The Ordway new era., 1913-03-14

ter should be set upon. was nervous
torment 30 hideous that in sheer dss-
peration plucked my match boa rfoa
my pocket, drew forth a match and
struck 1t to a blaze. As 1t fiared forth.
routing tho shadows in disorderly, II
but temporary. retreat. l made quick
searching survey Of my dungeon. To
my amazement was apparently quite
alone.
Relieved, in a measure at least, I
employed another match and still an
other. hobbling painfully about the
grimy. low-ceiled basement, in diligent
inspection. My first thought was that
Johnson was in hiding. and having 10
Gated me by my own lighted matches.
waited now only an opportunity to
throw himself upon me from behind.
But I very soon discovered that he
had fed. Evidently he had retraced
his steps up tho rude ladder to the
street. closing the doors after him to
check my further pursuit.
The place into which had followed
him was evidently Chinese candy
mandatory and cake bakery. To the
right of tho entrance were rows OF
shelves containing Jars of what
recognized as sweetmeats peculiar to
the celestial. In a large bowl on q
rough table or counter was the granu-
lated flour with which these confec-
tions are invariably powdered; and
here. too. were boxes Of round. tumble
like cakes. / saw now that the space
upon which I had fallen was 80 re-
stricted that I wondered how 1t was
possible for my quarry to have reach
ed the steps and reascended without
touching me or at least acquainting
me with his movement. And l mar
veled, too. that twisting my ankle as l
did. had not plunged at slant and
struck my head upon one or another
Of the crowding tables and boxes with
which the cramped basement was fur
nished.
My third match disclosed a narrow
door In the broad partition at the rear,
and fancying that perhaps the elusive
Peter Johnson had escaped by that
means while I was getting to my feet.
lost no time in seeking to investigate
what was beyond. was somewhat sur
prised to find the door unfastened.
Once open. It revealed a smaller and
more crowded room. warm and fetid.
into which were packed no less than
half a dozen barrels of raw and cook
ed peanuts. arranged about low
stove OF which peanut-flled caul-
dron was slowly steaming.
Curiously interesting as all this
would have been under ordinary cir
only r,
prised relief. for with my injured an
kle I was in no fettle to cope with
even the weakest adversary. Indeed.
now that this easement was afforded
me, my sprain suddenly asserted itself
with renewed exacerbation. sharp
twinges Of pain shooting to my knee
and demanding instant relief.
In front of the low stove l had no
ticed stool. and for this I groped
with the eagerness Of the drowning
man after a straw. To my Joy ! laid
hands upon 1t. and drawing 1t nearer
sank down with sigh Of qualification
comparable only to that with which a
Marathon victor drops to earth after
hotly-contested race.
Gradually. now that my weight was
removed. tho pain lessened. and
sense Of comfort ensued. Content
ment enfolded me. which. II l thought
of It at all. attributed. I suppose. to
the reaction from the agony which
had Just been suffering. l remember
thinking that would rest few min
utes and then take my departure as
had entered, for l realized that cellar
doors are fastened only from within.
and that there could, therefore. be no
impediment to my going when chose.
I distinctly recall that l was con.
scious of n certain strange incongruity
of situation, but could hardly compre-
bend in Just what the incongruity con.
sisted. knew only that felt pleas
antIy warm and drowsy: and my
sprained ankle had ceased altogether
to pain or annoy.
and then, I was sailing In an open
boat in mIdocean. and Peter johnson.
in oilskins, sat at the helm. with
saturnire leer on his face. and tugged
at brief Intervals. always longer and
stronger, upon what seemed to be the
sheet, which had become wrapped
around my throat and chest md which.
by degrees. was crushing my windpipe
and lungs, so that my breath came
only In sharp. shuddering. aching
gasps.
CTo BE CONTINUED)