Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1903-08-20
CHAPTER VIII.
Continued.

| CO0IlUueu.
"Never mind the will now," said
Luke. 1--WE shall find it, IL 1t Is to be
found, and we know it is in the house
We must prepare to meet James
| Greene, who will soon miss his Kate
and begin a search. l overheard him
tell her be would meet her at O'Clock
this evening. You see it is nearly 3 in
the morning now. Before this time to.
morrow he will lead the police here,
for the scene that passed between us
last night will stimulate us to instant
action"
every true," said Nancy.
every true" Parrot! Have you no
plan-no plot in that cunning head of
yours by which we may rid ourselves
Of him?" cried Luke.
James Greene will ruin us If he is
not deceived" said Nancy.
1--WE cannot deceive him." cried Luke.
"'Tis you who are undertaking him.
tell you he has an eye like dirk, and
felt it dartlng through ME last night,
James Greene must die
Nancy Harker heard this without a
trcmor. She had arrived at TIE same
dread conclusion.
"If he lives we have to die said she.
And drawing the decanter of brandy
near her she poured out a wineglassfu)
and drank it herself. II have never
felt so chilly in all my life said she,
shivering. He must die. Luke, for our
exposure will draw the fingers Of the
law over our past lives. and uncover
more than enough to hang us, had we
ten lives"
Right" said Luke. And Eow "a
ret him into our power. Not only must
he die, lest he shall ruin us, but be
cause he is Henry Elgin's intended
heir"
"And what shall you do with Henry
Elgln" asked Nancy.
"I have my plans said Luke. Now
keep your mind on James Greene, Dc
you know where he livesT'
Daniel can find out" said Nancy,
II know, and so do you. where he
works. He is not a journeyman, but
has shop of his own
VERY WELL" said Hammond. "Now
here is my plan: will forge a note in
Catharne Elgin's hand asking him TO
cnll here at .; saying she cannot meet
him at 7-and that he must come dis!
guised."
why disguscd:' asked Nancy, in
wonder.
THAT when he shall have disap.
peared." said Hammond, in a whisper
that sounded like a serpcnts hiss.
"men may not say, james Greene was
last seen entering Luke Hammonds
house"
Brandy has not dulled your wits, af'
ter ALL" said Nancy, admiringly.
Brandy does not affect my brain; it
nerves and hardens my heart. Push
the decantHr this way. No. | must
crush the habii--it grows. it grows''
lie pushed back his stiff, short hair
and continued:
The note must tell him to come dis:
gulsed as Luke hammond
"Disguiscd as YOU cried Nancy
"As me-" said Hammond. He is Of
any height-slim. too--though muscular.
I wear my hats Of peculiar shape,
and always white. True, lie wears 40
beard--that is easily supplied, | wear
black silk cap over my hair, and
under my hat, in the street The nee
assary articles, with one of my coats,
Daniel can take in sAtchcl-a white
hat Greene can get anywhere. The
note wifi tell him Luke Hammond has
gone out of town for Il few days. Old
Fan will meet him n the door, aud tell
him Catharine Elgin wishes to see
him In the eastern wing; he will follow
her, and she will lead him through the
old storc-room. Do you know what is
In that store-room, Nancy Harker:'
"Yes-,n trap.door, opening from be-
low, and Immediately over mn old well.
thrifty feet deep-rocky ut the bottom" !"
said Nancy, with sparkling eyes but
livid face.
"Not rocky, Nancy Harker. No
rocks; OF, If there are rocks. they are
, covered With depth of six feet of
ooze, slime and mud. An alligator
tossed In there would suffocate,' said
Luke.
"And when old Fan has led him into
the storeroom, what then?' asked
Nancy.
James Greene will vanish and his
place shall be known no more among
the living" said Hammond.
Nancy Harker shuddered and asked:
"He Icing removed, what then?'
1.-THE papers will become full of the
mystery" said Luke. perhaps, after
few days, his body shall be found
coating in the East River. The certain
ty of his death will so weaken Cathar-
inc Elgiu that. to saTe her fathers life
she will reveal where she has hidden
the viii"
"To save her fathers lifew exclaimed
Nancy.
Eyes. l shall threaten TO remove him
also" said Hammond.
"Then-the will found and de-
stroyedT' asked the, adinfrtng Nancy.
"The same threat shall force her to
consent to marry my son Charles" said
Hammond. Il expect him every hour. y
Suppose Charles viii not marry
hcrW said Nancy.
| "Ha! woman! do you think he would