Waterbury evening Democrat., 1895-05-21

ly as if the light had been exunguIsn- ed. It was exasperating, for but for that interruption in the lane and my own tagging the coveted sight would have been gained.
 The faint hope that some whim would lead to the raising of the curtain again kept me among the limbs until ray body was cramped. l must have staid there for fully an hour when, prestoI all became blank darkness The light had either been taken from the room or put out No use of waiting longer.
 drew my foot from under me, mean ing to descend the tree, when the faint est possible whistle sounded somewhere near me. Supporting myself with great care, I leaned downward and peered into the gloom. Although little vegeta- tion was left on the branches, the shad- ow was so dense that the keenest vision was of little help, but while staring at what seemed to be the dim outlines of trunk it moved slightly to one side. Another misty object advanced to meet | it, and then the two became stationary. My friends from the old world are holding Q council of war, was my con- clusion, for there was no doubt that they were the two whom 1 had encoun- tered in the lane. "They are not likely | to acquaint me with their decision. had been in the tree so long that I was quite sure they were unaware of my presence. Their action could not be explained on any theory of my own. | They must have known what they wanted Why, then, not enter the house and demand it, as they had demanded 1t of me when they had me down?
 But had enough business of my own without meddling with theirs. Still it would be foolish to clash with them, and waited among the branches un- til some minutes after they had stolen around the end of the house and vanish ed in tho darkness. When it seemed safe to do so, 1 descended to the lower limbs and dropped softly to the earth.
 When my feet touched the ground, another fact became apparent-there were no lights on the lower floor Every one in the house had retired for the night, following the custdAl which gen orally prevails in the country.
 A new apprehension arose. The treacherous Asiatics whom 1 had ruI against in the lane would remain neal the building until all within were sunl in slumber Then they would enter anC make their demand upon Howard fol the secret, whatever it was, they haC sought to wrest from me- He would no give it. They would insist, and dead ly struggle would follow. Murder wa
 ill tho air.
 I was still convinced that neither o these men, with all their subtlety, knev of my prcscncc-a happy piece of goo'
 fortune for which l could claim IL
 credit Tho advantage, if could keeI
 it, was with me. 1 would wait and pos
 sib!y prevent the Cunsummation of
 dark deed.
 Between the treo which had climbe and the window wns another tree, muc closer. I did not use it because it coul serve mo no better, and ill the event c
 any one of the inmates coming to tn window he or she was likely to discer } my figure among the branches. I stepped back from the spot wher my feet first struck the earth and stoo l behind q larger trunk, which I took
 be that of an oak. Its size afforded a : effcctual screen for my body, and
 would naturally be on the outer circI r of the men whom l was trying to watcl 9 If the two contemplated any evil deeC l to carry it out they must enter tt
 house. The natural way to do that w; l through one of the doors or windows c . the lower floor. But they were sure l be well secured, and an attempt to u
 them was liable to alarm the inmate : Nothing could be more inviting thG o the upper windows. which would n d be so we'll fastened and were readi f reached by means of the trees growir Q on all sides of the house.