Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1895-06-20
@um Thursday June

What are you going to do. then p
YOU know that garret which they
use as a lumber room ? I have been ur
on the roof. and the window is half.
way open. want you to help me car
ry plank up there. It will easily
reach across from the parapet. Then
shall walk across and get in. Once in.
side, can readily find my way down to
the strong room. out Of which, as you
know, opens the smaller iron room con.
tanning the safe. When you have seen
me safely across the plank, you are to
run to the police station, either at Pear.
gate or Brookland, and obtain assis-
tance. You had better 60 to Brook
land, I think. 1t is not so far, and the
road is less lonely
Elle's determined manner had sub.
dued Orissie's gentle spirit. But the
thought of danger to her sister was far
more present than her own prospect Of
a two mile walk to the police station.
But Ella, you cannot expect to cope
with a man. He would murder you
outright
u don't expect to haye to struggle
with him. I shall wait until be is busy
at the safe, and then I shall close the
strong room door and lock him in. But
as an additional precaution I will take
my little pistol and the dark lantern
The thought Of her sister deliberately
shooting a man proved tco much for
Chrissie, and she burst into a merry
laugh.
The merriment served the purpose Of
shaking off any feeling Of apprehension
which might have been lingeringi in her
mind, and she proceeded to second her
sisters efforts briskly.
FIVE minutes later, ,therefore,a "a darkly
rcbed figure with pistol in hand and a
dark lantern. whose light wassedulously
shielded, walked carefully across the
narrow plank, and waving mute adieu
at the other end, noislessly raised the
sash and effected an entrance, after
which she found her way to the ground
floor undisturbed and in question. Here
however, an unexpected obstacle pre-
sented itself. The only way to the
strong room was through a large apart.
ment, half hall and half corridor, with
a door at each end, and after travers-
ing this she was dismayed to find the
door at the far end was closed and bolted
on the other side.
She had scarcely had time to cogitate
over the best way to get out Of this diff
fculty, when she became conscious Of a
light step behind her: the door by which
she had entered was suddenlyclosed and
locked, and che herself was a prisoner,
caught in her own trap.
This was indeed appalling. What
would be the next step Of her assailant?
In any case her hope Of renown was
suddenly extinguished, for even if he
refrained from attacking her, he would
have plenty Of time to escape from the
premises before the arrival of help, and
if he went, leaving no trace behind, she
and her sister would be ridiculed as be-.
ing a couple Of simple frightened WON.
en-.
And Mr.. Macdonald Whatever would
he think? In the darkness she hid her
burning face in her hands and hoped
that somehow he might never know Of
her escapade.
Meanwhile Chrissie was fastening
with flying feet in search of the required
aid. With the inconsistency of woman g
nature she had selected the turtherest
and most solitary road, in spite of sun
dry reproaches of conscienceat the extra
delaythis would involve, which reproach
es she endeavored to silence by telling
herself that Inspector F africa, who was
stationed there, would be sure to render
more prompt assistance than stranger
would have done.
It is not to be supposed that the spe.
cisl attention which the Inspector had
paid her at the ball only week before
would have any influence withher under
the present circumstances.
Fortune, however, was disposed to
favor her; for climbing over stile with
the intention Of taking a short cut
through the woods, she almost jumped
into the arms of the object Of her
thoughts.
Miss Thomson calculated the officer
in astonishment, which was not lessened
at her cordial greeting.
,Ohl Mr.. Fairles, I am so glad to
naet vo,,