The Montgomery tribune. (Montgomery City, Mo.) 1892-1910, 1908-11-13
CHAPTER XXI.
At the Bidding Of the Unknown.

c%heerfully, although II was past mid
night. At our cautious approach a
signal was given and with the an
swering word a man appeared from
the obscurity.
"All safe?" l inquired.
Its all right" said S~arshouse.
There's q dozen men in the barroom,
and I'm not sure there amt some of
the hounds amongst them. But you're
to so in the side door. and right up
stairs
Two of you may keep at the foot
of the stairs, just inside the door,
said. you may stand watch outside,
B%arkhouse."
There was sound of rude song, and
the clink of glass and bottle in the
bar and dining room as l passed
through the side hall. But the door
was closed, and l saw nothing of the
late jewellers. In the upper hallway
Mother Borton stood by an open door,
~silhouetted dark and threatening
against the dim chickering's that came
from the candle in the room behind
her.
l had but opened my mouth to give
her word of greeting when she raised
a warning claw, and then Selling me
drew me swiftly into the room and
closed and locked the door.
How air We, dearie?" she said, sur
veying me with some apparent pride.
You're safe and whole, amt ye?"
Il am SAFE" 1 said, though l had
a close shave in Chinatown"
Il heerd of it," said Mother Borton
sourly. Il reckon it amt much good
to sit up nights to tell you how to take
keer of yourself. It's a wonder you
yer growed up. Your nanny must
"a been mighty keerful about herdin'
We under cover whenever it rained."
81 was a little to blame" 1 admitted.
but your warning was not thrown
away. l thought l was well-guarded."
Mother Borton shifted contemptu'
ously.
q s'pose o come down hero
alone?"
NO" And 1 explained the disposi.
ton of my forces.
That's not so bad" she said. They
could git up here soon enough, I reck'
on, if there was a row. But l guess
you didn't think l sent for we jest tc
tell We you was a fool in Chinatown
1 admitted that l should have ex
pected to wait till morning for such
a piece of information.
WELL" said Mother Borton. thai
amt it. Something's up"
And what might it be-" I inquired
The moon?"
Mother Borton did not take thi!
fippancy kindly. Her face grew dark
err and more evil as it was framed IL
the dancing shadows behind her.
you can git a knife in we as cas-.
as winking if III jest keep my moutl
shut" she cried spitefully.
YES" said l repentantly, putin,
my hand upon her arm. But yo1
are my very good friend, and will tel
me what / ought to know"
The creatures face lighted at m.
tone and action, and her eyes melteC
with a new feeling.
THAT 1 WILL" she said; that I will
dS IL you were lily OWH UOy.
She seized my hand and held it a
she spoke and looked intently on m,
face.
81 was a-listening to EN-" she cor
tinued in a low, earnest tone, glancini
around fearfully as If she had tn
thought that some one else might b
listening in turn. Il was S-listenine
an 1 heerd what they says"
who said?" l inquired.
THE ones you knows on" she r,
turned mysteriously.
What ones?" 1 persisted, though
supposed she meant to indicate som
Of my energetic enemies.
Mother Borton paid no attention
my question, and continued:
II knowed they was a-talking abou
you, an they says they would cut you
liver out if they found We there"
"And where is there?" l asked wit
growing interest.
That's what I was listening to fin
out" said Mother Borton. 81 couldn
hear much of what they says. but
hears enough to git an idea"
She bent forward and Kissed ratht
than whispered:
They've found out where the DO
isl"
e Are you certain?" I asked in su,
/ den alarm.
$ pretty sure" she said, pretty sur
y Now you won't go near the place, wi
We, dearie?" she continued anxiousl
= you forget that / haven't the fir.
idea where the boy Is hidden" I r
turned.
I "Oh, Lord, yes! I reckon my mind
: going" grunted Mother Borton. "Bl
7 I'm afeard of their knives for ye."
7 81 wish I could give warning" sal
4 |, much disturbed by the information
. 1.-THE protector Of the boy ought
know about this. I'm afraid l ha,
done wrong"
Mother Borton looked at me fxedl
Don't you worry, my dear. She
know about it all right"
. Again the feeling stole over me tn,
this woman knew more than she toll
Dat Ixnam that a. wa ..1Iaaz