The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1899-11-02

my death. Only the merest chance nad
enabled me to escape cruel fate from
which, should my wits now fail me,
must expect but brief respite.
My first act on regaining my room
was to drag my bed across the open
door; then, with the aid of my pocket
knife l cut and tore the sheets, blan-
kets and counterpart into long slips,
with which l made tolerably strong
rope some so feet in length. This tied
firmly to one of the legs of the bed,
and having forced open the trapdoor.
dropped in through the crevice into
space. Then, gripping the top of my
cord, / knelt on the treacherous floor
ing. 1t gave beneath my weight, and
l went down into the dark chasm.
With no little trepidation did l make
my descent, for I knew not whether
my rope was of sufficient length. Nor
were my fears without cause, for had
come to within foot of its limit ere
l touched ground. Then with sigh Of
relief l loosened my hold, and taking
box of matches from my pocket struck
light and lit the candle ! had had
the foresight to bring with me.
stood within dungeon 20 feet
square, with, save the shaft down which
l had descended, no outlet but a pom
derous door, locked and bolted on the
outside. / looked round. The ground
was roughly paved with large flags of
sandstone, broken and thickly covered
with a lichenous growth. AT one spot
two had been raised to permit of an
excavation some four feet in depth be-
ing made. A shudder travelled through
met looked like grave!
At my feet lay my bag. 1t had been
burst open by the fall, and its contents
were strewn about in considerable con-
fusion. The case. however, which con-
tanned such few jewels as Sir John had
discarded when making his selection
was comparatively uninjured.
Before my eyes hung the improvised
rope by which I had effected my de-
scent. That must be destroyed. ap-
Pile, match to the dry linen. The
lime sped upwards, Illuminating the
mid sides of the black shaft as it
ieapt aloft. 1t burned out against the
trap through which / had come. A
downward, and darkness again closed
in. Then stretching myself on the
ground, my right hand gripping my re-
volver, hidden beneath me, ! waited
my fate.
Soon l heard steps approaching; hey
halted without the door, and after a
few seconds of hushed colloquy the
grind of heavy bolts being drawn from
their sockets and the creaking of a
rusty lock fell on my ears. Sir John en-
tered, followed by his brother.
He raised the lantern which he car
ried above his head and peered into the
gloom.
Good" he exclaimed, at length.
my dear Godfrey, you deserve my
heartiest congratulations for the skill
with which you have furthered my
scheme. You have well earned your re-
ward; it shall be yours to-day. But let
us lose no time. Take out the fellows
pocketbook-'tis in his breast pocket,
think; you'll find my check there. Bet
ter destroy that. III look for what /
didn't choose last night. All, there it is,
suppose, in that case"
He turned aside, while Mr.. Lansdell,
bending over me, unbuttoned my coat.
OF sudden, as he was about to insert
his hand into my pocket, l fred.
I'm done!" he gasped, and stagger-
ing backward fell into the grave he had
intended for his victim.
In an instant l had covered Sir John
with my weapon.
"Move at your peril!" cried, as rose
from the ground.
His face flushed pale with fear and
rage as our eyes met in long, relent-
less glare for mastery. Then his fell.
"What would you do?" he said, with
an insolent shrug of his shoulders.
Hand me that case" answered.
He seemed disinclined to obey.
"Quick!" / cried, "or-"
He no longer hesitated
"Now," ] said, "hold up your hands"
"Why, you wretched bagman?" he
sneered, but for all that obeyed.
Surely a superfuous question" l
said, backing-the barrel of my revolver
still upon him-to the door.
Look here." he yelled. "What the"
His remaining words were lost in the
clang of the massive door as swung ii
after me. With desperate haste shot
the bolts.
"You hound!" shrieked the trapped
man, striking the hard wood with impo-
tent fury. Would you leave me here to
die?'
did you consider me?" ] made an
swer, as turned upon my heel
His blasphemies and curses followed
me as ! slowly groped my way up the
narrow passage, dying away at last
into bursts of inarticulate rage.
When / had, as far as / could Judge,
traversed some hundred or more yards,
my further progress was arrested by
closed door.
Fortunately, however, the miscreants
had not removed the key, so, opening II
without delay, entered a small dorled
building of marble, and lighted by col