Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1903-02-28

highway and that it. was nearly con-
cealed from view by shade and fruit
trees. A small grove Of woods backed
up to it on one side and an open pas
ture field bordered it on two other
sides. The easiest and safest approach
to it, l conceived, was from the wood
side.
The house itself was an old fashioned
fiat rooted mansion sadly in need of
paint and general repairs. 1t was
gloomy enough to drive almost any.
body away from 1t after dusk, and l
did not wonder that strange stories of
ghosts and spirits had been gossiped
around by the country people. If had
been superstitious person, should
have selected the house as the last one
to rob. 1t was probably this idea that
had Influenced the doctor In taking 1t
for his workshop. He was pretty safe
In assuming that nobody would disturb
him in that lonely retreat.
l obtained leave to 60 to the city on
Friday afternoon, and told John not
to worry If did not appear until the
following morning. I had friends IN
the city who might detain me over
night.
About 4 o'clock l left the barn and
started presumably to walk to the city.
John offered to drive me half way
down If l would wait until after sup
per, but the afternoon was 30 fine
preferred the walk.
Two miles down the road l found
that l was perfectly concealed from
view Of every house. and quietly slip
ped over the fence into the woods. This
piece of woods knew backed up to
DIR. Squires' house. l concealed the
bundle, which pretended that I.want-
ed to take to the city with me. taking
enough tools from 1t first to answer all
my present purposes.
As l approached the edge of the
woods l moved with great caution. |
did not know how many servants the
doctor had, although John had assured
me that he had only one, copper col
ored Indian who was more foreign
looking than his master. This servant
never associated with anybody else
and was either deaf and dumb or un-
able to speak English.
He was q sort of faithful watchdog,
judged. whom the doctor had be-
friended and who would In conse-
quence give up his life for him If nee
essary. l had met such jealous man.
servants before. and my experience
had always been that they are exceed
ingly troublesome. therefore used
extra precaution.
While yet some distance from the
house l climbed up into the leafy
branches of one of the large trees and,
pulling the foliage to one side. scanned
the house intently through pair Of
strong fieldglasses. By their aid l
could note everything that was going
on outside the house and could almost
see objects inside the windows.
The only advantage obtained from
this was a clearer idea Of the most
vulnerable points Of the house and also
the way to escape from the premises In
the event Of an alarm. I saw the serv-
ant 20 about his duties, and later Be-
cured my first glimpse Of the doctor.
He was a dark bearded, thickset, well
proportioned man, and one who would
prove bold and powerful antagonist.
More than this I could not say until I
found myself at closer quarters with
him.
l remained in my treetop position
until we'll after dark, watching every
thing that occurred around the house.
Then l descended to the ground, ate
few pieces of cold meat and bread,
drank little wine and threw myself
on the dry leaves to sleep. There was
no danger Of being discovered In the
woods, and I needed the rest and sleep
to prepare me for the nights work.
It was shortly after midnight when l
opened my eyes again. Habit had made
it second nature with me to awaken
at this hour, and had no fear Of over.
sleeping myself when first closed my
eyes. l crawled through the under
brush toward the fence which divided
the doctors land from the grove, an
then waited and listened. The house
was perfectly dark, and everything
was calm and peaceful.
had thought Of dogs, but had failed
to see any around in the Afternoon
through my glasses. However. to make
sure Of it initiated the cry and snarl
Of a cat-a noise that always brings
watchdogs away from their post Of
duty. If the dogs were inside tn
house. would find that out later. But
l really saw no reason why dogs
should be kept on the place.
Satisfied that the coast was clear,
made my way toward the house, keep
Ing we'll in the shadow Of the trees.
Then / made close examination Of
the windows and doors. They were
locked with old fashioned catches and
REINFORCED with nails. | selected the
Doctors study as the place least likely
20 be occupied.
With a diamond cutter took piece
If the glass pane out, making an open.
ing large enough to insert the hand. /
worked so carefully that the diamond
point scarcely made any Of the grating
noise so common when one operates
with cheap cutters. This one had been
made specially for me, and it was per-