Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1893-11-05
CHAPTER II.
A MYSTERY.

lodged in Bakers wharf. There
was q hole In the side Of the wall, uR-
der the stairs, for ventilating the cell
lars, closed with an iron grating. One
OF the bars was gone, and through the
narrow opening l could just manage to
soueeze-thanks 10 being a kipper.
Once inside l had the whole run OF the
warehouse. 1t was quite empty, but
on the top floor some old sacking had
been left, and this served me for a bed.
IL was dry and good enough for &C out
cast like me, who knew nothing OF COM
fort and still less OF luxury. l slept
there that night, and the next morning
l was lucky enough to get work (sail
mending) at q ship chambers ia Cable
street, for which he gave me my dinner
and tea and paid me ~sevsnpence half
penny In the bargain.
1t was dark when 1 left there between
: and s, and feeling safe with regard TO
Putty l hurried down TO Ferryboat
stairs as quickly as / co~uld-running
part Of the way. l was anxious TO know
what was going on at the Mariners
Joy. l had reen thinking about 1t all
day long-feeling q strange emotion
within me such as I had never felt be-
fore, accompanied with a yearning to
see Taras again-to get another kind
look from him. l resolved II l could to
tell him of Drigo's second visit to the
Joy and all | had overheard, that he
might be warned against the treachery
which it seemed pretty clear his COM
panion intended.
Putty was lounging against the door
post Of the front door of the Joy, in
Sweet Apple lane, under the pickering
light of the gas lamp at the corner OF
Ferryboat alley. He had a long clay
pipe in his mouth, and l judged he was
looking out for Taras and Drigo, who
had not yet arrived. / waited in the
shadow of an archway until he knocked
the ashes out of his pipe and turned
into the house, yawning aud scratching
the back Of his head. Then l slipped
down the alley to the stairs.
There was no llgnt to be seen at the
back of the house. The passage door
was shut, and the ricketty shutters Of
the bay window were closed also for the
first time in my remembrance. Under
the stairs l found a dry timber where l
could sit secure from observation, and
there l waited for Taras. He was not
likely TO come for five or six hours, hav-
ing fixed the hour for the escape OF his
friends at ., but l didn't mind that. 1t
was a mild, still night. l had nothing
else to do after dark but to think, and l
might Just as well sit there and dream
as anywhere else. | heard Putty put
up the shutters about IL, and when |
went up the alley an hour later l saw
by the glimmer of light through the
dirty fanlight over the side door that
he was still sitting up.
A little after the clock had struck 2
I caught sight Of a boat coming across
the river from the Rotherhithe side.
As il drew in to the steps l made out
one a at the oars and two men in the
stern seat. Then my heart beat quicker,
for l felt that Taras was there before l
heard his voice.
1--WE shan't want you any more to-
night" be said as the boat ran ashore,
but you will be at the same place to-
morrow at the same time"
"In be there, master, no fear. Good
night, gentlemen"
Good night"
The boatmau pushed of, while Taras
and Drigo CROPPED their way up the dark
and slippery steps over my head. /
knew the other was Drigo by the sound
OF his harsh, gutteral voice cursing as
be stumbled.
As o o as l dared l slipped from my
Kidding place and ran up the stairs like
a cat. When l reached the top, l saw
their figures standing up sharp and
black against the light farther up the
alley-Taras, square and erect; Drigo,
with his head buried in his shoulders.
They stopped at the side door Of the
JOY and raped lightly. The light from
within fell upon Taras' fair beard as
the door opened. A few words were in
~terchanged in a low tone, the door
closed, and the two men vent on, turn
ing the corner under the gas lamp into
Sweet Apple lane. l did not attempt TO
follow them, dreading TO pass the door
where Putty might still be standing,
/ but stood there with a feeling like the
| craving for food in my breast until the
impulse to overtske Taras and speak TO
him, even though Drigo were still with
| him, overcame my fear, Then I ran
swiftly up the alley and along the lane,
straining my eyes with mad desire TO
see him again.
They were gone, the lane was empty.
When I reached High street and stop
ped there, painting for breath. not a soul
was to be seen to the right or left; not
a sound broke the dead silence. gave
M the pursuit in despair and returned
| slowly in detection. The light vas out
in the Joy when l passed. Icrset into
the cellar, felt my way through the
storerooms to my corner in the loft and
Law down to sleep. comforting myself
with the reflection that 1 should GER
tainly see Taras again the next night.
When l looked out In the morning
saw Drigo and Putty OF the balcony
giving directions to q carpenter, who
was patching up the window shutters,
When that job was done the man put
some screws in the bolt Of the passage
door, Drigo and Putty looking Oh al
the while. Taras was not with them,
Tor did l see anything OF him all day
though 1 only left the spot once
70 buy some food with the money
/ had earned the day before
creeping under the stairs and be