The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1895-08-23


the place. One of my cGptors alIghte
and ! was told to follow. This was tn
first time either had spoken. We wen
around to side entrance, | walkin
between them. After travcrsing
narrow, stone paved passage, we turnc
to the right aud descended shor
was door. One of the men gave
peculiar knock. Tho door was immc
dately opened, and we passed in.
! found myself in a small, squar
room or rather cellar which | judg
cd to be at the back of the house
High up in the uneven wall was
window, across which was nailed
thick blanket Near the further sid
of the cellar was rough stone pillar
evidently placed there to support
large beam overhead. The place wal
lighted by an oil lamp which stood OF
IA rirkcty table in one corner.
The only occupant of the room wal
the man who had admitted us, ant
when he turned SO the light fell upor
his face ] recognized him. 1t wa.
Rosscari, the chief of the "Dynamt
ers. "
For IA moment he stood regarding mt
with look of triumph plainly writer
on his face, and then said Welcome,
Mr.. Charles Cigrande! | feel deeply
honored by the presence of so distin-
guished person as yourself in these
humble quarters. Doubtless you an
ticipated a larger reception, but know
ing your retiring nature we thought
best to make the party as small as pos
slble. Then turning to one OF the
ruilians who had escorted me thithcr,
he asked did our illustrious friend
wish to be excused from attending this
little levee given in his honor"
Nav, replied the man addressed
'he didn't have no chance !"
"Aud you induced him to come
without creating any disturbances
"Nary disturb. He didn't have time
to squak once. 1t was as neat a job as
| ever was in. -
Good exclaimed Rosscari Now,
Mac, take that pitcher on the shelf by
the wall there and go up stairs and
draw SHINE water for this stuff is pref.
~ strong and we'll have merry
party. AS he spoke he produced a
bottle of spirits which he placed upon
the table.
The man took the pitcher and de
parted, but soon returned with il still
empty. THE bloomin' waters shut
off ~ he impatiently exclaimed as he
set the pitcher back on the shelf.
Il twisted the bloody faucet most off,
but | couldn't get none.
Never mind, - said Rosscari, I'VE
can do very well without it; it's better
to have the liquor without the water
than the water without the liquor
Will you join us, Mr. Cigrande:"
NO" replied II prefer To keep my
wits about me, if it's all the same 10
you.
Rosscari glanced at his companions
with peculiar smile. VERY well,
as you please but those keen faculties
Of yours will avail you nothing to-
night You must know that after the
pains We have taken to get you here
we shall not allow you to escape us.
You are too dangerous to us and our
plans. That treacherous Alice nearly
ruined our game, and had not acted
promptly you would have escaped us
this time. TO night we leave London,
but only for q short time. In the
meantime you will remain here,
As he finished speaking he motioncd
to the two men who had been paving
more attention to the contents of the
bottle than 10 their leaders, words
whercupon they bound my feet securely
together my hands being already
bound and dragged me across the room
to the stone pillar before mentioned
To this pillar was bound in an up
right position, but in such manner
= HOT Font tliI tnt,nl IN, rrA,.nI
When this work had been accomplish
ed, Rosscari opened vaise from
which he took queer looking round |
object which he placed carefully upon |
the table. The three now gathered |
about the table and for several minutes |
were busy with something, but what |
il was | could not see.
As vet | had made no resistance !
whatever, for it would have been en-,
tirey fruitless, and knew | should
lavc need Of all my strength later on.
tested my bonds, but the miscreants
lad done their work well and | was
acid as securely as if | had been part
II the stone itself
Having completed their operations
It the table, the three approached. and
or the first time | fully comprehend
ID the awful doom prepared for me.
The strange looking object | had oh
ervcd was bomb, large enough not
,nly to destroy me, but to wreck the
whole house!
| had faced death many times before
without fiinching, but never in so hor
ible form as this. struggled to
peak, but the gag which had been
eplaced in my mouth-prevented me.
dizzy, sickening sensation pervaded
ne there was humming as of a
thousand spindles in my ears, and
cit that my senses were leaving me.
With an almost supcrhuman effort, |
covered myself and endeavored to
ollect my scattered faculties and to
hink.
Meanwhile the murderous engine of /
obstruction had been placed on the floor
n the space Immediately beneath my 1
eet, so that my bending my foot down [
7ard | was enabled to touch it with {
he toe of my shoe. Attached to the |
omb was fuse about two feet in I
ength.
From cupboard Rosscari produced '
piece of candle about three inches in a
myth, and fitting it into a knot hole
n the floor, which was convenient for S
is purpose he arranged the end of the G
use in such manner that when the
andle had burned down to certain q
oint the fame would ignite the pow
er in the fuse. i
l watched every movement with sort q
horrible fascination, and when the l
iabolical arrangement was complete,
felt that | was already practically a
cad man. Q
"And now," exclaimed Rosscari, as i
q arose from the floor and brushed the II