The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1904-07-07

pain or pleasure to increase also. The
result can he imagined. AS I listened
to the intolerable howls of the dog
cutting clean through the exquisite
harmonios of his master wondered IL
the shadows cast by the frowning
structure Of the great Moore house
were alone to blame for Uncle David's
lack Of ncighbors.
Meantime Ilibbnrd. who was the
first to hear my signal, came running
down the block. AS he joined me the
light. or what we chose to call q light.
appeared in the window toward which
my attention had been directed.
"Some ones in the Moore house"
! declared. in as matter of fact tones as
| could command
Hibhard is big fellow. the biggest
! fellow on .hc force and so far as my
own experience with him had gone. as
stolid and imperturhable as the best of
us. But after Il quick glance at the
towering walls of the lonely building
he showed decided embarrassment and
seemed in no haste 10 cross the street
| With difficulty concealed my dis
| gust.
Come" | cr.Cd. stepping down from
! the curb, lets go over and invest!
gate. The property is valuable. the
| furnishings are handsome. and there l.,
| no end of costly books on the librarf
shelves. You have matches and re-
volvery"
He nodded, quietly showing me first
the one. then the other: then. with a
sheepish air which he endeavored to
carry off with a laugh. he cried:
"IIave you use for EN-? If SO, I'm
| quite willing to part with 'em for
half hour"
! was more than amazed this evil
deuce of weakness in one had always
considered as tough and impenetrnble
as flint rock. Thrusting back the hand
with which he had half drawn into
view the weapon had mentioned. |
| put on my stcrnest air and led the way
across the street. AS did so, tossed
back the words:
I'VE may come upon Il gang. You
do not wish me to face some half
dozen men aloncT'
You won't find any half dozen men
there" was his muttered reply. Never.
theless he followed me. though with
less spirit than liked. considering that
my own manner was i'm q measure as
sumed and that | was not without
sympathy let me say, for dog
who preferred bowling dismal ac-
compartment to his masters music to
keeping open watch over Il ncighbor-
hood dominated 10y the unhallowed
structure now proposed to enter.
At Tie first touch the door yielded.
1t was not even latched
$50! sol! thought /. This Is no
fools job some one is In the house"
| had provided myself with an or,li.
nary pocket lantern, and. Wien | had
conrincetSJl libbard that | fully meant
to enter 80 house and discover for my.
self who had taken advantage of the
popular prejudice against il to make a
secret refuge or rendezvous Of its de.
caycd old rooms, | took out this
lantern and held il in readiness.
We may strike horhet's nest"
explained to uibbard. whose feet seem.
ell very heavy even for man of his
oiH'' i'ut -OIIr III 81 iIf
you. Only. let me suggest first that
we take of our shoes. We can hide
them in these bushes
Il 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 gave cautious push to
the door
Darkness! Silence!
Rather had confronted a light and
heard some noise, even IL il had been
the omirous click TO which we are so
well accustomed Hibbard seemed to
share my feelings, though from aa en-
tirely different cause.
pistols and lanterns are no good
here lie grumbled. What we want
ut this blessed minute is priest with
a sprinkling of holy water; and for
one
He was actually sliding Off.
With smOthered oath ! drew him
back.
See herew cried. you're not
babe In arms. Come on Or Well.
what nowi"
lie had cllnched 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.
mutterlng:
There, go! You're too much of a
fool for me. I'm in for II alone" And
in proof of my determination turned
the slide of the lantern and flashed the
light through the house.
The effect was ghostly; but while the
fellow ut my side breathed hard, he
did not take advantage of my words
to make his escape, as | half expected
him to. The truth Is, ] was startled
myself, but ! was able to hide the fact