Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-12-19

street in the rear. He cannot get
away"
Buckford did not wait to hear any
more. He gathered from what had
been said that the cellar he was in
communicated with the street in the
rear. Taking his direction from the
door, where the light could still be
seen, he started as briskly as possible
toward the rear.
He clambered over debris of all
kinds. Cellar walls had been partially
destroyed, and loose stones lay all
about. Old foundations and party walls
were wiped out, yet enough old or new
walls We're standing to enable him to
constantly keep screen between him.
self and the lantern. This had now
been lowered into the cell. He heard
voices behind him.
The searching party, however, made
slower progress than he did, notwith-
standing they had lantern. They
were spreading out and searching ev-
cry nook and Granny of the cellars as
they went. He, on the other hand, was
AiA opSCa oil dig III
He soon found himself in a part
where there was less debris and ruin
and more of the newly built walls. 1t
was the cellar under the building on
the rear street.
He saw red lantern hanging on a
pole outside to warn drivers of the
trench before the house. He made for
this.
Sitting on pile Of lumber outside
was a man wearing leather jacket
and SLOUGH hat. lie carried a stout
club in his hand. 1t was the watch
man.
The Waterman, seeing Buckford
emerging from the cellar he was sup
posed to be guardian over, rushed to
him.
We'll well! Who are you? What
do you want?"
Hush, my friend." whispered Buck
ford quickly. 81 am pursued by enc
mics. Is there police officer near?"
mo; they passed ten minutes ago.
II must escape. Can you not help
me?"
Help! Me help? What can 1 do?'
At that moment there was shout
up the street, and Buckford saw Ian
terms. The party under Reber or the
other had turned the corner.
Too later groaned Buckford. "Stay!
There is one chance Here is franc
piece. Lend me your hat, jacket and
club. will watch your buildings
while you go drink my health"
lie Diable! / may get, into trouble.
But 5 franc piece! Here! Give 1t to
me! Quick' Get into the jacket! The
hat! Pull 1t down over your eyes
Speak as little as possible. All"
stolid Waterman sat on the lum.
Der pile and a bareheaded Frenchman
was starting off to drink on the i
franc piece.
"Ho! Ny keys" he exclaimed. 81
must take my keys"
Leave them; they will be safe. If
any one suspects, the keys will prove
that l am the Waterman"
Good! But do not use the large
brass one 1t is to the floor in the end
building. There NJ. de Bullion has his
office. He is there now. He must not
know"
Il will not disturb him. Now 60"
The Waterman went numbering off.
none too soon. The searching party
in the cellar came out on to the street
and met the other that had gone half
way round the square. A short dis
lance away the third party was seen
approaching
Here, NJ. lie Never Sleep" said one
leader. Have you seen man come
out of these cellars?"
Mon Dieu! l just saw a scare" re-
piled Buckford, almost in tremor lest
his French should not be such as to
pass muster. But the man hunters
were too excited to notice just then a
little thing like the accent of watch
man in a leather jacket and slouch hat.
1t is strange, deyilish strange" said
one. How could he vanish SO COM
pletely? Was he magician?"
You! With your magicians!' said
another. HE was a flesh and blood
AA-s.i', h'I q I!iSh cIit. lpit We iiol SCI
his blood on the broken Window
Buckford trembled He had wiped
the blood from his hands and face with
his handkerchief, but now kept his
hands concealed and his face screened
from the light lest show of blood
should betray him.
We'll, are we TO stand here till he
comes and asks US to kill him?" asked
one of the party. I'm moment the
police will be here. And then what,
eh?"
Very Well" said man owning the
voice Buckford had heard in the door.
'Have some one wait here to watch.
We will continue"
"Have you any objection, stay awake,
to our company"
"None. | shall be pleased" replied
Buckford
-Four men We're told off to remain
there on watch. The others separated
into groups and Went in various direc-
tons.
Buckford was in an agony of appre-
hension. If the real Waterman return
ed while these fellows We're there,