The Owosso times., 1912-07-19
A Robber IN
the Room

track of speculation which promised
well.
My plans had led me to leave the
boat at Cincinnati, and strike about
so miles southerly into Kentucky l
found myself at the end Of the day in
question in a small hotel, waiting for
my supper. l had come to this par
ticular house only by accident, and cer-
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
of 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. l could
not discover that there was any other
guest than myself present that night.
I 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. I looked under the bed and
behind the stand. Nobody was there.
I spied a closet, and explored 1t, with
the same result. The door OF the room
fastened on the inside with a heavy
bolt, but to make assurance doubly
sure. I set the washstand against 1t
after sliding the bolt; and not yet
content, / moved the bed around and
effectually barricaded II. The two
windows appeared to be about eight
feet from the ground; and these also
l secured in such a way that it would
be impossible to raise them from the
outside.
pretty safe, this, think" was my
remark, as l looked around at my de-
fenses; and throwing off my coat,
drew from the breast pocket 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'
l went to bed.
Usually I was a sound and ready
sleeper, but now lay wide awake, and
all the arts that used to lull 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. I 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
change of object, and as looked /
made a discovery that sent 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.
It was we'll for me that I did not.
heard no step, not even breath; but
Tong. glittering knife was slowly pro
jected from behind me and held sus
pended by a human hand above my
! head!
1 drew my breath quietly and regu
} larly-how, I know not, but l did 1t
, even eounterfeited a slight snore
The robber was apparently satisfied
, The knife was still poised above me
: but l felt his hand cautiously feeling
7 beneath my pillow. 1t seized th'
I. pocketbook and slowly drew 1t forth
What followed passed with almos
, the speed of thought. My right han'
1 1 flew to the knife and grasped 1t as
!. rolled upon my back. With terrifi
: oath the robber started up and threy
I himself upon me. He was brawny
o muscular villain of thrice my strength
:. but there was to be no trial OF tina
kind between US. AS he flung hin
J self at my throat turned the knife vi
!, on him; the point took him IN tn
breast, and his weight and impetu
y drove the blade right through hin
= With one spasmodic movement h
|. rolled off from me and tumbled dea
On the floor.
The horror OF his presence, and th
consciousness Of my peril had bee
SO suddenly forced upon me that tn
shock was too great for mel fe
back fainting on the bed.
l When I swoke broad daylight We
streaming IA at the windows. Lift
by little I 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 hooked about me. The robber Ii
on his face; his fall had broken Il
knife, and great pool Of blood vi
oozing out on the floor. The mystel
Of his preesnce there was soon g
- L.