The Arizona sentinel. [volume] (Arizona City [Yuma], Yuma County, A.T. [Ariz.]) 1872-1911, 1890-08-02

thought crossed Toms mind that the
note received might possibly be a ruse to
mislead them, and so expressing himself
be asked to see the slip Of paper again.
To Holbrook the thought was torture
Itself He had in his possession brief
note from Annie concerning the author
ship of which there could be no doubt.
He made a comparison, and the penman-
ship was quite evidently dissimilar.
! Hanford. 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 1t was written on
coarse paper. with common lead pen
Gil, and evidently under the greatest ag-
ltation, 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 we're 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 80 brief. so hurried, and
which bore such evident traces of sgita-
zion. On the contrary, had 1t been the
intention to throw any one off the scent,
the latter would have tried to do more
than this hurried scrawI had done, and,
further, that it must not be forgotten
that these hounds would scarcely seek
- tha f,-io,oA xrhn could ryiV1o thu
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
toms 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-
lion was, that the inmates with their
prize could take to the roof and make
their escape through djoining 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 3
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.
Rolbrook and Tom went up together,
and taking 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 BaySrd 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 Holbrook felt tug on the
skirts of his coat He looked down and
saw a ragged little boy whom he took for
beggar, and was about to drive him
away when the Lad said:
"Be you goip' to TRASH him now7 He
amt up dere."
Holbrook would have spoken harshly
to him, 30 as to rid himself Of the an
noyance, when Tom whispered:
ut il. the boy who brought the note to
you" =
Then, speaking to the boy, he said:
"Come here with me-" and led the
way into a neighboring passage, where
they could partially conceal themselves
by the door.
"What do you mean by 'trashing
himT" asked Tom, kindly and encour
agingly.
"De woman sed as how wen you come
you'd black his eyes and wallop i'm
"What woman?" asked Holbrook,
"De wan brung de paper from to
you. She promised, she did"
"Where is she?'
"In de mex house. She's upstairs OF
de top fiure. De man amt dere. He wept
away just afore you come. Yer a-goin
to lick i'm, amt yer?'
"Yor just bet we are" j" said Tom. "You
want us to, don't your"
"Oh, my eye, don't r.
"Why?'
"Cos he's kicked me often and often"
"What is he to your
"Nothin'. He cuffs me over de head
,wenever he gifts de chance"
"Why does he do that?"
II dunno. Cos he's ugly. Cos i won't
keep out'en his hallway"
"Ah," said Tom How did you see
the lady3"
81 got on de roof and talked to her
tro' de skylight.
"Can you take us up there?"
."Ov coarse l kin. We live up in de
attic, right here. Me mither is gone
away and me fader is drunk over dere