The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1903-07-01
CHAPTER XXI.
Continued.

Henry Elgin awoke from a painful
dream, and lay thinking Of his unfor-
tunate child. To save her dear life his
mind was slowly resolving to yield to
the desires Of Hammond. But am
sure" thought Elgin, as he listened to
the steady tramp Of Daniel to and fro
in the ball, that my yielding will be
my speedy death. II by dying could
give my child life and security from
the villain, I would cheerfully die. But
I fear that by following Luke Ham
mond's wishes, I shall hurry upon my
daughter the dreadful fate Of becom-
ing the wife Of his son. The son must
be like the father-an unscrupulous
villain. Oh, Eternal Father! have pity
upon me, and direct me Alright. James
Greene, whom wronged, is no more,
If Luke Hammond did not lie; and his
exulting eyes and cruel smile proved
to me that he spoke truly. May
Heaven deliver u.s."
he was thinking and desponding
thus when a slight and irregular jar
ring of his bed attracted his attention.
His bed had been rolled against the
wall so as to be Immediately against
the small fireplace, which was fitted
with a crate, and the head Of the bed
was nearest to the iron work.
Henry Elgin had been 80 long an in
valid that his nerves were painfully
sensitive and acute. Had he been in
full and robust health, the scarcely per-
ceptible jarring or vibration would
have failed to draw his mind to It.
But now every sense and organ was
Instantly upon the alert.
What can be the cause Of this
strange vibration?" thought Elgin, as
he listened for some clue to guide his
reason. For more than an hour he
listened in vain, and then he placed
his ear against the chimney.
The dull and heavy sound Of pound
Ing then fell upon his ear.
Great Heavens he thought. "Some
one is digging or pounding far below
me, and apparently at the base Of the
chimney. Let me think. This Chin
ney was built upon the base Of an old
stone chimney, which was part Of a
strong stone apartment Of the old
house I had torn down to erect this
edifice. The foundations Of the old
house were so strong and durable that
left them standing, and made use
of them. Some one is certainly pound
Ing against the chimney, but it may
be somebody in the room below me,
since Hammond Is in entire possession
of the house. He may be preparing a
new prison for me, or for my poor
child. He may be preparing a tomb
for her. I will dismiss this terrible
idea from my mind, and try to sleep.
In sleep I gain forgetfulness Of my
misery. God help me!"
And uttering fervent prayer, Henry
Elgin closed his eyes.
Still the jarring continued, and after
half an hours vain effort to sleep, he
again applied his ear to the chimney.
He now heard the sound Of blows
distinctly, and once clang, as If iron
had struck iron.
1.-THE pounding is slowly but GER
tainly coming upward" thought Elgin.
"What can it mean?"
He waited half an hour, and heard q
sound Of humping without placing his
ear to the wall.
"It comes nearer and nearer"
thought he. "Great Heaven! some one
is forcing a way upward through the
chimney. In half an hour more. with
this rate Of progress. whoever it is will
be at work Immediately opposite to
this fireplace. The chimney fue runs
up behind this fre-escape, and grows
very small about three feet above the
throat Of the fue Of this chimney. A
man might work his way from below
until he reached where the fue of this
chimney opens into the main chimney,
but there he will find strong iron
work and very narrow channel. But
who can it be? Can it be any one
wishing to effect my escape? I am
dead to the world-buried. If any Of
Hammond's villains have become re-
morseful why not open that door and
lead me out? Or why not lead the
police hither? Let me at least hope
that it may result in my deliverance,
and that if Hammond knows nothing
Of it, neither he nor any Of his villains
may enter this room until shall have
learned this mystery"
The noise continued, but so subdued
that had not Elgin's head been against
the chimney. he could hardly have
heard it, ard finally the noise ceased.
All was silent for ten minutes, and
then it began again, and continued
until Elgin knew the cause of it must
have passed the level Of his bed, and
gone two or three feet upward.
"Ahw thought Elgin. HE has met
the iron work! He must stop there"
Another long pause. and then Elgin
resolved to speak. He forced his face
up the chimney as far as possible, and
said:
In Gods name, who and what are
you:'
There was no reply.
"If you are a man." continued Elgin,
in the fervent tone of prayer, eff God
has given you a heart 10 pity most
unfortunate being. in the name of God,
1 pray you answer me-"
Still 10 reply.
Hear ME, whoever you are" con-