The Holly chieftain., 1898-09-09
CHAPTER XVI.

landing ceased for short time. wai
not afraid to cope with single man
but naturally felt no desire to have
two or more upon meat once. Itmight
be that Skinner had returned. Inerved
myself for a supreme effort against
odds. and waited for the alarm which
would sound the note of warning tc
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, trir
him up, AMI SO make my escape, was my
first impulse.
was about to station myself in posi-
tion to carry out this plan when band
of light streaned down and made a
round, yellow patch on the stones be.
low.
Thus being prevented from follow
ing my plan, l hastily but silently with.
drew behind the stairs, and, crouching
down, breathIessly 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 it was by jump which
landed him on the Etone floor beyond,
and thus, us in my case. the sound OF
the warning voice was avoided.
/ had no opportunity then for specu-
lation as to the close connection be-
tween the plank and the voice, for the
time of danger WINS upon me. The
round glow crcpt slowly over the walls,
gradually approaching my hiding place
held my pistol ready. determined
the instant the light fell upon me to
fire, aiming ut a spot in the darkness
directly above 1t.
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 op.
posite wnll widened.
The fellow paused but an instant be.
fore the wide open door. and then. as.
suming q crouchirg position. entered
into the regio IN beyond.
He had hnd his back toward me, and
the light. coming from the walled-up
cellar through a narrow, low passage
way leading to 1t, wns faint; but my
heart took sudden bound from the
glimpse Of that form, flceting and In.
distinct though It was. Here was a 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
startled face appear at the other end.
l could hardly repress cry Of aston.
ishment. Ni
The light in the room was at one side
OF the pnssage; 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 ap-
peared too dumfounded to move. The
man he WINS watching reached the end
of the passage and stepped into the
apartment beside him.
I 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 line of vision.
Jackson's eyes followed him. and
were evidently resting upon him in
doubt and suspicion.
Your" he finally exclaimed.
I listened inteutly 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.
"Yes. You wonder how found you
out" came In response to Jackson's ex-
clamation. "That l will not say.
Enough that nm here"
"Well, we can't talk in this place."
Jackson said. nfter 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 . message from my daughter. and
IL with her now, have no doubt"
rro BE coNrMuED.l
l.a -