Owingsville outlook. [volume] (Owingsville, Ky.) 1879-192?, 1898-07-07
CHAPTER XVI.

The sounds of footsteps upon the
landing ceased for a short time. ! was
not afraid To cope with n single man,
but | naturally felt no desire 10 have
two or more upon me at once. Ii might
he that Skinner had returned. lnervsd
myself for supreme effort against
odds. and waited for the alarm which
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 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 strea.ned down and made
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, breathlcssly 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 in investigation.
The secret of the plank was evident
ly known to the newcomer, for when
| he left the stairs il was by jump which
landed him on the stone floor beyond,
| IL, L., no IF
the warning voice was avoided.
naG no opportunity then for specu-
= ,.tiau a., TO the close connection be-
tween ihc plank and the voice, for the
uul' "5 i niger was upon me. The
ro"ni isios, 'rept slowly over the walls,
gra iuaijy aprroscbing my hiding place.
held Hy pistol ready, determined
the instant the light fell upon me to
fire, ainIing at a spot in the darkness
direcJiy above il.
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
Stunning a crouchirg position, entered
into the region beyond.
He had had his back toward me, and
the light. coming from the walledup
cellar through a narrow, low passage
way leading TO il, was faint; but my
heart took n sudden bound from the
glimpse of that form, fleeting and in
distinct though il 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 mans
form, as he went slowly along the low.
narrow passage. lie could not proceed
without making some noise, and saw
a startled face appear at the other end.
| could hardly repress n 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 n 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.
l was eager TO verify my first i'm
preston, which the glimpse or 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 line of vision.
Jackson's eyes followed him, and
were evidently resting upon him in
doubt and suspicion.
"You?" he finally exclaimed.
| / listened intently for the answer,
and the sound of the voice sent a shud-
der over me. The voice was familiar,
and it was with deepest dread heard
il.
"Yes. You wonder how 1 found you
out" came in response to Jackson's ex-
clamation. THAT I will not say.
Enough that am here"
well, we can't talk in this place"
Jackson said. after a pause. His bed
room is right above u.s."
"You mean Mr.. Conway. No fear of
his hearing. He was called to my house
by a message from my daughter, and
is with her now, / have no doubt"
tro BE Continued
l