The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1907-12-13

Of course"
Ittwas more than thought fair, but
the agent thawed into friendship at
once and expressed his readiness to
call San Francisco" till he got an an
swer IL 1t took till dark.
might have saved my trouble and
my coin. San Francisco replied with
some emphasis that there was nothing
for me, and never had been, and who
was l. anyhow?
There was nothing to be done. I
must possess my soul in patience In
the belief that the Unknown knew
what she was about and that should
get my orders in due time-probably
after nightfall. when darkness would
cover any necessary movement.
II the mission OF to-day we're pro
longed into the morrow, what was
to become of the Omega deal. and
where would Doddridge Knapp's plans
Of fortune be found? | smiled TO think
that | should concern myself with this
question when l knew that Doddridge
Knapp's men we're waiting and watch
that probably did not stop at murder
itself. Yet my trouble Of mind in
creased with the passing time as
vainly endeavored to devise some plan
to meet the difficulty that had been
made for me.
AS darkness came on, the apprehen.
sions OF danger which had made no
impression on me by daylight, began
to settle strongly on my spirits.
concealed my fears and depressions
from the men, and with the lighting OF
the lamps made my dispositions to
meet any attack that might come. I
had satisfied myself that the rear bed
room, that faced the south. could not
be entered from the outside without
the aid Of ladders. The parlor showed
a sheer drop TO the street on the west
and | felt assured we were safe on
that side. But the front windows OF
the parlor, and the front bedroom
which joined II. opened on the veranda
roof In common with a dozen other
rooms. Inside, the hallway, perhaps
eight feet wide and rs feet long, Of.
fered the only approach to our rooms
from the stairs. The situation was
not good for defense, and at the
thought | had mind even then to
seek other quarters.
1t was too late for such a move.
however. and / decided to make the
best of the position. placed the boy
In the south bedroom, which could be
reached only through the parlor.
With him | placed Wainwright and
Fitzhugh. the two strongest men Of the |
party. The north bedroom, opening |
on the hallway. the veranda roof and |
the parlor. looked TO be the weakest |
part OF my position, but | thought II
might be used to advantage as a post
IF observation. The windows were
guarded with shutters Of no great
strength. We closed and secured those
II the parlor and the inner bedroom
Is well as possible. Those of the |
forth bedroom | left open. BY leav-
ng the room dark It would be easy
or sentinel to get warning OF an as
Iault by way Of the veranda roof.
stationed Porter In the hall and
ABRAMS In the dark bedroom, while
.ockhart, Wilson, Brown and I held
he parlor and made ourselves com.
ortable until the time should come
o relieve the men on guard.
thrust open the door to the, bed.
DOM to see that the boy and hts
yards were safe. and this done I
urned down the light, threw myself
n the floor before the door that pro-
ected my charge and unused over the
TRANCE events that had crowded so
Witty upon me.
Subtle warnings OF danger fioated
yer my sense between sleeping and
'aking, and each time I dropped into
doze | awoke with a start TO see
My the dimly-lighted forms OF my
len before me, and to hear only the
weep and whistle OF the wind outside
nd the dash OF water against the
lutters. Thrice had been aroused
lus, when, on the borderland be-
yeen dreams and waking, a voice
'ached my ear.
"S-s-t! What was that?"
| sprang up, wide-awake. revolver
hand. II was Lockhart who spoke.