St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1910-07-06

Dandy Joe had disappeared. The
hope of attaining his end through
him, of being led to the retreat of
one he had so long desired to find.
had proved Elusive.
John Steele did not go far in mere
aimless fashion. Leaning against a
wall, he strove once more to plan. but
ever as he did so through his thought
the girls fair face. looking out from
enshrouding lace. intruded.
He forgot his purpose. when fig
ure coming out of a public house
through one of the doors near which
he had halted caught his attention.
Dandy Joe. a prodigal with unexpect-
ed riches, wiped his lips as he saunter-
ed past John Steele and continued his
way. lurching little.
For time they two seemed the only
pedestrians that had ventured forth
that night in locality so uninviting
Through the gulchlike passage swept
a cold draft of air. 1t made little
riffs in the fog and showed an en-
trance-a dim light At the same time
the sound of the footsteps in front
abruptly ceased.
For a few minutes Steele waited.
He looked toward the place Dandy Joe
had entered. 1t was we'll known to
him and, what seemed more important.
to Mr.. Gillett. The latter would re-
member it in connection with the
Frisco Pet and presumably turn to it
as a likely spot to search for him who
had been forced to leave Captain For
sythe's home That contingency-nay
probability-had to be considered. The
one person he most needed to find had
taken refuge in one of the places he
would have preferred not to enter.
But no time must be lost hesitating.
He had to choose. Diminishing all
thought of danger from without, think
ing only of what lay before him
within, he moved quickly forward and
tried the door. He entered. felt his
way in the darkness through winding
passages downward, avoiding a bad
step-did he remember even that?
How paltry details stood out! The
earthen floor still drowned the sound
of footsteps. The narrow hall took
the same turns.
A slant of light like a sword, from
the crack of a door, cleaned on the
dark floor before him. He stepped
toward it. The low sound of mems
tones could be heard-Joes; a strange
voice, no, familiar one, that caused
the listeners every fiber to vibrate.
"And what did you say when he
pumped you for the cote?'
THAT you would rather call on him."
"And then he cared nought for the
job? You're sure"-anxiously-"h
wasn't playing to find outY'
The other answered loosely and
walked away. A door closed behind
him. For a time the stiffness remain
ed unbroken. Then a low rattle, as
Of dice on a table. caused John Steele
to glance through crevice. What
he saw seemed to decide him to act
quickly. He lifted a latch and step
ped in AS he did so huge man with
red hair sprang to his feet. From one
great hand the dice fell to the floor.
His shaggy jowl dropped. Casting
over his shoulder the swift glance of
an entrapped animal, he seemed about
to leap backward to escape by a rear
entrance when the voice of the in
truder arrested his purpose, momen-
tarily held him.
"Oh, Pm alone! There are no police
outside" He spoke in the dialect of
the pickpurse and magsman. To
prove it, John Steele stopped apd lock-
ed the door.
The small bloodshot eyes lighted
with wonder. The heavy british jaws
horop 70 ha HAlOno9v
The other tossed the key. It fell at
the mans feet John Steele walked
over to the opposite door and shot a
heavy bolt there Looks as If it
would hold" he said in thieves argot
as he turned around.
care ye a gaby?" The red headed
giant stared ominously at him.
''On the contrary" coolly. II know
very we'll what 1 am doing"
A question interlarded with oaths
burst from the others throat John
Steele regarded the man quietly. II
should think it apparent what
wantw he answered AS he spoke
he sat down. "It is you" bending his
bright, resolute eyes on the other.
"And you've come alone" He drew
up his ponderous form.