Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1899-02-27
The Dark House
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c. MANVILLE FEVN!
G. WANVILLE FENN (!

is windows, with all these curtains.
Oh, that's it, is it? Quiet, will your
He stood listening attentively.
Its all right. There isn't a sound.
Let's go, then, at once"
What, empty? Not mech, Dick?"
faint likely. Wait till I've got two
enore cartridges in. That's it. Now
then, business"
But this poor fellow?"
Hes not killed. only quoted. Now,
then, what is there here?"
They made a hurried search of the
room, but, with the exception Of the
silver tops of the bottles of the col
onels dressing-case, there was no
thing to excite their cupidity.
Then Capel's pockets were searched,
bit watch and purse were in his
chamber, while, though the colonePs
room was full of costly objects, they
were not of the portable nature that
would have made them valuable to the
quickly, cts of no use; we must go
down. Where are the keys?"
The little man took a bunch from
a bag.
"But suppose the old mans awake"
whispered the shivering ex-servant
faint from his wound.
"Well, if he is, we must persuade
him to go to sleep, somehow, till we've
done. Here, you come and hold the
light while 1 hand him the keys"
The trembling man took the lantern,
while his leader went down on one
knee; and as his little companion
handed him false keys and picklocks,
he busted himself trying to open the
door.
Keep that light still, will you?" he
cried, menacingly. "Why, you're maxi
ing it dance all over the door. L
want it on the key-hole, don't II"
Then the light shone full on the
lock for minute or two, not more;
for he who held it kept turning his
head to see if Capel was moving.
This brought forth torrent of
whispered oaths from both men.
"Here, let me have a try" whisp-
cred the little man. 81 can open it if
you'll hold this blessed glim still. l
never see such a cur"
Then, in the coolest manner pos
sible, he took the others place, and
tried key after key, picklock after
picklock, and ended by throwing all
into the bag with a growl of disgust.
tits one of them stoopid patents"
he cried. Here, give us james.
A strong steel crow-bar in two pieces
was screwed together, and it's sharp
the post; but the great solid mahogany
door stood firm, only emitting now and
then a loud crack, sharp as that given
by cart-whip, as the men strained at
it in turn.
'Here, let's try saw. Center-bit!"
A center-bit was fitted into a stock,
and hole cut right through. Into
this, after much greasing, key-hole
saw was thrust, and, not without emit
ting a loud noise, the work of cutting
began, the sawdust falling lightly on
the lion-skin; but at the end Of few
seconds dull, harsh sound told that
the saw was meeting metal, and
fresh start had to be made.
For fully two hours did the men
work to get through, boring and saw
ing in place after place, but always to
find that the door was strengthened in
all directions with metal plates; and at
last the task was given up.
Look here" growled the leader of
the party, that bed isn't used. I
want to know how that chap got in.
He hasn't any key"
Cant you get the door open, them"
said the third man, after the other
had shaken his head.
why, don't you see we can't?"
"But we shall get nothing for our
trouble"
Nothing at ALL" said the tall man,
quietly.
"But-'
"There, that'H do. First of all, you
were so precious anxious to go. Now
you know we can't get down, you're all
for the job. I say, is this the room
where the murder was?"
Eyes; don't talk about It,"
''Why not? We haven't done an
other. He'll come round"
what next, Dick?"
"Cut," was the laconic reply.
when there's all that plate ask
ing of us to make up a small parcel
and carry it away?"
Don't patter. Got all the tools?"
Eyes"
''Then come along"
The light was played upon Capels
insensible face for a few moments,
and then, to the intenst relief Of the
ex-servant, the lantern was placed in
the bag with the burglars tools, and
the window being thrown open, one
by one stole out, the last closing the
window behind him, leaving Capel
lying helplessly and insensible in the
1ocked-up room.