The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1898-01-22

landed him on the stone floor beyond,
and thus, us in my case, the sound Of
the warning voice was avoided.
I had no opportunity then for specu.
latlon 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 wallis
gradually approaching my hiding place
I 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 q sudden bound from the
glimpse Of that form, fleeing and in
distinct though 1t 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 biotted out by the mans
form, as he went slowly along the low,
narrow passage. He could not proceed
without making some noise, and / saw
a startled face appear at the other end.
I could hardly repress cry of aston
ishment.
The light in the room was at one side
of the passage; II 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
comer's back had given me, but imme-
diately upon his entrance into the
walled 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.
I listened intently for the answer,
and the sound of the voice sent shud-
der over me. The voice was familiar,
and it was with deepest dread heard
it.
Eyes. You wonder how / found you
out came in response to Jackson's ex-
clamation. That will not say.
Enough that am here"
well. we can't talk in this place"
jackson said. after pause. "His bed
room is right above US" .1
"You mean Mr.. Conway. No fear Of
his hearing. He was called to my house
by q message from my daughter and
is with her now, I have no doubt"
Now I certainly had received no mes.
sage from Florence. If one had been
sent me 1t must have been either dur
ing my first visit to the cellar or during
my trip to Sidington. and therefore
had missed it. :,
Eyes, have heard that they have met
again. Much good may it do them!"
Jackson responded with sneer. Then
he went on: "And since you found my
hiding-place, perhaps you'll tell me
what you expect to gain by coming to
It? Have you arrived at your right
senses AGAIN."
A"I have" came the answer.
e"Oh, then you agree to give your
daughter to me. Thought you would
come to time"
mo, thousand times no! I have
como to have an accounting from YOU"
Accounting? From me? For what,
I wonder?" Jackson asked. with inso-
lence.
"You have broken our solemn agree
mcnt. You have removed not 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
will crush you" "
"Oh, no, you will, will you? How?'
asked Jackson. in derisive tones.
"By denouncing you," Mr.. Morley re-
piled, sternly.
"Now, that is useless and foolish talk.
Let us reason, as between two business
men," said jackson, assuming conf
Dental style. II want to marry your
daughter At first you kept promising
me that should do so. All through the
Ave years of patient waiting for an op.
portunity to tap the vault, you kept me
to the job by that promise. Lately you
refuse to fulfill your promise, and yet
you now talk to me Of breaking our
agreement. Give me your daughter
You know she would be influenced by
your wish"
1T cannot be-"
"And why not? know she doesn'i
like me, but love her and want heI
more than anything on earth. Shell
do as YOU tell her; you know that
Come, I'll give up not only your share
NJ what remaips lint all NV own Tan
rich now, and don't need It,"
"And who made you rich?'
"Oh, you did. Idon'tdeny it, and yor
have my thanks" replied jackson, In
mocking tones. THAT last deal IN
which we were on opposite sides hap