Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1899-01-20

named Winston and his wife.
They seemed strange from the first,
and kept all their doors locked: then
they began to have mysterious visitors
long after dark, and my servant kept
waking me at light to Say she could
not sleep for the queer noises. I'm
positive there's something wrong, and
yet 1 daren't say anything, for there
are firearms about-the man .deliber-
ately shot my cat one day because i;
looked at his canary. But that's not
all; these last two days there has been
continual digging sound down in the
basement, especially at night. I lie and
quake; it sounds just as if they are bur-
rowing under the street-they might.
for all know, be mixed up with those
these dreadful nihilist peoplei There,
[ know there is d mystery behind!"
That was it, poured out in agitated
breaths. think it was fully minute
before I c0uid turn my face and say,
steadily:
Indeed? And what made you come
TO me, MADAME
ITO you? Oh, of course! Why,
gave them notice to go six weeks back,
and they simply laughed. Since then
I dread an upset of any kind; several
times 1 have thought of going to the
police for advice, and always hesitated.
But this evening my girl said there
was homely constable at the corner;
the Winstons happened to have gone
out, so L slipped on my things, ran up
and asked him if he would mind COM
ing in to see what was going on. and
how I could get an ejectment notice.
He wrote this address on piece of pa
per and told me to come straight to
you, the inspector, as You would see to
it Immediately. He said something
about a search warrant, but how could
II
''He did quite right-and so did you'll"
I was at the door in Two strides. This
queer accident, brought about so
simply, showed the way as clear as day
light. I had stumbled upon the nest
and should have the silk within few
hours. I would wait for no search war
rant nor to ask further details. "This
way. madam! You say they have gone
out-then I''l come back with you. In
any case, you can admit NE as
friend"
'Ye-es" She had hand to her fore
head "But-but I'm sure they are des-
perate people! Anything rather than
disturbance, or that neighbors should
talki"
Leave that to me. Er-Katie!" I
called over the banisters. Don't sit
up in case I'm late
We went out. A moment later we
were hurrying towards. Windygate
street and-what?
looked round for our constable. He
stepped out from the shadow opposite
No. g.
Haven't seen anyone go in, sir" he
whispered. THE lady asked me to wait
near. in case of any thing. think we've
got 'em easily-I tumbled at once. No,
I'm not relieved for two hours yet,
SIR
"Come inside with us, then" Up the
steps we went. The servant girl, very
pale, was standing in the hall. Togeth-
er we all stood listening-not a sound
from below. Nothing more lucky could
have happened! Now, keep cool,
madam / said. 'sand We'll have look
round downstairs. The girl can watch
is locked!"
v
them. We were standing in the pas
sage below, the candlestick shaking in
Mrs Varney's hand. 1t was rather an
exciting moment.
"None of mine fit, I know" she
breathed, neryously. But 60 make
haste, shouldn't they imprison us
FOR doing this? There. that key
looks exactly like the breakfast parlor
| one-this door; let me try it. sir. Q No,
it doesn't quite turn. Oh, and there's
| the door of the big cellar, where we
keep hearing the digging and knocking
| noises!'
I had forgotten that. Flinging open
| the door, peered down into the black
| ness. "Hand me that lamp-we1l soon
| know 1 said, and the constable fol-
lowed me down the wooden steps. At
the foot the ceiling was SO low we had
to stoop. Quick! we might find the
| bales here" whispered to him.
mind the coalst" came madam's
shaky voice down. "Oh. be quick! The
cellar runs out under the street. 1t
sounded as if they .. Mercy, it's
F., the Winstons, come backi Out with
| the light, sir-tion't move, for heavens
| sake!"
We were half way across tbs damp,
black space; her voice merged into a
half scream SO thrillingly that on the
spur of the moment / blew the candle
out and gripped the constab'e's arm.
| ~ mere nothing became tragedy of
| sudden. There was the sound of door
slammed to, and then heavy footsteps
and deep voices in the passage over
| head.s 1t had happened so swiftly and
| unexpectedly that we stood holding our
| breath down there most foolishly.
| More banging and humping and talk
cverhead-then a comparative silence,
broken. by the constable's uncomfort-
| O. BILE laugh.