Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1889-02-28
Mechanrsvn Frederick County, Maryland Thursday February 29 l889

profit, we lose good customers, and all
We could not readily raise the mean
Just now to order new invoices from
Europe, and if we had, customers coult
not wait. I have borrowed a doze!
cases Of Iich silks to fl, aa urgent or
der tomorrow. They are now in the
store. What if they, too, are taken to-
night
I viii 60 and keep watch, if Yor
wish, said |.
We'll, if yon will be so good. I am
too i'll myself. | have given up the
detective, for the present. | have eve
ry faith in You. Here is the key Of the
small, rear door. After Won ge5 y)uI
supper, 60 quietly in and stay till
mording. Raioc an alarm if you see
anything wrong.
We parted, and an hour later I was
sitting between two large packing Cas-
es, on the second floor Of nay employers
establishment. 1t was rather gloomy
as only IA faint light came up through
the open hAtchwAy fr"m the lower sto
ry, where several gas Jets were dimly
burning
1t must have been near midnight,
and | WAS struggling against the drow,
slness tnat threatened soon to overpow
er me. when a low yo,ce suddenly
whispered my name in my ear and
added:
'Ba quiet Don't stir, for your life
Who are YOU !? | asked, in a whis.
per, trembling from head to foot at the
thought that some ole Was near me in
that great, lonely building.
'Kool, the detective was the quiet
answer.
Where are you? l asked not dar-
ing to move,
In this empty box, right at your
side WAS brought in as goods, un-
known to any one in the establishment.
I've been watching for you. bnt know
now that YOU are not the thief. But
h es coming! He is on the first floor
now, and will soon be here. Don't
breathe. III get ont in time.
Fol awhile all WAS quiet as the
grave, except my heart, which WAS
humping so violently with suppressed
excitement, that tanciei it might be
heard some yards around me.
| began to grow more calm, and to
know whether | might not merely have
dreamed tn t Mr. Kool had spoken to
me within the box; but presently |
heard a soft foo,step on the stairs. ana
! welcomed back the assurance that
had he ? near.
While sat motionless, the football
was heard on the second floor, and
moving stealthily among the boxes
where | was concealed.
| did not dare to raise my head to
look to the right or left; bat | felt a
near presence, and | think WAS con.
sclous that some one was breathing lust
above me.
A light suddenly dazz.ed my ewes,
and the cold muzzle Of a pistol was
thrust into my face.
What are you doing nere?' demand.
ed low, menancIng voice,
| looked up at the sound, for the
voice was that Of Mr.. NeggIe, the jun.
ior partner, and it was he who stood
before me, with Il pistol in one hand,
dark lantern in the other, and a pale,
angry face.
The light OF the lantern which he
flashed III my face was reflected from
varlsus objects on which it sh0ne, and
made his own face quite distinguish
able.
\ came here to watch reI lied
Mr.. Redwolf sent me.
Exactly, And I'm going to shoot
youN he said, ferceIy.
why? What have I done, Mr.. Neg.
gle::' asked.
Oh, you know' he replied, snecr-
ingly. You needn't deny that l am
suspected. Now you've caught he
How long have you been watching for
ne?'
On my honor, Mr.. Ncsgle,' l said,
Mr., Redwolf said nothing to me about
you. We met accidentally on the
street and he gave Inc the key, telling
me
No more' I've told on myself now
be said. You must diep
I was so shocked, both at my danger
md the discovery that Mr., Neggle was
the robber, that for the moment | for
got all about Mr.. Kool. Indeed, !
seemed to think of nothing at all, ex.
,ept that l was shuddering on the
brink Of eternity. But sudden crash