The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1901-11-15

1ney all auSneu at tnlS joke, ana
Buckford walked away in the oppo-
site direction from that in which the
real watchman was.
Good" he said to himself. ''My
only chance is NJ. de Bullion, and for
tunately l am before his door, l will
waken the millionaire and tell him the
whole story. He will give me his pow
erful protection until l can communi-
cate with the police"
He turned into the corner building.
He ran up one flight of stairs. He
knocked loudly on a door.
There was no answer.
This NJ. de Bullion is sound sleep
err he said. II will get him up if
have to pound in the door,"
1t was not so easy to pound in the
door, but he did make a tremendous
noise.
Heavens! The mob will hear it
even if NJ. de Bullion does not" said
Buckford. "Stop! This won't do I'll
use the key and make my explanations
afterward."
1t was easy to find the big brass
MY anu IL W Tue lOCh. IL
easily, and Buckford opened the door.
He turned again, shut the door and
locked it.
For the first time since he had faced
his enemies in the little room he
breathed freely.
There" he said, with grunt of sat
isfaction, 81 am safe for time. They
will scarcely dare intrude upon the pri-
vacy of NJ. de Bullion"
Having secured himself thus, he took
match from his pocket and lighted it.
The gas had not yet been piped into
the buildings. He found. however, a
dingy looking lamp resting on dusty
shelf. He lighted this
81 fancy" he said, "that the watch
man was mistaken. There is surely no
one in this apartment tonight. l have
made noise enough to wake the dead"
He looked around the room. 1t was,
or would be when finished Il cozy and
pretty reception room. 1t was now lit.
tered with bits of wood, plaster and
nails.
He stepped from this room into the
next. No one there.
In this room there was chair, but it
had been overturned.
In one corner a small ornamental
closet had been built. This was open.
Workmen's clothing had been in it..
Now this was strewn on the floor.
Hello" said Buckford when he saw
this Looks as if some one had got
the best of the watchman and rifed
the pockets for SOU"
From this room Buckford stepped in.
to still another.
He stopped short on the threshold,
and a cry of horror burst from his lips,
which had turned white.
This room was fitted up as an Office.
Near the window stood a desk. At this
desk sat we'll dressed elderly man,
dead.
His drawn face, his staring eyes, ex-
pressing terror; the position of his
body-all spoke of violence.
Buckford stepped to him and made a
hasty examination.
There was a wound in his left side
penetrating undoubtedly to the heart.
1t was the only wound to be seen.
Scarcely any blood had flown. The
knife with which the foul blow had
been dealt lay on the floor by the dead
mans chair.
"My God!' exclaimed Buckford. "I
go from one horror to another; 1 seek
safety with a man and find him a
corpse. What under the sun Of heaven
am l going to do now?"
Meantime the four who had been left
to watch had waited for the drunken
whistler to come up.
"Well," said one of them as he drew
near. This fellow can give us but
little help. He has been having a fine
time. See how he takes the entire
sidewalk"
"Come, Bibbler!' said another, STEP
ping out to intercept the whistler
(Which way have you come? Did you
see young man running away%
"Eh-eh!" stammered the watchman.
"Young-man! l see young man! Who
are you, my friend"
"I'll show you who l am if you don't
answer"
The watchman was not so drunk
but what his senses were alert with
sudden suspicion.
"Who are you, and what do you
want here?" he asked. Where is
that man I left in my place"
"Ho! What! Left in your place!
The man you left in your place! What
do you mean?"
"Police!" yelled the drunken watch
man. police! l have been robbedw
What kind of fool is this?" angrily
asked one of the four Come, idiot.
We are not going to rob you"
mo, but my keys! Where is that
fellow-yOur fellow robber, believe"
Hold on! Don't shake the life out
of himw exclaimed one of the four
who had not yet spoken. This fellow
has an idea. Let us get at it in quiet
way. Come, now, my friend! Who
are you, and what brought you here?"
"Who am l! What brought me here!
Well, that is good l suppose 1 have
right to come, messieurs, since am
NJ. de Bullions watchman."
"Watchman! Are there two of you
then? Oh, you are that other fellows
relief. Now l begin to see. Well, he
went to find you. He said you fire.
| quently stopped at NJ. Jacques. He
wont fhara to IooIy for Won