The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1903-06-19
Stairs ST
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few knew that the house in the garden
was occupied. So 1t was that he fel.
genuine pleasure In his retreat, for 1t
seemed to afford a refuge where he
could pursue his task without fear, and
Where ne hoped, for the present, no one
could find him out. To make matters
safer, he had taken the precautions to
change his appearance. SO that even
the worthy t%nnkeeper at Exton would
nave had trouble in recognizing his
former guest.
So far Hendricks had not been sue
cessful In his efforts to trace the man
who had written the letter-the torn
envelope of which had been treasured
ever since. It bore a New York post
mark, and he hoped that the writer
was still in town, though 1t might be
otherwise. At least he might possibly
come across n who knew where ne
was to be found. Though so far he had
accomplished nothing, he still had
hopes. A man Of the type he was seek
the city. Those Of his class belonged
to certain groups, and, however, mys-
ferrous their movements, their pres
ence In a place was always known.
JOB had returned one evening worn
out with his search in the lower part
Of The city, had finished his humble
supper, which he had brought home
IN q paper bag, n had been mapping
on his cot, when an unusual sound in
the empty rooms below him attracted
his attention. He jumped to his feet,
and, setting the candle OF the table be-
! him, opened the window and
peered out on the deserted garden. A
faint moonlight lay over the ragged
berry bushes along the walks. and on
thu pf1n 80 ~rv11S xto% ~rvo =, - -.
sp1cuous decoration and rose like a
funeral pyre in the center Of the grass
plot.
That's queer" he muttered, drawing
in his head. mot a person in sight,
and certainly I didn't dream that I
heard that noise"
He took another peep out of the win
dow and closed it softly, shaking his
head.
Must be in the house-wonder If a
rat could make a noise like that? The
beggars do grow pretty big in these
parts. All, there 1t is again-and comes
form those rooms below. I suppose I
must look into this a Bit" and he
sighed to think that perhaps he was
not to enjoy his peaceful little abode
much longer-that some one had found
him out.
He took his revolver out of his
pocket, examined it carefully to see
that it was in working order, and then,
holding 1t in hand and carrying the
candle in the other, opened the door
leading to the stairs and went down. 1t
was very quiet below as he paused at
the last step to listen. He heard q
scurrying sound in the wall, but there
was nothing to be. alarmed about In
that; it was a mans step he thought he
had heard in the first place. After u
moment he stepped onto the fioor and
swung the candle around, to get a good
view Of the place.
Just as he did this he was suddenly
conscious of heavy breathing close be-
side him, and at the same time the pis-
tol was suddenly snatched out of his
hand.
1t was done SO quickly that for a
moment he felt stunled, then turned
about to grapple with his opponent;
but the candle went out, and the out
stretched hand only famed the empty
air. He stood there unarmed, not dar-
ing to'move, lest he should betray his
whereabouts, and give this unseen foe
a chance to locate him for a shot. So he
stood silent and was considerably sur
prtsed to hear not the crack OF an ex-
ploding cartridge, but a cackling laugh,
that in the silence of the place sound
ed so weird that It even startled him
from his usual condition OF calm imper-
durability.
"Who are your What r you doing
here?" he called out
Just wait until I get this candle
goin', and I'll make myself KNOWN"
said the man he could not see, and ct
the same time Job heard a scraping
sound as If the other was trying to find
the candle. This he was able to do, for,
after a moments hunt, the candle was
lit, and out of the gloom a shutting fig
ure appeared. Job took the candle out
of his hand and held the light up to the
mans face. It was not a handsome
face into which he peered. The fellow
had DOTTED a ragged hat hat he might
shoW his features better. His hair de-
scended in ragged wisps about his
hungry and cadaverous face, that, being
unshaven, seemed sprinkled with coal
dust. His dark eyes set in deep hol-
lows. wore a half amused expression.
while his lips were parted In a grin
that disclosed a double row Of yellow
and uneven teeth.
"Oh, it's o eh," grumbled Hen
bricks.
'You know me-Jebbs-do you? All,
I thought you would" and the stranger
broke out into a cackling laugh again.
Here's yer pistol" said he, handing
over the weapon. Gave We a jolly scare,
that's what I done"
| E' ~ q dAo 0dy
what you have to say" and Job. an
gered at the way he had been treated,
led the way up the stairs, while the
other, evidently conscious that it would
not do to anger his host further, fol-
lowed him slowly.
Now. how did you come to find me?'
! asked Hendricks, as he set the candle
down on the table and eyed his guest
with anything but an amiable look.
"Well, I see o several times of late
in the street, and somehow you slipped
away fore I could catch up with you.
Tonight I had better luck"
"Hum!" Then, going to a box in one
corner Of the room. which he evidently
used for a closet, he tool a bottle from
it and a plate Of bread and meat, and
set them down on the table before his
guest. Job did not attempt to speak
again. as he watched the mar fall on
the food like a wild animal, and it was
only when the last crumb had been de-
voured and the bottle emptied that he
ventured to say
"Why did you come in like a theft"
IT wasn't sure you was in, and /