The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1900-06-17

bed. The room was close. since there was no
ventilation; and had IL not been for the Copper
Jack Compapy's money would nave lsl. Vie asr
n a o BUNK i IN the wa sand and notSins above me
but the heavens and the stars.
For some time | lay thinking Of many thiDgri
the cour,yard below but ] was weary from the
days journey and soon slept soundiy.
wa, %awaksned by an isperG@}uoII e, mGtfi
i Seized a wrist and / resolved a blow, which
was misdirected-a forearm fell across ny
chin and felt "A slight sting In my shouiusi
Then Sra,ped the other wrist and a despera's
struggle ensued. II was pitch dark. MOI
eofd was spoken. We wreneled 9ie 4nn.naaa
for | lay upon my back. The robber sought 70
press down my arms, hut the mental VlsiVn VI
a deadly dagger gave X, ,bons sIs9 'se point Of
iS SsoT weapon %S5S U Was at .a" my thTost and I would
perish, But | held his wrists with a ~vice-iike
sr,c, lnsapwhils striving to , gain ,Ss m Se rex "f III. bed.
| got my feet upop the floor and sat beside
him. Thsn we stood, but ! ripped in he loose
bed covering and fell to the no3ri pulling b my
my chest, and nee or twice the chill of steel
was on my arm. Finally | gained my iee'' Ior
was stronger and n s1ve me pnbb nope ceased ED
to struggle. He stood still. HIS respiratiSn
was short and audible, But in 4 moment ne
made a desnsrafe Innge' shh ,Eeeu ax py' The
weapon he held changed upon the floor,
| found my pistol. and, with a 70 arg Io
notion tom q ',I my I tts hand lo ! sSSsh the the .t rSDSTr'
Momentarily lieHpected a renewn otlhe a-ss.n,,
and continued to rnovo my hand N the darkhr-,
ss II ! would gray Inn az the o RSs cou ls'f hear
only my own respiration and the bea'lhs oi my
own heart, an
Five minutes more or less passed, and sun
all was silent in the darkness round me l
stepped a pace or Two and STOPPING moved my
hand back apd forth near the floor imagined
the robber itcfore me, then behind, and then
crouchinc near the wall with upbfted %poniard,
and | knew rot what moment he would attack
me and sheath his weapon in nv breast or BACK.
tn at ne stood with one hand extended ana me
other raised To strike the moment he should
touch me | did, not doubt. | kept my pistol
pointed to the ,Iont. and my nnger upon we
trigger. and | resolved v die must ! wo,ld
Kill my enemy while he murdered me. Each
step | took was With caution and each was
slow. ] moved my arm here and there quickly.
onds, Then ! advanced another, step ana moved
my nand asair. What the shape ana color
and what the size Of the Aend that had al
tackled mo I could moi tell. But know, ~ vas
"A man for | had wrestled with him and he had
tried my strength. l~sonrtin"s thoiehti could
SEQ his rTinning face and his blinking; wicked
Once II seemed ] felt his presence. ard | turned
my head 10 the left. There was only dark
meas around me.
followed IL. moving slowly. for | knew not III
went 10 the lem nor TO the right from the bed.
came upon tas table; ! struck "a a match rnhSar
had Vanished. ! lighted the lamp, and then
examined the experiment.; The door was barred
us | had LETT il. The chair that propped and
held [ fist waS undisturbed. The room held
NO uerss'n save myself. The iipht fell upon
the shining r,yiprd; il Rlittered like a piece Of
glass in sunshine ! STOPPED and picked y u.b.
II wns ID curious spanish weapon and the
handle seemed the counterpart Of thai | saw
concealed .heneau5 the. cop of the mesonero,
Yet Gl ! c9Hld f / ses4sh sdI' fNr s 81 TsT . ser s'i passage
or trap door. Following round the walls
pressed my hands against them and now and
Then | ihuqy.a ls3S sr. them E.t tnn Tbs sa eI S'vt on
back. Irxamind the cracks and mnts IN the
GinRy tattered raper. And once thoueht
found the 9Hti,n" or . TecI ISs 1 T"II r 1n' . ! iHu''
locked at my watch. II WI, half past 4
dressSf !isht'1 a Sis sdSS Sna sat sTo% %oT mb to %S,'
Tho alr. too, WITHIN the room was stale and stu
fling. unbarrpG the door and iooked without.
The moon ,shrne brightly N The COURTYARD.
No one stirred and the ~aiIircss as only broken
bv the distant growing OF the oNck-
IT occurred 10 me- that r"rhtps u would be
his door and INSTANTLY heard q ~rustline and a
natter Of feet or. the stone t'o3r. MIR. Coles
threw open the door. The light was burning
t~leepless. unG,net might in bis face, He held a
book N one hand and a revolver in the other.
Not ghost or Hend. Mr.. Webb he said and
a kind OF erih-a. half -ardonic smile played
why. have YOU ss'n II ehost?" | asked,
Not oxactly-but there's been HI to play
in this bloody bastib of a hotel. " h. answered.
W hen | got into bed. he continued. Il drew
the light ncs,r nr anc bsgtn :" read 'DaNy
SInIperS,' The tale grew Interesting from
| was suddenly startled by "a slight C~reaking
noise. | looked up. The wall was moving.
voluntary eNclama ton. II ceased, and then
lay Watching for . long time. Again and
agrin the paper, app"ared 10 move. and, d.
rrctly, il seemed, the room grow to half its
that the oh was half scDne, 80 | turned the
lame low and resolved Ia keep "A vigil. And
here have lam, pistol IN hand. aIl The night
long,
Not at all. | would swear the walls have
been moving half opening and shutting in
places.
Presently We descended the stairs and walked
across the PATIO The wooden gate opened
and "A mUzo entered with mr. team and buck
board. He turned round in the patio. and
the hand satchsl containing the Copper Jack
Company's money on q seat, Then ] SAID
"Twenty-one. thousand dollars are in
open slightly not lar from where We stood
anu two dancing greedy eyes peerIng mt us
in the dawning litht. When we We're seated
in the trap tursed 10 the mozoy elevating
nv voice 50 thai i would reach the canlina
door and. drawing from my pocket an ancient
spanish poniard, J said
Present that to your master, hombre, and
tell him that when, | come again 10 Monclova
I hope TO have th- pleasure Oh drinking 10 hS
very good health