The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1907-03-15
TH6RDlH MzAu5aY
Nb2Nlp1r iIzfKtH G4EsEr ii2aslEx1A1y,5-
Ca9SeEy A7l5 81 A1a25y .ssaazI "a


knew nothing
faced the stairway that led up to
the back hall OF the house when. TO
my establishment, steps sounded be-
hind me, and. turning, | saw 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 level with his eyes 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
cally to the floor leaned against
he wall where stood and watched
the slow approach Of the lantern The
small revolver with which had first
fred at his flying figure in the wood
was in my pocket II was Just as
well to have It out with the fellow
low. My chances were as good as
MS, though | confess did not relish
ne thought of being found dead the
next morning in the cellar OF my own
house. II pleased my humor to let him
approach in this way. unconscious that
he was watched, until | 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 10
tis side and swore under his breath
lmpatiently.
Then he began again with greater
real As he came nearer / studied his
face in the lanterns light with inter
est His hat was thrust back. and
could see his jaw hard set under his
blond beard
He took 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 strokes he swayed toward me
slightly and could hear his hard
breathing was celebrating how
best to throw myself upon him, but AZ
| wavered he stepped back, swore at
his I'll luck and flung the hammer TO
the ground
Thanks" shouted. leaplng 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.
/ enjoyed his utter CONSERVATION. as
my voiced roared in the corridor.
IT'S too bad we meet under such
strange circumstances. Morgan !
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
knew it by the CLEAN 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. did not know what to dc
with him now that ! had him at the
point 81 pistol; and in my ignorance
of his motives and my vague surmise
as to the agency back OF him. was
filed with uncertainty.
You needn't hold that thing quite
so near" he said, staring at me coolly
I'm glad it annoys You. Morgan"
said. Il want you to tell me how you
got in here"
He laughed.
Il came in BY the kitchen window
II you must know got In before
your solemn iaek-of-aIi-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 tc
go TO work"
IF you can't lie better than that
you needn't try again. Face about
now, and march,"
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, a pretty pair-he tramping dog
gedly before me. following at his
heels with his lantern and my pistol
Not so fast" | admonished sharp
ly.
Excuse me" he replied mockingly
He was no common rogue. felt
the quality in him with a 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
was to regret a second later.
When We were. should Judge
about ten yards from the end OF the
corridor. az 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 llthely 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. l still held onto
the revolver. waiting for a chance to
use IT, and meanwhile he tried t.
throw me. forcing me bask against
one side and then another OF the cor.