The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1898-01-22
20 Eleanora." Thel voice, which
seemed half reproach, thalf entreaty,
was haart-randinn in itaAanpaal

u0Ao Aomcub tno Watcnmnl
came in and put an, end to further i'm
vestigations. He could invent n,
further pretext for remaining, lant
went away.
The morning after.this the presiden
gave him an odd look as he passed
through. Shelby went and stared
into the mirror to see if he hadtomittet
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 mamie also caught
looking at him in scrutiniaing 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?
If he could onlyispend alright alone
In the bank, what might The not dis
cover?
IL He determined to go boldly to the
president, Mr.. Bortree, and ask his
| PERMISSION TO 90 so.
"What is your reason for such a
strange request?" asked THE official,
looking suspiciouly Thin.
Shelby hesitated Gould he tell this
hard, cold man of facts2
''You are aware, of course, that
should anything happen here it would
Immediately be tracedfto you," added
Mr.. Bortree.
Then it flashed upon Ashelby that it
was suspicion he saw3in this mans
''My intentions arej the most limo
cent" he said, Strengthening up. ST
think the bank is haunted, that's all.
I am 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 likes only I'm afraid
you won't feel much like work the
next day."
That night Shelby went to the bank
about ten. settled himself in two
leather covf'ed chairs, and prepared
to await Developments.
An hour wore on during which he
heard nothing.
Then he was startled by, a sound. 1t
was soft, clicking noise. 1t 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.
81 told you was Interested in the
occult" said the President, cheer
fully. I've come to help you watch"
A shade of annoyance passed over
Shelby's face. How could he expect |
any Developments with this man |
there?
Two hours passed by in silence,
during which the President read and
smoked.
There were no ghostly manifesto
tions.
Shelby was getting verysleepy, and
wishing he hadn't come, when sudden
ly he heard the familiar 30, Eleanora.
Mr.. Bortree heard it at, the same
time and looked at Shelby.
Then there came faint echo of the
words, and in minute or two soft
tapping.
stranger" muttered Mr.. Bortree.
''What direction did that come from?"
'Under there" said Shelby, point
ing to the vault II
'sLet us 60 in and see if we can still
hear it."
They called the Waterman, and went
into the vault. 1t was as quiet as !
The grave. Shelby lay down and put I
MS ear to the floor. Suddenly he {
started up.
my God!" he cried, SIT is hollow
1nder there! Some one is under t
mining the vault! I can hear them at Z
work." Z
'Tmpossible!" exclaimed Mr.. Bor- O
rec. "On that side is the Knicker- /
,ocker Insurance Company. Who f
ould bore from there?' q
1T doesn't come from that side. 1t {
zones" 8
Suddenly Shelby stopped, as pale as I
leath. f
"What? From Mr.. Masters house?" &
'Yes, he stammered, feeling choked
nth the horror of it. "
81 must give the alarm at once" a
"Wait!" cried Shelby, clinging to d
is arm. 'They are ready to come a
p. and they are ready for murder. a
hey are watching ON the outside, fl
oubtless. Don't think of going out O.
lone" fl
The president gave him a strange ia
)ok. w
81 am ready to risk anything. For O,
lyself I am not afraid" said the O
Dung man looking the other full in
ne face.
'sThen take this lantern and hold it
, the window" d
1t was an ordinary bulls eye lantern oil
hich Mr.. Bortree took from under o to
hair, and which he had evidently IL
idden there. I'll
In that moment Shelby knew that I'll
g had been the subject of horrible in
lspicion. But he quietly took the ia
ght and obeyed. 81
After about three minutes, some al
ne tapped on the door. The Presi- h.
emit opened it, and admitted two po- te
cemen. I'll
Shelby spoke first I'll