Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1903-08-13
ONT FREDERICK COUNTY, MD, AUGUST 13 1903
Id bring me a hammer and a couple

and bring me hammer and couple
of large nails"
Nancy HarIer did so,s and Hammond
drove the long, strong nails into the
cap of the newel-post, Which was large
and hollow, fastening itsdown hard and
fast.
THAT will hold till doomsday." said
he, as he finished the work and ascend.
.ed the stairs, followed BY Nancy.
The evil pair entered Rates room
and searched it from floor to ceiling,
leaving nothing undone that might give
them success.
ut is not here" said hammond, after
more than an hours hard labor.
"Then she has hiddenSit in the hall Of
the eastern wing" said: Nancy. as they
descended the stairs on: their way back
to the library.
"The hall is as bare. Of crack or crev.
Ice as the sole of my boot" ".said Ham.
mond.
"She may have tossed 1t into some
one of the rooms" said Nancy.
Every door is locked on each side Of
the hail." replied Hammond. but we
will search 1t"
They did, and found nothing. They
stared Mt each other In surprise, and
both noticed mutual paleness.
Nancy" whispered Hammond, "thls
is a serious matter"
at is" said she, in the same tone,
nrd feeling more uneasy than she cared
to tell.
"Suspiciop once fastened on u.s." con-
tinued Hammond, for your name is
mentioned in the spurious will, and
how long will 1t be before the detec-
tive police are on our track?"
"Susplcion does exist. Luke" said
Nancy. "And in the mind of man
whom you underrate Infinitely"
"You mean James Greene. the car
pcnter," said Hammond. "No, do not
underrate him. He has bold heart,
strong arm and 4 shrewd brain. We
must prepare to meet him, Nancy. So
again to my library that we may con-
cert some plan to battle him.
Hammond first raped at the door Of
the Crimson Chamber and Stephen
opened it from within.
"How is he?" asked Hammond.
"Sce for Yourself" said Stephen, as
lie threw the door back upon its hinges
Hammond entered with soft. cat-lika
tread, and gazcd upon the invalid. Mr.
Elgin was sleeping as.calmly as n rosy.
healthy child. and his features. though
thin and palr, wore a. a.noblc dignity 10
their reuose that Hammond could not
but admire.
II cannot sleep like that" muttcred
Hammond turning away.
Stephen heard the words and Whs-
pcred:
"I've seen men in prison cells asleep
that way, when the hangman couldn't
catch a wink; the night before they
were to die"
Die" said Hammond. shuddcring.
"Do you think he is going to die!"
"Not yet" said Stephen. And them
| spoke of had look around the
mouth that Henry Elgln can never
have-for he's never done murder.
Hes
"Silcncc," said Hammond, sternly;
for the mans words suggested unpleas'
ant memories. ''ou speak too loud.
lie begins to mutter in his sleep"
Hammond held his ear near the pale
nnd moving lips and caught these
words:
poor Kate! what will become of
thee"
"He dreams Of his child" thought
Hammond; and then with Nancy, who
bad followed him, left the Crimson
Chamber.
Before the door Of the imprisoned
Kate they halted again, and old Fau
answered the gentle tapping of Ham
mo1d's knuCkles
"IIow is she? Does she sleeps! he
asked.
Old Fan made no reply, but swung
the door wide open.
Kate was still sitting in the armchair
and her eyes of fire and scorn as she
recognized llalliihou poeiihS IA i"
him shrink and quail
"Shc does not s.clp-shc plans, he
,nui,eycd, as he turned quickly away
Watch her well, Fan"
"Prop my eyelids with gold and
they'll never blink nor wink" croaked
the old hag, With . @rimace that laid
bare her toothless gums.
Right" said Hammond. and with
Nancy at his heels he strobe on to MS
library, for there he loved best to plot
and scheme. -