The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1904-11-04

| night, anu IOf MANY hours he WdlCHCG
the Pickering blue flame with .
strange fascination.
With the dawn of day it vanished.
and now Frank examined carefully
the floor boards, which were crum
bling away with dry rot. They bore
the appearance of having been remov
ed; and determined to satisfy him.
self on the point, Frank left the build
ing and made his way to the shed in
which Jones was still sleeping. Here
he found spade, and getting posses
sion of it so noiseless1y that he did
turned to the room.
| 1t was an easy matter to wrench UP
the floor boards, then he commenced
digging. The ground was quite soft
apparently it had been lately removed
A few feet beneath the surface he was
Mortified to find the body of the old
man.
| At that moment cry of terror
caused him to turn. The man whose
life he. had saved the previous night
stood at his back.
do you know anything about this
! vile work." demanded Frank, stern
" ~
.Me?" gasped the man. What
should I know about i'll Them az
hides can find"
Look here felldW.." exclaimed
Frank 81 have my suspicious about
YOU
"And I've got mine about you,
young fellow. What made you dig at
! that very spot, unless you knowed as
] old Maurice Rodgers was buried
there?"
80 you knew his manner" retorted
Frank "You will have to accompany
me to the police station"
Jones seized the spade which the
young fellow had dropped.
Listen here, you Demon" the ruff
/! fan cried. .If you don't stand out Of
my road I'll brain you"
Frank made no reply, but watched
his adversary closely
.'Are you going to let me pass?
"No!" answered Frank, feeling con-
| fident now of the mans guilt.
| Uttering savage imprecation, the
ruffian sprang at him, dealing a muir
derous blow, which rendered the
young man unconscious.
At that moment he heard shout.
Some one was coming toward the
house Uttering cry of terror, he
sprang from the room and bounded
across the marshy country, over
which dense fog hung-a fog that
rendered pursuit matter of impos-
sibility.
When Frank regained conscious
ness he found constable bending
over him.
HAS the ruffian escaped?" he in
| CURED
81 saw some one rush from the
place." answered the constable; "but
couldn't follow in this fog. Besides,
didn't like to leave you in this state.
Can you tell me what has happened,
Mr.. Holland?"
"You know my name, them" ex.
claimed Frank. in surprise.
Faith, sir, looked In your pocket.
book. | made sure you were dead at
first
ITS all right" exclaimed Frank,
rising.
| Then in few words he told all that
he knew, giving an exact description
| of the ruffian.
I'm thinking he's the man we have
had our eyes on" said the constable.
! eff so, his name is Skaife. We'd best
lock this room up
| A few minutes later they left the
building, and, with the aid of the
constable's lantern, made their way
round the great morass.
Hes sure to come this way, sir.
think this fog is lifting bit. You
must mind how you step. for the
ground is treacherous. Hank! Did
you hear anything?"
'Bedad! There it is again. Come
on. Well catch the scoundrel yet"
The next moment they were racing
across the ground, their feet sending
up spurts of mud as they ran.
Now through the lifting mist they
caught glimpse of the fugitive. He
had evidently lost his way. but when
he saw his pnrsuers, he dashed madly
on in spite of the awful peril.
Come back! You are going to your
DEATH" shouted the constable.
Hes trying 10 make for yonder
solid ground" exclaimed Frank. point.
ing to patch of green which APP
peared on the surface of the black
quagmire.
That's not solid ground" answered
the constable. IF he steps on that
his death is sure. Come back, man."
But the terrified ruffian took no
heed of the warning. On he fioun-
dered. He gained the treacherous
spot, then shrek of terror rang out
A gust of wind swept over the great
morass. 1t seemed to clear away the
remaining fog. They saw the wretch.
ed man distinctly now, and his face
was awful tn hohnld