The Osceola times., 1886-04-10

his bedside.
"who's there?" he inquired, raising
the hammer and
PExRING OUT INTO THE DARKNESS,
for it was as dark as Egypt when under
the curse of Israel's God.
Hist |" exclaimed figure, stepping
in front Of the window "open the door,
! have business for you"
"Rsther past business hours observ-
ed Navarelte but VINO are you'"
"No one that would harm you," re-
turned the voice, hich sounded rather
feminine for burglars.
"Nor no one that can !" replied Nava-
rette, rather emphaiically, by way ofa
warning, as he frightened his grip upon
the hammer and proceeded to the door,
He pushed back the bolt, and, slowly
ore ming the door, discovered the stran-
ger, already upon the steps.
"What DO you want?" abruptly asked
the locksmith.
Il will tell you," answered the same
soft voice, "if on dare oOen the door
wide enough for me TO enter"
"Come in," said Navarette rcsolutely
throwing the door ajar and proceeding
to light candle. Having succeeded, he
turned to examine the visitor. He was
snail and neatly dressed gentleman,
with heavy cloak around his shoulders
and a blue navy cap drawn susI iciously
over the eyea. As the locksm;th alvan-
ced toward him he seemed to hesitate a
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 hurredly placed the
light upon table and silently proceed
ed TO invest himself with two tr 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 stammer an apology for his rudeness
but utterly lated. The fact was, he wa,
coniounded. Smiling at his discontinue,
she said:
Disguise is useless. l presume you
recognize me?'
II believe told you, Senora," said
Navarette, "tbat could not soon forget
your face. In what way can l 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-
s,x.,,sr vxvi~, NtIot md
munificent compensation"
ut is labor common to your calling"
replied the lady. ut is not 80 much for
the labor as the condition under which
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."
ldeas of murder, burglary and almost
every other crime to villainy. hurriedly
presented themselves in succession as
Navarette politely bowed and said
must understa I'D something more of
the character OF the employment, as well
as the conditions, to accept your ofier.'
will not one thousand dollars answer
in lieu of an explanatiop?" che inquired
"No-ror 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 iet some qualification in
being able to convince her OF the fact.
"Well, then, if il is absolutely neces-
sary for me to explain" she sald, Il
must tell you that you are required to
pick the lock OF a vault, and
"Yod have gone quite far enough,
Sonora, with tie expla nat,on," inter
rupted Navarette; 81 am not at your ser
vic :"
"As said," she continued, "you are
required to
PICK THE LOCK OF VAULT,
and rescue nom death u man who has
been confined there for three Gays"
"To wnom does the vault belong?" Ma
varette inquired.
my husband" was the somewhat re-
luctant reply.
"Then, why such secrecy? or, rpther,
how came man canined in such a
placer"
II secreted him there, to escape the
observation of my husband. He sus
pec,ed as much, and closed the door on
him. Presuming he had LETT the vault,
and quilted the house by the back door,
| did n )t 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 hus.
band, unless Immediately rescued. For
three days lie has not left the house. |
| Irugged him less tran an hour ago, and
he is now SO completely stupefiei that
the lock may be picked without his in
reference. have searched his pockets,
but could not find the key; hence my
application 10 you. Now you know all !;
viii. you accompany meP'
ITO the end of the world, Sonora, on
such an errand."
"Tnen prepare yourself; there is a
carriage waiting at the door,"
Navarctte was little surprised. for he
had not heard the sound of wheels
Hastily drawing on coat and provid-
ing himself with the required imple.
uieuts, he was soon 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 1t around the mans
eyes. The hdy seated herself beside
him, and the carriage started. In hall
an hour the vehicle stopped - in what
part Of the city Navarette was entirely
ignorant, as it was evidently driven in