The Princeton union., 1900-07-26
CHAP FER NNI-COntinued.

ii AZ IN Nv l.-NOlUluutu.
Then Mr.. Morley staggered before the
passageway. His arms were upraised,
and the hands worked convulsively.
He made great effort to speak, but
NO sound came from his lips, except Il
deep groan as he fell forward full
length. And there he lay, motionless,
his face resting on the hard floor. ,,
In moment Jackson was bending
over him. The hook of horror, of fear,
of dread in his face as he arose from
beside the PROSTATE body told tale of
murder.
With nervous haste he picked up the
papers which had fallen from his hand,
and, throwing a hasty glance around,
seized the lantern and entered the pas
sageway, intent on instant flight.
Too Mortified to think what course to
pursue, I backed away from the door
and took position near the stairs.
jackson entered the cook-house eel
lar, and, placing the lantern upon the
floor, closed the door. Then he turned
and peered about. The start he gave
and the alarm on his face told me
was discovered. He had his pistol still
in his hand, and started to raise hisarm.
NO, no." I cried; keep that hand
down." He saw I had him covered with
my revolver, and he obeyed my COM
mand for the moment. But knew that
he was a desperate man and would not
hesitate to throw his Life away in the
endeavor to escape. Therefore hastily
followed up the advantage.
you'll throw that pistol to me-" I
continued. ''Instantly, you damned
villain, you murderer, or, as sure as
Heaven"
But my words were interrupted. He
had backed up against the door, his
eyes staring fxedly at me. There was
a movement of his arm, and was about
to pull the trigger to forestall his pur-
pose of firing at me, when a report
sounded out from behind him, as he
leaned against the wall and door, and
with a loud cry he sprang forward,
came down all in heap, rolled over on
his back, and lay there, dead-dead, and
by his own murderous device for guard
ing his hiding place.
Hurried footsteps we're crossing the
room above, and 1 hastily took up new
position of defense.
"Stop!" yelled, as the feet began to
descend. "The stairs are covered by my
pistol"
There was pause, and hurried con-
sultation upon the landing.
''Is that you down there, Mr.. Con-
way?" inquired a voice which recog-
nized.
Eyes, it is; and, as I do not know
whether you are an enemy or friend,
Mr.. Sonntag, guess I won't run any
risk. You'd better stay up. You have
me in your power, penned up here in
this hole; but if I've got to die some
one else goes with me-"
Again there was hurried conversa
ton in low tones between Sonntag an6
some other party, who surmised wa:
Skinner.
''Perhaps you will not object to my
approach, Nelson" voice called ou
as a second pair of legs came down
"We are all friends, true friends" j
continued.
There was something so familiar il
the sound of the voice that I Eesitate'
in again uttering a remonstrance.
eve are all friends," the man sai'
again, as his head reached below tn
level of the floor. Dim though the ligh
was upon the stairs, I recognized hir
Immediately, and with a loud ca
sprang toward him.
''Mr. Perry! Oh. thank God, yo
have GOMEZ" I stepped unthinkngl
on the plank at the bottom, and h
came down to me and grasped my hant
"Don't mind that. It cannot hui
you" I remarked. as the warning voe
again sounded out. just as though il
services were longer needed.
81 know it cannot" Mr.. Perry r
marked, with a smile. Here Sonnta
and another man brushed by us. an
went TO Jackson's PROSTATE body.
"Will you look here, sir?' Sonnta
called, motioning for Mr.. Perry to a
proach.
''My God! 1t is Jacl<son! How ter,
BILE! Is he dead? Who did it?" ask
Mr.. Perry, glancing up at me. 1--WE
You compelled to shoot him. Nelson
'No, I am thankful that no man
blood is on my hands. Although
came very near shooting him."
Then 1 explained how Jackson h,
been killed. I told nothing about M
Morley's connection with the affa
They listened intently, and then Son
tag, carrying a jimmy, went to the doc
"Will you two stand to one side
Sonntag called out. ''That shooting a
paratus might go off again in getti1
the door open."
The bundle of papers which h
fallen from the dead mans grasp w
picked up by Sonntag's companion a
handed by him to Mr.. Perry. Then t
man turned to me, and, bestowing
smile upon me at the astonishment
evidently saw depicted on my face, we
to Sonntag's assistance.
No wonder I was amazed. For t
man was he who had played such
treacherous game upon Florence, h
%,;oS N or1 ho1 l.,