Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1913-06-13
0yD.FLET(HER RODINSON

inn couple of days before | ap-
peared, and had spent most Of his
time in long walks on the moors. She
thought he had friend amongst the
prison officials, for she had twice
seen him coming out OF the great
gates down the street. That was all
and 1t left me more anxious about
him than before. 1t was becoming
very plain that before l took any de-
cided step towards the escape, must
make sure Of this mans business on
the moors.
After dinner l walked into the inn
| bar to buy a smoke, and found
| Hearne with his back to the fire, talk
ing to the landlord AS | entered,
they both dropped into an uneasy
silence. was certain they had been
discussing me, but | didn't want to
let them know 1t, and SO began to
| talk big about the scenery. | stayed
| down for about half an hour and then
allowed that l would get back to some
writing l had to do.
I'm glad you admire the moor. Mr..
Kingsley" said the landlord, holding
back the door for me. Nothing quite
like 1t In the states, should think"
Upon my soul, | was as near as
may be to owning | had never been
there But l remembered that was
Abel Kingsley. of Memphis. just in
| time.
NO" l said, Its something quite
unique"
It's a wild place, sir" he went on.
| very wild and desolate. You should
take walk one night when the moon
is full, as 1t is now. Then you would
understand how the stories of ghost
hounds and headless riders and devils
In the mires first started. Mr. Hearne
here is going to take my advice"
"Tonight?" l asked, turning to the
old fellow.
mo, Mr.. Kingsley, I am too tired
to think Of 1t tonight" he said. TO
morrow or the next day, perhaps."
| l wished them good evening and
tramped up the stairs to my sitting
room, which looked over the moors
at the back of the inn. It was GER
tainly a splendid night, with a great
searchlight OF moon drawing the
strange tors-as they call the granite
caps of the hills-in black silhouette
upon the luminous skyline. lit a
pipe and sat there in the shadows,
thinking, thinking. 1t was pleasant
to be a decent. man again, to wear
clean linen and boots with real soIes i;
to wash and shave and brush myself
daily. l was back in my Eden days
before the fall, when six hunters were
in my stable, and men and women
were glad to know Jack Henderson
of Lowood Hall in the best of coun.
ties; yes, l was away from Prince
town village In the midst Of happy
memories when l came to my senses
with the sound of soft tap-tappine
under the window. There were tip
toe skulking footsteps on the grave
of the yard; Heaven knows but my
ear had been well trained to suct
steps as those.
l crept softly to my window anc
peered out. The man was almost
across the yard, moving in the shadow
Of the pig-sties. AS he stopped at the
wicket-gate that opened on to the
moor, he turned his head to the moon
1t was Hearne again.
l decided on that instant. | slipped
on my boots and ran down the stairs
The landlord was locking up for the
night as l came to the front door.
I'm going to take your advice"
said with laugh.
Very good, sir; will sit up fol
you"
mo, no, give me the key. Has Mr.
Hearne gone to bed?"
Yes, sir, about ten minutes ago."
His room Is on the first floor
isn't it?"
mo, sir; he chose one on tn,
!. ground floor. He preferred It,"
. The wiser man, thought l. He need
ed no door when he had but to opel
, his window and step out.
: When l got to the back of the inl
, Hearne was a good four hundred
| yards away, climbing low ridge. A
he disappeared over its edge | set OF
running at top speed. for l saw tina
in 30 broken and rugged place
: should have to keep close to his heel
, or should lose him altogether. l
1 was we'll did so, for when reache,
: the crest of the rise he had vanished
J Presently, however, caught sigh
4 Of him again, walking very fast dow
. hollow at right angles to the line h,
, first took. 1t led in the direction o
l the cairn hill.
: It was hard work, that two miles
t stalk across the moor. Sometimes
4 ran. sometimes crawled. sometime
t lay fiat on my chest with my hea,
h.,.Iod Il, Abo hoafhor -