Elk City mining news. (Elk City, Idaho) 1903-1913, 1909-06-05
planks quite oversnaoowed the white girl
ish face peering In at the uncurtained


ish face peering in at the uncurtained
window.
She was frightened at her own daring,
but she remembered that she was Rogers
witness; it was necessary for her own
eyes to testify to Fergusson's dishones.
doings. Now there could be no mistake;
the open safe was conclusive, and so
were the notes and gold that he was stow
ing away in that great black bag. Alison
watched, half fascinated by horror. He
had nearly finished; yes, he was locking
his bag and closing the safe, the candle
stood fiuttering beside him on a chair,
not on the table; he almost pushed
against it as he went to the door and set
1t open. Yes he had locked himself in,
for she could see him take the key out and
nix 1t carefully in the outer lock, and then
he went back into the room. Oh, what
had become of Roger? In another mo-
ment he could have escaped with his
booty The main entrance to the timber
yard was in the opposite direction 70 the
private door opening into the garden Of
The Holms. Even If Roger and her faith
er were coming in this moment, FERGUSON
would have no difficulty in eluding them.
1t was true the door was locked and Tim
othy had the key, but he could easily
swim across the canal and reach the tow
ing path unseen.
Alison's agony was rising to a pitch
that almost justified rashness. She was
becoming desperate in spite of her terror.
A sudden thought came to her, thrilling
her with horror-cOuld she do II? Yes,
for Rogers sake she would try Another
CHI
building and passed the curtained window
with CLEAN of light shining through the
crevice. As she passed it there was sud-
den darkness; be had extinguished the
candle. In another instant Alison had
shut the door. almost knocking Fergus
son back, if she had known il, and had
turned The key in the lock Alison had
felt Qui k, hysteric sob rise in her throat
as she heard the key turning under her
hand Had she really done ir? Had
some unseen presence beside her given her
the needful strength? Was the dishonest
servant prisoner, and she his captor?
But Alison had no time to do more than
ask herself these questions, for Timothy
came out Of his shed. and was hobbliug
toward her and the next moment the key
was IN AlisOn's pocket and she was stand
ing at bay.
What does this mean. miss? How
came you heref' exclaimed the old man,
suspiciously.
! have locked Mr. Ferguson in he is
stealing papa's money out Of the safe
returned Alison. turning her white face 10
Timothy. and the sob rising in her throat
again. u will not give up the key until
papa comes"
A fierce kick AT the door behind her
drove her from il a few PAGES.
Let me out. Timothy (" Numbered Her
susson. lac girl Is mad she must lac
our OF her mind 70 soy such things. Mr..
Merle desired me 10 look over some papers
iof MN they are most important, and
there must be no delay"
You hear what he says. miss" return
ca Timothy, rather roughly. I'VE must
iloi keep fle masters manager locked 10.
J warrant you d l. an right. fhey Keen
them ptpeis in Che safe Give 49, he
Key ana ! viii open fhe door Tor the gen
Aoi until papa comes was Alison's
reply and, in spite Of 1im0fby's surly ~.
ilonstfances and Ierguss0n's impreoa-
lpns she remained 1rm Timothy Nas
driven ~ his wits end when suddenlr
footsteps rere beard. AND Alison daried
forward ~ lleei them
'fana, I saN him af f,f safe b. aas
putting i.le gold and notea no By lae
aaH him ~ if'' s1e cried ercifedIl
~ bleH oui Az candle and flen ~.
ed hlm AL. llfrf b ile ley"
N"I