Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1908-12-12
CHAPTER Xxx.

| waiter ono leo the way UP Z rough.
implanted staircase and opened the door
Of the room over the one In which they
had been seated.
| Locking around him, Walter found
that the chamber which he had entered
was as bare ~ the room below, II not
more so. There was not even a bed
stead. but In the corner there was q bed
on the floor with some ragged bedcIethss
spread over it.
That's where you're to sleep" said
the woman, pointing 1t out.
| Goodnight" said Walter.
| She put the candle on the mantelpiece,
for there was no bureau or table In the
room, and went out
This Isn't very stylish tavern, that's
fact" thought Walter, taking 4 survey
Of the room. II shall have a hard bed,
but guess l can stand II for ono night"
There was something else that trou-
bied him more than the poor accommo-
datiens. 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 apprehensive
OF robbery. He was ir the heart Of the
woods, far away from assistance and at
their mercy. What could he, boy of
fifteen, do against their combined attack?
4 He would have preferred to sleep In the
woods without a shelter, rather than
have placed himself In their power.
| Under the infunce Of this apprehen-
sion, he examined the door to see IL
there was any way of locking It. But
there was neither lock nor bolt. There
had been u bolt once, but there was none
now. Next he looked about the room to
see II there was any heavy article of
furniture with which he could barricade
the door. But as 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 / 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
closet, the door of which was bolted 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 few pennies upon
the floor of the closet, and then closed
the door again. Next he drew from HIS
pocketbook all the money 1t contained,
except . single 6ve-dolar bill. The bank
notes thus removed amounted to fifty
| five 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-
umphed over his bodily fatigue, and he
tossed about restlessly.
1t was about nine o'clock when be went
to bed. Two hours passed, and still there
were no signs of the apprehended inva-
sion. But five minutes later, heavy
step was heard upon the staircase. which
creaked beneath the weight of the man
ascending. Jack tried to come up softly,
but it creaked nevertheless.
Walters heart beat quick. as he heard
the steps approaching nearer and nearer.
1t was certainly a trying moment, that
might have tested the courage of one old
or than eur hero. Presently the door
opened softly, and Jack advanced stealth
lily into the chamber, carrying q candle
which, however, was unlighted He reck
onsd upon finding Walter undressed. and
his clothes hanging over the chair; bu
the faint light that entered through thu
window showed him that his Intended vic
tim had not removed his clothing.
The robber paused moment. and then
xtoopinr over, inserted his hand Int
Walters picket. He drew out the peck
etbook, Walter making no sfn of belnl
aware of what was going on.
"I've got it, muttered Jack, with sat
isfaction, and stcalthily retraced his step
to the door. He went out, carefully clos
ing II after him. and again the step
creaked beneath his weight.
"I'm afraid he'll come back when b
finds how little there Is In It," though
Walter. III SO, / must trust to NJ
PLAN
and Jack strobe In, bearing In his han
candle, this time lighted He advance
to the bed, and. bending over. shoe
Walter vigorously.
whats the matter?" asked our her
this time opening his eyes, and assumir
look of surprise. as it time to
up7"
sits time for you to get up I've g
something to say 60 you"
"Well," said Walter. sitting up In bed,
"I'm ready"
"Where've you put the money you had
last night7"
Walter put his hand In his pocket
ut was In my pocketbook," he said /;
but It's gone"
Here is your pocketbook." said Jack.
! producing 1t.
. 'Did you take 1t out of my pocket
-3,of a.. tof~ NJ