The Eureka sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1902-current, 1912-07-13

body. This l knew was Jeans chamber.
yes | was in no way surprised at not
discovering her there. as the memory Of
the murder would be sufficient 10 keep
her from venturing within. Every
thing I touched reminded me of her.
However, I found nothing disturbed
and no evidence that any one had been
there since the removal OF the lieu
tenants body. My heart was beat
ing rapidly as I came forth once more
into the hall and tried the door OF the
apartment opposite. Ii was locked.
| and 1 raped softly. There was a rus
tie within. then Jeans voice:
"who is it,"
Lieutenant King. VIII you speak
with me a moment?'
I heard the lock turn. the door open
creakingly. and she stood before me.
her face calm. but her eyes troubled.
what is It? What has happenedf
You have been fighting below"
Eyes. Miss Denslow, but nothing
that need alarm you Affairs have
changed very rapidly. but you can
remain here in perfect safety. The
Federal troop Of cavalry that came
to my assistance was suddenly fired
on by parties concealed in the shrub
berry. We lost a number of men, but
the survivors succeeded in getting into
the house and have driven their as
sailants back. Just now 1t Is quiet
on both sides. but the truce probably
is not lasting"
what soldiers came to aid your
"a troop Of Ohio cavalry, under
guidance of one Of my scouts"
"Not-not Bill Danielsr' And for
the first time I realized that she
shared with me the belief that this
man was responsible for the many
horrors Of the night.
mo, he was not with them" I as
sured her, clasping her hand In sud-
den desire to give comfort He now
is in the Federal lines, and has not
been here at all. Whoever the MUIR
derer may be. he is not Daniels"
Are you sure?"
Absolutely so; O'Brien, who IL on
guard yonder, asserts that Daniels
was never out Of his sight until after
they returned to camp. He is a SIM
pie hearted Irish lad and, I believe,
speaks the truth"
She looked from my face down In
the hall to where the Lad was barely
visible amid the far shadows, her
hand still within mine, as If she chung
to me unconsciously. Then her eyes
came back questioningly to my own.
"what-what is he doing there"
Merely watching the hall while I
search the rooms"
why should you search the roomsT'
Because we cannot afford to be
taken by surprise from the rear. I
am hunting for the secret passage"
isis that why you stationed him
way back there?"
The question was innocent enough,
natural enough, yet instantly it awoke
my suspicion. She knew now where
that entrance was-she may not have
known before. Donald must have still
been In the hall when she came up
stairs, and he had been compelled to
reveal to her his means Of escape from
the house. And we must have guess
ed right, for it was O'Brien's position
that alarmed her. Perhaps I could sur
prise the girl into a partial confession.
81 stationed him there" ! said quiet
ly, because l believe that fireplace
hides the secret. Now we are going
to find out"
For an instant 1 thought the shot had
carried home. Then her eyes smiled.
almost mockingly.
''That is very bright Of you. I am
sure, but really 1 think you are mis-
taken. Have you searched all the
rooms?" 4
IAN except those to the rear"
81 have never looked into those my
SELF" she confessed. May l go with
you? Truly, / am as anxious to I'M
cover this mysterious passage az you
are"
Certainly you may go with me" I
answered carelessly. "But the rooms
can wait; that big chimney looks to
me the more promising"
Convinced by the expression on her
face, not only that she knew the truth
but that 1 was upon the right trail.
1 started toward the rea Of the hall.
never glancing behind, yet aware that
Miss Jean vas following. In appear
ance it was a strange, old fashioned
fireplace. nothing more-large enough
to contain a great back log and over
Swallowed by a huge manteL. The
opening was concealed by an iron fire
screen. leaving nothing visible to
arouse suspicion, yet the apparent size
of the chimney and that such a fire.
place should be located here upon the
second floor appeared sufficiently odd
to merit close attention.
Have you heard or seen anything.
O'Brien!" ] asked as I came up.
Not a thing. sor." bis eyes on the
girl. "only the wind. There's a power
full dhraft blowin' up the chimney"