Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1902-09-20
CHAPTER \Nill.
Contained.

10. ST, SIlu lIle SeT-SiHt, NHo
wanted a watch kept upon Miss Bos-
I tails father. anu was quite willing that
ii should be a friendly one.
So Clifford. not without difiidence.
entered the house as the sergeant car
ried( his bundle TO the gig which was
tsiing for him 81 the old turnpike.
le Colonel heard the SOW footsteps
tide the dining-room door and
ID out:
Who's that
ifford stood in the doorway
It's /. Colonel. May come ia:"
ne cid man raised his head quickly.
gave i'm little wan smile. as he
out his hand.
ONE in. come in: yes
sen. having held the young mans
NJ hand in his own cold one for Il
moments. he let it fall. and. in
* him. with a gesture. TO be seat
,relapsed into silence. Clifford
I'd him is he should make up the
1t was coid evening. and the
aughts had been allowed to sweep
trough the house from open window
? open door.
Yes. yes. my lad; warm yourself il
! can. 1t would take more fire than
re is on earth to warm my old
tonight
tern sadness OF his tone sent q
through Clifford. who. indeed.
little comfort to give him. He had
Ae difficulty in getting the fire to
I'm up. and when ut last he succeed
he found that the coal-scuttle was
ipty.
Il will fetch you some coal" said
e Colonel. who was proceeding to
from his chair. when Clifford
opped him.
mo. Tell me where 10 get it, said
quickly. snatching up the scuttlc.
''Oh. well, If YOU will. you will find
ne lid of the water-butt on the ground
Inside, at the-haek If you lift it
uLr2aHy don't like TO trouble YOU
IN will find the entrance TO the cell
{ underneath"
Following this rather curious direc-
IN Clifford went out by the back
Dor of the house. lifted the lid. ad-
iring the ingenuity by which the
illar was concealed. and began 10 de-
end the wooden steps into the dark
SIS below. The Colonel had provided
with candle. but this was sud-
lly cxtinguished as he reached the
tom step, and ut the same moment
: became aware that he was not
lone.
lnyOluntarily he uttered a little cry.
hand. the. little. soft and slender
nd which he remembered so wildly.
which he had never before identi-
d. was placed quickly on his mouth.
Hello they heard a rough mans
e cry. mufiled as 1t came down into
earth from the garden ..bove
d Clifford heard a soft whisper in
wn ear:
re policeman. Send him away on
pretext. only want a moment.
me moment"
young man shuddered, Although
no fear that Miss Bostal would
4 any harm, there was something
my about the idea of being left
with murde:ess. deep down in
wells CT the earth. in the grasp OF
tile hands thar had done such
v work.
: policeman'S voice startled them
He flashed his lantern down
the cellar but already Miss Bos-
rad released Clifford and hidden
I'm l.af 81.
lilo. Who's that down there: Is
Mr.. King"
said Clifford. I'm getting
oal. Would you ask the Colonel
coop. or shovel. or something
[ up by:"
nan flashed his lantern round
r Qpec more. and answered.:
.Ar can't go in. But I'll call
drew back. and the moment he
,. Miss Bostal. with amazing bold
ind celebrity. crept up the steps
II behind his back as he called
iel Bostal from the back door
stood still. with his heart in
!. He was intensely excited;
listening with all his power.
not know whether he want
IAN TO escape or whether he
/ 10 pay the penalty she so
Jed. All he knew was that
* moments OF suspense seemed
PENDING. Then the voice of the
eman. measured and calm. was
dagain:
u right, sir He's coming"
Vhad got away. thcni After all,
no more-tilan was to be expect
r su-<|rhuman cunning. And.
81 himself. he felt an immense
nj he had helped her TO es-
le could meet. IL not the po-
at least. the Colonel. with a
heart. He took the shovel
rs handed to him. and reap
1 the dining room with the
lionel looked ut him keenly
the door.
-ou see-her" he asked in n
She got away" answered
nel gave a sigh of relief.
when you got the police
me. that it was some ruse
he said. You see Mr.
ent on. as the young man
II surprise. Il know her
ave wailed-for some
his p for twenty-five