Telegram-herald., 1889-12-03

az sAall4a4eIOn - conclusive rnzE tHese
could DC 10 possible doubt Of IL
twas then, for the hrst time. that the
thought crossed Toms mind that the
note received might possibly be ruse 70
misisad them. and 50 expressing himself
he asked u see the slip OF paper again
To HoIbrook the thought was torture
itsah he had In his possession brief
note from Annie concerning the author
ship OF which thers could be no doubt.
lie made comparison. and the penman-
ship = as quite evidently dissiIailar
Hanford. the chief. pointed Out that
the comparison would be Of little value.
In the one instance the note was written
on hne paper with excellent pen and
INK, ar leisure and under no excitement.
while In the other IL was written on
coarse paper. with common lead pen
ell. and evidently under the greatest ag-
ltation. hurriedly and perhaps covertiy.
Holbrook, whose high hopes had fallen
on failing 70 distinguish any resem-
blance. frightened on hearing the chiefs
words.
The chief pointed out further that all
the probabilities were in favor Of the
authenticity OF the note; that il was
quite unlikely. however able the con-
spirators were. that they would have
written a note so brief. so hurried. and
which bore such evident traces Of agita-
ton. On the contrary, had it been the
49,. - . ,F fhsa
the latter would have tried 10 do more
than this hurried scrawl had done, and,
further. that il must not be forgotten
that these hounds would scarcely seek
10 inform the friend who could give the
most efficient help Of her abduction be-
fore he was likely 10 find it out, as would
DO the case IL they took that view Of it,
since the boy had evidently been waiting
at the office from a time very close to
that Of their departure 10 Mrs. Temple
tons house, where they first learned the
news. On the other side they had only
the expression Of Toms shrewd fears
that il might be SO to lead them TO sup
pose that it was a ruse.
The argument of the chief could not
be answered. and so they fell to arrang-
ing the details.
The Shadow submitted that the danger
OF an open attack upon the attic in ques-
ton was, that the inmates with their
prize could take TO the roof and make
their escape through adjoining buildings.
he had penetrated far enough into the
fourth house without detection, TO find
that the stairs leading 10 the attic floor
were inclosed and the door locked.
lie suggested, therefore, that some of
the party ought to force their way into
the attic of an adjoining house whether
the inmates liked it or not, and thus take
possession of the roof, while the rest
should storm the apartment in the other
house.
The chief strongly favored this plan
as the only one which insured success.
There were eight in the party, and, so
as not 10 attract attention, it was deter
mined that they should rendezvous at a
neighboring saloon. known to the chief,
proceeding thither in couples. All were
to be well armed, for resistance was to
be expected
On arriving, three, with Tom leading,
were to enter the adjoining house near
est the corner and. rushing up, take pos
session of the attic, and after a signal
had been received from Toms party, the
others led by the chief, well supplied
with "jimmies, were to make an as
sault on the house where Annie was con-
fined Holbrook was to be with the lat
ter party.
HolbroOk and Tom went up together,
and taking q cab across town were on the
ground earlier than tho rest.
They lef, the cab. after having given
Instructions 20 the cabman to station
himself in Bayard street half way down
the block. and there await orders.
Guarding themselves as much as pos
sible from observation. they strolled into
the street and located the house in ques-
ton. They were slightly disguised, and
thought they risked nothing.
They had passed the house but few
PAGES when IIolbrool felt tug on the
skirts Of his coat lie looked down and
saw q ragged little boy whom he took for
beggar. and was about to drive him
away when the ial said.
"Be YOU goin' 90 trash him now? He
aint mp derc."
Hoihrook would have spoken harshly
20 HIM, SO as to rid himself Of the an
noyance, when Tom whispered:
''It is the boy who brought the note tc
you"
Then. speaking to The boy. he said:
Come here with me. and led the
way into a nei-hborins passage. where
they could partially conceal themselves
by The door
Whl. 90 yoI mean by 'Tashing
himr asked Toa. kindly and eucour
aSugiy-
"Do woman sod ~ how wen you come
you'd blacS his eyes and waliop 'im-
''W hat womaU. asked Hoibrook-
de wan I brung dc paper from Il
you. She promised. she did.
where Is slef'
"In de mex house She's upstairs or
de top ame he man ain't dare. lie wen
away just af0re you come. Yer a-coin
TO hex i'm. aio't yerT
"Y9u just het we ere. said Tom. "Yot
want us to. 3ont vous'
"oh. my eye. dont r.
"Whvr