Arizona silver belt., 1890-12-27
QUITE IN THE DARK.

Blind men, however sharpened their remaining senses may become, would not exactly be selected as the fitteSt agents for the purpose in which l once found myself engaged. Still there is nc knowing to what they may have to put their wits, and although have no pre- tentions to being sharper than the rest of my fellow sufferers, or claim the pos session of any special dOdgneSs, yet there is no doubt when one has to rely very consistently on all ones faculties in order to keep fairly abreast of ordi. nary mortals it is wonderful how quick the apprehension and the power of drawing conclusions become You are not concerned with the history of my infirmity-how lost my sight and so forth-it is enough for the present pur pose if say that l have been blind for some twenty years-that have grown quite accustomed and reconciled to my fate, and without making light of ii have ceased to think about it, or re gard it as interfering materially with the ordinary conduct of daily life.
 Very well, then. l chanced some three years ago to be staying with some friends in their country house, not very far from London, but nevertheless sit uated in delightfully rural and se cluded district. My host and hostess lived in good style, kept much com. pany, and entertained in Inunificent fashion Most of their friends, too. were wealthy, and the iewelry, as was told, which occasionally sparkled %hin those hospitable walls repre- sented 4rge sums of money, It was thoroughly esy going establishment; meals were madelovable festivals. to suit the varied arrang6lants which a constant programme of aG,sement sometimes entailed.
 The month was August. The weathe was fine and hot, and on the particnla evening in question il So happened tn, dinner was to partabe of the characte of supper tO suit the convenience of th, house party, who were going on som, picnic boating excursion on the neigh boring Thames.
 Now, 1 did not join them for two reasons-firstly, because I wanted tc enjoy the quiet and peace of the house gardens and shrubbery when entirel, deserted; secondly, because, e.wav, rather bad sleeper, I has, been more than usually wakeful fortsome nights. and determined to g to bed early
 take certain na.rcotic which had ed as quite harmless
 ,iy pleasant It consisted
 CT, and the directions said it ..as rO be mixed with a pint bottle oi light claret-a glass or two of which might be taken on going to bed or in the course of the night, if occasion re quired. Early in the evening l secured the wine from the butler, and myself mixed it with the drug by simply shoot. ing the latterdexterously into the bottle Then shook it, corked itankl stood ito the bed table %1ih large claret glass 70 .Js ready for use when l retired foI the night. This did as proposed, { little before 10, at which time I was thl sole occupant of the house, with tn, exception of the servants. Their quar ters, with kitchens, etc, lay ut the ex treme opposite wing from that in whicl my bedroom was situated,
 Thus, as I crept up the main staircas' with the aid of my stick, and by feeling the we'll known landmarks by which am always able to guide myself afteI very little practice along passages anc corridors, my footsteps echoed strange ly, and was conscious that an unusua air of solitude pervaded the place c. course the autumn twilight had faded into night by this time, but that made no difference to me, and equally, o course, carried no chamber candle Somehow, nevertheless, had @ strang, feeling of not quite liking the solitude "a sensation akin to nervousness, suppose it would be called. Unaceus toned to regard myself as a coward yet could have wished that the house had not seemed quite so lonely. It wa a vague, vain and ridiculous idea, knew-still, the nearer got to my room the more it possessed me. When laid my hand on the lock for q mo ment it quite overwhelmed me, and need hardly say that when found the door resist my effort to open it my dis comfiture was complete, Then, after a moment, pulled myself together, feel ing heartily ashamed of the rapidity with which Iuy heart was beating
 Another push at the door, and il opened partially-enough to admit me, Something had fallen inside and blocked it. stopped to discover what it was, and presently my fingers lighted on a wedge shaped block of wood with screw sticking partially through it. This had caused the jam, But what could it be? However, left it on the floor, closed the door and walked slow ly toward the window, knowing every step of the way nearly as well as you would with your eyes. The window a French ne-openiR9.- 9r..s9 on to D small 1alc;np..syiro lc;p.s, 10 my surprise was not closed, as am certain left it an hour or two earlier, when brought up the wine to my room. You might think these little discoveries would have increased my nervousness; they had q contrary ef feet; at least every sensation was swal lowed up in surprise and curiosity as to what could have haDDened