Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1886-07-01

This is very strange voluntarily
exclaimed, and puzzles me not little
What can it mean?'
Then stridng toward the door,
flung it wide open; but there was moth.
ing before me-only the black, choking
fog and the dead silence of the street
For little while | stood like one be
wildcred. l strained my ears in the
anxious hope of catching the sound OF
some ones football; but it WAS all in
vain-the quiet remained unbroken
Pushing back the door, | turned to re-
enter the room, when my eyes caught
sight of piece of white paper that lay
upon the wide sill of the window.
'Ah,' thought I, 'here, then, is the
explanation to this deep mystery'
took it to the light, opened it, and
much to my astonishment found mes
sage of deep anguish addressed to me,
in almost undecipherable characters.
The note was wet in places as if with
tears, and it bore indubitable evidence
of having been hurricdl y written. This
is what it said:
Ifyou would stop more crime, perhaps
murder, come at once to IS Tomson's court
Am followed. Heaven save me and my
child. What shall do? Rescue us, and
God bless you.
LIZZIE THORNLEY,.
BE careful Conceal yourself Watch.
Top room at back.
Thornley-Thorplcyl The name ap-
peared familiar to me. went to the
diary, turned to the letter 7, and found
the following entry:
November 2S, ls1s-Bil Thornley,, alias
Springer, alias SaXlcy, coiner-wanted.
Could this then, be the man who for
nearly eighteen months had successful
ly eludel our most vigilant pursuit? 1t
seemed more than pro5,ble. Was the
information, however, contained in that
mysterious message of a genuine char
acter2 Or was it mnaht to lead me in
to a fatal trap The promptlngs of my
heart answered me, and that answer
was: Bill Thornley,, dcspcrado, You are
in Thomson Court, and I will have
Won, my slippery beauty, before anoth-
er day is over
1t was very late, or rather, | ought to
say, the day was young when put out
the Office lights, for the bell of St. Pc
ters had just rIlng ont the hour OF one.
| had decided, whatever might be the
consequences to my unknown visitor, to
20 home and sleep over the matter and
then report the circumstance to the in
spcctor, so as to receive his sanction to
the step before putting my plans into
execution. With this resolution strong
upon me, started upon my Journey
home. My way lay in the dire elton oil
Greengate, and several times ere |
reached Blacltrars Bridge saw the
vision Of that white face, with its look
of unutterable terror fixed immovably
upon me.
Late in the forenoon of the same day
| returned to the office and duly re-
ported my experience Of the previous
night.
TINS looks like a serious job for YOU,
LomaX, sMd Inspector Jones, as soon
as | had finished my report. Just
turn to the album there and look at S
and T for Il portrait Of Springer, or
Suxlev, or Thornlyle. lie has done
seven years, but has not accounted for
himself for a long time past. Is that
it? All, good! Take it with YOU, and
if you get a chance of comparing it
with the original, and yon find they
agree, nab him, that's all. Would you
like Schodeld with yon?'
NO, | answered.
We'll, In any case, be quite prepared
to face rough work, for if your man
should turn out to Be the one | suspect
look sharp, | advise you
After these and other timely hints, |
retired to the wardrobe adjoining Jones
room. | went in a clean -shaven, good
looking man Of tWenty-seven, and IN
half an hour afterWard came out again
in the character of Il mdlle-aged wan
an, dressed in rather scely suit of
black.
had on faded dress Of cashmere, q
long circular clock of the same material
and matronly looking bonnet, from
beneath which hung longish locks OF
iron gray hair, while thick veil droop-
ing down in front completed the trans.
formation. | must not forget to men
ton, though, that took with ME a
small wallet of pins, needles and tape,
under the preteyt Of having these for
sale. My get-up was perfect. looked
to all the world like Que who had seen