The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1906-11-28

HIDpard IS a Dig reIIow. the Diggesr
fellow on the force. and. so far as my
| own experience with him had gone. as
stolid and imperturbable as the best of
us. But after a quick glance at the
towering walls of the lonely building
| he showed decided embarrassment and
seemed in no haste to cross the street.
| With difficulty I concealed my dis
gust.
Come" cried, stepping down from
the curb, Tets go over and investi-
| 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 of with a laugh, he cried:
| "Have you use for 'em? If SO, I'm
quite willing to part with 'em for a
half hour
| 1 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
view the weapon / had mentioned, I
put on my sternest air and led the way
across the street. As did SO, tossed
back the words:
I'VE may come upon a gang. You
do not wish me to face some half
dozen men alone"
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 in a measure as
sumed and that 1 was not without
sympathy-well. let me say, for a dog
who preferred bowling a dismal ac-
compartment to his masters music to
keeping open watch over a neighbor-
hood dominated by the unhallowed
structure l now proposed to enter.
At the first touch the door yielded.
It was not even latched.
$50. sor' thought 1. This Is no
FOOLS Job: some one is in the house"
l had provided myself with an ordi-
nary pocket lantern, and, when l had
convinced Hubbard that I 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 its de-
cayed old rooms, took out this
lantern and held it In readiness.
1--WE may strike q hornets nest"
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 or our shoes. We can hide +.
them I'm these bushes"
II always catch cold when I 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 it had been
the ominous click to which we are so
we'll 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
a sprinkling Of holy water; and for
one
He was actually sliding of.
With a smothered oath / drew him
back.
'See herew I 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. mo
key in the lock! Men use keys. but
My patience could stand no more.
With a shake rid myself Of his clutch.
There. so! You're too much Of
fool for me. I'm in for it 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
aid not take advantage OF my words
10 make his escape. as 1 half expected
him to The truth IS, I was startled
myself. but was able to hide the fact
and &c whisper back to him fiercely:
Hush
bad Just heard something
For moment we stood breathless,
but as the sound was not repeated I
concluded that 1t was the creaking of
hat faraway shutter. Certainly there
vas nothing moving near US.
shall we so upstairs?" whispered
Not till we have made sure that all
8 right down here"
A door stood slightly ajar on our
eft.
Pushing it open. we looked in. A .
veil furnished parlor was before us.
Here's where the wedding took !
lace" remarked Hubbard. straining | ,
is head over my shoulder.
There were signs of this wedding on I
very side. Walls and ceilings had I
een hung with garlands, and these j
till chung to the mantelpiece and over ,
nd around the various doorways. The '
lock occupying the center OF the man.
elpiece alone gave evidence Of life. 1t t