Daily camera., 1897-09-02
CHAPTER XVI.

The sounds of footsteps upon the
| landing ceased for a short time. l was
not afraid to cope with single man,
but | naturally felt no desire to have
two or more upon me at once. 1t might
be that Skinner had returned. nerved
! myself for a supreme effort against
odds, and waited for the alarm which
would sound the note of warning to
the colleague III the walled-up cellar.
To my surprise no alarm was given.
The footsteps again began to move
slowly forward. To lie in wait for the
newcomer at the foot of the stairs, trip
him up, AMI so make my escape, was my
first impulse.
was about to station myself in posi-
ton to carry out this plan when band
of light streamed down and made a
round, yellow patch on the stones be-
low.
Thus being prevented from follow
ing my plan, hastily but silently with
drew behind the stairs, and, crouching
down, breathlessly waited.
Slowly and deliberately the unknown
came down When he reached the bot
tom step he paused. Then the beam Of
light from the dark-lantern was thrown
upon the plank, and moved from side to
side as if i'll investigation.
The secret of the plank was evident
" known to the newcomer, for when
he left the stairs it was by jump which
| landed him on the stone floor beyond,
and thus, as in my case; the sound Of
the warning voice was avoided.
| | had no opportunity then for specu-
lation as to the close connection be-
tween the plank and the voice, for the
! time of danger was upon me. The
round glow crept slowly over the walls.
gradually approaching my hiding place.
l held my pistol ready, determined
the instant the light fell upon me to
fire, aiming at spot in the darkness
directly above it.
| But the glow suddenly died away,
and total darkness again reigned. The
footsteps went lightly across the floor,
and soon the crack of light in the op-
/ posite wall widened.
The fellow paused but an instant be-
fore the wide open door, and then, as
suming crouchirg position, entered
into the region beyond.
He had had his back toward me, and
the light, coming from the walled-uP
cellar through narrow, low passage
way leading to it, was faint; but my
heart took q sudden bound from the
glimpse of that form, fleeting and in
distinct though it was. Here was new
element entering into the mystery
which surrounded me. For a moment
amazement, wonder, held me spell,
bound Then, rising from my hiding
place, swiftly went to the door, which
the person who had just entered had
! left wide open.
| The faint light from the room beyond
was almost blotted out by the man S
form, as he went slowly along the low,
narrow passage. He could not proceed
without making some noise, and l saw
startled face appear at the other end
l could hardly repress cry of aston
ishment.
The light in the room was at one side
of the passage; il shone full upon the
fellow and revealed the form and face
Of Horace Jackson. In one hand he
held bundle of papers, and he ap.
peared too dumfounded to move. The
man he was watching reached the end
of the passage and stepped into the
apartment beside him.
was eager to verify my first i'm.
preston. which the glimpse of the new
comer's back had given me, but imme
diately upon his entrance into the
walled cellar he stepped to one side
ont of the Inc of vision.
Jackson's eyes followed him, and
were evidently resting upon him in
doubt and suspicion.
"You?" he finally exclaimed.
l listened intently for the answer
and the sound of the voice sent shud
der over me. The voice was familiar
and it was with deepest dread heard
it.