The Julesburg grit-advocate., 1912-07-25
We Organize q sertis.

We Organize . Sortis.
~ 'BRIEN was very clearly In q
mood to shoot trst and make
inquiries afterward. Yet even
In that darkness be recognized
my voice and consented to lower the
gun which was jammed against my
breast. Donald had not recovered con-
sciousness. paused long enough to
feel his pulse. which appeared rapid
aud strong. yet there was nothing We
could do to relieve bis condition b.
yond the application Of water. used
O'Brien's belt to strap the iisutsnant's
feet together. placed him In AZ COM
Portable q position ~ possible and
then. With strict Injunction to the
trooper to remain close beside both
men. took up the extinguished lantern
and groped 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 ghostly woman's face still haunt
ed me, and felt no inclination to at
tempt that passage alone in the dark.
ness. Che possibilities OF murder lurk-
ed at every step. and. while was not
truly afraid. / felt my tiesh creep ut
the thought and took Drecaution TO
light the lantern the instant was
safe at the foot Of the ladder. Hold
ing IL well in advance. yet not 30 rs
to blind my eyes. ! hurried forward.
wutchfui of the shadows. but with
mind busy wirh details Of the coming
attempt ut escnpe Here certainly lay
our only chance of getting away. II
we delayed until after daylight and
Theilen's command arrived meanwhiA.
we would be caught like rats In
trap. But II we could manage TO
strike Dodds 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 least.
became its appeal.
] arrived at the bottom Of the lad.
der stairs. having seen nothing but
the bnre stone walls. nnd the hard
packed earth floor. reflected by the
yellow glow OF the lantern. But Mt
the top | met with surprise that
left me staring blindiy. for the mo-
ment disfrusting my own eyes: there
was no opening into the hall. The
mantel had been swung bnck into
place. leaving me fronting an appar-
emily solid wall Surely that heavy
mnniel would never have swung
back into position without human uS
sistance. Who In tue house would
have any reason TO operate II except
Jean DenSlow: The possibility Of
her escaping from that room in which
| had locked her had not before re-
riously occurred to me. yet hers was
4 nature TO dare much. aud achieve.
II she had done the trick. then she,
would be on guard within. ! raped
pnusing To listen. but hearing no
sound In RESPONSE Then put my
lips close and spoke loud enough so
l felt certain my voice would carry
to the hall without.
Miss Denslow. are yOn there:
Nothing beyond the dim echo re-
wardtd this effort. yet 50 convinced
was l OF her presence that ! perSe.
vered.
II am Lieutenant King: we found
Colonel DODaid seriously wounded IN
the tunnel. aud nave come back
after help For the sake OF his HE
open this door"
henrd her then distinctly. her
voice soundin. so clearly as 10 Startle
me by its ,r;lrness: apparently there
wus nothing t,etween us but the thu
sta.<.t nf M. firs4 Ncftx.O.