The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1897-12-04

head. What did it mean?
The next moment the watchmnn
came in and put an end to further in
vestigations. He could invent no
further pretext for. remaining, and
went away. /
The morning after this the president
gave him an odd look as he passed
through. Shelby went and stared
into the mirror to seeif he had omitted
his necktie, or if there was anything
peculiar in his personal appearance.
He saw nothing but his rather, bag
gard features.
There was new clerk installed
near him, and this man he also caught
looking at him in q scrutinizing way. \
He wondered why he had suddenly
become so suspicious of every one.
Was this mystery, together with his
suspense about Eleanor, driving him
insane? Was she menaced by some
terrible peril?
II he could only spend night alone
in the bank, what might he not dis
cover?
!sHe determined to go boldly to the
president, Mr.. Bortree, and ask his
permission to do so.
"What is your reason for such q
strange request?" asked the official,
looking suspiciouly at him.
Shelby hesitated. Could he tell this
hard, cold man of facts:9
tYou are aware, of course, that
should anything happen here it would
Immediately be traced to you," added
Mr.. Bortree.
Then it flashed upon Shelby that it
was suspicion he saw in this man'aI
face.
my intentions are the most inno-
cent" he said, Strengthening up. II
think the bank is haunted, that's'all.
I nm fond of Investigating such
things"
"Why, SO am l." said Mr.. Bortree.
"I'm member. of the Society for
Psychical Research. Spend the night
in the bank if you like; only I'm afraid
you won't feel much like work the
next day."
That night Shelby went tothe bank
about ten. settled himself in two
leather covf'ed chairs, and prepared
to await Developments.
An hour wore on during4which he
heard nothing.
Then he was startled by assound. It
was a soft, clicking noise. It was in
front. The door was opened. There
were the footballs of two men. He
got up, and peered out cautiously over
the high counter.
The Waterman and Mr.. Bortree
were coming toward him.
II told you I was interested in the
occult" said the President, cheer
fully. GIVE come to help you watch. !"
! A shade Of annoyance passed over
Shclby's face. How could he expect
any developments with this man
there?
Two hours passed by in silence,j
during which the President read and
smoked.
There were no ghostly manifesto
tons. Z
| Shelby was getting very sleepy, and
wishing he hadn't come, whenssudden-
ly he heard thefamiliar 20 .Eleanora
Mr.. Bortree heard it at the same
time and looked at Shelby.
| Then there came faint echo Of the
i words, and in minute or two soft
tapping.
''Strange!" muttered Mr.. Bortree.
"What direction did that come from?"
"Under there" said Shelby, point
ing to the vault.
"Let us go in and see if we can still
hear it,"
They called the Waterman, and went
into the vault. It was as quiet as
the grave. Shelby lay down and put
his ear to the floor. Suddenly he
started up.
my God!" he cried, cit is hollow
under there! Some one is under
mining the vault! I can hear them at
work"
"Impossible!" exclaimed Mr.. Bor-
tree. "On that side is the Knicker-
booker Insurance Company. Who
could bore from there?"
1T doesn't come from that side. It
comes"
Suddenly Shelby stopped, as pale as
death.
"What? From Mr.. Masters house?"
eyes, he stammered, feeling choked
with the horror Of it.
II must give the alarm at once"
"Wait!" cried Shelby, clinging to
his arm. '"They are ready to come
up, and they are ready for murder.
They are watching on the outside,
doubtless. Don't think of going out
alone"
The president gave him q strange
look.
"I am ready to risk anything. For
mvself T am not afraid !" said the