Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1903-09-03
CHAPTER NJ.

After three hours of hard labor II
the old store room, which was upon
the ground floor of the mansion, Luke
Hammond pronounced his man-trap in
tine working order and having retired
to his library summoned old Fan.
She entered the library with her half
ldotic, half-savage grin and waited
for orders.
Fan" said Hammond, avoiding her
sharp, distorted eyes, there's fve-dol'
lar gold piece for you"
He placed the coin upon the table.
and she snapped it into her pocket in
second.
Good. we are to have some dcvil'ry,'
muttercd Fan. smacking her withered
lips.
"At 0 o'clock" said Hammond, You
will place yourself in the vestibulc. AT
ter n time gentleman in white ha,
will enter the yard gate boldly, walk
UP to you, and you will say, 'Tha
noter He will give it to you. Then
conduct him into the rear parlor, and
bring the note to me. DO you under
stand:'
Yes, Mr.. Hammond" said Fan.
"Very WELL Now, have dinner served
Mt 6, and go about your business said
Hammond.
Old Fan departed chucklins over her
good luck.
"He pays WE'LL she muttered, RS she
retreated to her den near the kitchen,
Pays we'll! It's pious pleasure to
serve Luke. l wonder what villainy
he is about now. He's got the truo
master and mistress Of the house
locked up. Ho! Luke Hammond.
you're fine bird. But you pay in gold
good red and yellow gold
Lifting loose brick from the hearth
she raised from hole beneath small
sack Of coins, which she united and
emptied upon her bed
Good birdies," said she, fondling tho
coins tenderly, "are you woll? Here's
another yellow lark to nestle with yc.
Make him at home, brides. You aro
the only children l have now. Don't
fly away! don't"
She counted them score OF times,
and returning them to the sack placed
Il under the brick.
Nobody will find you-nobody" she
said, raking ashes over the brick.
You're mine--you're my sons ana
daughters, good birdieS.'
A pair of greedy, longing eyes wero
watching her all the time through the
alley window. The eyes belonged to
Daniel, who had just returned from his
errand and had peered in by accident.
Daniel resolved to think about tho
matter and FASTENED to the library
where he found Hammond anXiously
awaiting him.
You have been long enough to go
around the globe" said his master.
IL had time of finding him." said
Daniel "Mr. James Greene was not al
his shop. but over in Brooklyn, seeing
about putting UP house. But | found
him."
What did he say" asked Hammond
"ne read the note, put it in his poke
very keerfully, and looked at me shlri
as n new cold cut chisel," said Daniel.
well, what Them?
"IIe took the sachel, peeped into il
and smiled" said Daniel. "Then III
wrote on bit of paper, gave it to M
to give to Miss ElSin, and then gave
me q dollar"
Hes very generous said Ham
mond, with a sneer. Here's another
dollar, so give me the bit of pape:.'
Daniel produced a small note, neatl.
folded, and gave it to Hammond, Wh'
opened it and read, written in pencil
Expect me. j. G.
"We'n expect him." muttered Ham
mond. "Now, Daniel, 60 relieve ste
phen. Stay; any shipping intelligenceT
"Yes, sir" said Daniel. Bark Clean
or coming up the bay"
Good almost shouted Hammond
Daniel, there's another dollar for you
news"
Daniel grinned secured the money II
bis vest and bowed himself out.
"To be served well, pay WELL" SAT-
Hammond, when alone 1--WE had vii
lains about me all my life, and the
have been true to me always becaus
have paid well and promptly. Tha
fellow, Daniel, knows l can hang him.
and he might have added truthfully
"and know he might oblige me in tn
same manner" But the reflection wa
very unpleasant, and he thought o
something else. He thought Of his so
Charles.
To be continued.