Daily camera., 1897-09-02
THE DAILY CAMERA.

In a moment Jackson was bending
over him. The hook of horror, of fear,
of dread in his face as he arose from
beside the PROSTATE body told tale of
murder
With nervous haste he picked up he
papers which had fallen from his hand,
and, throwing a hasty glance around.
seized the lantern and entered the pas
sageway. intent on instant flight.
Too Mortified to think what course to
pursue, | backed away from the door
and took a position near the stairs.
Jackson entered the couk-house eel,
lar, and, placing the lantern upon the
floor. closed the door Then he turned
and peercL about. The start he gave
and the alarm on his face told me ]
was discovered. He had his pistol still
in his hand and started to raise his arm
NO, no." ! cried. ',eep that hand
down." He saw | had hlu covered with
my revolver, and he obeyed my com
mand for the moment. But knew that
he was desperate man and wou!h .,ot
hesitate to throw his life AVA III the
endeavor to escape. Therefore hastily
followed up the advantage.
You'll throw that pistol to me-" l
continued. .'lnstantly, you damned
villain, you murderer, OF, as sure as
Heaven"
But my words were interrupted He
had backed up against the door, his
eyes staring ixedly at me. There vas
movcn,eLt Of his arm. and was about
to pull the tri gger to forestall his pur-
pose Of firing at me. when a report
sounded out from behind him, as he
leaned against the wall and door, and
with loud cry he sprang forward,
came down all in a heap, rolled over on
his back. and lay there, dead-dead, and
by his own rlurderous device for guard
ing his hiding place.
Hurried footsteps were crossing the
room above. and hastily took up new
position of defense.
Stop" l yelled, as the feet began to
descend. "The stairs are covered by my
pistol"
There was pause, and hurried con-
sultation upon the landing.
SIS that you down there, Mr.. Con-
way?" inquired voice which I recog
nized.
"Yes, it is; and, as I do not know
whether you are an enemy or friend,
Mr.. Sonntag, I guess I won't run any
risk. You'd better stay up. You have
me in your power, penned up here in
this hole; but if I've got to die some
one else goes with me-"
Again there was hurried conversa-
ton in low tones between Sonntag and
some other party, who l surmised was
Skinner.
Perhaps you will not object to my
approach, Nelson" a voice called out
as a second pair of legs came down,
eve are all friends, true friends" it
continued.
There was something so familiar in
the sound of the voice that l hesitated
in again uttering a remonstrance.
'We are all friends the man said
again, as his head reached below the
level of the floor. Dim though the light
was upon the stairs. l recognized him
Immediately. and with loud call
sprang toward him.
"Mr. Perry! Oh, thank God, you
have come!" I stepped unthinkingly
on the plank at the bottom. and he
came down to me and grasped my hand.
Don't mind that. 1t cannot hurt
you" 7 remarked, as the warning voice
again sounded out, just as though its
services were longer needed.
"I know it cannot" Mr.. Perry re-
marked, with smile. Here Sonntag
and another man brushed by US. and
went TO Jackson's PROSTATE body.
"Will you look here, sir?" Sonntag
called, motioning for Mr.. Perry to ap-
proach.
'My God! 1t is Jackson! How terri
BILE! Is he dead? Who did it?"' asked
Mr.. Perry, glancing up at me. Were
you compelled to shoot him. Nelson 81