Los Angeles herald., 1907-09-08
coNTINUED FROM PREoEDINa PAGE

fellows any happier, / will guarantee to
nave talk with Lofty some time between
now and daylight tomorrow morning, and IN
Jet him khow how ready you are to strike
blow for him.
IN go with youl" said Even, upon whom
the cutting speech of his companion had It's
natural effect.
Mcpherson protested that he would rather
undertake the mission alone. He pointed out
tne TACT that this, of all nights, would De
the most dangerous in which to leave the
barracks and go "sky-larking" about the pa
rade ground. But Even, feeling that his
quailty of courage had been aspersed, was
determined. and he had his way
Inc guard-house was a small octagon-shap-
ed structure of brick, standing remote from
all the other buildings of the school, on
httie eminence at one edge of the parade
ground. The sentry on duty at that particu-
lar point i'assed it every few moments.
!, Mcfherson and Even had assumed for
themselves no small task when they under
TOOK to communicate with the prisoner in the
guard-house without being detected There
was first the escape from the barracks to be
enected, and the passing of the inside
GUARDS; as the first line of sentries. thrown
around the building, was called. Then came
'ne orueal OF crossing the open parade
ground, after which they would have to re-
main Tor some time in dangerous proximity
TO the outside line of sentries
Ihe night, however, was dark, the sky be-
lng densely overcast, else Mcpherson would
not have entertained the idea of attempting
to run the lines"
little after midnight soon after the
guard ON the west side of the barracks,
where his room was located had been re.
ieved, MCPHERSON cautiously opened his win
dow and looked out.
Inc guard, enveloped from head to heels
IN his cape coat, and with mis- weapon care
lessy slung across his shoulder, was just
turning the corner of the building. a swish
OF ram came In through the open window,
apprising Mcpherson that the storm which
mad been brewing since nightfail would short
ly begin.
just the right kind of a night for our
purpose. They will be negligent in spite OF
any warnings from headquarters muttered
McPherson, meaning by "they" the guards;
At this moment the door was noiselessly
opened, and Even entered the room.
-, The guard has just gone past, said /, Mo
Pherson, IN low tone. Wen wait till he
comes back. and passes out of sight again"
While Even watched, Thad proceeded to
draw from between the mattress of his bed
and the springs a length of knotted rope.
One end of this he attached ito leg of the
heavy iron bedstead. while the other por-
ton he laid in a neat coil on the window
ed to the. outer end of the rope and let
down outside the window.
The conspirators method of procedure will
have become apparent. They intended to
ond-story window. When they returned, q
pull on the cord would bring the knotted rope
tumbling into reach, and would afford ready
mode of ascent.
"Do you suppose he'll notice the cord?'
asked Even, meaning again the sentinel
and we have used it dozen times? Besides
it's SO dark tonight he couldn't see it If it
was a ships cable"
aHe's coming back whisnsred Even.
sShut the window!" said Thad.
Even did so, and thev waited till the guard
must have passed out of view again. Then
the window was again opened, and they look
ed out.
Mcpherson clambered out, and let himself
down till he was extended full length, and
then dropped. The fall gave out no appre-
ciable sound on the sodden turf.
Even followed so closely that he nearly
A Even had taken the precaution to lower
the window-sash to within two inches of the
siil they did not believe that the sentry would
notice anything out of place.
They crossed the ,graveied walk along which
.vtanded the churchman's beat, and gained
H., safe shelter of clump of syringa bushes
Here they crouched in waiting till the guard
.ra;n vent by Then, half running and half
s.E+senine. they crossed the open ground and
ssa;,,ed fhe dense shadow of the guard-ho
They heard the members Of the relief NOV
inc about inside, and the officer of the guard
c;ving some orders.
saTRbeyre keeping close inside the building
.on;ght' lust as 1 figured they would" said
WnPberson, in his companions ear. ''This is
= fools; errand, but fortune seems to be with
'ns nssIoftY,s .u in the room. at the back" said