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

was situated in Little Peter street, anC
in that direction l turned my footsteps
| must confess my mind was not with
out some misgivings as to the success
full accomplishment of my plans. Stll
l had before played two or three bold
games as detective with considerable
credit and why should fail in this?
Proceeding along the dark and mar.
row yard of Tomson's court, | noticed
a knot of unkempt women, of most re-
pulsive appearance, standing talking
together, and by their earnest demean
or | knew they had some serious bust.
ness in hand. Sudden as thought my
wallet was out, and stood before them
cringingly, beseeching them to buy my
wares. But Of course it was all to no
purpose. | neither sold anything nor
heard Il word that would give me the
faintest clew. Watching my orportun.
ity, got away from them, and passed
into No. l3 unseen by any one. The
room was situate ed at the end of a long,
dark, and winding lobby, and the
stencil that met me was almost over
powering. paused a moment listen
ing, but not a sound did hear. Then
| knocked at the door, very fcebly at
first, then louder and louder, and yet
there came no response to me.
Surely am the victim of hoax !!
I Thought to myself. The room is ev.
identity tenantless.'
STOPPING down, peered through the
kcy-hole, and by the very dim light
that shone within saw what | thought
was chair upset. | knocked again,
so as to be certain there was no one in
the room, and still received no answer.
My curiosity was now aroused. | took
from my pocket small bunch of skel-
eton keys--I never went out without
thcm-and noisclcssy opened the door
As soon lis l entered stood aghast at
the sight that met my eyes. In one
corner Of the room, stretched upon q
heap Of straw, saw the form Of a
woman, motionless, with her eyes clos
cd, as if in death. staggered toward
her, turned her face to the light, and
recognized in her the mysterious mid.
night visitor whose wild look had so
possessed me. | turned her head more
to the light, and was horritied to see a
thin stream of blood oozing from her
snow white brow down upon the face
and hands Of little babe that nestled
to her breast. I knelt beside them,
and placing my ear to the heart of the
woman, found it still BEATING. In an
instant I rcquisitionel my brandy
flask, and after considerable difficulty
succeeded in pouring few drops of
the liquid down her throat, and was
soon rewarded by perceiving signs of
returning consciousness. lie eyes
opened, and her lips began nervous
twitching at the corners.
A few minutes alterward she fixed a
steady, wondering gaze on me, then
tried to speak.
, Pray, do not for the present asitate
yoursf IT, | exclaimed, in a wellas-
slmed female voice. You will feel
better presently, and then We'll speak
Il little
Her beautiful black eyes expressed
their gratitude to me, and then she re-
lapsed into titfal slumber. This was
II very opportune circumstance for me,
because it enabled ME to take stock of
the miserable surroundings. Three
chairs, an old deal box and a dilapi-
dated table formed the principal ar.
ticles in the room. Two other things,
however, attracted my attention more
than all beside. They were a long
wooden bench, such as is used by car
penters, and from the nature of the
tools | saw lying about-with dies and
molds Of various slzcs-mY suspicious
became confirmed.
The other object which arrested my
attention was strong, capaclous ward
robe in the opposite corner, facing the
bench. Its folding doors stood little
ajar, and | grew curious to know the
character of its contents. was Just
rising from my seat with the intention
of making closer inspection, when
the woman opened her eyes again and
beckoned ME to her side. Then, in a
voice inst raised above "a whisper, she
said
"Who are You that have found your
way into this miserable dwellings:
4 am IA woman pcddllnS few sim
pie wares I answered, but how l
managed to find myself here is more
| tb,n | cop foil yat 7 am thankfu