The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1903-02-25
eaa and re.read the shipping intelli'

reaa and re-read the shipping intelli-
genee.
BARK Cleaner he read. to sail on
the 9th She il due two days. M
Charles wrote that he would come In
her. Can she have foundered? No
head winds, no doubt"
A groan. deep and dismal. growing
stronger ere 1t ended, rose upon his
ear. He let fall the paper and stood
up.
This il a puzzle to me-" said he.
Ever since that impudent carpenter
repaired this desk those groans have
reached my ear more distinctly here
than In any other part Of the house.
Stay! he had some trouble In replacing
the desk. remember I told him ne
would break down the partition. Let
me examine"
He heaved at the heavy desk. unth
II was far enough from the wall to
allow him to pass behind It. The wall
was merely a thin partition Of boards
colored and papered. and dividing the
little library from a hall that traversed
the third story Of the eastern wing.
Hammond found one Of the boards dis
placed.
This must be repaired tomorrow. 1
will do It myself. ! have had more
than enough of carpenters. This dam
age has let In groans enough to alarm
Catharine. and but for James Greene
she would have forgotten those she
heard In the room she formerly occu'
pied"
A little bell. right Over his desk, now
rang violently.
"Hom said Hammond, looking up.
Mrs. Harker desires my presence I'M
mediately."
As he spoke the front door bell was
heard to clatter below.
-Ahr said Hammond. "a visitor ut
this time Of night-nearly ten o'clock!
Can that wretch Of a carpenter have
returned. to fulfil his half-uttered
threat of leading the police into the
eastern wing? Impossible. He could
not dream Of what Is there"
The little bell over the desk again
tinkled It's summons.
"You are impatient, Mrs. Harker."
said Hammond. as he glanced at the
bell; but / must learn who is below
first. 1t would be very rash to leave
an enemy in my rear"
He applied his mouth to q speaking
tube and said:
"Wait. I will be with you In a mo-
ment. Some n Is at the front door.
What pews?"
Listening intently. be heard for an
answer:
II can hardly hold him. He strug.
giles tp rise"
Bind him! I will be with You soon."
said Hammond, speaking In the tube
mouth.
"strusgles to rise" he muttered.
This regaining Of strength is sur
prising. He was as weak as a child
this morning"
A tapping ut d ooor OF the iiorary
drew his attention thither.
Come in" said he, loudly. What
nowY' he continued, as q stout, ILL.,
favored man. blear-eyed and cruel
faced, entered what now, Daniel?
"A gentleman below. sir-in the hall.
Wants to see you" said Daniel.
DO you know him? Have you ever
seen him before?" demanded Ham.
mond.
mo. SIR" replied Daniel. HE Ia q
tall. slender gentleman. cloaked to the
eyes-wears q slouch hat low down
over his face-eyes like Goals Of fire."
The little bell over the desk tinkled
as II to shake out its tongue.
Hammond sprang to the speaking
tube.
what now. Nancy"
The answer came up like q roar:
II must have help instantly"
expect it!' replied Hammond. Then
turning t. Eaniel he said:
"Show the stranger hither, and then
hurry to the crimson chamber"
1.-THE crimson. sir? He was In the
white and gold this morning." said
Daniel.
He has been removed" said Ham.
mond. Hurry to the crimson cham
Der and aid Mrs. Harker. Use no more
violence than is necessary. Daniel"
all be rs gentle as a lamb. SIR" said
Daniel. Must I show up the gentle
man In the hall?"
"Of course-hastenr' said Hammond;
and Daniel left the room.
"Now who can this stranger be?'
muttered Hammond. His descrip-
ton. MS Daniel gave 1t. does not fully
with the appearance Of my son. l am
nervous-I trenble-a sure sign that I
nm either to meet an enemy or some
one who may become So"
He stepped to a closet. and filling q
wine-glass with raw brandy. swallowed
the contents.
To be continued.
Russian Economics.
The, Ruasion manhattan cannot b.