The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1903-06-03
CHAPTER XVIII.
vILLAINY TRIUMPHs AGAIN.

vILLAINY TRIUNPHS AGAIN.
Daniel was prowling about the little
library, with writing materials in his
hand, when the ringing Of the bell over
the desk attracted his ear to the speak
ing-tube.
The words that were beloved from
the white and gold chamber-"Daniel!
Rouse the dogs! Both the prisoners
are loosev'-caused hi1n to dash down
Ink, pen and paper, and dart into the
eastern wing like mao.
Something in white fitted by him
and he grasped at it. gaining hand
full Of muslin, and sharp blow in the
face for his activity.
The blow Kate-for 1t was she-de-
livered at random, blinded him for an
instant, and in the next second she
was lost in the darkness.
''She will make for the 'front.'" said
Daniel, "but I know how to get there
before her"
He sped along the hall. down fight
of steps, taking them from top to bot
tom at leap, then rushed through an
other hall and into a room, damp and
dark, but familiar to him. Then he
lifted trap and hurried down a steep
ladder into cellar. He knew every
inch Of the way; blindfolded he would
have known it. Counting his steps as
be sped on he reached another ladder
and his foot was on the first round
when a strange noise startled his ear.
whats that?" he said pausing.
A smothered pounding, far down it
seemed in the earth below him!
His hair rose on end, the sweat
started in icy drops from every pore.
1T is the evil one working his way
up after Luke Hammond or me! or
me" he shouted, and bounded up the
ladder till his round bullet head butted
painfully against trap above. He
raised the trap and leaped into the
main house. Then rushing through a
basement apartment he ascended from
the kitchen to the dining room. On,
with fearful leaps, he sped and jerked
open a window.
Tiger! Leo! catch hin! Ha: St
boy! Catch 'em, dogsw he shouted.
In a second the fierce baying and saw
age growls Of two monstrous dogs told
him that he was heard He gazed
forth for a moment, seeing the dim
forms of the ferocious beasts darting
here and there amid the darkness and
then hurried to the rear of the house
"Pard! Bush! At them, my boysw
he shouted, as he opened another win
dow and thrust his head forth.
Again fierce baying and growls and
dim shadows leaping about.
'Try their teeth, my dainty girl"
said Daniel, closing the window and
rushing to cupboard, where he
lighted lantern.
Now to run down the hare" said
he. prowling about the house, grasping
b!udgeon as if expecting to meet, not
hare. a timid. trembling hare. but a
wolf or a panther.
And Kate! Poor girl, after her sc
far successful ruse to escape from her
prison she had fled she knew not
whittier till seized by Daniel in the
hall. Escaping his brutal clutch OH
she sped. trying every window rs her
outstretched arms swept along the
walls. She stumbled over something.
stopped and picked it up. 1t was the
same hatchet her father had lately
held-cast aside the night before by
Hammond. Its possession nerved her
arm to strike. and finding a window
she dashed out the glass. shattered the
sash. and was cutting through the
shutters when she heard the wrathful
shout Of Daniel and the clanor Of the
savage dogs.
"Ch. cruel fate: What shall ] do?"
size clisd in woeful despair. hut hack