The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1893-02-22

u
There was nothing strange about 1t.
From the start had been governed by
circumstances, backed by the desire to
ward of the tangled suspicion that SEEM
ed determined to weave itself around the
fair rirl of the bereaved house, Leonore.
Yes. there was much of the old knight
errant spirit within me. was ready 10
perform wonders, II possible, In the in
forest Of beauty and goodness.
Once / got deep into the mystery, i
became so intensely interested that 1t
must have been something very impor-
tant that would have caused me to reltn-
quish my hold.
was in for it now.
With reference to this man, I resolved
not to waste time. He was in my power
in one sense, and i was grimly deter
mined to learn what he knew.
Strategy could be employed, and vas
even more likely to breed success than
any show Of force.
That was my candid opinion, after
studying the man more thoroughly with
whom I was to cope.
The time had now seemingly arrived
for me to begin operations.
When I looked around the old tomb
and saw its dismal interior turned to
my companion, with smile.
sDo you mean to say, Colonel, this is
the best hiding place you could fnd?"
~It's safe, amt it?"
sWell, if you mean that it will never
be found out / reckon you're right. De-
tectives or police officers seldom think OF
pursuing man beyond the grave"
That's just what want-security. II
! was after comfort I'd have gone to an
other place, which I know will be
searched before the setting Of another
sun, but when I want to defy the whole
raft Of 'em come here"
II don't say that I admire your choice,
but It might suit some men"
at suits me, Joslyn. Mind, I don't
expect you to stay here"
3I'll stand it all can, Colonel. You
may make use Of me. I can bring you
food and the daily papers,"
THAT will be oil I shall ask of you,
and consider myself lucky to have such
friend"
& ~D5 You know, never dreamed Of the
existence of this old cemetery"
Few people know Of it, and yet thou
sands of the oldest families are repre-.
sented here, hundreds at least The
place has been forgotten by those who
did know of 1t, and no public curiosity
has been aroused for quite long time.
Some day New York will be astonished
to read that q cemetery lies right in the
heart Of the city, inclosed by houses and
high walls"
"Of course it is unused now. and
doubtless has been for many years."
Don't you believe it. Bodies are pri-
vately received here from time to time"
~The deuce you say! How do you
know?"
"Well, in two ways: First Of all, I
have seen q body brought in here on the
sly; I took it. Then, again, I've been
In the receiving vault and discovered
that some Ten or twenty cofins were
piled up there, which, fully believe,
contained bodies sent on and held for
lack Of funds to bury them with"
was Mortified at the revelation.
The idea OF such poisonous atmos-
phere in the heart Of Gotham! 1t was
enough to alarm any doctor.
Then the Colonel told me how, during
an earlier visit to the place, he had
fonnd it by accident while being pursued
by the police.
In the course Of his investigations he
had managed to enter the dead-house,
where he was at once asSailed by fear
ful odor, and saw the sight he described
to me.
he had never spoken OF 1t 10 single
soul, for he did not want public stten-
tion directed toward the inclosed ceme-
terry, for such thing would spoil his
hiding place.
While he was talking had been re-
volving the matter over in my mind.
How could approach the subject that
interested me most?
It did not take me long to make up my
mind, and l simply watched until the
conversation seemed to naturally drift
into the desired channel-though of
course ] had something to do with send
ing it there.
We began to talk Of future plans, and
the Colonel told mo several things he
hoped to do later on.
In return made one or two sugges-
tions that might be Of profit, casually
mentioning a certain one in particular.
"There's house that I've been look
ing at for some time. / believe the old
mans got plenty of ducats hidden away.
It's queer old place; looks like it might
be haunted. but it would be the finest
crib to crack / know Of. Now there are
only four people around the place, three
besides the old DOCTOR"
"Old doctor!" he calculated.
HWhy YES the PROPRIETOR of the house