The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-12-06

II put it there myself" blurted out
GOodenough. sheepishly. He had Orened
the door, and as he glanced at the box
which seemed to his excited vision even
nearer the edge than when he had first
seen it, he said. boldly "You must know
that it is there, for it is much closer to the
side than where / put it,
The young man glanced quickly at the
box. His nostrils fiared and though he
retained his astounding GOODNESS, the col
or in his cheeks grew fainter.
1--WE viii discuss that later" he said
incisively. "Since you put it there, you
can take it down, and throw it into the
streets through the bedroom window
You have as much interest rs in hand
ling it carefully"
GoOdenough got the chair, climbed up
and possessed himself Of the box. I'M
pressed as he was by the other mans
manner he was not without a distinct
sense Of foolishness. The box was near
" foot nearer the side of the foot
board. OF course, it could not have trav-
eled there by itself. 1t might all be
splendid bluff on the part of this cool
young man, for some reason hest known
to himself
He took the box carefully, however.
being as much concerned with carrying
ont these second explicit directions as to
its disposition as he had been the first
As he took it, he felt a little crawling
movement under his fingers, which were
grasping the bottom of the box
I'm his wound-up condition, it was al
most enough to make him drop it. But
the set, white face Of the young fellow
and the fidelity with which he kept him
covered with the pistol, were aids to con
troll
"I1old it as steadily as You can, and
don't let it drop. Pitch 1t out Of the
window, but put your arms through
first! Do not throw it from the inside
Of the ROOM" said his host.
Heartened by which advice. though
trembling with excitement, Goodenough
reached the window, stretched well out
and flung the box into the street.
A frightful detonation followed. This
was accompanied by the crash of shat
tered panes Of glass in the neighboring
windows and its sharp crakle as the
fragments dropped to the sidewalk. The
windows of Mr.. Wheeler's apartment
ratified with the concussion, but were
not broken
With a face as white as sheet, and
his legs so weak he could hardly stand,
Gooden0ugh tottered to the nearest seat
and fell into it speechless, regarding the
young man with an expression of hor-
ror. The other still kept the pistol point
ed at him but seemed much more at his
ease, as if relieved notably.
"'You will not object to my searching
you, probably, after this little episode,
which apparently" he laid a stress on the
word, has been more Of a surprise 20
you than to me. You must admit thJ l
have reason for mistrusting a strtnger
who kindly provided me with such a
fer the night as that ltte box!
DO not be alarmed" he confined lightly
81 am nearly certain that va were only
a dupe. But one must talk ordinary pre-
He quickly went thrrfgh Goodenough's
pockets with his left land, while he kept
the cooked reyolve- aimed at him all the
time with his -,ght Naturally, the
nocknts revealed nothing more dangerous
tban matcn-safe. and a pocket knife
had kept in arms stretched
strlight up all the time with the most I
earnest spirit OF cooperation.
eyes. You are only a fool. / think" =
he other remarked, when he had salts :
led himself and the contents Of the |
,ther's pockets. Even that unfattering !
'emark may have to be qualified when ]