Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1908-10-22

as he went TO the closet door, anu, en-
tering, took the suit hanging farthest
from the door, and a dark hat and
overcoat Then he undresseo and
dressed again quickly.
When he was ready he rolled his
own striped suit into bundle. They
must be hidden, but where? lie looked
quickly about him. As he lifted his
arm to place them on the closet shelf,
bell changed out from the prison. He
was reported missing, and the man
hunt had begun. While he thrust his
clothes back on the shelf he heard
hoarse shouts below. They were
searching the garden. He stole to the
locked door, turned the key and half
opened the door. That might disarm
suspicion If they searched the house.
Then he returned to the closet, and
stood back in corner, hidden by the
warden's clothing.
There were eager voices under the
window.
Here's where he was working" an
swered some one. Maybe he's hidden
up there on the porch.
He's too sharp for any of those
tricks" answered another, but he
climbed the ladder as he spoke and
flashed a lantern through the window.
no. 10 watched it from his corner.
If they came in through the window
and searched the room He pressed
closer against the wall. The steps
descended the ladder. The guards en-
tered the hallway downstairs. There
was hurried opening and shutting of
doors as they went through the for
mality of searching the warden's
house. Tramp, tramp, upstairs the
footsteps came, down the hallway to
the door of the wardens room. No.
10 could hear them talking as they
drew near.
mo sense in searching the ward
ems house" growled one. He pushed
the door farther open as he spoke, and
flashed the lantern in.
Now, look here, Dennison,' inter
rupted another, I'm going to search
this room thoroughly. We've made
a farce of this thing, so far, and |
believe in looking in unlikely places.
I've theory"
Hang your theory" gruffiy an
swered the first speaker.
But ! tell you / will search this
ROOM" rejoined the other.
i've been in this business longer
than you, and ! guess | know"
Here, give me the light"
No 10 stood rigid. On that lantern
his fate depended. There was a wav'
ering OF the light in the room; II
frightened. The man in the warden's
overcoat measured, with his eye, the
distance to the open window.
Bring the lantern down There's
been enough time wasted up there,
called a voice of authority from the
foot of the stairs.
The bearer of the lantern hesitated
grumbled something about mere for
mality; then the light receded, and
No 10 was left alone in the darkness
When the house was quiet once
more, he walked softly to the window
He looked down on the peaceful gar
den. Below, at the office, men hurried
about, giving and receiving orders
From the watch tower over on the
next hill the searchlight swept blind
ing white rays over the fields ano
roads, and he could see the glitter oil
the barrels of the tower gatlingguns
/ There was a fascination in watching
this preparation for his own capture
( but this was not the time for such in
diligence
He stepped out upon the porch roof
He must descend the ladder quickly
before the searchight swept the
house. moment he watched it's wa
vering course. Would il turn to The
right o. left? He climbed over the
railing. The light hickered hithe
and thither. He reached the middle
of the ladder. The brightness resteC
far away over the fields to the right
So far he was safe. Surely he coult
reach the ground before the ligh
turned in his direction. Down III
went over the few remaining rungs
Two rungs from the bottom and for
tune still favored him. Then the grea
sword of light quivered. and shone full
upon the warden's house.
The man on the ladder threw him
self face downward at the foot of thu
rose vine. He lay breathless among
the leaves for a second, though an ag,
of lifeumes emotions; then h
raised his head slightly. The dazzling
white light was still upon him. A feel
ing of utter hopelessness weighed hin
down. Once more his head sank upol
his hands, and he lay waiting. TIL
light seemed to rest heavily upon him
to crush out all energy and resistance
After he had waited several minute
he turned over and sat up. The ligh
had gone, and he was in darkness
one more chance had been given him
He rose and ran noiselessly down tn
terraces, keeping well in under tn
bushes. He did not take the path tina
led back to the hills, but heade
straight for the road that led fror
the prison through little village :
the left.
He dropped over the last terrac
wall into the road, just outside tn
village He stopped running, took a