The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1907-02-19

anxious and frightened. I think the
acene in the room and the slow prog
ress his men we're making against US
had half-paralyzed him.
We were all getting our second wind
for a renewal of the fight, with Nor
gan IN command Of the enemy. One
or two Of his men, who had gone down
early in the struggle, were now crawl
Ing back for revenge I think Ynre~
have raised my hand and pointed at
Pickering, for Bates wheeled like a
fash and before I realized what hap
pened he had dragged the executor into
the room.
You scoundrel-you migrate 4"
howled the servant
The blood on his face and bare chest
and the hatred in his eyes made him a
hideous object; but in that lull of the
an advantage, l heard, somewhere in
the wall, that same sound of footsteps
that I had remarked before Larry
and Stoddard heard it; Bates heard it,
and his eyes fixed upon Pickering with
q glare Of malicious delight.
There comes our old friend, the
ghost" yelled Larry.
Il think you are quite right, sir"
said Bates. He threw down the re-
volver he held in his hand and leaned
upon the edge of the long table that
lay on its side, his gaze still bent on
Pickering, who stood with his over
coat buttoned close, his derby hat on
the floor beside him, where it had
fallen as Bates hauled him into the
room.
The sound Of a measured step, of
some one walking, of a careful foot
on q stairway, was quite distinct.
even remarked the slight stumble that
l had noticed before.
We were all SO intent on those steps
in the wall that we were off guard.
heard Bates yell warningly, and Larry
and Stoddard rushed for Pickering.
He had drawn a revolver from his
overcOat pocket and was about to fire
at me when Stoddard sent the weapon
flying through the air.
Only a moment now, gentlemen"
said Bates, an odd smile on his face.
He was looking past me toward the
right end of the fireplace. There
seemed to be in the air a feeling Of
impending. Even Morgan
and his men, half-crOuching, ready for
a rush at me, hesitated; and Pickering
glanced nervously from one to the
other Of US. It was the calm before
the storm; in a moment we should be
1T each others threats for the final
struggle, and yet we waited In the
wall l heard still the sound of steps.
They were clear to all of US now. We
stood there for what seemed ON eter-
1ity-I suppose the time was really
lot moro than 80 seconds-inert, wait
ng, while 1 felt that something must
happen; the silence, the waiting, were
1 grasped my pistol and
bent low for a spring at Morgan; and
every man in the room was instantly
IN the alert.
All but Bates. He remained rigid
nat curious smile on his blood-smeared
ace, his eyes bent toward the end of
he great fireplace back Of me-
That look on his face held. arrested.
lumbed me; I followed it. I forgot
Morgan; tacit truce held US all again.
stepped back till my eyes fastened
n the broad paneled chimney breast
It the right Of the hearth, and 1t was
here now that the sound Of footsteps
4 the wall was heard again; than 1t
eased utterly, the long panel opened
lowly, creaklng slightly upon It's
inges, then down into the room
topped Marian Devereux. She wore
he dark gown in which I had seen
Ler last, and cloak was drawn over
eT shoulders.
She laughed as her eyes swept the
DOM.
"Ah, gentlemen" she said, shaking
er head. as she viewed our disorder,
what wretched housekeepers you
rel"
Steps were again heard In the wall,
nd she turned to the panel, held 1t
pen with one hand and put out the
Their, waiting for some one who fol-
owed her.
Then down into the room stepped