Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-03-26

CHAPTER w.
WHAT / FOUND IN THE SARATOGA
rTToIrNITy

CHAPTER ~.
WHAT FOUND IN THE SARATOGA
TRUNK.
To some men the discovery had just
made would have far surpassed in hor-
ror the superstition that the room was
teaanted by spirits, or that the brain
was clouded with decisions. But to
me this was not so. | welcomed real
ity, and the selfish sense of mental re-
lief was instantaneous.
1.-THE atrocious villain" I CALCULATED
For, though one phase of the mystery
thickened, yet another melted away
like snow cath before the MONDAY
sun. With a great flash of eniighten-
ment l saw down the dark labyrinth
that lay between me, in Glasgow, and
the old white spider spinning webs IN
that lair of his, far away in London.
In less time than has been taken in
writing the words which tell CT my
quick coming thoughts, was down en-
my knees beside the box, tearing Of
the straps which fastened it. l wished
now that l had not instructed the man
who had brought it to the room to
leave the thing as it was, since should
not be needing to open 1T for couple
of days or so. The side straps had
been buckled with savage tightness
which held sinister meaning enough,
and, as the long, low moan came once
more from within, I felt that a life
might hang upon those moments l was
wasting.
The voice, which sounded like that
CT young girl, might have been sweet
and tuneful in speech or song, and
have gladdened the hearts Of all who
listened; but to hear it proceeding from
the inside CT box-a box which l had
carelessly regarded as dummy" piece
OF luggag e-was incredibly horrible
AS l tore the straps apart and began
trying to fit in the key OF my travelling
bag, which was the Only one in my
possession, my hands shook and the
sweat started out cold on my fore
head.
Keep up your courage" I faltered
awkwardly; and though | had meant
to say more, could not, for the words
choked me. The thought that l was
talking to the box had horrid Judi
crousness in it, which I shut my eyes
on; and yet could not speak again.
No answer came, though for a sec
ond or two, Involuntary waited, nor
were there any meanings. The silence
was ominousIy suggestive, falling as
1t did. And in my mad impotence l
bent the key so that it would neither
turn nor come out Of the lock.
1 looked desperately round me for
some instrument with which to break
the box open, but there was none
which by any stretch OF the magma
ton might be expected to servo, except
the poker, which lay primly among its
brass companions in the fender. Y
hoped for little help from this expedl-
dent, but I squandered a few more
moments in testing it, and then, fling
ing the poker down, strobe to the cleo
trio bell.
I had already pressed it, meaning to
alarm the hotel with my story, and
have the secret of the box brought to
light as speedily as possible, when my
hand fell away, and l bit my lip IN
ANNOYANCE at what 1 had inconsider-
ately done.
The very last thing l should have
thought of, for my own sake, was to
nublish my dilemma. How could [
hone that | should make the astounding
truth believed? I would at once be
arrested as a criminal, or, at the least,
the accomplice in a crime.
It was well enough to hold my life