Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-07-23
the negro into the dark room which
held the mattress, slammed shut the
iron door, and snapped the paddock
into place
CHAPTER XVII,

CHAPTER XVII.
Now" said. IF let you out, can
you manage to slip that guard and get
home by yourself?"
"No," she said, II don't believe l
could. l think it Is too late for that
sort Of thing anyhow. You see the
cook has seen me with you and he Is
sure to tell. so might as we'll recon
CHE myself right now to losing my po-
sition."
"You could say forced you to help
me-" said
She had truned and was already NOV
ing away, and followed her slowly,
gathering myself together for the work
before me, and mechanically picking
my way through the cellar. almost for
getting the existence Of my guide. But
at the foot OF the steep basement stairs
she paused, holding the candle SO that
her face was in the shadow.
"You see, the truth Is, she said
abruptly. that THAT don't want to
go home"
Don't want to go homer" re-
peated.
mo" she said, II want to stay here
and watch what happens. I won't be
in your way"
And, as II the mater were settled.
she tripped on ahead of mo up the
stairs.
At the top I paused and listened.
Mrs. Olsen's screams had stopped;
and, in It's deathly silence, the house
seemed to have an even more potent
malignity. knew, certainly, that at
least three people were listening for
me, the three whose livelihood I was
whose very personal liber-
ty was imperiled the moment was
outside Of the place, and, from sheer
necessity, they were bound to 40 me
harm. Any corner turned was preg-
nant with evil possibility. MY fear
was, Of course, that should be struck
from behind, or shot from some hid
ing-place where my adversaries could
Turk unseen. So that. once in the hall,
paused and listened with all my
ears; for now was frankly afraid,
afraid Of an attack which could not
guard against, and which might leave
Nancy alone and unprotected. at the
mercy of danger I knew only too
well. With all my heart wished l had
come to the place with three or four
policemen at my heels, armed and
clothed with the majesty OF the law.
But although this was the normal and
rational thing to have done, had put
It aside after little consideration;
for was pretty sure that such
place as this must have an understand
ing with the town authorities. and that.
even If persuaded them to give me
any assistance, must state pretty
clearly my errand, and so, having given
warning, would have found Nancy
gone and everything apparently quite
regular. And Nancy's extremity was
too great to risk awaiting the I'M
ayoidable delays OF any possible inter-
ference by the state.
what are you going to do now?"
whispered the little mercenary.
81 suppose the only thing can do. !"
I wbispered back. ''1s to make Q room
to room search Of the place.
"And ret shot at the first corner?"
she asked as II she reed my uneasi-
ness.
"Irl have to chance that" replied;
"this isn't getting us anywhere, al
though It Is an immense relief to know
he lied about the dark room"
She looked up at me very seriously,
then smiled, snuffed out the candle,
and put It carefully into corner. 1t
seemed, at first, as If we were in the
dark. Then, as my eyes grew accus-
toned to the change, I saw that some
faint glimmer from far down the hall
made the walls about US dimly visible.
I glanced about for the girl beside me,
and to my surprise saw her already
tiptoeing ahead. I stole after her
swiftly and caught her by the arm.
"What are you doing?" l asked
anRrily. "If let you stay, you must
come behind. Don't you realize they
might kill you?"
81 don't think So she whispered:
land, you see, 1t Is the only way. It
isn't me they want, It's you, and II I
20 ahead at least they can't surprise
YOU. Please, please let me-" she went
on. with little catch at her breah,
as 7 still held out II have never been
Of any real use. I'm not going to run
much risk now; and it Is worth 1t for
for the young lady, isn't IT."
eyes" said, simply. ut is worth
It," and let her go again.
She gave little sigh that was hall
a laugh, and stole forward along the
nall, pAuSluS eVSiy OASo III q "hAfC W
listen. At the transverse hall she did
not turn to the stairs as had expect
ed: but, when she had made sure it
was empty, she crossed 1t and kept on
straight for the front door and the Of
Ace. hesitated for a second. and
then tiptoed after her; for, after all,
she was right. From the basement we
had certainly heard steps on this floor
and 1t was better now to find If 1t was
really empty before we started to the
second story; for II we left anyone be-
hind us they might in some way get
out Of the building and get additional
reinforcement, or, even should this
prove impossible, it was an added dan
ger to have any one at our backs. At
the ONCE door she stopped again, one
hand held up to keep me where was,
but tiptoed on till stood beside her.
The light was still burning in the Of
Ice, and through the open door was
waited the unmistakable smell OF Q
very good cigar. pushed the girl
back and stepped into the office.