Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-09-06

We were alone In the room, we three. She took the clasp, looked at it intently for 0 full minute, and then returned it. Already the dawn of another day was peering in through the chnlls in the blinds, giving ghastly faint ness to the expiring candles, throwing grey and sickening reality over the scene - the disordered chairs, the floor strewn with scraps of paper, the signs and relics of the debauch- cry and play. Ghastlier than all was the vel low face of the woman in the pitiless light. But there she sat, seemingly untired ill all the splendor of her flashing gems, as we left her a very goddess of the gaming table.
 We had reached the door and were stepping into the darkness of the outer passage, when Tom whispercd
 |' Be on your guard that note meant mis- chief.
 I nodded swung open the door, and stepped out into the darkness. Even as l did so, heard one quick step at my left side, saw faint gleam, and felt myself violently struck on the chest. For moment I staggered back, and then heard Tom rush past me and deal one crashing blow. " Run, run! Down the passage, quick!' In an instant we were tearing through the black darkness to the outer door, but in that instant I could see, through the open door be- hind, in the glare of all the candles, the figure of the yellow woman still sitting mOtionless and calm.
 We gained tho door, and plunged into the bright daylight. Up the alley we tore, out in- to the street, across it and down another, then through a perfect maze of by-anes. Tom led and followed behind, panting and clutching my bursting pockets lest the coin should tum- ble out. Still we tore on although not a foot step followed us, nor had seen a soul since Tom struck my assailant down. Spent and brrathlHsS at last we emerged upon the Strand and here Tom pulled up.
 The streets are wonderfully quiet" said he.
 l thought for a moment and then said, Tt is Nu-d',y morning.
 "S'lrcely were lN. word, out of my mouth Wh"uI !I4,.I sou4c,il-...; rli,.s u!'un the pave Il,nt beside me. 1 stopped ald picked up the ,ipldcG Clasp. WtIl, said l, 'the IS strange"
 Not at ali," sad Tom. Look at your brrast-po"i1Ct. | I looked and saw a short slit across my breast juN above the heart. As put my hand up. d sovereign, and 1hGn another, rolled clinkngon to tue pavemrut 1 Tom picked them up. and handing them to 1 me- remarked: 1 "Jasper, you may thank Heaven to-day, if you are in a mood for it. You have had q marrow escape. l 'Wh0t do you mean?"
 : had You nrt carried that piece of metal ill your breust-pocket. Let me see it for mo- ment."
 We looked at it together, and there surely enough, almost in the centre of the clasp, was deep dent. We were silent for minute or so, and then Tom said:
 'Let us get home. It would not do for us to be seen with this money about us."
 We crossed the Strand, and turned off it to the door of our lodging ThenI stopped.
 Tom, am not coming in. I shall take a long walk and a bath to get this fearful night out of my head. You can take the money ep- stairs, and put it away somewhere in hiding. Stay, 1 will keep coin or two. Take the restwith you"
 Tom looked up at the gleam of sunshine that touched the chimney-pots above, and de- cided.
 Well, for my part, am going to bed and SC will you if you are wise."
 No. will be back this evening, so let the fatted calf be prepared. must get out of this for a while.'
 Where are you gOing?"
 'Oh, anywhere. I don't care. Up the river, perhaps"
 You don't wish me to go with you?'
 No, had rather be alone. Tom, I have been a fool. l led you into hole whence nothing but marvellous chance has delivered us, and owe you m apology. And-Tom, nlso owe you my life
 Not to me, Jasper to the Clasp"
 ''To you," insisted Tom, have been thoughtless fool, and-Tom, that was splen did blow of yours"
 He laughed and ran upstairs, while I turned and gloomny sauntered down the deserted street.