Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1897-10-22

!: 4 ClEW BY WIRE s:
Or, An Interrupted Current.
BY HOWARD M. YOST.
Copyright. 1896. by J 3 Lipplncott Co
CHAPTER XVI.

CHAPTER XVI.
The sounds of footsteps upon the
landing ceased for short time. was
not afraid to cope with n single man,
but l naturally felt no desire to have
two or more upon me at once. 1t might
be that Skinner had returned. Inerved
myself for supreme effort against
would sound the note of warning to
the colleague i'll 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 ut 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 q
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.
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 in Investigation.
The secret of the plank was evident
ly known to the newcomer, for when
he left the stairs it was by a jump which
landed him on the stone floor beyond,
and thus, as in my case, the sound of
the warning voice was avoided.
I 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.
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 OPP
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 o 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 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 mans
form, as he went slowly along the low,
narrow passage. lie COULD not proceed
without making some noise, and saw
q startled face appear at the other end
l could hardly rcpress 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 APP
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
eomer's back had given me, but imme-
diately upon his entrance into the
vailed 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.
1 listened intently for the answer,
and the sound of the voice sent a shud.
der over me. Ihe voice was familiar,
ana + was with deepest dread ! heard
il. = ' :
Eyes: You Wsudsr w.
cut" --- LOW I found you
~,4ue IN response to Jackson's ex-
clamation. THAT I will not say.
Enough that am here"
wei, we can't talk in this place."
Jackson said, after pause. His bed
room is right above u.s."
You mean Mr.. Conway. No fear of
his hearing. He was called to nv house
by message from my daughter, and
Is with her now, have no doubt"
Now certainly had received no mes
sage from Florence. If one had been
sent me it must have been either dur
ing my first visit to the cellar or during
my trip to Sidington, and therefore
had missed it.
Yes, have heard that they have met
again. Much good may it do them!"
jackson responded with sheer. Then
he went on: "And since you found my
hiding-place, perhaps you'll tell me
what you expect to gain by coming to
1t! Have you arrived at your right
senses again?"
II have" came the answer.
"Oh, then you agree to give your
daughter to me. I thought you would
come to time"
mo, Thousand times no! I have
come to have an accounting from you.
Accounting? From me? For what,
wonder?" Jackson asked, with inso-
lence.
"Iou have broken our solemn agree
ment. You have removednot only your
share of what remains, but also mine.
Restore it, and you will not be injured,
although we can never again resume
our compact. Refuse to do so, and I
will crush you"