New-York tribune., 1899-07-30
IN DEATHS PROTECTION
From NJ. A, Z.


Convict escaped" muttered the people in the
villages most of them with a hope that he might
get clear away.
on the outskirts of one of the villages a
gloomy looking house, standing in ITS own
grounds and surrounded by ornamental clumpS
OF evergreens. 1t had been occupied now Tor
some months by strangers widow and her
son: none seemed to know them, they had no
vistors-they were. to the country folk mys-
terry.
Il must he near him. Chris" the widows
plea to her remaining son. Il know he is inno-
cent and | like to feel that he is not far away
ard yet how far!'
But though the convict in the great prison
was entered in the books Exham. the widow
and her son were known as Murray
The gloom thickened AS night approached; 4;
darkness would soon settle over all.
Through the driving mist. which was now
turning to rain, man approached inc MOUSE
For the last ten minutes he had been lying be-
meath the dripping shelter of Portugal laurel
Now. at the sound Of distant voices, he hau
crept from his hiding place He looked round
in desnair Through the thickening gloom he
could just discern the house. Above the loWer
windows a heavy string course ran; 1t gave nm
an idea; there were but few more minutes OF
daylight left if he could climb up there he would
be safe for the next eight hours or SO lie
thought it seemed possible; there was water
spout, and some fairly stout vines OF virginia
creoper. The voices came nearer: he sprang Tor
ward. and after a minute OF wild eXertlon lay
full length upon the stone ledge. painting Tor
breath.
The voices were close by; he had been just in
time.
in here you saw him, eh?"
"Ay, measter! l sin mum bout quarter hour
agone"
In here. men, Spread yourselves"
Right. oh!'
1.-TWO Of you to back Keep sharp lookout now.
You stay along o me. Thompson"
\ pealing ring at the door bell. then silent
waiting
The man on the ledge listened holding his
Now, young woman. who lives here?"
Mrs Murray, oficer-will you kindly speak
soh?"
Then a mans voice.
whats this-what do you WANT"
want enough sir One Of the cOnvicts es-
capped this afternoon and was traced here
YES. sir-seen only few minutes ago. I
must come in please, and search the house"
That you can't dO-my mother lies danger
ously ill.,"
Afraid we must, though"
Then another voice.
An. Sergeant Makepeace! Look here it's
impossible. you know. | shant allow you in
without a search warrant. | wouldn't answer
for my patients life. Mrs Murray is danger
ously ill-dying. fear"
Well DR.. Stewart, you see, sir, It's serious
businessman you magistrate
Yes, Makepeace; and for that reason / tell
you to get a warrant-if you can why, man
the prisoner wouldn't be such fool as to come
here"
Il don't know. sir-thcy generally runs into
some silly place or othcr-besides, he was
"Ah well-youT have to stay outside the door,
and that's all about it. If We find him inside
why-we shall know what to do with him.
The doctor could not have explained what
made him hesitate in the middle Of his speech.
An absurd ghost Of an idea had crossed his mind
that the wretched convict might have hidden
there after all.
The sergeant and his men turned reluctantly
away as the door closed softly behind them.
Night had fallen. and the thick drizzle made 1t
dark a grave.
Hell be off sure as a gun. Well search she
outhouses and keep a watch anyhow. This rain
hasn't been falling long enough to soften the
ground There'H be no tracks to follow. I'll get
a warrant, though"
As they walked away the hunted creature on
the ledge drew a breath Of relief and, letting his
head lie on his arms, heard through the silence
Of the night the soft hiss OF the rain as ii fell
S around him. AT any rate, he had time for
consideration.
For half an hour he lay there in the darkness
his head buried in his arms, perfectly secure,
and thankful for the breathing space. He was
thinking hard what he should do next The soft,
warm summer drizzle enveloped him and melted
hm to the skin. At last it began to chill him.
IN discomfort he raised himself from his warm
place and shivered ray Of light shot out into
1le darkness in front Of him-a window He
,rept toward ii: then cautiously raising his
bead ne peered in. An empty bedroom-a man s
ioom 10y the garments hanging on the door lie
might climb in and steal suit OF clothesl 1t
vas easement window and unlatched He had
almost screwed his nerve up to this venture
when he heard a voice; another window had
been opened further along. He shrank against
the wall The voices ceased.
"II see who they are" he said. and again he
crept onward. with infinite care he raised his
head, and found he could look right into the
room past the edge of the blind. Two men
stood with their backs toward him. They
were looking down upon some one in bed. They
spoke in low murmurs. Presently the younger
turned that his side face came into view.
The watcher, with sudden gasp, shrank back
"Chris.' he whispered astounded.
"What was that? Did you hear"
"NO | heard nothing" said the doctor
"What is it2" murmured the sick woman.
Nothing, mother; but fanced | heard some