The Eureka sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1902-current, 1912-07-27

'BRIEN was very clearly In a
mood TO shoot first and make
W inquiries afterward. Yet even
In that darkness he recognized
my voice aud consented to lower the
gun which was damned against my
breast. Donald had not recovered con-
seriousness. | paused long enough to
feel his pulse. which appeared rapid
and strong. yet there was nothing we
could do to relieve his condition be-
yond the application of water. l used
O'Brien's belt &c strap the li~eutenant's
feet together. placed him In as COM
Portable a position as possible and
then. with strict injunction TO the
trooper to remain close beside both
men. took up the extinguished lantern
and CROPPED my way down the short
ladder TO the dismal tunnel. closing
the trap behind me.
While the brisk action of the past
half hour had served somewhat TO
steady my nerves. yet the memory of
that ghostly woman's face still haunt
ed me. and | felt no inclination TO at
tempt that passage alone in the dark
ness. The possibilities Of murder lurk-
ed at every step. and. while | was not
truly afraid. l felt my flesh creep at
the thought and took precaution to
light the lantern the Instant l was
safe at the foot of the ladder Hold
ing it well in advance. yet not so as
to blind my eyes, | hurried forward.
watchful of the shadows, but with
mind busy with details of the coming
tempt at escape. Here certainly lay
our only chance OF getting away. III
we delayed until after daylight and
Theilen's command arrived meanwhile
we would be caught like rats in a
trap. But II we could manage TO
strike Dodd's scattered followers from
the rear. surprising them by sudden
ness of attack. we might succeed In
breaking away and by swift marching
attain our own lines in safety. This
plan offered a fighting chance at least.
and the more l studied 1t the stronger
became its appeal.
arrived at the bottom Of the lad
der stairs. having seen nothing bur
the bare stone walls. and the hard
packed earth floor. reflected by the
yellow glow of the lantern. But at
the top | met with a surprise that
left me staring blindly. for the mo-
ment distrusting my eyes: there
was no opening into the hall! The
mantel had been swung back into
place, leaving me fronting an appar-
emily solid wall. Surely that heavy
mantel would never have swung
back into position without human as
sistance. Who in the house would
have any reason to operate ii except
Jean Denslowl The possibility OF
her escaping from that room in which
| had locked her had not before Sc
riously occurred to me. yet hers was
a nature to dare much. and achieve
II she had done the trick. then she
would be on guard within. l raped
against the front of the chimney.
pausing to listen. but hearing no
sound in response. Then | put my
lips close and spoke loud enough so
felt certain my voice would carry
to the hall without
miss Denslow. are Won therer'
Nothing beyond the dim echo re-
warded this effort, yet so convinced
was | or her presence that | perse-
vered.
Il am Lieutenant King: we found
Colonel Douald seriously wounded In
the tunnel. and | have come back
after help. For the sake OF his life
open This door"
/ heard her then distinctly. her
voice sounding so clearly as to startle
me by its %nearness: apparently there
was nothing hei us but the thin
steel of the IRE screep