Fort Worth weekly gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1888-04-20

cup oards. He assured himself taat the
door was strong and the bolt solid; then
he set down his lamp upon bracket, and
once more looked al around.
For what reason had he been given this
) chamber? Il YES larger and iaer tran
his own. Could it conceal : sDsre? Wss
there secret entrance2 Wss it, indeed,
haunted? His blood ran little chilly fl
his veins.
immediately over him he heavy foot o.
g sentry trod the leads. Below hiw, ne
knew, Vas the arched roof OF the chapel
snd next 10 the chapel wss The hall. Ger
tainiY there was c secret passage in the
hs!l; the eye that had watched him from
tie aTrss gave him proof of that. Was i.
; not more ttsn probable tina. the
passage ox,arded to the chapel, and.
II so, that Il hsd an opening in his room?
TIC sleep IN su h place, be felt, would
J be foolhardy. lie made his weapons
ready, and took his position in corner
q the room behind the door. If i'll was
intended he would sell his life dear.
Taa sound Cf many feet, the challenge,
snd the password sounded overhead along
tie battlements; the watch was being
changed.
And Just then there came scratching
81 the door of the chamber; il grew lit
tie louder, then q whisper:
"Dick, Dick; it is II"
Dick ran TO the door, drew the bolt,
snd admitted MatchSm. He was very
pile, and carried lamp IN one hand and
drawn Dagger in the other.
"SAut me the door" Re whispered.
"SWitt. Dick! This house is full OF
spies; l hear their feet follow me in the
corrido.s; l hear them breathe behind
he srras."
"Well, content You," returned Dick,
"i. is closed. We are safe for this while
il there be safety anywhere within these
wells. But my heart is glad to see you.
By the mSss, lad, thought ye were sped
Where hid ye?"
at matters not" returned Matchsm.
"Siuce we be met, it matters not. But,
Dick are YOUR eyes open? Have they
told you Of to-morrow's doings?"
"Not they" replied Dick. "Whst make
they tomorrow"
Tomorrow or tonight, 1 know not"
said the other; shut one time or other,
Dick, they do intend upon your life. l
had the proof of 1t; hsve heard them
whisper; nay, they as good as told me-"
cay" returned Dick, sis it SCR had
thought as much"
And he told him the days occurrences
at Length.
When 1t was done, Ma'cham arose snd
began, Ia turn, to examine the apart
meDt.
"N7," he said, ''t6ere Is no entrance
visible. Yet Ills pure certainty there
- one. Dick, will stay by you. An
y are to die, will die with you. And l
can help-look! have stolen dagger
I will do my best! And meanwhile, an
We know of .ny issue, any sally port we
could get opened, or any window that we |
might descend by, will most joyfuIly !
face any jeopardy to dee with you"
"Jack," said Dick, "by the mass, Jack, |
y are the best soul, and the truest, snd |
the br.vest In all England! Give me
your hand, Jack"
And he grasped the other's hand in
silence.
al will tell you," he resumed. "There
Is 8 window, out OF which the messenger |
the rope should still be in the |
chamber. IT'S q hope"
"Hist!" sAid Matchsm.
Both gave ear. There was q sound
below the floor; then II paused, and then |
began again.
"Some one walketh in the room be-
.ow," whispered Matcham.
"Nay," returned Dick, "there is no
room below. We are above the chapel.
[; is my murderer in the secret passage.
Well, let him come-it shall go hard with
him." and he ground mis- teeth.
"BlOW me the lights out" said the |
other. "Perchance he will betray him-
SELF"
They blew out both the lamps and lay
still as death. The foo fails underneath |
we're very soft. but they were clesrIy
audible. Several times they came and |
went, and then there was loud jar of
sey turning in lock, followed by a con-
siderable silence.
Presently the steps began sgsin, and
then, sill Of a sudden, q chink of light
appeared in the pllnkipg Of the room in
lar corner. 1t widened ;atrapdoor was being
opened, letting in gGsh of light. They
could see the strong hand pushing it up;
snd Dick raised his cross-bow, waiting
Tor the head to follow.
But now there came an Interruption.
From distsn corner of the Most House
shouts began to be heard, snd first one
voice, and then several, crying aloud
upon Csme. This noise had plainly dis
concerted the murderer, for the trap
door WAS silently lowered to its place,
,nd the steps hurriedly returned, passed
once more close below the lads, and died
sway in the distance.
Here was moments respite. Dick
)resthed deep, and then, and not till then,
ne gave ear to the disturbance which had
Interrupted the attack, and which was
TOW rather increasing than diminishing.
All about the Moat House feet were run
ling, doors were opening and slammipg,
md still the voice Of Sir Daniel lowered
.bove ell this hustle, shouting for
joanna"
"Josnna!" repeated Dick. "Why, who
he murrain should this be? Here is no
Joanna, nor ever hath been. What
neaIeth it?"
Matcham was silent. He seemed to
nave drawn further away. But only lit
tie faint starlight entered by the window,
md st the far end OF the apartment,
where the pair were, the darkness Was
complete.
"Jsck," said Dick, "I wot not where
re were all day. Saw ye this Joanna?"
"Nsy," returned Mstchan, 81 saw her
not"
"Nor heard tell of herr" he pursued.
The steps drew nearer. Sir Daniel was
still roaring the name Of Joanna from the
courtyard.
"Did ye hear of heI?" repeated Dick.
81 heard of her," said Matchsm.
SHOW vour voice twittersi Whist
Liletn ycu?" said Dick. "'Tis most ex-
a.