The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1893-02-15


THAT meant me. I knew 1t just as
we'll as I did the a, b, c of my profession.
What was I to do? I could easily have
slipped away, and they be none the wiser
"But remembered that you were up
here, and you were my friend. I've done
some tough things in my day, but 1never
yet went back on friend.
$50, at the risk Of my neck, l have
come back here to get you out"
silently shook his hand. My mind
was dwelling upon his words.
At the risk Of his neck. What could
that mean but murder?
The expression had done more to revive
q feeling Of hope in my breast than any
thing that had yet occurred.
@We must get out of this Joslyn. The
officers will. be up here soon, for they
must have seen me enter, and believe
their bird is safely Gagged"
@Then we must get out, Colonel
swords of wisdom, my friend, and the
sooner we put them into execution the
better for US.
sHow shall we levant?"
He looked upward. !, too, turned my
eyes toward the scuttle, with the ready
box beneath it.
sThst's our lay, Joslyn."
had determined to accompany the
other, believing that my time was ap-
preaching for the truth to be made
known.
The chase might be hot one; but II
I intended to carry out my plans could
only look for revelation from Colonel
Cain; 80 I must not lose track OF him.
/ had an idea that whatever the police
really wanted him for his guilty con-
science made him believe 1t was for the
murder of old DR.. Seabury.
as there nothing here you mean to
take with you in your fight?" I asked.
Hc quickly cast his eye around. Then,
springing forward, he snatched the old
creese from its position on the wall.
"That may prove a trusty weapon.
Anyhow they won't lay hold Of it as evi-
dence against me-" he muttered almost
savagely.
Better and better. I came near
chuckling. and rubbed my hands togeth-
or in silent glee.
BY degrees the man was giving kim
self away, and, at this rate, would soon
be in possession of the whole truth.
Having secured the knife he now
sprang upon the box and unfastened the
scuttle. When this was pushed back an
opening YVES revealed plenty large
enough for man to pass through.
I could see the stars beyond.
Colonel Cain did not hesitate an in
slant, but, seizing hold of tho edges, with
a muscular effort he drew himself half
way through.
1t was now an easy task to finish, and
from the roof.
"Come on, Joslyn," be hoarsely whis-
pered.
I did not need any urging, for my
sharp ears had caught the sound OF
heavy steps upon the stairway, as Of
men cropping their way upward.
There could be little doubt but that
they were the hounds of the police force
closing in upon tho jackal Of q cracks
man whom they had succeeded In COW
ering.
AS these sounds were on the first fight
of steps, realized that the officers had
stolen O march upon US, and csme near
reaching the door in time to cut of our
escape.
YVES no mean hand at this sort Of
work, and managed to climb through
the hole in the roof with as much agility
as tho burglar had shown.
"Thcy're coming" I said, quickly.
"Yes, hcar them, the hounds. Come,
we'll battle them yet"
He was terribly excited, although I
could not see his face in the darkness to
watch its fluctuations.
What did this signify? Was there the
dark frame OF the gibbet looming up on
his mental horizon?
The scuttle having been closed, we
began to make our way across the roof.
This was my first experience In such
peculiar work. If the reader has never
clambercd over the roofs Of block OF
city houses, now up and now down, he
can have no appreciation OF the situa-
tion.
It is additionally enhanced when there
Is q hot pursuit made.
The same feeling came over me that
had experienced when discovered the
trrcc omcers entering the house on Mao
ison avenue whore was concealed. A
consciousness OF innocence made me
rebel against being pursued like Grim
inal, and yet when ! realized that had
taken this yoke voluntarily upon me,
felt that there was no use complaining.
OF course the Colonel led.
He knew the way, and that in itself
was sufficient to make him guide.
We left the roof of the tenement in q
rather singular method. Reaching the
edge at it's lowest corner the burglar
turned to me.
"Don't be afraid to 60 down after me.
There's fiat roof below, he whispered.
] saw him pass over the gutter and
then he vanished from my sight A
second or two later there came dead
fall below.
aCome on, Joslyn."
Voices sounded back Of me. The
policemen were at the scutti5, having
readily guessed our method Of escape
from the room of the old tenement.
did not hesitate, knowing the chances
was taking both ways, but proceeded
TO follow the example cast by my quon-
dam friend.
Throwing myself fiat, I grasped the
edge Of the gutter firmly with both
hands, and then allowed my body to fall
over. Thus 1 found myself hanging in
utter darkness from the gutter of house
that was fully five stories in height.
Faith, however, Is a wonderful thing.
knew Colonel Cain had gone down in
this way, and that l could do the same.
Just as I was about to let go any way, ]
felt pair Of hands touch my body.
"Drop-it's only couple OF feet, JOS
lyn."
did so. Knowing the depth I did not
receive as much of O shock as might