Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1908-08-07
CHAPTER XVIII.
The Key.

at HillyeTS cottage. Under the circum-
stances, it was plainly his duty to re-
main in close proximity to his prisoner
and there to hold himself in readiness
for new developments.
The news of Rose Cats disappear
ance and the apprehension Of Hume fol
her murder spread like wildfire over the
village. The tide of popular feeling set
strongly against Hume. He was a
stranger-an altogether unknown per-
son, and the natives to a man declared
him guilty, without troubling them
sive evidence. He had killed Rose
Gaff, either from hopeless love or jeal-
Gus despair, and the excitement at Ber-
rys grocery, and all about Hillyers
Cove, grew with every moment. That
savagery which fingers in men long af-
ter civilization claims them awoke in
these grim followers of the sea, and
dark threats and curses loud and deep
were freely hurled at the man confined
in the cove fshhouse.
Not long after the door Of his prison
closed upon him, Hume lay down on
his hard bed and tried to sleep. I'm
possible! Anxiety for Rose baffied all
his attempts to WOO the drowsy god.
He tossed restlessly. Presently sound
near by brought him to sitting pos
ture. A key was grating in lock. The
fishhouse door swung back. Andy Gan,
with a lantern in his hand, stepped in
to the place.
Andy" cried Hume, in amazement.
"who sent you to me?"
Andy muttered something unintel-
ligible, and put down the light. Hume
Immediately guessed that Duff had left
both keys and lantern within reach OF
the idiot, and the latter had taken pos
session Of them, without any particular
purpose in his darkened mind. How
could one accuse Andy Of having pur-
pose?
What do you want?" said Hume,
forgetting that he spoke to one not
composmentis. A strange wistfulness
appeared in the vacant face.
I'll stay with you," replied Andy.
Stay with me?" Hume smiled, then
laid his hand kindly on Andy's shoul-
der. Poor fellow! 1t is cold and dis
NAL here-you had better go back to
the cottage"
Andy shook his head, and reached
for the only chair that the place con-
tanned.
Permit mel" he said, in the tone and
with the air of man of breeding.
by Jove! this is the oldest thing
of ALL" cried Hume. Now that you
have unlocked the door, Andy, what
hinders me from walking out and TAX
ing my departure from the cape? Why
not leave these Doors Of fishermen to
think me innocent or guilty, as they
please?"
He stood celebrating the matter.
Only this idiot stood betwiXt him and
freedom. The darkness would aid his
escape, and the railway terminus was
but twenty miles away.
He walked to the door and looked out,
Andy watched him, but made no sign.
A brisk wind was working. Soon the
fog would be stripped in gray tatters,
and go moving off before it. Far over
head a star already glimmered. The
lights were out in the fishermen's cot
tages-the way was plain and open be-
fore Hume. He closed the door and
went back to Andy.
"An innocent man does not run from
his accusers," he said, and threw him
self down on his bed and fell aslep.
An hour before daybreak Hiram Duff
came running to the fishhouse, and
found the door ajar and his prisoner
sunk in quiet slumber, while Andy Gaff
a self constituted guardian, nodded in
the chair near by The lantern light
was dying in a pinch Of smoke.
Lord have mercy" cried Duff, as
Nigel Hume awoke; what scare I've
had, to be sure! So it war that half
wit that carried off my key and light
while l war a-dozing in Caleb's Ntch-
en-? I calkerlated, when I reused up
and found 'em gone, that you'd cut and
run. sir. And" as he withdrew the key
from the lock. hanged If you didn't
have a prime chance! What possessed
you to let it slip?"
Il meant to stay and see this affair
out" replied Hume. Indeed, nothing
could induce me to leave the place til
I learn the fate of that poor girl Rose
If she has been rescued she will soor
return to us; if the boat sank-well''
in a troubled tone, God grant we may
know that, also!"
Duff seemed disinclined to talk o
Rose.
eft war a queer freak for this pool
critter to come and sit with you through
the night" he said, jerking hand TO-
ward the idiot. Come, Andy, let's be
a-moving-Tll have to take you back
to the cottage"
Andy arose obediently. Hume grasp
ed him by the hand.
"Good-by, and thank you kindly" ht
said.
"Good-by." replied Andy, "and keeE
up your spirits"
Duff laughed.
There's a bit Of his old self left yet
he said. and went out, and locked thu
fishhouse door.
With morning light a fresh searcf
was made for the missing girl. Alas
# proved as fruitless as the one of th'
previous night.
Bess Hillyer went about her usua
tasks at the cottage with an anxious
face. She said little, but paused con
tinually to look out on the sea, ana u
listen for steps that came not. And!
Gaff left his net mending to follow he
restivelv. Even Martha Bray was II
at ease. "I agree with the mem! sh
declared at last. Rose is dead, AM
Mr.. Hume has killed her. You Kno"
Bess Hnlyer. jest how that man ma
been a-dancing round the cove eve
since he first came here with Mr. Har
old, Never yet did a stranger fail I
bring bad luck to this house. l WIS.,
TO mercy we'd never opened our 400
TO any unknown man! Yes, she wa