The Osceola times., 1886-01-16

PERRING 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 Ct the window; "open the door,
have business for you.
Rather past business hours" observ-
ed Navarette I; 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 I" replied Nava-
rette, rather emphatically, by way of a
warning, as he tightened 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.
Il will tell you" answered the same
soft voice, "if ou dare open the door
wide enough for me to enter"
"Come in," said Navarette resolutcly
throwing the door ajar and proceeding
to light candle. Having succeeded, he
turned to examine the visitor. lie was
small and neatly-dressed gentleman,
with heavy cloak around his shoulders
and blue navy cap drawn susI iciously
over the ewes, As the locksm.th alvan-
ced toward him he seemed to hesitate
moment, then raised the cap from his
forehead and looked the locksmth curl
-. 10 ka l,tt "A
drop the candle, but showed consdera-
Bile enervousnessa as he hurredly placed the
light upon table and silently proceed
ed to invest himself with two or 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 s,amlner an apology for his rudeneas.
but utterly lailed. The fact was he wa,
cnntounded. Smilingat his discontinue,
she said:
disguise is useless. ! presume you
recognize me?"
81 believe 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.
lit is not ordinary work." said Nava-
rette, inquir ngly, that commands SO
munificent a compensation"
at is labor coHmon to your calling"
replied the lady. 1T is not so much for
the labor as the condition under which
it must be performed"
And What is the condition. nquire1
Navarette.
That you will submit to being con-
veyed from and returned to your own
door bindlolded."
Ideas of murder, BURGLARY and almost
every other crime to ylllainy. hurriedly
presented themselves in succession as |
Navarette politely bowed and said:
must understa I'd something more of |
the cnaracter OF the employment, as well |
as the conditions, to accept your offer"
will not one thousand dollars answer
in lieu of an explanation 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 ielt some qualification in |
being able to convince her of the fact.
"Well, then, if il is absolutely neces-
sary for me to explain" she said, Il
must tell you that you are required to
pick the lock OF a vault, and
"You have gone quite far enough,
Sonora, with the explanatlon," inter
rupted Navarette II am not at your SER
vic :"
"As said" she continued, "you are
required to
PICK THE LOCK OF A VAULT,
and rescue irOm death mau who has
been confined there for three Gays"
"ro wnom does the vault belongP Ma |
varette inquired.
"My husband" was the somewhat re-
luctant reply.
"rhen, why such secrecy? or, rather,
how came man cdnined in such
placer"
81 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 left 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 barbarou. hus-
band, unless Immediately rescued. For
three days he has not left the house.
lrugged him less tran an hour ago, and
he is now so completely stupetei 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 all
will you accompany me?'
ITO the end of the world, Sonora, on
such an errand."
'Tnen prepare yourself; there is
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-
ments, he was soen at the door. there,
sure enough, was the carriage, with
THE DRIVER IN HIS SEAT,
ready for the mysterious journey. Ma
varette 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 lady seated herself beside
him, and the carriage started. In half
an hour the vehicle stopped - in what
part of the city Navarette was entirely
ignorant, as it was evidently driven III
anything but direct course from the
point of starring.
| Examining the bandage to see that
her victim WAS completely obscured, the
lady handed him the bundle of tools