The Philipsburg mail., 1899-08-04
and thumb, he threw himself down up

and thumb, he threw himself down up
on his bunk.
Hour after hour passed. and the
steady stentorian breathing Of his COM
panions told him that they all slept
Presently he raised himself gently to
a sitting posture, and in doing SO he
made the wooden bunk creak. He
listened for some seconds. No-the
men were undisturbed. Gradually fa
reached the floor, holding his breath
lest the slightest noise on his pam
should awaken one of his companions.
Then he felt his way in his stocklngec
feet softly to the door, which was Sc
cured by common wooden latch. lie
managed to open the door without
sound, and when outside, he let the
latch fall slowly into its place with the
string attached to it from without
He paused and listened, but they all
slept on.
The moon was nearly at the quarter,
and the shadows from the Ranges lay
broad and dark upon the lower ground
| beneath. Beyond the cry of night
croakirg of frogs in the stagnant pools
near the creek there was not sound
| to be heard.
Luke walked along in the direction
of Bayncs' hut, which, lying in the
! shadow Of the hill, would have been
difficult for one not knowing the local
! ity to discover; but Robert Luke knew
! his way we'll.
In few minutes he stood outside
the door. There was no sign of life to
be seen within. He tried the handle,
and found that the door was locked.
Then he crept round to the window,
which was unglazed and had coarse
calico nailed across in lieu of glass
After peering about for some minutes,
he detected a speck of light shining
dimly through an inner curtain.
Probably there was a mOth-hole in the
blanket which had been hung inside to
prevent the light from being seen from
without. The keyhole and every chink
seemed stopped securely.
How easily he might slit the calico
across with his knife and effect an
entrance But then, suppose his sur
misses were to prove wrong what eX-
cuse could he make for thus disturb
ing the woman in the middle of the
night?
Lukes heart beat fast. 1t seemed to
him as if he were on the very brink
of making some discovery, and yet
was to be baked.
He stood still and thought a while.
Then it occurred to him that he might
knock, pretend he was Ill, and ask for
brandy. The men on the station had
none, he knew. Yes, there could be no
harm in that.
He knocked on the panels Of the
door, but no answer came. He knocked
again, and spoke.
Mrs. Baynes, would you kindly give
me a drop of brandy if you have such
a thing | am sorry to trouble you at
this time of night, but l am not very
we'll ! am Luke-BOb Luke"
, Still not word came in reply. He
called out again more loudly
Mrs. Baynes-d'ye hear, Mrs. Bay
nes?"
Growing bolder, he determined to try
l
the strength of the door.
Placing his shoulder against it, he
turned the handle and leaned upon it
with his whole weight.
Suddenly the door gave way, and he
was preciptated into the room. Re-
covering himself, it was yet several
seconds before he could distinguish
any objects around him-the sudden
transition from the darkness without
b to the glare Of a lamp had dazzled his
eyes. When he recovered from the
first confusing effects OF the light. he
saw a sight that sent him staggering
e back against the wall and for a mo-
ment deprived him Of the power of
l speech. He was bewildered, and could
l not find breath to say the words which
l. were upon his lips.
A sound of horses hOOfs approach
/ ing the hut made him suddenly look
e round. and then he knew no more. A
u fearful crash upon his skull deprived
u him Of his senses, and he fell heavily
Il to the floor
(To be COntinued)