Condon globe. (Condon, Gilliam Co., Or.) 189?-1919, 1904-02-04
CHAPTER XVII.


lie seemed completely enyironed by
foes, and no matter which way he turn
ed II did seem as though he was bound
10 meet some enemy. but he only shut bis
teeth the harder and determined TO beat
them all yet.
There were several important things
that menaced him about which he knew
nothing. The first Of these was the es.
cape Of Nora Warner for the second time
from the mad house, and the fact that
she and brave Jack, who loved her 50
well that he was ready TO die In her ser.
vice, were even then closing In upon the
man upon whom both had sworn a mighty
oath TO be avenged.
Then again, there was another little
fact OF which the Captain was ignorant
the restoration OF the Russian detec-
tive TO life. lie had not the least idea
In the wide world but that the fellow
had been dead In the chimney for days:
and, not knowing that the old mill was
occupied, aud haunted by fear lest his
secret should become known, should amy
one by accident discover the body OF the
mantracker, who might be readily recog.
hlzed as the PERSON with whom he had
left Richmond Terrace on the night when
his marriage had been so abruptly brok-
en- OF by the hlght OF Carol. assisted by
valiant Roger, he was even now on his
way 10 the old mill with the full intention
OF forever hiding the body OF the slain
detectiyefor he was absolutely posi-
tive the man was dead-from the view Of
mankind.
He had started out with trowel and
some lime, intending TO make some NOR
tar and brick up the hole In the chimney
through which he had dropped the body,
but when he came TO think 1t all over,
there were several objections TO this plan.
In the first place, any parties visiting
the mill through idle curioslty-as they
were liable 20 do any day, and this II
was that had urged him on TO the step he
was about 20 take-could not but notice
the difference in the mortar; the patch
would be plainly seen, and their curiosity
50 excited that nothing would do but an
examination, when the truth would be
speedily disclosed.
This had so disgusted him that he had
hurled the trowel and little sack of lime
into the bushAs and was about to turn
with brilliant Idea.
80 stupendous was this new thought,
coming after his late defeat, that he be-
came excited. aud, losing no time, at
once recommended his walk toward the |
mill.
II was far into the night, and the bright |
stars looked down from above as though |
rebuklng the dark thoughts that had been |
engcndered In his brain.
His new scheme, which had appeared |
TO him az one well calculated TO bring sue
cess with II, was to tear down the chin
ney, remove the body to some other part |
OF the mill where II would get the full
benefit OF his further actions, and then
man, set fire to the old mill. The great
structure would burn like tinder, and his
secret would be we'll kept
Full of this idea, he hurried along the
path he had taken on that other night,
when with such herculean strength he
had borne the body of the detective from
the spot where he had struck him down,
to the denser forest where he had after
ward brought his horse TO bear the body
TO the mill.
II he could dispose of the detectives
body one great object would be accom-
plished. He felt that when he struck the
down to death he had Lc-
much, for In spite of his nom
chalance In his presence he had feared
this man like poison. When this work
was accomplished he could turn upon his
other foes one by one and demolish them.
Filled with these thoughts he hurried
On through the gloomy forest. The mill
was quite a distance away, and yet he
took no note OF the passage of time, and
was so cngrossed In his various schemes
that almost before he was aware Of the
fact the old building loomed up before
MIN.
To the surprise of the Captain he saw
lights In two different parts of the mill;
me on the lower floor remote from the ,
place where the body had been concealed, .
he other higher up in sort of loft, for =,
nerly used by the miller for some pur-
pose.
The first he could comprehend, for he
hearing that an old woman I
lad been known to inhabit the wing of {
he mill for some years past, but what |
he other meant he had not the remotest |
dea.
Then sudden fear assailed his heart a
What IL the evidence of his crime had al I
eady been discovered? h
Whatever lay in his past, this man was
lot a coward, 40 far as brute cournge was h
oncerned, but this was the first time his $
oul had heen~ stained with actual MUIR |,
er, and he quivered with horror at the
hought Of the doom awaiting him should {
lis crime be detected and brought home S
o him. h
Soon the reaction came, and with It II,
etermination to climb up and see who il n
vas occupied the strong room of the dead II
liller.
This was easily done, for tree grew 81
lose beside the building, and all that was t,
ecessary for him to do was to draw him "
elf up among the branches of this until II
G came on a line with the little window n
rom whence the light proceeded. No
Ooner did this idea enter his head than ;,
e hastened to put 1t into execution. !
To climb the tree was an easy task, and u
| very few minutes his head was on -
level with the window. When his eyes y
I'll upon the occupant of the little cham :"
er his form seemed to turn into ice, such !,
Tas the cold wave that shot through his =
'ame, and from his lips, trembling with a - -
hidden fear, there fell the words: = =
'It is his spiritp y
He was gazing upon his last victim-the II
usslan detective, whose heart his Inur- i.
erous knife had sought. ~ ~
CHAPTER XVIII. in