The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1903-07-03
I Stairs Of
Sand
By ERNEST De LANCY PERSON.
Copyright, 1901, by Street & Smith.
Observation-Disclosures.

CHAPTERsXIV
Job had returned one evening,
worn out with his search in the
lower parts of the city, had finished
his humble supper, which he had
brought home in a paper bag, and
had been mapping on shis cot, when
an unusual sound in the empty
, ROOMS below him attracted his at
tention. He jumped to his feet, and,
setting the candle on the table be-
hind him, opened the window and
peered out on the deserted garden.
A faint moonlight lay over the rag
ged berry bushes along the walks,
and on. the pile of wood that was a
most conspicuous decoration and
rose like o funeral. pyre in the cen
tor of the grass plot.
That's queer" he muttered, draw
ing in his head. Not a person in
sight, and certainly 1 didn't dream
that 1 heard that noise"
He took another peep out of the
window and then closed it softly,
shaking has head.
"Must be in the house-wonder if
a rat could make a noise like that?
The beggars do grow pretty big in
these Rarts. All, there it is again
and comes from those rooms below.
] suppose ! must clook into this a
Bit" and he sighed to think that
perhaps he was not to enjoy his
peaceful little abode much longer
that some one had found him out.
He took his revolver out of his
pocket, examined it carefully to see
o that it was in working order, and
then, holding it in one hand and
ca2rrSing the candle in the other,
opesed the door leading to the stairs
and won't down. 1t was very quiet
below as he paused at the last step
to listen. He heard a scurrying
Sound in the~wall, but3 there was
nothing to be alarmed about in
that; it was mans step he thought
he had heard in the first place. After
a moment he stepped on to the floor
and swung the candle around, to get
q good view of the place.
Just as he did this he was suddenly
conscious of heavy breathing close
beside him, and at the same time the
pistol wage suddenly snatched out of
his hand.
1t was done so quickly that for a
moment he felt stunned, then turned
about to grappleS with his opponent;
but the candle went out, and his out
stretched hand only famed the emp
ty air. He stood there unarmed, not
daring to move, lest he should be-
tray his whereabouts, and give this
unseen foe chance to locate him for
shot. so he stood silent, and was
considerably surprised to hear not
the crack of an exploding cartridge.
but cackling laugh, that in the ST.
lence of the place sounded SO weird
that it even startled him from his
Usual condition of calm inperturba-
bility.
'Who are you? What are you do
ing here?" he called out.
Just wait until 1 get this candle
goin', and I'll make myself known"
said the man he could not see, and
at the same time Job heard q scrap
ing sound, as if the other was try
ing to find the candle. This he was
able to do, for, after moments
hunt, the candle was lit, ana out of
the gloom shutting figure .ap-
opeared. Job took the candle out of
his hand and held the light zap to the
mans face. 1t wasonot handsome
face into which he peered. The fell
low had dotted a ragged hat, that he
might show his features better. His
hair descended in ragged wisps about
his hungry and cadaverous face, that,
being unshaven, seemed sprinkled
with coal dust. His dark eyes set in
deep hollows, wore half-amused ex-
preston, while his lips were parted
in grin that disclosed a double row
. of yellow and uneven teeth.
"Oh, it's you, eh," grumbled Hen
bricks.
''You know me-Jebbs-do you?
All, + thought you would" and the
stranger broke out into a cackhns
laugh again.> Heres yer pistol"
said he, handing over the weapon.
"Gave We jolly good scare, that's
8 what I done. " - - = =
s'Nonsense-comeu up stairs and say
what you have to say" and Job, an
CRY at the way he had been treated,
led the way up the stairs, while the
other, evidently conscious that it
=