Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1910-07-09


The servant was now eying the Wis
ltor obviously. John Steele wheeled,
perfunctory answer on his lips and,
going to the dining room. swallowed
hastily a few mouthfuls.
He made up his mind as to his
course then. the last desperate shift.
Amid a turmoil Of thoughts a certain
letter he had had In mind to send to
Captain Forsythe occurred to him,
and. calling for paper and pen. he
wrote there, facing the window, fe-
verishly. hastily. several pages. Then
he gave the letter to the servant for
the postman. whose special cali at the
iron knocker without had Just sound
ed. The letter would have served
John Steele Ill had It fallen into his
enemies hands. but once in the care
Of the royal mails It would be safe
If It were. indeed. that person at the
gate and not some one
zone moment. Dennisr' The man
paused. "Of course you will make sure
1t is the postman?'
"As If didn't know his knock" he
said. departing.
John Steele's pulses now throbbed
expectantly He had obtained a key to
the gate and moved toward the front
door By this time the darkness had
deepened. and. key in hand. he step
ped out.
At first he walked toward the front
on the gravel that the servant might
hear him, but near the entrance he
paused, hesitating, to look out. AS he
remained thus some one who had been
standing not far Off drew near John
Steele stole around the place until he
reached the back wall.
There he examined his position. felt
tho top, then placed his fingers on the
wall 1t was about six feet high; but.
Seizing hold, he was about to spring
into the mir, when behind him. from
the direction of the row, II low me.
talic sound caught his attention. The
front gate to the Forsythe house huI
suddenly clicked. Some one had en-.
tered.
John Steele looked back. Even rs
he did so number of figures abruptlr
ran forward from the gate. lie waited
no longer. but drew himself up to ii
level with the top of the wall The
effort made him acutely aware of his
wounded shoulder He WINGED bur
set his teeth hard and swung himself
over until one foot came in contNct
with the iron frame of the greenhouse
next to the masonry. To crawl to The
end of the ean-to bending to hold to
the wall and then TO let himself down.
occupied but a brief interval
He heard behind him an imperative
knocking at the front door Of Captain
Forsythe's house. succeeded by the
noise Of feet Fastening into the house.
For some time nothing save these
sounds was waited to the listener.
Then loud, disappointed voice, sound
ing above another voice, came from
half opened window. John Steele stood
still no longer. Great hazard. almost
certain capture, lay before him in the
direction he was going-the street this
garden led TO would be watched-but he
could not remain where he was. lie
moved quickly forward AS he neared
the house. more imposing than Captain
Forsythe's, Il stream of light poured
from window. Through this bright
space he darted quickly. catching n
ieering view of people within. several
with their faces turned toward him
Close to Il side Of the square looking
house he paused, his heart beating
fast. To attempt to reach the gate. to
get out TO Surrey road. little doubt ex-
listed MS to what waited him there. He
remained motionless. Sharp twinges
again shot through his shoulder Then
on a sudden he became unmindful Of
physical discomfort. plan Of action
that had flashed through his brain
held him obllylous TO all else. II offer.
ed only the remotest chance of escape.
but still chance. which he weighed.
determined to take! It had come to
him while listening to the merry
voices within the room near him talk
ing of the gay dinner just ended. Of
the box party at the theatpr that was
to follow.
Already cabs were at the door. A
servant walked out and unlocked the
gate, and with light badinage the com
pany issued forth AS they did so
John Steele. unobserved. stepped for
ward. In the semidarkness the party
passed through the entrance into the
street Taking his place among the
last Of the laughing, dimly seen fig
ures, John Steele walked boldly on and
found himself a moment later on the
sidewalk of Surrey road. He was
aware that some one. a woman. had
touched his arm as If to take It. of
light feminine voice and an abrupt ex-
clamation of surprise. Walking swift
ly TO one OF the last cabs. he sprang
In.
"a little errand first, driver" he
called out "TO"-and mentioned
street-"as fast as you can" The man
Strengthened. touched his horse with
his whip. and. wheeling quickly, they
dashed away.
AS they did so John Steele thought
he heard exclamations behind Look
ing through tue cab window. he saw at
the gate tue company gazing after
hin, moi vat fpou,