Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-12-24

she house and made no attempt to protect Il NV
contempt Tor Horatos apparent cowardice served
turned the knob cautiously and stepped out
into the entry. II was dimly lighted by the star
order not 70 be SEEN. droped DOWN mon sna INV
knees ana one hand, and crawled 70 the staircase.
10 my CONSERVATION saw that the front door
ss03c VICE open. Az that moment oil was siiiL
! started to descend I'm great haste and trepida-
knew how went down those stairs, but was at
the door just as the last one passed out. When
tween me and the faint outdoor light nred once.
at not more than two PAGES with the broadcast and
fairest mark OF mans back before me In the door
following as they edas the foot so OF the steps
ny spirit was up; forgot all about fear; meant
that that. Z, they got away they should at least carry
As tney Kept on running. ran too. with nothing
Out stocHings on my feet calling on them 10 stop,
speed in making each shot. They crossed the
sSrSs s Is e. unascidsd Which way TO 60 then
CARELESS OF the pain TO my tender soles, deter
mined to get In another shot; had my pistol
street than they, In order to head them on, when
the earth rose In q bfllow and then suddenly
dlopgeo nom under mel stumbled and plunged
and that was the last remember.
When recovered consciousness recollection OF
the terrible adventure slowly came 10 me- and my
sAse AA4PuCSoaou was ttldJ nau DPtn SlOt. Il DAu
q dun pain in my head, and a sickness at the
neart; felt cold and numb. I tried TO rise from
the ground, and found there wasn't any ground TO
nSe from, or rather, that the ground rose with me
into sort OF rough wall, which 1 felt with my
hands That was somewhere below the surface
me earth was evident could account for the
shirt and thin socks and trousers; but the mystery
OF my situation was for the moment too much for
While was feeling about, bewildered, and not
yet aDle 70 stand, heard strange sound as OF
some some grating and grinding object burrowing in the
or some sort OF pit beneath the pit was in. That
intensified the mystery. 1 was manilestly in a
light OF the sky over the edges OF il. few feet
above the rough but very solid bottom where
CROPPED. Gradually my mind became strong
the sort OF accident that had happened TO me; but
Ine noises heard were still inexplicable. In the
midst OF the grinding came heavy JarT1ng thud,
rs OF some OBJECT thrown from height, or a man
jumping down; then unmistakable sounds OF foot
Steps more grinding and grating, and, finally
scesM rs Issuing from the bowels OF the round
II, It was very astonishing, even after found the
Key 70 the mystery, and II astonishes me still
hand nor would dare 20 tell you the story now il
H wasn't stncuy true In every incredible particu-
The voices were fndistinct at first hut I leaned
my ear close TO that part OF the bottom OF the pit
tney seemed to come from, and heard, In
strangely hollow tone-a sort OF resounding whis-
per-theee words:
mighty good haul!"
Then came mufled clink, caink, as OF rafting
aiverware, and voice said:
HE did his part"
After that, among much that couldn't under
@and, caught snatches OF a conversation along
Win more sounds OF Jingling and clinking
1--WE found everything precisely as he-SWhie
you ran out OF the front way, and he after you we
con,. S IN %, PACK way with the bag--What be-
came OF the 1ellow?-I didn't look back
600 busy thinking about what was to become OF
ne ne; linen there was laughter, and somebody
s |na how Ike the old boy he did run, though"
wore laughter; humble, humble! Then again,
nang 10 distinctness, 'Ptstol cracking close 10
y you ears Inat way!-Znot pleasant, though,
take about those blank cartridges"
PART II.
That startled me more than anything had
heard yet. Iput my ear close down to the place
unctly:
HE looked out for that!p
1 was making more astounding discoveries than
RAD anticipated. Already had satisfied myself
as TO the origin OF the voices. Feeling with my
hand as listened, had found round smooth Or
lice about six inches In diameter. 1t was I'm the
endof gaspipe, slightly protruding into the exca-
Walton; the other end knew was on the outskirts
OF the city, where passed in sight OF It every day.
LaDOrerS had been for sometime laying It. and it
was completely covered, except at the point n
started from, where it was yet TO be Joined to the
City pipes duu NJ the era winch mad been carried
into the suburbs; that is, the end where was 1
remembered seeing the usual lantern hung over
the dangerous spot, when came to the Oldboys'
house In the evening; but IL had beenFxtinguished
probably by the burglars before commencing oper-
atoms; and had forgotten all about the light and
the hole 1t guarded when rushed out in pursuit
plunged headlOng into the trench
While was lying there senseless they had
rendezyoused at the other opening, which was
well suited for their purpose being a sufficiently
capacious cave temporarily rooted over with loose
planks, situated In an unfinished street. All this
g gradually became came clear TO me, as l regained my
also remembered that it was Horatio who had first
called my attention to the covered DIT as we
had been thought OF as den for his confederates.
The gaspipe served as an enormous speaking
tube, and was overhear1ng their conversation
soon heard enough to make up nv mind that
they were not professional burglars, but young
scamps OF HOrauo's acquaintance, who were
always ready for any rOguery that would afford
them present sport, or provide them with funds
for future frOlics. They had taken advantage of
nay unsuspicious innocence, ana OF his intimacy
with me, TO plan and carry out the robbery OF the
Oldb0y's premises, especially Of the closet where
the silver ware was kept, OF which old Phebe had
the key. How HoratiO had managed to Mt the
lock with the duplicate key which he furnished 10
his companions, along with other false keys and
plans OF the house. / never knew. But that he
was at the the bottom OF the business could have
no doubt whatever-he who appeared so sktttish
at the sight OF six-shooter!
even ncaru his name through the tube:
"Rashe did splendidlyl" And again, sRashe
ought to be here!"
fheard other names too which enabled me to
identity at least two or the crew. Marco and Glenn
could be no other than Marcy Hubbard and Glenn
ent Woodbury. intimate cronieS OF HoratfO: had
often heard him speak OF them and seen him in
their company.
Hearing me tell the story now, and explain
things In this matterOf-fact way, you can have no
notion OF the state OF excitement 1 was in, from
the time began to realize the situation / had
played the fool, / had betrayed my trust, had
actually introduced thieves into the house was
left to protect. 1 had no idea how much or how
valuable property had been stolen; but knew very
well that my own reputation and prospects In life
were at stake. Perhaps should even be suspected
OF more criminal connection with the robbery
Under the circumstance, what was / to do?
Even while listening for more revelations through
the tube, felt that ought to be Fastening TO
warn the police, and send officers to the other end
OF it. But long before could reach them and they
could reach 1t, the rogues would undoubtedly be
gone. might cause the arrest OF some OF them
the next day, but could / produce satisfactory
evidence against them, or secure the recovery OF
their plumber? They were even then talking OF
how the silver was TO be melted and cast into
ingots; but where, or by whom, couldn't make
sNow. boys, heard one OF them say, stake a
good look and sect there's nobody in sight, and
We'u get out OF this"
Amidst the whiri OF thoughts that distracted
me, that decided me what to do. turned my ear
away and put my mouth at the six-inch oriflce,
and shouted:
"BoYs!"
For few seconds heard only q hollow roar.
ing In the pipe; then startled ordinations:
"What's that?"
sWho Spoken"
rrNn 7 fcd