Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-01-26

periodicity in the beat on the wall that l had heard in my own rooms. He began at the top and went method ically to the floor. leaned against the wall where stood and watched the slow approach of the lantern. The small revolver with which had first fired at his flying figure in the wood we'll to have it out with the fellow now. My chances were as good as his, though I confess I did not relish the thought of being found dead the next morning in the cellar of my own house. It pleased my humor to let him approach in this way, unconscious that he was watched, until I should thrust my pistol into his face
 His arms grew tired when he was about ten feet from me and he dropped the lantern and hammer to his side and swore under his breath impatiently.
 Then he began again with greater zeal. As he came nearer studied his face in the lanterns light with inter- est. His hat was thrust back, and I could see his jaw hard set under his blond beard.
 He took a step nearer, ran his eyes over the wall and resumed his tap ping, beginning close to the ceiling In settling himself for the new series of <,%r hn slightly and could hear his hard breathing. was deliberating how best to throw myself upon him, but as wavered he stepped back, swore at his i'll luck and flung the hammer to the ground.
 Thanks I shouted, leaping for ward and snatching the lantern Stand just where you are!"
 With the revolver in my right hand and the lantern held high in my left, I enjoyed his utter consternation, as my voiced roared in the corridor.
 Its too bad we meet under such strange circumstances, Morgan" I said. 'I'd begun to miss you; but suppose you've been sleeping in the daytime to gather strength for your night prowling."
 You're a fool" he growled. He was recovering from his fright-I knew it by the gleam of his teeth in his yellow beard. His eyes. too, were moving restlessly about. He undoubt- edly knew the house better than did, and was considering the best means of escape. I did not know what to do with him now that I had him at the point of pistol; and in my ignorance of his motives and my vague surmise as to the agency back of him, was filled with uncertainty.
 You needn't hold that thing quite SO near" he said. staring at me coolly.
 I'm glad 1t annoys you, Morgan" said. T want you to tell me how you got in here"
 He laughed.
 T came in by the kitchen window, if you must know. I got in before your solemn jack-of-ali-trades locked it up, and walked down to the end of the passage there"-he indicated the direction with a slight jerk of his head-"and slept until it was time to go to work"
 If you can't lie better than that you needn't try again. Face about, now, and march," l 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, dare say. pretty pair--he tramping dog gedly before me, I following at his heels with his lantern and my pistol.
 Not SO fast" I admonished sharp ly.
 Excuse me-" he replied mockingly.
 He was TO common rogue; I felt the quality in him with certain ad- miration for his scoundrelly talents.
 continued at his heels, poking the muzzle of the revolver against his back from time to time to keep him assured of my presence-a device that I was to regret second later.
 When we were, I should judge, about ten yards from the end of the corridor, at that moment I 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 clasped my throat The lantern fell from my hand and one or the other of us smashed it with our feet.
 A wrestling match in that dark hole was not to my liking. I still held onto the revolver. waiting for a chance to use it. and meanwhile he tried to throw me. forcing me bask against one side and then another of the cor ridor.
 With a quick rush he flung me away. and in the same second fired. The roar of the shot in the narrow corridor was deafening. I flung my self on the floor. expecting a return shot, and quickly enough flash broke upon the darkness dead ahead. and I rose to my feet, fired again and leaped to the oposite side of the corridor and crouched there. We had adopted the same tactics. firing and dodging to avoid the target made by the flash of our pistols. and watching and listen ing after the roar of the explosions. It was a very pretty game. but not
 
 retreating toward the end of the pass