The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1912-08-09
We Organize a Sortie.

mara TO ss ssos sf'g r. s's snS mako in
w inquiries afterward. 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.
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 1 used
y Brlen's belt TO strap the lieutenant's
feet together. placed him I'm Us COM
Portable 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 10 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 1 was not
truly afraid. l felt my flesh creep at
the thought and took preca ution TO
light the lantern the instant | was
safe at the foot of the ladder. Hold
Ing 1t we'll In advance. yet not SO as
TO blind my eyes. L hurried forward.
watchful of the shadows. but with
mind busy with details OF the coming
attempt at escape. Here certainly lay
our only chance of getting away. If
we delayed until after daylight and
Iheien'S command arrived meanwhile
we would he caught like rats I'm n
trap But If we could manage 70
strike DOdd's scattered followers from
the rear. surprising them 10y sudden
ness of attack. we might succeed In
breaking away and by swift marching
attain our own lines in safety. This |
plan offered fighting chance NJ least.
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 hard
packed earth floor. reflected hv the
yellow glow of the lantern. But at
the top | met with n surprise that
left me staring bIindly. for the mo.
ment diStrusting my own eyes: there
was no opening into the hall! The
nantel had been swung back l.. y
place. leaving me fronting an appar-
entity solid wall. Surely that heavy
nantei would never have swung
pack into position without human as
istance. Who in the house would
AVE any reason 10 operate IL except
lean Denslow? The possibility of
Ter escaping from that room in which
had locked her had not before So
iouSly occurred 10 me. yet hers was
nature 10 dare much. and uchIey.
she had done the trick. Then sba
Tonld be on guard within. | raped
gainst the front OF the chimney.
ansins Ia listen. but hearing no
ound In response Then | put my
ps close and spoke loud enough so
felt certain my voice would carry
, the halt without
Miss DenSIow. are you there?"
Nothing beyond the dim echo re-
arded this effort. yet SD convinced
IA | OF ter presence that perse-
cred
II am Lieutenant King: we found !,
Dlonel Donald seriously wounded IN n
II tunnel. anu ! have come back o
ter help For the uke or his life d
len this door u
heard ter then distinctly. Der a
ice sounding So clearly as 10 startle r
p by It's nearness: apparently there
rs nofhlng lsei ween rs but the thin s,
eei or the fire screeu