Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1907-08-17

AuS place was certainly Substantially
the candle st my feet burned steadily
with no hint OF draft; but ] saw no
solution OF my problem. I was losing
sleep for nothing my granefather's
sketch was meaningless. and 1 rose
and picked up my candle. yawnins.
Then a curious thing happened. The
candle. whose thin fame had risen IN
wsveringly. sputtersd and went out as
a sudden gust swept the corridor.
had left nothing open behind me.
but some one had gained ingress to
the cellar by an opening OF which I
knew nothing.
faced the stairway that led M TO
the back hall OF the house when. 10
my establishment, steps sounded. be
hind me, and, turning. 7 saw a man
carrying lantern coming toward me
] marked his careless step: he was
undoubtedly on familiar ground. AS
watched him he paused. lifted the Ian
tern TO a level with his ewes and be
gan sounding the outer corridor wall
with hammer
Here. undoubtedly. was my friend
Morgan-again! There was the same
periodicity in the beat on the wall
that had heard In my own rooms
He began at the top and went method
ically 10 the floor. I leaned against
the wall where / stood and watched
the slow approach or the lantern The
small revolver with which I had first
fred az his flying figure in the wood
was In my pocket IL was Just as
q
now. My chances we're as good As
bis. though I confess did not relish
the thought OF being found dead the
next morning In tho cellar OF my own
house. IL pleased my humor 70 let ham
approach In this way. unconscious that
he vas watched. until I should thrust
my pistol into his face.
His arns grew tired when he was
about ten feet from me and De
dropped the lantern and hammer 70
his side and swore under hts breath
impauently.
Then he began again with greater
zeal As he came nearer I studied his
face IN the lanterns light with intor.
est HIS hat was thrust back. and
could see his Jaw hard set under his
blond beard
Ho took q step nearer. ran his eyes
over the Wall and resumed his tap
ping. beginning close % tho ceiling
In settling himself Tor the new series
OF strokes no swayed toward me
slightly and could hear his hard
breathing. I was deUbevating how
best 90 throw myself upon hin. but Al.
! wayorcd he stepped back. sworo Al
his I'D luck and flung the hammer 20
the ground
"Thanks,~ I shouted. leaping for
ward aud snatching the lantern
stand just whore you are"
With tho revolver in my right hand
and tho lantern hesd hish in my left
I enjoyed his utter CONSIDERATION. as
my voiced roared in the corridor.
TITS too bad we meet under s.,b
strange circumstances NorEan.~
said. I'D begun 90 miss you. but
suppose you've been sleeping Ia the
daytime 20 gather strength for your
night prowllng"
You're a fool he growled. ITO
was recovering from his fright
know "a by The CLEAN OF his teeth I'm
his yellow beard His eyes. too. were
moving rostless.Y about 10 undoubt.
oUly knew tho house better than I dld.
AID was considering tho best means OF
escape I did not know what % do
with him now that 7 had him al the
point OF pistol; and Ga my ignorance
OF his motives and my vague surmise
as 20 tho agency back OF him, I was
filled with uncertainty.
You needn't hold that thing quite
so near" ne said. staring at nae coolly.
I'm glad IL annoys you. Morgan" 1
said. 81 want you 10 ten me how you
got in here"
He laughed.
Il came in by tho Kitchen window.
II you must know got In before
your solemn Observation-Disclosures locked
IL up. and I walked down 20 the end
OF the passage there"-he indicated
the direction with a slight jerk of his
head-"and slept until IL was time TO
80 TO work"
IF you can't lie better than that
you needn't try again. Face about.
now, and march,"
j put new energy into my tone. and
he turned and walked before me down
the corridor in the direction from
which he had come. We were, I dare
say. pretty pair-he tramping dog
gedly before me. following at his
heels with his lantern and my pistol.
Not SO fast" admoRished sharp
~.
excuse me-" he replied mockingly.
He was no common rogue: | felt
the quality in him with a certain ad-
miraton for his scoundrelly talents.
/ continued At his heels. poking the
muzzle Of the revolver against his
back from time 20 time TO keep him
assured OF my presence device that
l was 70 regret a second later.
When we were, l should Judge.
about ten yards from the end OF the
corridor, at that moment / prodded
him with the point OF the revolver,
he fell backward against me. threw
his arms over his head and grasped
me about the neck, meanwhile turn
ing himself lithely until his fingers