Evening star., 1900-08-18

one side. SO that there was no opportunity
for conversation. Down at the very point
where 18th street crosses the bottom, hc
halted, and for the first time seemed dis
posed to talk
We turn south, here. Ferguson" he
said. and we Will have to pick our way.
1t is rather dark. but think can find the
place.
Then you know now where you are
going?' l asked.
Yes There is an old house mile or
your pistols. all right?''
Yes / replied.
There is an old railroad grade some
where here 1t has been abandoned for
years, but if j can locate it we can fol-
low along the top of it 1t will be easier
than forcing our way through the brush.
Keep. your eyes peeled now. and look out
that you are not brushed off your horse by
a low hanging limb: and above all, Fer
guson, don't talk. Let us move along as
silently possible
he led the way, and l followed, although
as We dived deeper into the woods it soon
became difficult to him, but l knew
that my horse would follow his unerringly
so abandoned the effort to guide him. 1t
seemed to me that Travelled in that
manner more than an hour. though | now
know it was not so long by far: then we
turned down the bank of the old grade,
crossed a Swampy stretch where the grass
grew SO high that it caught in my spurs
and presently began the ascent of a deep
though short hill. and at the top emerged
from the woods, but found ourselves at the
margin of wilderness of bushes that
were not quite as high heads as we
sat upon our horses. Coming from the
gloom of the forest behind us, the starlit
sky-there was no moon-made it seem
quite light Before us. three or four hun
dred feet away. dark. gloomy and forbid
ding, loomed the outlines of house. and
for some reason the aspect of the whole
thlnS sent an involuntary Shudder through
me
w hi!e was intently regarding the house
Moore dismounted. and having uffbuckled
one side of the bride rein and thus made
a halter of 1t, he tied his horse to Il tree.
I'VE will have to leave the horses here.
Ferguson" he said. What we have to do
now must be done on foot. Tie your ami
NAL and follo.N me-"
/ acted as hastily as I could but Moore
was already several PAGES in advance; still
/ FASTENED to overtake him.
Don't you think you had better post me
little now. Marston?' l managed to whis-
sharp "Hist"' and somewhat offended I
went on after that. silently and doegedly.
resolved that would not ask another ques-
ton, no matter what happened.
As we drew nearer to the house / saw
that we We're behind it. There was no sign
OF life visible. Indeed. from appearances
decided that the place had been deserted
a long time; perhaps years. Moore, how
ever. seemed to know where he was going
and he led me, by detour. around the
house. 50 that We finally approached it
Just i>.re We stepped from the coh-
ceaiment " the bushes to approach the
door l felt my friends hand upon my arm
and heard him whisper. very low: Follow
me closely and do exactly as 1 say. A
great deal-our safety-may depend upon
IL . Then he went ahead.
We stepped upon the rickety porch as 81
lently as We could. but despite our efforts.
1t creaked dismally beneath our combined
weight Then. to my surprise. Moore. with
th'- butt of one Of his pistols, hammered
loudly upon one of the panels of the door.
After the silence that had preceded his act
1t seemed to my strained senses If the
noise made by the knocking might have
been heard mile away. Notwithsta nding
that fact. there was immediate response
and presently Moore hammered again, this
time louder than before. and the summons
had to be repeated the third time before
there was anything like a response. Then
fl ON beyond the door. a masculine voice
inquired: who is there?
"Marston Moore" replied my companion,
in loud tone.
"AIone?" was the second query.
NO; accompanied by friend" -
There followed a moment of silence, and
then the voice beyond the door said:
Why didn't you come alone as you were
tolt. to do? There isn't any room for
strangers here: you know that"
/ thought l heard Moore swear under his
breath but I was not sure; and then, in a
! tone which there was no mistaking, he
I shouted.
Open that door. MadgIey. or I'll kick it
| in. and 1t won't be a difficult thing to do.
either. Open 1t. and open 1t quick"
There was another short interval of 81
lence. and then. rather to my surprise. the
| door swung slowly back on its hinges leav-
| ing space of impenetrable blackness in
| Its place. There was not a sign Cf human
being to be seen. The man who had spoken
| to us from behind the door had disappeared
| or. rather he did not appear at all.
| Moore Immediately passed through the
aperture into the darkness, and d.sap-
/ second tor r b., lit
yoics-