The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1903-04-22
CHAPTER NJ.
Continued.

Twenty years have passed since We
met" muttered Hammond. leaning
hack 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 win be In my arms before midnight.
He can push his suit with Catharine
Elgin at once. He Is chip of the old
block. too. imagine"
Six o'clock came. and found him still
musing of his past. present and future.
Then he dined as innocently as II ne
was not to commit murder that night.
visited his prisoners, and awaited D
o'clock in his library.
Nine o'clock came with 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
note In his hand.
.The gent is In the rear parlor." said
Fan. HE is disguised, but ] know
him"
"You know himr' exclaimed Ham
mond, looking up sharply from the
note. the decoy note he had written
that morning.
Eyes. 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
I'm the kitchen. He said the work
suited q cabinet maker better than
carpenter. pretended was deaf"
"Yes," said Hammond. Miss FL
Rin recommended him. however. How
did you know him in disguise:
He took It or as soon as he came
in." said Fan.
-Ah! very well. You must forget
him. There's q half-eagle to make you
forget that you ever saw him." said
Hammond. tossing q coin to her. did
you speak to him"
"No. Mrs. Harker told me was to
be very deaf. stupid and half blind
year ago, to everybody that don't i've
IN this house"
Right; SO did I order you" said
Hammond. Now listen. You viii 60
to him and give him this note"
BE wrote ~ follows. forging. OF
course:
"Dear James-Follow Fan. She will
lead you to me. dare not meet you In
the parior. as Mrs. Harker is suspicious
Of your coming. and will interrupt or
listen to US. Follow Fan-sne knows
what to do. Your Katy"
"Give. him that" said Hammond.
~He viii read II, and you will lead him
through the dining room. through the
hall, down to the basement. and 50 on
into the old storeroom near the eastern
wing"
"1'he old storeroom Ii heaped with
empty boxes, barrels and the like" said
Fan.
II made q passage" said Hammond,
straight a. a dart on this side through
10 the door on the other. The barrels
and boxes are heaped on either side.
ave feet high. The passage between is
four feet wide, the distance from door
10 door twenty Of your longest PAGES.
Lead him into the passage ten PAGES
count them as you step-then halt and
say. Wait, I must get key You viii
then leave him and 60 on to the other
door. Do you understand?'
Old Fan grew livid and trembled vio-
ieatly.
! "Mra Hammond" said she. "there Is
. trap door in the middle Of that store
xoom.'
wen. what Of that"
"Y0a mean to"
"Never mind what I mean to do"
said Luke, fercely. "Do what I tell
you. shall keep you in sight from the
mom<nt I leave this room. and II sus-
pect treachery I will blow ball
through your old back-right between
the shoulders, Fan-with this. Fan"
He drew q revolver from his bosom
and cooked II.
"I'In wicked. I know I nm wicked"
said Fan, trembling at the fierceness of
his look. as he glared Mt her over the
ieveled weapon. but have never had
q hand In taking q human life! I've
been tempted to do It In my anger Of
ten. but I never did. I can't do 1t in
cold blood-no. ] dare not. Mr. Ham
mend"
For every step you will count with
James Greene by your side after you
enter the storeroom." said Luke. Il
will give you $40. Ten steps make
800. You do not know what I mean
to do"
She did know. but che was afraid to
tell OF II.
''See! the goldr said Luke, ccuating
It down upon the table.
Her eyes glistened as she gazed.
PAY me half in advance" said Fan.
"Take half" said Hammond. divid-
ing the heap. The other shall be yours
tn half an hour"
"Be his blood on your head. not
mine" said Fan. clutching the gold.
n told friend Of mine. the woman
We buy milk Of. that II ever old Fan
was missing to look for ne IL the well
under the old storeroom."
Hammond turned pale. The old
woman's cunning had foiled Lalf CT
his purpose. He meant 10 slay victim
md accompiice ut the same instant.
"You are an idiot" lie exclaimed.