The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1908-09-17
CHAPTER Xxx.

CHAPTER Xxx.
About nine O'Clock Walter intimated a
desire to go to bed. The woman lit a
candle, and left the room, followed by
Walter. She led the way UP a rough.
implanted staircase and opened the door
Of the room over the one in which they
had been seated.
Looking around him, Walter found
that the chamber which he had entered
was as bare as the room below, if not
more 80. There was not even q bed
stead, but in the corner there was a bed
on the floor with some ragged bedclothes
spread over it.
That's where you're to Sleep" said
the woman, pointing it out.
Goodnight" said Walter.
She put the candle on the m~antelpiece,
for there was no bureau or table in the
room. and e out.
This isn't a very stylish tavern, that's
a fact" thought Walter, taking a survey
of the room. II shall have a hard bed,
but / guess l can stand it for one night"
There was something else that trou-
bled him more than the poor accommo-
dations. The i'll looks of his host and
hostess had made a 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 app~rehensive
of robbery. He was in the heart of the
woods, far away from assistance. and at
their mercy. What could he, a boy of
fifteen, do against their combined attack?
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 if
there was any way of locking it. But
there was neither lock nor bolt. There
had been a bolt once, but there was none
now. Next he looked about the room to
see if 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
What shall l do?" thought Walter.
That man can enter the room when |
I'm asleep, and rob me of all my money"
Looking about the room, he noticed a
closet, the door of which was bolted on
he outside. Withdrawing the bolt, he
opened the door and looked in. 1t was
nearly empty, containing only a few
of little or no value. A plan of
'perations rapidly suggested itself to Wal
er In case the room should be entered
rhi1a ba u-au oSlaan In nurSu1npp Of
his plan he threw a few pennies upon
he floor of the closet, and then closed
he door again. Next he drew from his
,ocketbook all the money it contained,
kept a single ive-dollar bill. The bank
totes thus removed amounted to fifty
We dollars. He then drew off his stock
ngs, and, laying the bills in the bottom,
gain put them on.
Walters feelings, as he lay on his
ard bed on the floor, were far from
~leasant. He was not sure that an at
empt would be made to rob him, but the
reliability seemed so great that he could
OF compose himself to sleep. Suspense
as SO painful that he almost wished hat
ack would come up if he intended to.
lie was tired, but his mental anxiety tri-
over his bodily fatigue, and he
,ssed about restlessly.
1t was about nine o'clock when he went
, bed. Two hours passed, and still there
ere no signs of the apprehended inva-
But, five minutes later, c heavy
.ep was heard upon the staircase, which
.eaked beneath the weight of the man
scending. Jack tried to com up softly,
it creaked nevertheless.
Walters heart beat quick, as he heard
lie steps approaching nearer and nearer.
was certainly a trying moment, that
light have tested the courage of one old
than our hero. Presently the door
,ened softly, and Jack advanced stealth
Y into the chamber, carrying a candle
hich, however, was unlighted. He reck-
led upon finding Walter undressed, and
S clothes hanging over the chair; but
e faint light that entered through the
indow showed him that his intended vic f.,
had not removed his clothing.
The robber paused q moment, and then,
Doping over, inserted his hand into
alters picket. He drew out the peck
Walter making nc sign of being s
yare Of what was going .on.
1--WE got It," muttered Jack, with sat /
and stealthily retraced his steps z
the door. He went out, carefully clos r
z it after him, and again the steps
beneath his weight.
I'm afraid he'll come back when he
ds how little there is in It," thought
IF so, l must trust to my {
IN" s
The door was soon again thrown open,
d Jack strobe in, bearing in his hand S
candle, this time lighted. He advanced q
the bed, and, bending over, shook
alter vigorously.
What's the matter?" asked our hero, =
s time opening his eyes, and assuming :
look of surprise. SIS it time to get
?"
It's time for o to get up. I've got
to say to you" .
WELL" said Walter, sitting up In bed,
N ready" e.
:Where've you put the money you had
t night?" 7
put his hand in his pocket. If
1t was in my pocketbook," he said;
1t it's gone"
Here is FOUR pocketbook," said Jack,
ducing it.
Did you take 1t out of my pocket?
at made you take it? Do you mean III
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