The Delta independent., 1898-01-07

| This was Immediately followed by
two other reports. Mr.. Morley had evil
IDENTIFY missed the first time. and his
second shot sounded simultaneously
with Jackson's return fire.
Then Mr.. Morley staggered before the
passageway. His arms were appraised.
and the hands worked convulsive!y.
He made a great effort to speak. but
no sound came from his lips. except
deep groan as he fell forward full
length. And there he lay. motionless.
his face resting on the hard floor.
In a moment jackson was bending
over him. The lock 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 the
papers which had fallen from his hand,
and, throwing hasty glance around,
seized the lantern and entered the pas
| sageway. intent on instant flight.
Too Mortified to think what course to
pursue, 1 backed away from the door
and took n position near the stairs.
jackson entered the cook-house cell
lar, and, placing the lantern upon the
floor. closed the door. Then he turned
and peered 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.
mo. no." l cried; keep that hand
down." He saw had him covered with
my revolver, and he obeyed my com
mand for the moment. But knew that
he was desperate man and would not
hesitate to throw his life away in the
endeavor to escape. Therefore hastily
followed up the advantage.
You'll throw that pistol TO me-"
| continued. INSTANTLY, you damned
| villain, you murderer, or, as sure as
| Heaven"
But my words were interrupted. He
had backed up against the door, his
eyes staring fxedly at me. There was
| n movement of his arm, and l was about
to pull the trigger 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 n 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 murlerous device for guard
ing his hiding place.
Hurried footsteps were crossing the
room above. and hastily took up new
| position of defense.
"Stop!" yelled. as the feet began TO
descend. THE stairs are covered by my
pistol"
There was a pause, and a hurried con-
sultation upon the landing.
"Is that you down there, Mr.. Con-
way?" inquired a voice which recog-
nizcd.
"Yes. it is: and. as I do not know
whether you are IN enemy or . friend.
| Mr.. Sonntag. guess I won't run any
risk. You'd better stay up. You have
me in your power. pennesi up here in
this hole; but IL I've got to die some
one else goes with me-"
| Again there was a hurried converse
ton in low tones between Sonntag and
some other PARTY. who ! surmised wss
| Skinner.
Perhaps you will not object to my
approach, Nelson" voice called out
MS a second pair Of legs came down.
ave are nll friends. true friends" IL
| continued.
There was something so familiar in
the sound OF the voice that hesitated
in again uttering n 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. I recognized him
| Immediately. and with loud call
| sprang toward him.
"Mr. Perry! Oh. thank God, you
have come!" stepped unthinkingly
on the plank Mt the bottom, and he
came down to me and grasped my hand.
"Don't mind that. 1t cannot hurt
you," remarked. as the warning voice
again sounded out, just as though its
services were longer needed.
II know it cannot" Mr.. Perry re-
marked, with n 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! It 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?"
mo. I am thankful that no mans
blood is on my hands. Although I
came very near shooting him."
Then l explained how Jackson had
been killed. 1 told nothing about Mr..
Morley's connection with the affair.
They listened intcntly, and then Sonn-
tag, carrying a jimmy, went to the door.
"Will you two stand to one sideT'
Sonntag called out. THAT shooting ap-
paratus might go OF again in getting
the door open"
The bundle OF papers which had
fallen from the dead mans grasp was
| picked up by Sonntag's companion and
handed by him to Mr.. Perry. Then the
man turned TO me, and. bestowing a
smile upon me at the nstonisbmcnt he
evidently saw depicted on my face, went
| to Sonntag's assistance.