The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1912-08-20
A Robber in
the Room


through the western states on the
track Of a speculation which promised
well.
My plans had led me to leave the
boat at Cincinnati, and strike about
90 miles southerly into Kentucky.
found myself at the end Of the day in
question In small hotel, waiting for
my supper. had come to this par.
ucular house only by accident, and GER
tainly nothing but the lateness of the
hour, the rain that was falling heavily,
and my own tired, hungry condition,
prevented my sallying forth at once in
search OF better accommodations. The
house was quite apart from the rest
or the town, and seemed to be one of
those ill-kept, unattractive inns where
a traveller only goes by accident, and
where he never goes twice. could
not discover that there was any other
guest than myself present that night
| took my candle and carefully ex-
amined the room. 1t was small,
square apartment, with no furniture
save the bed, chair, and the wash
stand. l looked under the bed and
behind the stand. Nobody was there.
/ spied closet, and explored It, with
the same result. The door Of the room
fastened on the inside with a heavy
bolt, but to make assurance doubly
sure, l set the washstand against 1t
after sliding the bolt; and not yet
content, l moved the bed around and
effectually barricaded II. The two
windows appeared to be about eight
feet from the ground; and these also
secured in such way that 1t would
be impossible to raise them from the
outside.
Pretty safe, this, think" was my
remark, as looked around at my de-
lenses; and throwing of my coat, I
drew from the breast pocket a long
leather bill book, and proceeded to
count its contents. Three thousand
three hundred dollars in notes-a large
amount to carry about ones person;
but the business in which was en-
gagged demanded 1t.
placed my pocketbook beneath the
pillow and laid my pistol beside 1t;
then putting the candle on the stand.
/ went to bed.
Usually | was sound and ready
sleeper, but now lay wide awake, and
all the arts that / used to luli myself
to rest were unavailing. The house
was perfectly still, and there was no
noise from the street, save the steady
drip, drip of the rain, which seemed to
intensity the stiffness. / closed my
eyes, and at the end Of ten minutes
opened them again. perfectly sleep
less.
| turned on my side; my eye was
caught by my pistols lying by the pill
low. | looked at them merely for a
change of object, and as / looked
made a discovery that sent a chill Of
terror all over me. The caps had been
removed from both of them!
My heart sank within me, and ter
ror like that of death seized me. Some
internal plot was on foot to destroy
me; the mysterious agency that was
to take my life might be In readiness
that instant. lay perfectly still, with
my eyes almost closed, not daring even
to turn upon my back, as l had been
lying.
II was we'll for me that did not.
heard no step, not even a breath; but
a long, glittering knife was slowly pro
jected from behind me and held sus
pended by human hand above my
head
drew my breath quietly and regu
larly-how, know not, but ! did 1t
even counterfeited slight snore
The robber was apparently satisfied
The knife was still poised above me
but | felt his hand cautiously feeling
beneath my pillow. 1t seized thu
pocketbook and slowly drew 1t forth
What followed passed with almos
the speed Of thought. My right hant
few to the knife and grasped 1t as
rolled upon my back With terrific
oath the robber started up and threw
himself upon me. He was brawny
muscular villain of thrice my strength
but there was to be no trial OF tina
kind between us. AS he flung him
self at my throat | turned the knife W
on him; the point took him in tn
breast, and his weight and impetu
drove the blade right through him
With one spasmodic movement h
rolled off from me and tumbled dea
on the floor.
The horror of his presence, and tn
consciousness of my peril had bee
80 suddenly forced upon me that tn
shock was too great for me- fe
back fainting on the bed
When | awoke broad daylight wa
streaming In at the windows. Littl
by little recalled the dreadful real
ties of my adventure, and persuade
myself that 1t was not all nightmar
| assured myself of the safety OF N
money, and then put on my cloth'
and looked about me, The robber Ia
HnII lao