The Pioche weekly record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1877-1900, 1899-09-07
CHAPTER XIV.

however. could be discovered, and for
several weeks Luke hunted about the
place in vain. hoping that he might
succeed in finding still another link in
the chain Of evidence which might lead
to some trace of his lost brother.
In the meantime the whole colony
had again become interested in the af-
fair, chiefly from the fact that no
traces could be found either Of Baynes
or his wife; and, as 1t became certain
that the missing couple had not tray-
eled toward the coast, as Baynes had
said they intended doing, the matter
grew daily more and more mysterious.
Days and weeks passed by. and yet
nothing fresh concerning the disap-
pearance of Robert Luke came to light.
His brother began to despair, and at
last one night he announced his inten-
ton of returning to England.
1t Is OF no use my remaining here,
he said. Besides l must go home and
look after my business. I have done
my best, and ! can do no more. But
to my dying day shall believe that
that Baynes and his wife were some
how or other mixed up with the disap-
pearance of my brother"
That night he went up to the hut
for the last time. Having strapped up
the few things he possessed in his
valise, he made all preparations for
starting early the next morning. Then
he retired to rest.
once more William Luke dreamed.
This tine he heard the same voice
crying out, "Help-help!"
He did not awake, but YEARLY an
swered In his sleep
Il am here, Bob. What do you want ?
| have done the best can, and l can
do no more"
They were the words which he had
used that night when he wished the
men good-by. Presently his dream took
more substantial form. He beheld
the hut in which he slept lighted by a
solitary "slush" lamp. Upon the bed
where he lay he saw the figure of a
woman, sitting with her head resting
upon her hands. She seemed to be
reading some old newspaper, and re-
manned perfectly motionless, as II deep
ly intent upon what she read. Then
Luke heard noise, as of some one out
side the hut. In his vision his sense
OF hearing seemed almost painfully
acute.
The woman also heard the noise, and
raised her head as If in alarm.
He could not catch a glimpse of
her face, for as she sat upon the edge
OF the bed her features were turned
away from him.
Suddenly he heard a voice speaking
from without. Luke started in his
sleep, for it was the voice Of his
brother!
Mrs. Baynes," 1t said In clear, low
tone-"Mrs Baynes, would you kindly
give me a drop of brandy, If you have
such thing? / am sorry to trouble
you at this time Of night, but am not
very well. am Luke-Bob Luke"
The woman, as she listened, clasped
her hands together as if in mortal ter
ror. but she answered not a word
Presently the voice came again. this
time louder and with a more deter
mined accent.
Mrs. Baynes-d'ye hear, Mrs
Baynes?"
The woman rose stealthily from her
sitting position and stepped toward the
fireplace. Unlocking the great kettle
that hung from an iron bar by a chain
she noiselessly removed the bar from
its place and stood clutching 1t in her
right hand, as if prepared to use II as
a weapon of defense.
William Luke seemed to strain every
nerve in his sleep as he endeavored to
cry out; but his voice appeared to have
left him and his limbs refused To do
his bidding. He was like one paralyzed
for the time being, with the powers of
hearing and seeing alone left to him.
Then he perceived that the door was
being pressed in from without. The
top part, where there was no holt
showed signs of giving away; another
heaving Of the door, and yet another.
a loud crash, and William Luke beheld
his brother!
For several seconds, as 1t seemed to
the dreamer, the figure of Robert Luke
stood silently gazing at the woman
who stood defiantly facing him. VIII
liam Luke beheld only the face of his
brother. The woman's back was turned
to him.
Robert Luke appeared to be dazzled
with the light and unable to see dis
tinctly the objects around him. Sud
denly however he seemed about to
speak, but noise from without the
hut, like the sound of a horse gallop-
ing up to the door, caused him to look
round.
The woman, quick as thought, raised
the cruel bar of iron In her hands
and dealt him heavy blow upon his
skull; and with wall of "Help-helpw
Robert Luke fell face downward upon
the floor.
Then came blank in the dream,
and William saw no more. Presently
however he beheld the figure Of his
brother standing near the bed. Rails
ing himself slowly. he gazed into his
face. and. holding out his arms, he en-
deavored 20 embrace him.
His brother looked sadly into his
eyes, and then, turning from him,
moved slowly toward the fireplace, and
vanished from his sight.
William Luke awoke to find himself