Evening star., 1901-02-02
How Fairfax Did Not Escape.

Fairfax reckoned that he had from ten
to fifteen minutes for the business Of ex-
pioring. Stuff1ng into his pocket the half
loaf Of bread he had preserved (for "Old"
Remnant, If he had trapped himself below
must be hungry as a raU, he pushed open
the solid door in the solid wall. and peered
down. It was as black as he had dreamed
it, but he could just make out the narrow
stairs.
Stepping out, he drew the door close. but
was careful not to shut 1t. as "Old" Rem
nant must have done.
Time was everything, and Fairfax called
softly upon the burglar by name. No an
swer. The ''old un,'' if he were there, was
evidently in doubt. Again Fairfax called,
and this time he added his own name
Somewhere from the dark below the an
Swer came:
1T amt you. matey. is it?'
Yes: where are yeu?''
Slipped down the steps. and thought I'd
broke my blooming back. Fairly nabbed
this time. matey!'
Well see about that directly" said Fair
fax. who knew that the hidden passage
must issue somewhere.
He felt his way down until he came upon
Old Remnant at ali angle of the stairs.
Are you badly hurt?' he asked.
mo; seem all right now. but I'm that
sharp set. mateyt
Fairfax produced his half loaf.
What made you call?'
We'll matey. l reckoned the cat was
better than buryin' alive"
Fear, hunger and that narrow passage
of darkness had almost cowed cd REM
nant.
where's the 'screw% he asked again.
"He had just passed when l slipped out.
At the wsrSt, we can go back, put we We a
few minutes yet"
But how in the world did You get here
matey? Fancy you in chokey'
I'm tell you when there's time I'm going
to see where we are first
| AS he spoke he made another step down.
ward.
"Old' Remnant, losing his foothold fall
| ing swooning and coming to his senses
| with the frightful conviction that he had
buried himself alive. had shouted. in the
| desperate hope that he might be rescued
| and retaken.
But at the moment OF his fall he was
within q few feet Of liberty.
Some half dozen steps brought Fairfax to
! the bottom of the fight. Here however. the
| way was barred by another mass of stone;
| But Fairfax. remembering the point of light
| his dream had revealed to him, groped until
! he came upon a small round hole In the
wall. This was another door with spring.
| He pressed and it yielded as the wall Of the
! cell had done!
| Quick he whispered to "Old' Rem
| nant but before the burglar had descended
Fairfax had the second door open. In an
other moment they stood @ together by the
| swift-running Tene. The governors boat
| lay moored at the bank. Liberty at last!
| For both?
| No; for one only.
| Even as he stood there Fairfax had taken
| his resolve. For the burglar, at war with
| all authority. freedom at any price, but the
| course which was natural TO Old Rem
nant was denied to the political. For mo-
ment with the sweet air of freedom in his
nostrils and the thought of the quarries on
| the morrow, flight temped him: but he
| could not steal away with the felon.
| He judged that he had still some two or
| three minutes left him.
| Silently pointing to the boat, he held out
| his hand to old Remnant.
| Astonishment was writ in capitals on
| those not repellant features. but Fairfax
| gave his man no time for words.
| Goodbye old chap, and good luck" he
| sad and slipping behind old Remnant
whom he never saw again-he made fast
| the door In the wall.
| Then he mounted to his cell, and. closing
| noiselessly behind him the second Of those
| magic DOORS he stretched himself once more
| upon his plank.
| The night warder approached the door on
tip-toe. peeped in. and passed on.