Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1902-10-21
A STUDY IN SCARLET

BY A. CONAN DOYLE.

had a small bundle containing a few
of her more valued possessions.
Opening the window very slowly
and carefully, they waited until
dark cloud had somewhat obscured
the night. and then one by one pass
ed through into the little garden.
With bated breath and crouching
figures they stumbled across it and
gained the shelter of the hedge.
which they skirted until they came
to the gap which opened into the
cornfield.
They had just reached this point
when the young man seized his two
and dragged them down
into the shadow, where they lay 81
lent and trembling.
1t was as well that his prairie train
ing had given Jefferson Hope the
ears of a lynx.
He and his friends had hardly
crouched down before the melan-
choly hooting of mountain owl was
heard within a few yards of them,
another at small distance.
At the same moment vague, shad-
owy figure emerged from the gap for
which they had been making, and ut
tered the plaintive cry again, on
which a second man appeared out of
the obscurity.
Tomorrow at midnight" said the
first, who appeared to be in author
ity. when the whip-poor-will calls
three times"
ut is WELL" returned the other.
Shall 1 tell Brother Drebber?"
pass it on to him, and from him TO
the others. Nine to seven!"
Seven to five!" repeated the other,
and the two figures fitted away in
different directions. Their conclud-
ing words had evidently been some
form of sign and countersign. The
instant that their footsteps had died
away in the distance, Jefferson Hope
sprang to his feet, and, helping his
companions through the gap, led the
way across the fields at full speed,
supporting and half carrying the
girl when her strength appeared to
fail her.
Hurry on! hurry on" he gasped
from time to time. 1--WE are through
the line of essentials. Everything
depends on speed. Hurry on"
Once on the highroad they made
rapid progress. Only once did they
meet any one, and then they man
aged to slip into field, and so avoid
recognition.
Before reaching the town the hunt
er branched away into a rugged and
narrow foot path which led to the
mountains.
Two dark, jagged peaks 1oomed
above them through the darkness,
and the defile which led between
them was the Eagle Ravine, in which
the horses were awaiting them.
With unerring instinct, Jefferson
Hope picked his way among the great
boulders and along the bed of a
dried-up water course until he came
to the retired corner, screened with
rocks, where the faithful animals had
been picketed.
The girl was placed upon the mule
and old Ferrier upon one of the
horses, with his money-bag, while
Jefferson Hope led the other along
the precipitous and dangerous paths
1t was a bewildering route for any
one who was not accustomed to face
nature in her widest moods.
On the one side a great crag tow
cred up a thousand feet or more
black, stern and menacing, with long
basaltic columns upon his rugged
surface like the ribs of some petri
fed monster.
On the other hand a wild chaos Of
powders and debris made all ad
vance impossible. Between the two
ran the irregular track, so narrow in
places that they had to travel in In
dian file, and so rough that only
practiced riders could have traverseC
it at all.
Yet, in spite of all dangers and diff
ficulties, the hearts of the fugitives
were light within them, for every
step increased the distance between
them and the terrible despotism from
which they were flying.
They soon had a proof, however
that they were still within the juris
diction of the Saints.
They had reached the very wildes
and most desolate portion of the
pass, when the girl gave a startled CRY
and pointed upward.
On a rock which overlooked the
track showing out dark and plai1
against the sky. there stood a soil
tary sentinel. He saw them as soo1
as they perceived him, and his mill
tary challenge of who goes there?'
rang through the silent ravine.
"Travelers for Nevada" said JET
ferson Hope, with his hand upon th'
rifle which hung by his saddle.
They could see the lonely watche
lingering his gun, and peering dow
at them as If dissatisfied at thei
reply.
"By whose permission?"
"The Holy Four" answered Fer
rier. His Mormon experiences ha'
taught him that that was the highes
authority to which he could refer.
Mine to seven," cried the sentine
Seven to fve," returned Jeffersol
Hope, promptly, remembering tn
countersign which he had heard Il
the garden.
Pass, and the Lord go with you,
said the voice from above.
Beyond this post the path broao
ened out, and the horses were abl
| to break into a trot
Looking back, they could see tn
solitary watcher leaning upon hi
gun, and knew that they had passe
the outlying post of the Chosen Pei
pie, and that freedom lay befor
them.
CHAPTER v.