Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1912-07-25
We Organize a sor.ie.

~ BRIEN was very clearly. In a
~ mood to shoot tirSt and make
"a y inquiries afterward. Yet even
III that darkness he recognized
my voice and consented to tower the
gun which was jammed against my
breast. Donald had not recovered con.
sciousness. 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. used
OsBrien's belt to strap the lieutenant's
feet together. placed him in us com.
Portable a position Is possible ana
then. with strict injunction to the
trooper to remain close beside both
men. took up the extinguished lantern
and CROPPED ny 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 womans face still haunt
ed me. and | felt no inclination to at
tempt that passage alone in the dark
ness. The possibilities OF murder iurk-
ed ut every step, and. while was not
truly afraid. felt my flesh creep at
the thought and took precaution to
light the lantern the instant was
safe Mt the foot Of the ladder. Hold.
ing 1t we'll 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
our only chance OF getting away. IL
we delayed until after daylight and
Theilen's command arrived meanwhile
we would he caught like rats in a
trap. But II we could manage 10
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 n lighting chance nj least.
and the more studied it the stronger
became its appeal.
arrived MT 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. F.ut at
the top / met with u surprise that
left me staring blindly. for the no.
ment distrrstins my Own eyes: there
was no opening into the hall. The
mantel had been swung back into
place. leaving me fronting an appar.
entity solid wall. Surely that heavy
mantei would never have swung
back into position without human as
sistance. Who in the house would
have any reason TO operate it except
Jean DensiowI The possibility Of
her escaping from that room in which
| had locked her had not before Me-
riousiy occurred TO me. yet hers wnS
n nature to dare much. and achieve
Ii she had done the trick. then she
would be on guard within. ripped
against the front OF the chimney,
pausing to listen. bit 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 Densiow. are you there?"
Nothing beyond the dim echo re-
wartlpd this effort. yet 80 convinced
was | OF her presence that perss.
vered hi
y am I.tentenanf King: we found
Colonel Donald seriously wounded In
the tunnsi. and have come back
after help. Foe me ss4ke 81 his life
open this ds,0r :.
heard tler then iisti nctly. her
/ votce sounding ~ clfif N ~ ~ staStia
~ ~ ~ nei(r |: ppaEslssty t],ers
MT ,,pR sssrll a. 6ut
st1ei g tn llf0y -