The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1899-12-12
CHAPTER XIV.


succeed in finding still another link IN
the chain Of evidence which might lead
to some trace OF his lost brother.
In the meantime the whole colony
had again become interested in the az
fair, chiefly from the fact that no
traces could be found either OF Baynes
or his wife; and, as 1t became certain
that the missing couple had not trav-
eled toward the coast, as Baynes had
said they intended doing, the matter
grew daily more and more mysterious.
Days and weeks passed by, and yet
nothing fresh concerning the disap-
pearance of Robert Luke came to light.
His brother began to despair, and at
last one night he announced his inten-
ton of returning to England.
ut is of no use my remaining here,
he said. Besides l must go home and
look after my business l have done
my best, and l can do no more. But
to my dying day ! shall believe that
that Baynes and his wife were some
how or other mixed up with the disap-
pearance of my brother"
That night he went up to the hut
for the last time. Having strapped up
the few things he possessed in his
valise he made all preparations for
starting early the next morning Then
he retired to rest.
Once more William Luke dreamed
This time he heard the same voice
crying out, "Help-help!"
He did not awake, but YEARLY an
swered in his sleep
Il am here, Bob. What do you want?
l have done the best l can, and l can
do no more"
They were the words which he had
used that night when he wished the
men good-by. Presently his dream took
a more substantial form. He beheld
the hut in which he slept lighted by a
solitary "slush" lamp. Upon the bed
where he lay he saw the figure of
woman, sitting with her head resting
upon her hands. She seemed TO be
reading some old newspaper, and re-
NAMED perfectly motionless, as if deep
ly intent upon what she read. Then
Luke heard noise, as of some one out
side the hut. In his vision his sense
of hearing seemed almost painfully
acute.
Inc woman also heard the noise, and
raised her head as if in alarm.
He could not catch a glimpse of
her face. for as she sat upon the edge
of the bed her features were turned
away from him.
Suddenly he heard voice speaking
from without. Luke started in his
sleep, for it was the voice of his
brotherl
Mrs. Baynes," it said in a clear. low
tone-"Mrs Baynes, would you kindly
give me drop of brandy, if you have
such thing? l am sorry to trouble
you at this time of night, but am not
very well. | am Luke-Bob Luke"
The woman, as she listened, clasped
her hands together as If in mortal ter
TOR, but she answered not a word
Presently the voice came again this
time louder and with a more deter-
mined accent.
Mrs. Baynes-d'ye hear, Mrs
Baynes?"
Inc woman rose stealthily from her
sitting position and stepped toward the
fireplace. Unlocking the great kettIe
that hung from an iron bar by chain
she noiselessly removed the bar from
Its place and stood clutching it in her
right hand, as if prepared to use II as
a weapon of defense.
William Luke seemed to strain evarv
nerve in his sleep as he endeayored 70
cry out; but his voice appeared to have
left him and his limbs refused to do
his bidding. He was like one paraIv7ad
Tor the time being, with the nowers 30
hearing and seeing alone left IN him
Then he perceived that the door was
being pressed in from without Tho
top part, where there was no holt
5howed signs Of giving away: anotbor
heaving OF the door. and vet anothar
loud crash, and William Luke behoId
his brother!
For several seconds, as it seemed IN
the dreamer, the figure of Robert I.nLa
stood silently gazing at the woman
who stood defiantly facing him VIII,
liam Luke beheld only the face of bic
brother. The woman's back was turned
to him.
Robert Luke appeared to be daxzisd
with the light and unable to see dis
tinctly the objects around him. sud-
denly however he seemed about 70
speak, but a noise from without the
nut, like the sound OF horse gallon
ing up to the door, caused him IN look
round.
The woman, quick as thought, raised
the cruel bar of iron in her hands
and dealt him heavy blow upon his
skull; and with wall of "Help-beln,,
Robert Luke fell face downward mon
the floor.
Then came a blank In the dream
and William saw no more. Presently
however he beheld the figure of his
brother standing near the bed. Rails
ing himself slowly. he gazed into his
race, and, holding out his arms, he en-
deavOred to embrace him,