Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1888-04-15

cup0oards. He assured himself tnst the
door was strong and the bolt solid; then
he set down his lamp upon q bracket, and
once more looked al around.
For what reason had he been given this
chamber? 1t was larger and fiaer thaa
mis- own. Could it coucesl snare? Was
there secret entrance? Was it, indeed,
haunted? His blood ran Little Chilly In
his veins.
Immediately over him the hesvy foot o.
sentry trod the leads. Below him, he
knew, was the srched roof OF the chapel :;
and next to the chapel WIS the hall. Ger
lalnlY there was d secret passage Ia the
hall; the eye that had watched him from
the arras gave him proof of that. Was it
not more than probable that the
passage extended to the chapel, and.
II go, th1t il hsd an opening in his room?
To sleep in su;h plsce, he felt, would
be foo!hsrdy. lie made his weapons
ready, and took his position in a corner
OF the room behind the door. II Ill was
intended he would sell his life dear.
The sound of many feet, the challenge.
and the password sounded overhead along
the battiements; the watch was being
changed.
And Just then there came scratching
Ct the door OF the chamber; il grew 8 lit
tie louder, then whisper:
"Dick, Dick; it is Il"
Dick ran to the door, drew the bolt,
and admitted Matcham. He was very
pale, and carried lamp in one hand and
a drawn Dagger In the other.
"S1uE me the door," he whispered.
"S@itt, Dick! This house is full of
spies; l hear their feet follow me in the
corrido 8; | hear them breathe behind
the arrss.'
"Well, content You," returned Dick,
sit is closed. We are safe for this while
If there be safety anywhere within these
walls. But my heart Is glad to see you.
By the mass, lad, 1 thought ye were sped!
Where hid YEP"
at matters not," returned Matcham.
"Siuce we be met, 1t matters not. But,
Dick are your eyes op.n? Have they
told you of to-morrow's doings?"
"Nos they" replied Dick. "What make
they to-morrow?n
"ro-morrow or tonight, I know not"
said the other; "but one time or other,
Dick, they do intend upon your life. l
had the proof Of it; hsye heard them
whisper; nay, they as good as told me-"
"Ay," returned Dick, sis it soi had
thought as much"
And he told him the days occurrences
at length.
When it was done, Matcham arose and
began. Ia turn, to examine the apart
ment.
NO." he said, "there is no entrance
visible. Yet tits pure certainty there
is one. Dick, 1 will stay by you. An
y are to die, will die with you. And
can help-look! have stolen a dagger
I will do my best! And meanwhile, an
ye know Of any issue, any sally port we
could get opened, or any window that we
might descend by, will most joYiully
face any jeopardy to fee with you"
"Jack," ssid Dick, "by the mass, Jack,
y are the best soul, and the truest, and
the bravest In all England Give me
your hand, Jack"
And he grssped the others hand in
silence.
az will tell you," he resumed. "There
is window, out of which the messenger
descended; the rope should still be In the
chamber. IT'S hope"
"Hist!" ssid Matcham.
Both gave ear. There WAS q sound
below the floor; then 1t paused, and then
began again.
"Some one walketh in the room be-
low" whispered Matcham.
"Nsy," returned Dick, "there is no
room below. We sre above the chapel.
L. is my murderer in the secret passage.
Well, let him comet shall go hard with
him." sad he ground his teeth.
"Blow me the lights OUT" said the
other. "PeIchance he will betray him.
self"
They blew out both the lamps snd lsy
still as death. The FOOTBALLS underneath
were very soft, but they were clearly
audible. Several times they came and
went, and then there WAS loud jlr Of q
key turning il lock, followed by con-
siderable silence.
Presently the steps began again, and
then, all of sudden, chink Of light
appeared in the planking Of the room in
far corner. l. widened - trapdoor WAS being
opened, letting in gush of light. They
could see the strong hand pushing it up;
and Dick raised hi, cross-bow, waiting
for the head to follow.
But now there came an Interruption.
From distant corner of the Moat House
shouts began to be heard, and first one
voice, and then several, crying aloud
upon Ekme. This noise had plainly dis
The murderer, for the trap
door was silently lowered to its place,
and the steps hurriedly returned, passed
once more close below the lads, and died
sway in the distance.
Here WAS q moments respite. Dick
oresthed deep, and then, and not till then,
he gave ear to the disturbance which had
the attack, aud which was
1ow rather increasing than diminishing |
All about the Moat House feet were run |
hing, doors were opening and slammlng, |
md still the voice of Sir Daniel lowered |
,bove ell this hustle, shouting for
Joanna"
"Joanna!" repeated Dick. "Why, who
he murrain should this be? Here is no
Joanna, nor ever hath been. What
neaneth it?"
Mstchsm was silent. He seemed to
lsve drawn further away. But only lit
lie fsint starlight entered by the window,
md at the far end Of the apartment,
where the pair were, the darkness was
complete.
"Jsck," said Dick, 81 wot not where
e were all day. Saw ye this Joanna?"
"Nsy," returned Matchan, 81 saw her
Iot."
"Nor heard-tell OF herr" he pursued.
The steps drew nearer. Sir Daniel was
till roaring the name Of Joanna from the
ourtyard.
"Did ye hear of herr" repeated Dick.
"I heard of her," said Matcham.
chow your voice twittersI What
ileth you?n said Dick Wris q most ex-