The Lamar register., 1901-10-30

" known to the newcomer, for when
he left the stairs 1t was by a jump which
landed him on the stone floor beyond.
and thus. us in my case. the sound of
the warning voice was avoided.
had no opportunity then for specu-
lation as to the close connection be-
tween the plank and the voice, for the
time of danger was upon me. The
round glow crept slowly over the walls.
gradually approaching my hiding place.
held my pistol ready, determined
the instant the light fell upon me to
fire, aiming at a spot in the darkness
directly above it.
But the glow suddenly died away
and total darkness again reigned. The
footsteps went lightly across the floor,
| and soon the crack of light in the op-
posite wall widened.
The fellow paused but an instant be-
fore the wide open door, and then. as
suming a crouchirg position, entered
into the region beyond.
He had had his back toward me, and
the light, coming from the walled-up
cellar through n narrow. low passage-
|
heart took n sudden bound from the
glimpse of that form. feeting and in
distinct though it was. Here was new
element entering into the mystery
which surrounded me. For q moment
amazement, wonder. held me spell
bound. Then, rising from my hiding
place, swiftly went to the door. which
the person who had just entered had
left wide open.
The faint light from the room beyond
was almost blotted out by the mans
form. as he went slowly along the low.
narrow passage. He could not proceed
without making some noise, and saw
startled face appear at the other end.
could hardly repress q cry of aston
ishment.
The light in the room was at one side
of the passage; IL shone full upon the
fellow and revealed the form and face
| of Horace jackson. In one hand he
held bundle of papers, and he ap-
peared too dumfounded to move. The
man he wns watching reached the end
Of the passage and stepped into the
apartment beside him.
| was eager to verify my first inn
preston, which the glimpse of the new
comer's back had given me, but imme-
diately upon his entrance into the
walled cellar he stepped to one side,
ont of the line Of vision.
Jackson's eyes followed him, and
were evidently resting upon him in
doubt and suspicion.
| "You?" he finally exclaimed.
l listened intently for the answer,
l xl,r, . Nt,.,,, -,
der over nfe. The voice was familiar,
and it was with deepest dread heard
| II.
"Yes. You wonder how found you
out" came in response to Jackson's ex-
clamation. THAT I will not say.
Enough that am here"
swell. we can't talk in this place."
Jackson said. after pause. "His bed
room is right above u.s."
"You mean Mr.. Conway. No fear of
his hearing. He was called to my house
by message from my daughter. and
is with her now. have no doubt"
Now certainly had received no mes
sage from Florence. II one had been
sent me it must have been either dur
ing my first visit to the cellar or during
my trip to Sidington. and therefore ]
had missed it.
ayes, have heard that they have met
again. Much good may it do them!"
jackson responded with sneer. Then
he went on: "And since you found my
hiding-place. perhaps you'll tell me
what you expect to gain by coming to
it? Have you arrived at your right
senses again?"
IT have" came the answer.
"Oh, then you agree to give your
daughter to me. thought you would
come to time"
mo, thousand times no! have
come to have an accounting from you"
Accounting? From me? For what,
I wonder?" jackson asked, with inso-
lence.
"You have broken our solemn agree
mcnt. You have removed not only your
share of what remains, but also mine.
Restore it, and you will not be injured,
although we can never again resume
our compact. Refuse to do SO, and I
will crush you"
"Oh, no, you will. will you? Howl"
asked Jackson. in derisive tones.
"By denouncing you," Mr.. Morley re-
piled, sternly.
snow, that is useless and foolish talk.
Let us reason, as between two business
men," said jackson, assuming a conf
dental style. II want to marry your
daughter. At first you kept promising
thnf Oh, 1r,1I a y, r.