Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1903-09-10
CHAPTER XII.
Continued.

Twenty years have passed since we
met" muttered Hammond, leaning
back in his chair, land he Is twenty
four years of age. A magnificent man
now, no doubt. I've educated him In
Europe, given him every advantage
He will be in my arms before midnight
He can push his suit with Catharine
Elgih at once. He is chip Of the old
0lock, too, imagine"
Six o'clock came, and found him still
musing of his past, present and future.
Then he dined as innocently as If he
was not to commit murder that night,
visited his prisoners, and awaited 8
o'clock in his library.
| Nine O'clock came with a dark and
stormy night at its back, and found
| him drinking brandy. A sure sign that
he was excited, and that his nerves
wanted bracing.
| At $50 old Fan entered and placed a
uote In his hand.
"The gent is in the rear parlor," said
Fan. He is disguised, but l know
him."
"You know him" exclaimed Ham.
mond, looking up sharply from the
note the decoy note he had written
that morning.
"Yes. It's Mr.. James Greene" said
Fan.
Where did you ever see him?" asked
Hammond.
Saw him when he repaired that
desk" said Fan. grinning. Wanted
hot water for his glue and came to me
in the kitchen. He said the work
suited a cabinet maker better than a
carpenter. 1 pretended was deaf"
YES" said Hammond. Miss FL
gin recommended him, however. How
did you know him in disguise?"
He took it off as soon as he came
in." said Fan.
"Ah! very well. You must forget
him. There's half-eagle to make you
forget that you ever saw him. said
Hammond tossing coin to her. "Did
you speak to hlm?"
mo. Mrs. Harker told me was te
be very deaf, stupid and half blind p
year ago, to everybody that don't live
in this house"
Right: so did order you," said
Hammond. Now listen. You will go
to him and give him this note"
He wrote as follows, forging, OF
course:
Dear James-Follow Fan. She wiz
lead you to me. l dare not meet you ID
the parlor, as Mrs. Harker Is suspicious
of your coming and will interrupt OF
listen to us. Follow Fan--she knows
what to do. Your Katy"
"Giye him that" said Hammond,
"He will read it, and you will lead him
through the dining room, through the
hall, down to the basement, and so on
into the old storeroom near the eastern
wing
The old storeroom Is heaped with
empty boxes, barrels and the like" said
Fan.
II made passage" said Hammond,
straight as a dart on this side through
to the door on the other. The barrels
and boxes are leaped on either side,
five feet high. The passage between is
four feet wide, the distance from door
to door twenty of your longest PAGES:
Lead him into the passage ten PAGES
count them as you Stephen halt and
say, Wait. | must get key You will
then leave him and so on to the other
door. Do you understands"
Old Fan grew livid and trembled vic.
lently.
"Mr. Hammond" said she. 'there is
a trap door in the middle of that store
room
well. what of that:'
"You mean to-
Never mind what mean to do
said Luke, fiercely. do what ter
you. I shall keep you in sight FROM the
moment l leave this room, and If sus
pect treachery will blow ball
through your old back-right between
the shoulders, Fan-with this, Fan"
He drew a revolver from his bosom
tnd cooked it,
'I'm wicked, / know l am wicked
bald Fan, trembling at the fierceness OF
his look, as ne glared at her over the
leveled weapon, "but l have never had
a hand in taking a human life! I've
been tempted to do it in my anger of
ten, but | never did. / can't do it IL
,o!d blood-no, | dare not, Mr.. Ham
MCnd."
"For every step you will count witt
James Greene by your side after yor
enter the storeroom," said Luke. u
will give you $40. Ten steps make
300. You do not know what | mean
to do"
She did know, but she was afraid to
tell of it.
See! the goldw said Luke. counting
It down upon the table.
Her eyes glistened as she gazed
"Pay me half in advance" said Fan.
"rake half" said Hammond, dvid-
Ing the heap. "The other shall be yours
In half an hour
BE his blood on your head. not
mine" said Fan, clutching the gold
II told friend of mine, the woman
we buy milk Of, that IL ever old Fan
was missing to look for me in the well
under the old storeroom."
Hammond turned pale. The old
womans cunning had foiled half of