Mexico Missouri message., 1913-02-20

ter 7 should be set upon, was nervous
torment SO hideous that in sheer dec
pera&ion plucked my match box from
my pocket, drew forth a match and
struck 1t to blaze. AS II fiared forth,
routing the shadows in dlsorderly. 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,
employed another match and still an
other. hobbling painfully about tho
grimy, low-ceiled basement, In diliSent
inspection. My 1rst thought was that
Johnson was in hiding. and having 10
Gated me by my own lighted masohas,
waited now only an opportunity to
throw himself upon me from behind
But l very soon discovered that he
had fled. Evidently he had retraced
his steps up the 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
right of the entrance were rows OF
shelves containing jars Of what
recognized as sweetmeats peculiar to
the celestial. In large bowl on
rough table or counter was the granu-
lated -four with which these confec-
tons are invariably powdered; and
here, too, were boxes of round, tumble
like cakes. ] saw now that the space
upon which had fallen was so re-
stricted that / wondered how II 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 | 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 l 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, 1t revealed a smaller and
more crowded room, warm and fetid,
into which were packed no less than
half dozen barrels of raw and cook
ed peanuts, arranged about a low
stove or which a peanut-filled caul-
dron was slowly steaming.
Curiously interesting as all this
would have been under ordinary cir
cumstances, experienced only a sur
prised relief, for with my injured an
kle 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 a stool, and for this l CROPPED
with the eagerness OF the drowning
man after a straw. To my Joy / laid
hands upon II. and drawing 1t nearer
sank down with sigh OF qualification
comparable only to that with which a
Marathon victor drops to earth after
a hotly-contested race.
Gradually, now that my weight was
removed, the pain lessened, and
sense of comfort ensued. Content
ment EMBODIED me. which. If thought
OF 1t at all, attributed, suppose, to
the reaction from the agony which
had Just been suffering. ! remember
thinking that I would rest few min
utes and then take my departure as !
had entered, for realized that cellar
doors are fastened only from within.
and that there could, therefore, be no
impediment to my going when chose.
distinctly recall that l was con-
scious of certain strange incongruity
of situation, but could hardly compre-
| bend in Just what the incongruity con-
sisted. ! knew only that l felt pleas
antly warm and drowsy; and my
sprained ankle had ceased altogether
TO pain or annoy.
And then, was sailing in an open
! boat in mldocean, and Peter Johnson,
| in oilskins, sat at the helm, with
| saturnine 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 ana which.
by degrees. was crushing my windripe
and lungs, so that my breath came
only in sharp. shudderins, aching
gasps
CTO BE CONTINUED)