Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1907-07-13

GRAZ occasions: less sfTenuous, how
ever, than the one st hand.
With these thoughts in my mind
ana, Il must be confessed, with many
misgivirSs which I strove TO keen.
down and ignore. propped open the,
I'D or the manhole and descended
boldly into the underground passage.
| holding my revolver firmly in my hand
and ready to light my little lamp as
soon As I reached the bottom OF the,
ladder.
once In the tunnel stepped to one
side in the direction OF the river
where l could not be seen by anyone
looking In from above. and tried to
accommodate my eyes 70 the darkness
OF the place and avoid. II possible. the.
use OF my lamp.
After timo I found that 1 could
see fairly well and that was In 3
long. narrow tunnel OF brick and stone
about siI feet wide and Eeven in
height, which sloped gradually down
TO the river. whore Il ended IN the
Night Of stone steps that I had seer,
snd which were entirely under the
surface Of the water. There was q
damp. noisome odor TO the place ana
1 soon recognized IN IL the same
graveyard smon that I now knew so
well and dreaded 50 much.
had, however. expected sometime
OF this sort, and nerving myself to al
most anything that might be disclosed
IN my search. 1 proceeded cautiously
and stealthily along toward tb. steps.
thinking / would explore that part OF
the tunnel first. before going IN the
other direction
saw nothing OF interest until 7 eot
near the water. where found n heavv-
warm coat neatly folded and. on Il. n
whisky mask with the cork IooSened.
oFieeauy awaiting their owner and in
dieStinS clearly that be purposed re-
turning By the route he had taken
when be left
Leaving these ss they lay. re
traced my steps and passed once mon.
under the open shaft and on CD the
gentle slope OF the passage-way. hold
ing ny pistol web In front OF me and
wondering at what moment some
ghssuy sight would meet nay gaze and
account FOR the constantly increasing
feudnees OF tho place. I had not
lighted my lamp. for the faint gliromer
that filtered In through the river
water and the illumination from the
shaft enabled me 70 see with reason
able distinctness
As I proceeded up the tunnel how
ever. objects began 20 grow DINNER
and DINNER and was on the point of
striking light when heard a sudden
crash and saw. TO my horror. that the
I'D OF the manhole had fallen shut
With a bang. leaving me IA total dark
ness
Before I could ignite my lamp or
even collect my thoughts. there was a
rush OF foul air from the UPPER end OF
the tunnel and then some heavy. lum-
berinB creature brushed paEt me.
breathing into my face hot breath
OF unspeacable sugEestiveness and
wheeling and mumbnnE like a fretful
lion Just after generous meal
Fhrank close to the wall of my
prison. for such Il now was. not know
Ing what 20 do or which way TO turn.
when, 70 my great relief. the beast. or
whatever Il was. shufned awkwarfly
past me again. still making horrid gut
turSl sounds and breathing deeply as
before.
rat. or some similar little animal.
scuttled over my feet ut the same mo-
Inent stoPpins long enough 20 bite my
ankle sharply. but made no sound
and held ny breath until the more
creature was we'll beyond
me and lsft me free course to the
river.
Ar soon as felt that the coast was
clear and that l could not be over
taken. i sped down the incline toward
the steps and plunged headjong into
the watOr. which glimmered family
green before me- Striking out under
the surface. swan a. far away from
the entrance az l could. and, coming
to the top at last made for the shore
and dashed on 70 my room for whisky
and dry clothing