New-York tribune., 1903-06-13

might lie down and pant unpursued by the hor-
rors OF that house. The roofs on my right were
fiat, and 1 staggered along them. halting now
and again and leaning a hand for support
against one other Of the chimney stacks. now
growing warm in the sunshine
From the far side Of one I leaned clinging,
a man sprang up. almost at my feet II was
Archie Plinlinmon again. He had been hatten-
ing himself against its shadow. and at first SO
white and fierce his faceI made sure ne
meant to hurl me over and onto the street be-
low.
What do you want? What have you seen?"
Though he spoke fercely. his teeth chartered
"oh-it's you" he exclaimed. recognizing ma
Mr. Plinlimmon''-I began.
IT didn't do it. I didn't He broke on
For Gods sake how are we to get down out Of
this?"
He took me up short THE street, We can't
go that way-it's as much as my necks worth
! Yours. too"
Mr. Traps waiting for me- I answered.
stupidity
THE devil knows who isn't waiting" he
snapped. Wen have to cut out OF this He
pointed downward the side away from the
street "I say. what happened7 Who did
it, eh?"
.I slipped in the chimney" answered again
We knocked-Mr. Trapp and land no one an
swered; then we tried the door. and 1t opened
There was no one about, and no one IN the
street but Sergeant Letcher."
He began to shake Sergeant Letche-?
What do you know about Sergeant Letcher?
Nothing. except that he was IN the street
the man the bull chased. you know"
He was shaking yet. 'I ought to kill you."
said he But didn't do it. Look here. show
me way down and I'll let you off You're used
to this work. amt you?"
How did you come up?'' 1 asked, innocently
enough.
"By the Lord. If you ask questions I'll strange
you! You were in the room w1th-Wlth H.
saw you: I'll swear saw you Get me down
out Of this and hide-get on board some ship
and clear. See? If you breathe word that
you've me I'll cut your heart out You
understand me?"
1 hadn't a doubt then that he was guilty
somehow His fear was too craven There's
warehouse at the end here" said I. and led the
way to it. But when reached it, Its roof rose
in a sharp slope from the low parapet guarding
the leads where stood
But 1 can't see," he objected; "and, anyway,
can't manage that
I pointed to a louver skylight half way up the
roof We can prise that open. or break it. It's
easy enough TO reach" / assured him.
He was extraordinarily clumsy on the States
but obeyed my instructions like child
wrenched at the wooden lowers
Got a knife?' I asked.
He produced one-an ugly looking weapon. but
clean. BY good luck did not need it. for as
he passed il TO me the louver at which was
tugging broke and came away in my hand We
easily Ioosened another. and. squeezing through,
dropped into the loft upon a sliding pile OF
grain.
The loft was dark enough, but glmmer or
light shone through the chinks of door at the
far end. Unbolting it, we looked down from the
height Of thirty feet or So into deserted lane
Or rather. 1 looked down, for while fumDled
with the bolts Master Archie had banged his
head into something hard and dropped ruooins
the hurt and cursing.
1t proved to be the timber crosspiece OF Der
rick used for hosting sacks Of grain into the
loft. working on axle. and now swung inpoard
for the night A double rope ran through the
pulley at its end and had been hitched back over
the iron winch which worked 1t. We pushed the
derrick out over the lane and 1 manned the
winch handle while Master Archie caught hold
of the hook and pulley at the end of the double
lire Checking the handle with all my strength.
lowered him as nolselessly 1 could. AS his
faat touched the cobbles below ne let go, and.
without a thought of my safety. made off down
the lane.
tugged the derrick inbcard and recaptured
the rope cogged the winch swung out. dropped
hand over hand into the lane. and raced up II
with all the terrors of the law at my heels.
ITO be continued)