Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-08-30

gate. The property is valuable, the furnishings are handsome, and there is no end of costly books on the library shelves. You have matches and a re- volver?'
 He nodded, quietly showing me first the one, then the other; then, with a sheepish air which he endeavored to carry off with laugh, he cried:
 "Have you use for 'em? If so, I'm quite willing to part with 'em for a half hour"
 was more than amazed at this evil dence of weakness in one had always considered as tough and impenetrable as flint rock. Thrusting back the hand with which he had half drawn into view the weapon I had mentioned, I put on my sternest air and led the way across the street. AS did so, tossed back the words:
 "We may come upon gang. You do not wish me to face some half dozen men aloner'
 "You won't find any half dozen men there," was his muttered reply. Never theless he followed me, though with
  my own manner was in measure as- sumed and that I was not without sympathy-w let me say, for a dog who preferred bowling a dismal ac- compartment to his masters music to keeping open watch over a nelghbor- hood dominated by the unhallowed structure I now proposed to enter.
 At the first touch the door yielded 1t was not even latched.
 "So! sor' thought I. "This Is no fools job; some one ts in the house."
 l had provided myself with an ordi- nary pocket lantern, and, when had convinced Hubbard that fully meant to enter the house and discover for my self who had taken advantage of the popular prejudice against 1t to make a secret refuge or rendezvous of it's de- cayed old rooms, took out this lantern and held it in readiness.
 "We may strike hornets nest" I explained to Hubbard, whose feet seem ed very heavy even for a man of his size. But I'm going in and so are you. Only, let me suggest first that we take off our shoes. We can hide them in these bushes"
 "I always catch cold when walk barefooted," mumbled my brave com panion; but receiving no reply, he drew off his shoes and dropped them beside mine in the cluster of stark bushes which figure so prominently in the newspaper illustrations that have lately appeared. Then he took out his revolver, and, cooking it. stood wait ing, while I gave cautious push to the door.
 Darkness! Silence!
 Rather had confronted light and heard some noise. even if 1t had been the ominous click to which we are so well accustomed. Hubbard seemed to share my feelings, though from an en- tirely different cause.
 Pistols and lanterns are no good here" he grumbled. What we want at this blessed minute is priest with sprinkling of holy water; and for one''-
 He was actually f'iding off.
 With a smothered oath drew him back.
 "See herer' cried, you're not a babe in arms. Come on or Well, what now?"
 He had clinched my arm and was pointing to the door which was slowly swaying to behind us.
 Notice that" he whispered. "No key in the lock! Men use keys, but
 My patience could stand no more. With shake rid myself of his clutch, muttering:
 s'There, go! You're too much of a fool for me. I'm in for 1t alone" And in proof of my determination I turned the slide of the lantern and flashed the light through the house. The effect was ghostly; but while the fellow at my side breathed hard, he did not take advantage of my words to make his escape, as aalf expected him to. The truth is, I was startled myself, but was able to hide the fact and to whisper back to him f1ercely: "Hushr'
 had just heard something.
 For a moment we stood breathless, but as the sound was not repeated concluded that it was the creaking of that faraway shutter. Certainly there was nothing moving near us.
 Shall we go upstairs?" whispered Hubbard
 Not till we have made sure that all is right down here.' A door stood slightly ajar on our left.
 Pushing it open, we looked in. A well furnished parlor was before us.
 Here's where the wedding took place. remarked Hubbard, straining his head over my shoulder. fro RE CnSTTSTED.I