Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1912-07-27
We Organize a Sortie.

~ 'BRIEN was very clearly in a
81 mood TO shoot first and make
inquiries atterward. Yet even
III that darkness he recognized
my voice and consented to lower the
gun which was damned against my
breast. Donald had not recovered con-
sciousness. paused long enough to
feel MS pulse, which appeared rapid
and strong. yet there was nothing we
could do TO relieve his condition be-
yond the Application or water. used
O'Brien's belt TO strap the lieutenants
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 extinEuiShed 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 ghostiy woman's face still haunt
ed me. and I felt no inclination to at
tempt that passage alone in the dark
ness. The possibilities OF murder turk
ed at every step. and. while / was not
truly afraid. 4 felt my flesh creep at
light the lantern the instant l was
safe at the foot of the ladder Hold
ing it well in advance. vet not SO as
to blind my eyes. / hurried forward.
watchtui of the shadows. but with
mind busy with details of he coming
attempt at escape. Here certainly lay
our only chance of getting AWAY If
we delayed until after daylight and
Theilen's command arrived meanwhile
we would be caught like RATS in II
trap. But If 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 lighting chance at leasr.
and the more ] studied it the stronger
became its appeal
! arrived at the bottom of the lad
der stairs. having seen nothing but
the bare stone walls. and the bard
packed earth floor. reflected by the
yellow glow of the lantern. But at
the top ] met with surprise that
left me staring bIindly. for the mo-
ment distrustinG my own eyes: there
was no opening into the hall: The
mantei 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 DenSlow! The possibility of
her escaping from that room in which
l had locked her had not before Sc
riously occurred to me. yet hers was
n nature TO dare much. and achieve
Ifsshe had done the trick. then she
would be on guard within I raped
against the front or 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 you there?'
Nothing beyond the dim echo re-
warded this effort. yet SO convinced
was 1 OF her presence that | perse-
vered-
Il am Lieutenant King: we found
Colonel Donald seriously wounded in
the tunnel. and nave come back
after help For the sake OF his life
open this door,
heard her then distinctly. her
voice sounding SO clearly as 10 startie
me by its uenrness: apparently there
was nothing between as but the thin
Rfeel of fht, IRE acrt.eu.