Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-05-03

AVSlOSS SIAlAlH6 OL IlS BudTub OuISlQS died away in his ears; he slept, and the candle burned to it's socket, sput- tered and went out Some time later-just how long he had no means of knowing-a peculiar sound aroused him. He started up. his eyes peering into the blank dark ness.
 He still heard the guards: but the noise that had awakened him came from within, not from without i iabored breath, carefully stified; the sweep of a hand over rough sur face; 8 creaking lift of one of the floor boards; a fall of wood, mufied with painstaking care. Then silence again, broken only by the. tramp of the armed sentries.
 l In the opaque gloom, Darrel strained his ears to follow the sounds and couple each with corresponding movement that must have caused 1t. He readily gathered that entrance, was being forced into his prison chamber from beneath. Who could 1t be2
 Darrell" came hissing whisper.
 "Yes?" he returned, in undertone. 4 y have not a moment to spare. The marshal has been lllred away and made I prisoner and there is nothing to prevent Sturgis' friends from wreaking their vengeance on you. There are 8 lot of them at Hawkbill's now. getting ready. The guards posted by the mar i shal are in sympathy with them and listen!" The voice broke off, trem- ulous with excitement Do you hear anything? They may be coming this minute.'
 No" returned Darrel, after mo- ment! "it's the watchers outside that l you hear. In the first place, who are you?"
 "'The man whose life and honor you saved at Hawkbill's.''
 ''How have you been able to come to me?"
 Through one of the drifts from the ! creek bank. It was only necessary to dig out a few feet of earth in order I to come up directly under this build- l ing-but it has taken hours and every l hour seemed an age. was afraid should not be in time. God knows I could not abandon you after what you have done for me-
 "Sturgis' friends would take the law l into their own hands, would they?" "They intend to lynch you
 .For crime did not commit, supp plemented Darrell
 "The doctor found the bullet that killed Sturgis and it's 45. The re- volver taken from you by the marshal was also 45 and one shell was empty"
 "Who is the doctor?'
 An eastern man and one of the sanest and best men in the camp He has implored the mob to let the law take it's course but no one would listen to him. But there's no time for talk. You can drop into the tunnel through | this hole I have dug, reach the creek and get to point below the camp un- der shelter of the bank My horse Is there, saddled, bridled and ready. Come, you must hurry!"
 There was not little feeling mani fested in Darrers voice as he an- swered:
 You have done a good deal for me and I appreciate 1t. You do not think I killed Sturgts?" "I haven't stopped to think very much about it. It would be DO more I than q natural supposition after that row in Hawkbill' l's--that row on my account"
 Well, I'm innocent of murder, but circumstances have got a grip on me and shall avail myself of the means I of escape which you offer. I can't take your horse, though. That would throw suspicion on you" < How will you get out of the cour- try"
 With any kind of start you can l trust me for that. Go back through the tunnel take your horse away and get to your lodging place. am much \ obliged to you for the interest you have taken in me. Some time I shall hope to repay you
 "I am already repaid. But I think you should take the horse
 No"
 4 You won't be long in coming?'
 Not long"
 "Good-by, then, and good luck tI you Your word that you did not kill | Sturgis is enough for mel T Thank you. Good-by and don't forget that promise.' God knows have cause to remem- Der it. came back in husky whisper
 Darrel listened while the young man lowered himself into the tunnel and retreated beyond earshot in the direc. tion of the creek. Then, taking a note book and pencil from his pocket, Dar- rel wrote few lines, his pencil point groping over the small page in the dark.
 Mir. Darrel regrets that circum- stances over which he has no control compel him to postpone indefinitely his meeting with MT Murgatroyd. He begs to assure Mr. Murgatroyd, how ever, that the meeting is simply de- fcrred and not abandoned" Tearing out the sheet on which he had penciled this message,' Darrel left 1t on the table
 (To Be Continued)