The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1892-1907, 1905-02-04

was uShered after had concluded
sny repast.
The chamber was small IN size,
and was certainly well ventilated. for
! could see the stars peeping through
the roof. The bed was simply q bag
OF straw thrown into one corner OF
the room. without sheets or covering
OF any kind. This last fact. however.
was not OF much consequence, as II
was summer time. and oppressiyeiy
hot.
stood for more than an hour gag
| ing out OF the opening which served
for window. Before me was spread
an immense prairie, the ltmits OF
which could not SEE. The tavern IN
which had taken up my abode APP
peared to be isolated from all other
dwellings, and. save the eroak Of tho
tree-rrog and the hum OF the locust.
not sound reached my ears II wAs
beautiful moonlight night and 20
bright that could see to read the
smallest print
At last | began to grow weary, and
throwing myself on my pallet. l was
soon plunged into a deep sIumbcr.
How long ! slept | know not, but |
was awakened by dun sound which
resembled some one hammortng In the
| distance. suppose IL was the pc
culiaFity OF the sound which Awoks
me. for II was by no means loud, but
conveyed 10 me the Idea o. some one
striking iron with a mufisd hammer.
rose up from my bed. and went 80
the window. the moon was low In the
western sky. BY which fact knew 4
laust be near morniag The sound |
have before referred 10 reached me
more distinctly than when in the back
part OF the chamber IL appeared 70
come from soms outhoussa which vera
situated about enc hundred yards from
the house.
Now. am naturally OF an inqutFinx
mind. and this sound occurring as u
dAd In the middle OF the night In such
a remote ont of-the- place. piqusd
my curiosity. and teit al irresistible
desire 90 60 out aud discover The cause
Of t. THIS desire. as the sound roa
tinued. grew upoa ne With snrh In
tensly that resolved 10 Eraufy Il at
any price.
put on ny boots. the anly article
Of attire had discarded. and rau.
tiously opening the door, % ny chan.
Der noisslssaly descended the r,eksty
staircase A few steps brought me
into the lower apartment. which
found entirely deserted ersyt quit
y TO the door. and unfastsalnE Il
without makiaE the slightest aolAs
vas aooa Ia the moonlight
Not = soul vas visible. but the
sound srll eontlaued aud grew muca
more distiact IS I approached the
place from Whenrs Il proceeded Al
last found myself before . long. iow
building. through the er-vic~a Of
which I could percelVs q iurid glare
issuing. stopped down and p~~p-,i
through the keyhals. and TO my 81,
trsms aurpyiss I saw bali . doaen
strong looking mrn With their coats
Oh and sleeves turned up performing
variety Of strange orc,lpa tsoaa
some were working AZ = forEs. Others
were experimenting the casting OF
moleis and some were engaged In tn
process % milling coin. In . momeat
the whole truth buFS, upoa me Here
vas the gang Of eOunirrfsltrrs wa
In search o.. and the landlord and hta
wife evidently belonged 70 The sane
band. for 10 one conner psrroivsd
them empoysd-ths maa polIshinE OF
some haif-dollar pieces inst tara-i
from the mold. while the woman vas
packing the coin into Futls
bad ssNn enough. and was about
to return TO ny apartment again.
when suddenly felt a heavy hand
placed on my shoulder. and turulug
my head round. 10 my Asrr1r. found
myself Ia the grasp Of ~ 10 looking
scoundrel as ever escaped the ga.
iowa
We'll. what are you dong here. M
good fellowT' be exclaimed In q Erur
voice. giving me a shake
Taking = stroll ~ moonlight"
replied. sudsavoring to keep my pres
ence Of mind.
We'll. perhaps you1I Jus, take .
stroll tn here. will Jour returned the
Fuftian. pushing open tbs door anil
| dragging me In after him
All the inmates Of the barn immrd..
Rteiy stopped work. and rushed to
ward ~ when they saw me
"whyl what Il tbisr' they 81.
claimed
a loafer found peeplns outside"
said the man who had captured me
Hes q traveller that came to the
tavern to night and asked fer lodz-
ings: the last time I saw him he was
safe in bed" said the landlord
The men withdrew to a corner Of
the apartment. leaving one TO keep
guard over me. soon Jaw they were
In earnest consultation. and were eyi-
IDENTITY debating some important CUES
ton. The man kepinE guard over ms
| Haid nothing hut aeovied hrrcefv