The Osceola times., 1886-01-02

| "ho ueie' hV ih4uheu, t"1iht
the hammer and
PEERING OUT INTO THE DARKNESS,
for it was as dark as Egypt when under
the curse of Israel's God.
Hist p exclaimed figure, stepping
in front CT the window "open the door,
| have business for you"
"Rsther past business hours" observ-
ed Navarerte but who are you'"
"No one that would harm you," re-
turned the voice, which sounded rather
feminine for burglars.
"Nor no one that can !" replied Nava-
rette, rather emphatically, by way of a
warning, as he frightened his grip upon
the hammer and proceeded to The door.
He pushed back the bolt, and, slowly
opening the door, discovered the stran-
ger, already upon the steps.
"What DO you want?" abruptly asked
the locksmith.
soft voice, 'if ou dare open the door
Wlut tuOuHD lOT int W tittT.
"Come in" said Navarette resolutely
throwing the door aiar and proceeding
10 light a candle. Having succeeded, he
turned to examine the visitor. He was
q small and neatly y-dressed gentleman,
with heavy cloak around his shoulders
and blue navy cap drawn sust iciously
over the eyes. As the locksmith alvan-
ced toward him he seemed to hesitate
moment, then raised the cap from his
forehead and looked the locksmith curl.
ously in the face. The latter did not
drop the candle, but showed considera-
Bile nervousness as he hurriedly placed the
light npon table and silently proceed
ed TO invest himself with two ,r three
very necessary articles of clothing. HIS
visitor was lady, and the same for
whom he had opened the little box
about thr,e months before. Having
completed his hasty toilet, he attempted
to stamlner an apology for his rudeness.
but utterly ai,ed. The fact was, he was
confounded. Smiling ut his discontinue,
she said:
Disguise is useless. presume you
recognize meT'
81 believe l told you, Senora," said
Navarette, that could not soon forget
your face. In what way can serve
your"
"By doing half an hours work by day.
light tomorrow, and receiving one thou
sand dollars Tor your labor" was the
reply.
ut is not ordinary work." said Nava-
rette, inquir ngly, shat commands SO
munificent a compensation"
61t Ia labor oprp tnnn N vostp calltnu
replied the lady. 1T is not so much for
it must be performed"
And what is the condition. inquired
Navarette.
THAT you will submit to being con-
veyed from and returned to your own
door blindfolded."
Ideas of murder, burglary and almost
every other crime to villainy, hurriedly
presented themselves in succession as
Navarette politely bowed and said:
must understa nd something more of
the character of the employment, as well
as the conditions, to accept your Offer"
will not one thousand dollars answer
in lieu Of an explanatiop?" che inquired.
"No-por five thousand"
She patted her foot nervously on the
floor. Navarette could see she had
placed too low an estimate on his hon.
es'y, and he ielt some qualification in
being able to convince her OF the fact.
."Well, then, if 1t is absolutely neces-
sary for me to explain" she said, Il
must tell you that you are required to
pick the lock OF vault, and
"Yod have gone quite far enough,
Sonora, with the explanation" inter-
rupted Navarette ~ am not at your SER
vic :"
"As said," she continued, "you are
required to
PICK THE LOCK OF A VAULT,
and rescue from deatn a man who has
been confined there for three Gays"
"To wuon does the vault belong?" Ma
varette inquired.
my husband" was the somewhat re-
luctant reply.
"rhen, why such secrecy? or, rether,
how came man cdn.ined in such a
placer"
IL secreted him there, to escape the
observation of my husband. He sus-
pec,ed as much, and closed the door on
MIN. Presuming he had lett the vault,
and Quilted the house by the back door,
did not dream. until to-day, that he
was confined there. Certain suspicious
acts of my husbands, this afternoon,
convince me that the man is there, be-
yond human hearing. and will be
starved to death by my barbarous bus-
band, unless Immediately rescued. For
three days lie has not left the house. l
lrugged HIM less tran an hour ago, and
he is now so completely stupe6ed that
the lock may be picked without his in.
reference. have searched his pockets,
but could not find the key hence my
application To you. Now you know ali !;
viii. you accompany me?'
ITO the end of the world, Sonora, on
suvh an erraDd."
"Tnen prepare vourself there is a
carriage waiting at the door," A.
Nsvarctte was a little SUI prised. for he
had not heard the sound of wheels.
Hastily drawing on a coat, and provid-
ing himself with the required imple-
uents, lie was soen at the door. there,
sure enough, was the carriage, with
THE DRIVER IN HIS SEAT,
ready for the mysterious journey. Ma
varetle entered the vehicle, followed by
the lady As soon as he was seated, she
produced heavy handkerchief, and by
The faint light an adjacent street lamp,
she carefully bound it around the mans
eyes. The l..dy seated herself beside
him, and the carriage started. In hall
an hour the vehicle stopped - in what
part of the city Navarette was entirely
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