his eyes as they stared into
nine. He seemed quite passive, but
;he instant he felt my hand on his
shoulder he shook it off, and, with a
savage yell, sprang straight at my
ihroat. In another minute we had
closed, and were graphing together
n deadly conflict.
We were not unequally matched. In
youth and freshness, had the advan-
age over the farrier, whom the sud-
lenness of the surprise had somewhat
lnnerved. and who seemed reluctant
1t the outset to exert his whole force.
But III s reluctance did not last loug,
md as his arms sightened their en-
orace, knew it would be as much as
could do to overpower him. His lean
frame had an elasticity, his grip firm
less, that would hardly have been ex-
oected from his appearance, and the
ury of madness trebled his strength. |
would not strike him; l struggled as
l wrestler to bring him down to the
ground. We rocked, and strained,
ind reeled till the floor shook
1nder our weight, and the door
md window ratified again. By de-
srees l began to tire him, and to
irive him backward in the direction
If the bed, when, just as l was collect
ng my energies for final effort, my
DOT slipped and l fell heavily to the
ground.
In vain I tried to rise-I was held |
asst and my position gave me no
chance of releasing myself. Still l
lid not realize my actual peril till,
quickly round, he knelt upon