The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1908-05-08
CHAPTER Ill.-continued.

trace Of crime. Giles returns 10 ms
,nr and hunts for some evidence that
,rlrht explain his strange mission.
CHAPTER ill.-continued.
Then followed some numerals
mixed in a drunken dance with half
the letters OF the alphabet-the ex-
planation Of the map. | suppose. In
cipher. and as it might prove clue
10 this dreadful business, | folded the
sheet carefully in an envelope and
placed il in an inmost pocket.
The search having failed of definite
results. | sat with chair tilted against
the wall TO consider the situation.
Turn il as | would could make
nothing good of IT, There were des-
perate enterprises afoot of which
could see neither beginning nor end.
purpose nor result. ! repented Of
my consent to mix in these danger
ous doings and resolved that when
the morning came | would find other
quarters, take up the search Tor
Henry. and look for such work as
might be found.
II was after midnight when had
come 10 this conclusion. and. barring
doors and windows as well as | could,
flung myself. on the bed to rest. and
( sank into an uneasy slumber.
When | awoke il was with start
and an oppressive sense that some
body else was in the room. The gas
light that had left burning had been
out out. Darkness was intense
sat upright and felt for matches that
I had seen upon the stand.
In another instant ! was flung back
anon the bed. Why fingers gripped
my throat, and a voice Kissed In my
ear:
where is he? Where is the boy!
Give me your papers. or I'll wiring the
life out Of you"
was strong and vigorous. and,
though taken at a disadvantage
struggled desperately enough to break
The grin on my throat and get hold
upon my assailant.
Where is the boy?' gasped The
voice once more; and then, as ] made
no reply but twined my arms abou
him my assailant saved all his breatl
(or the struggle.
We rolled to the floor with a thu'
that shook the house, and In thi
change OF base had the luck to CONE
out uppermost Then my courage
rose as found that could hold m,
man. feared a knife. but If he ha'
one he had not drawn il. and ! wa
able to keep his hands too busy TO a
low him to get possession OF Il no"
Finding that he was able TO accom-
plish nothing, he gave short cry an
called:
Conn"
heard confusion Of steps outside
and a sound as of muffied oati
Then the door opened, there was
rush Of feet behind me. and the fas
OF bulls-eye lantern. / release
my enemy, and sprang back to N
corner where could defend myse
Of some advantage.
| could distinguish four dark figure
OF men; but, instead OF rush ne upo
me as | stood on the defensive, the
seized upon my assailant. locke
on painting and hardly able 10 rega
my breath IL was not half minu
before my enemy was securely bour
and gagged and carried out One
the men fingered.
Don't take such risks" he sal
Il wouldn't have your job, Mr. Wilto
for all the old mans money. III
hadn't happened up here, you'd ma
hppn dona for THE time"
In Gods name. man, what does
this mean" | gasped.
The man looked at me In evide
surprise.
They've got fresh start, guess
he said You'd better get some
the men up here. Mr.. Richmond Sc
us up here to bring this letter"
He was gone silently. and left
the darkness. | struck a mate
lighted the gas once more, and. sec'
ing the revolver. looked TO the lett
The envelope bore no address. ! e
1t open. The lines were written in
woman's hand, and faint but
culiar perfume rose from the pap
1t bore but these words:
Don't maze the change until
you. The money will be ready in
morning be at the bank at 10:30.'
The note. puzzling as 1t was. v
hardly an addition to my perplexiti
II was evident that | had be
plunged into the center of intrig
plot and counterp,ot. / was suppo'
to have possession OF somebody's
powerful and active enemy thre
ened me with death. An equally
tive friend was working TO prese