The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1899-06-21

no search warrant nor to ask further
details.
"a moment later we were hurrying
toward Windygate st. and--what?
| looked round ior our constable.
He stepped out frrm the shadow op.
posite No. 9.
"IIaven't seen any one 20 in, sir" he
whispered. "The lady asked me to
wait near, in case OF anything.
think we've got 'en easily tumbled
at once. No, I'm not relieved for two
hours yet sir"
Up the steps we went. The servant
girl. very pale, was standing in the
hall Together we all stood listening
not a sound from below.
"Now, keep cool, madam" | said,
"and Wen have a look round down
stairs. The girl can watch here. BY
Jove, yes, every door is lockedw
pulled out my bunch of keys to try
them. We were standing in the pas
sage below, the candlcstct shaking in
Mrs. Narney's hand.
"None of mine fit, I know" she
breathcd, nervously. "But do make
haste Sir-couldut they imprson us
for doing this?. -. There. that key
looks exactly like the breakfast parlor
one-this door; le me try it, sir. No,
1t doesn't quite turn. o, and there's
the door of the big cellar where we
keep hearing the digging and knock.
ing noiSpSn
| had forgotten that. Flinging open
the door. peered down into the black
ness. Gland me that lamp-we'll soon
know" | said and the constable fol-
lowed me down the wooden steps
"AIind the coalsr' came madam's
shaky voice down. Co. he quick The
cellar runs out under the street. IL
sounded as if they. Mercy, it's
the Winstons. come backl Out with
the light, Sir-dont move, for heavens
sake"
We were half way across the damp,
black space; her voice merged into a
half scream 50 thrilingly that on the
spur of the moment | blew the candle
ont and gripped the cOnstahle's arm.
There was the sound of n heavy door
slammed to. and then heavy footsteps
and deep voices in the passage over
head.
We had no search warrant-and
there might he n mistake, after all.
Resides to disclose ourselves might
mean n bad half hour for Mrs. Yarney
if not for us.
The cellar door had evidently been
closed as no light came down. and the
sounds were muiiled Finally I con-
Guided that the best thing in the cir
cumstanceS would be to find some in
eliminating evidence if possible. and
get away without being seen-if pos
sible. again. felt for my matchbox,
and relit the candle.
There were no signs Of any eXcava-
lions whatever that we could discover.
| went cautiously back to the steps
| and pushed. IT gave me quite II little
| thrill to find the door immovable. The
constable looked rather pale in the
| candlplight
"Queer'S the word, sirr' he whisper
ed 81 don't half like It, | Just
thought of the coal-shoot. and there's
something on 1.-THE plate won't shift.
| They know we're down here mark my
-.sh, that's cart stopping outside!
| Mr.. Girllestone they're clearing off,
For time we stood. in a sort Of
| stupefaction then. in a spasm of rage,
I made a dash ut that door. deter
mined to chance anything. Useless
it resisted our united strain; clearly,
we were pushing against some weigh
! ty object.
1--WE must have them sooner or later
|
moment they turn their backs"
Useless they've done for her" he
whispered ut took something 10
brighten that woman STRIP
And almost SimultaneouSly-sha I
ever forget it? there came lull in
the scurrving overhead, and then a
voice thick with nervous laughter,
| Just ont side that door
"EI-mnd the Goals"
It was Mrs. Varney's voice. The hall
door banged. there was n sound of Il
cart rumblng away. and then-utter,
significant silence.
"Your runcheonw | gasped. "You
haven't ouet Up with some Of this
coal; aim high and splinter that door
I'll have them yct"'
The top hinge Save-a panel shat
tered: in two minutes we were clam
herring across heavy wringing ma
chine that had been wedged between
the door and a projection of the wall
The place was. save for one or two
rooms. practically destitute of furl-i-
tnre-clearly enough it had been rent.
ed more for ncfarlous than for do
nestle purposes. Ten minutes later
we painted into the police station. and
had sent an the available men, with
descriptions of the young "widow,
flying over Camden Town.
Then | started back for home.
would get rid of the Crime and coal
dust. and then take Il cab straight To
Scotland Yard.
got to the door and pulled ont my
keys MY KEYS. They are not mine
with a gasp | stood and realized that
that clever creature, asking to try
them had handed me back her own
bunch in exchange. Twice ] knocked
loudly before the door opened anil
showed me my wife's face as white
as a sheet
"You. Jimmy? O. thank heaven!
We haven't dared to mover
"W-what do YOU mean"-in the
merest whisper.
1--WE We're sitting In the kitchen. not
half an hour ago, and we thought we
heard some one moving about up here
creeping up and down stairs. |
screamed out something, and Jane
says she heard this door click. We
couldn't stir hand or foot till heard
you knock | knew it couldn't be
| YOU"
Upstairs | sprang like mailman,
On the bedroom table had lain my