Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1890-02-14
MOVING ON THE ENEMY,

there was no possible chance for her con-
tinement. He had succeeded in making
an examination so conclusive that there
could be no possible doubt of it.
1t was then, for the first time, that the
thought crossed Toms mind that the
note received might possibly be ruse to
mislead them, and so expressing himself
he asked to see the slip of paper again.
To Holbrook the thought was torture
itself. He had in his possession a brief
note from Annie concerning the author
ship of which there could be no doubt.
He made comparison, and the penman-
ship was quite evidently dissimilar.
;1anford, the chief, pointed out that
the comparison would be of little value.
In the one instance the note was written
on fine paper, with excellent pen and
ink, at leisure and under no excitement,
while in the other it was written on
coarse paper, with a common lead pen
Gil, and evidently under the greatest ag-
itation, hurriedly and perhaps covertly.
Holbrook, whose high hopes had fallen
on failing to 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 it was
quite unlikely, however able the con-
spirators were, that they would have
written note so brief, so hurried, and
which bore such evident traces of agita-
ton. On the contrary, had it been the
intention to throw any one off the scent,
the latter would have tried to do more
than this hurried scrawl had done, and,
further, that it must not be forgotten
that these hounds would scarcely seek
to inform the friend who could give the
most efficient help of her abduction be-
fore he was likely to find it out, as would
be the case if they took that view of it,
since the boy had evidently been waiting
at the office from time very close to
that of their departure to Mrs. Temple
tons house, where they first learned the
news. On the other side they had only
the expression of Toms shrewd fears
that it might be so to lead them to sup
pose that it was 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 to the attic floor
were inclosed and the door locked.
He 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 to attract attention, it was deter
mined that they should rendezvous at
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,
"SAS w oHS~i VIZ hiOubC ltdI
est the corner and, rushing up, take pos
session of the attic and after 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 a cab across town were on the
ground earlier than the rest.
They left the cab, after having given
instructions to the cabman to station
himself in Bayard street half way down
the block, and there await orders.
Guarding themselves as much as pos
sibls 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 Holbrook felt tug on the
skirts Of his coat. He looked down and
saw ragged little boy whom he took for