Troy weekly news. (Troy, Idaho) 1897-1933, 1908-12-11
CHAPTER Xxx

ADout nine CLOCK waiter ntlmated
desire to go to bed The woman lit a
candle, and left the room, followed by
Walter She led the way up n rough,
implanted staircase and opened the door
of the room over the one In which they
had been seated.
Looking around him, Walter found
that the chamber which he had entered
was as bare as the room below, IL not
more 50. There was not even q bed
stead, but in the corner there was a bed
on the floor with some ragged bedclothes
spread over It,
That's where you're to Sleep" said
the woman, pointing it out
Goodnight" said Walter.
She put the candle on the mantslpiece,
for there was no bureau or table in the
room, and went out
This isn't a very stylish tavern, that's
fact" thought Walter, taking a survey
of the room. II shall have a hard bed,
but guess can stand 1t for one night"
There was something else that trou-
bled him more than the poor accommo-
dations. The Ill looks Of his host and
hostess had made strong impression
upon his mind. The particular inquiries
which they had made about his success
in selling books, and their strong desire
for money, led him to feel apprshensivs
Of robbery. He was in the heart of the
woods, far away from assistance, and at
their mercy. What could he, a boy of
fifteen, do against their combined attack
He would have preferred to sleep in the
woods without a shelter, rather than
| hava nlaCad hfrnoAlf In thair
Under the inhunce Of this apprshen-
sion, he examined the door to see If
there was any way of locking II. But
there was neither lock nor bolt There
had been bolt once, but there was none
now. Next he looked about the room to
see IL there was any heavy article Of
furniture with which he could barricsds
the door. But, AZ has already been
said, there was neither bureau nor table.
In fact, there was absolutely no article
Of furniture except a single wooden chair,
and that, Of course, would be of no ser
vice.
What shall l dor thought Walter.
That man can enter the room when
am asleep, and rob me of all my money"
Looking about the room, he noticed a
closet. the door of which was boltsd on
the outside. Withdrawing the bolt, he
opened the door and looked in. 1t was
nearly empty, containing only a few
articles Of little or no value. A plan OF
operations rapidly suggested itself to Wal
ter In case the room should be entered
while he was asleep. In pursuance Of
this plan he threw a few pennies upon
the floor of the closet, and then closed
the door again. Next he drew from his
pockstbook all the money 1t contained,
except a single 6vs-dollar bill. The bank
notes thus removed amounted to fifty
Eve dollars. He then drew off his stock
ings, and, laying the bills in the bottom,
again put them on.
Walters feelings, as he lay on his
hard bed on the floor, were far from
pleasant. He was not sure that an at.
tempt would be made to rob him, but the
probability seemed so great that he could
not compose himself to sleep. Suspense
was so painful that he almost wished that
Jack would come up II he intended to-
He was tired, but his mental anxiety tri.
umphsd over his bodily fatigue, and he
tossed about restlessly.
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to bed. Two hours passed, and still there
were no signs Of the apprehsndsd inva-
sion. But, FIVE minutes later, 6 heavy
step was heard upon the staircase, which
creaked beneath ths weight Of the man
ascending. Jack tried to coma up softly
but II cresksd nevertheless
Walters heart beat quick, as he heard
the steps approaching nearer and nearer
1t was certainly q trying moment, that
might have tested the courage Of one old
err than our hero. Presently the door
opened softly, and Jack advanced stealth
lily into the chamber, carrying a candl,
which, however, was unlighted. He reck
oned upon finding Walter undressed, ant
his clothes hanging over the chair; but
the faint light that entered through tn,
window showed him that his intenGsd vic
tim had not removed his clothing.
The fobber paused a moment, and then
STOPPING over, inserted his hand int
Walters picket. He drew out the peck
etbook. Walter making no sign Of bein,
aware Of what was going on.
I've got It." muttered Jack, with SAT-
isfaction, and stealthily rstracsd his step,
to the door. He went out, carefully clos
ing II after him, and again the step.
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