The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1913-05-01

ter ] should be set upon. was nervous
torment so hideors that in sheer dea-
perakion plucked my match boz from
my pocket, drew forth a match and
struck 1t to blaze. As 1t flared forth.
routing the shadows In disorderly, II
but temporary, retreat, ! made quick
searching survey Of my dungeon. To
my amnzement was apparently quite
alone.
Relieved, in n measure at least, l
employed another match and still an
other hobbllng painfully about the
grlmy, low-ceiled basement, In dilipent
inspection. My first thought was that
Johnson was in hiding. and having -
Gated me by my own lighted matches.
waited now only an opportunity to
throw himself upon me from behind
But / very soon discovered that he
had fed 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
mandatory and cake bakery. To the
right of the entrance were rows OF
shelves containing Jars Of what ]
recognized as sweetmeats peculiar TO
the celestial. In n large bowl on q
rough table or counter was the granu-
lated -four with which these confec-
tons are invariably powdered; and
~ Ia, IA
like cakes. ] saw now that the space
upon which had fallen was SO re-
stIlcted that ] wondered how II was
possible for my quarry to have reach
ed the steps and rcasccnded without
touching me or at least acqualnting
me with his movement. And | mar
veled, too, that twisting my ankle as |
did. had not plunged Mt Il slant and
struck my head upon one or another
Of the crowding tables and boxes with
which the cramped basement was fur.
nishcd
My third match disclosed a narrow
door in the broad partition at the rear,
and fancylng that perhaps the elusive
Peter Johnson had escaped by that
means while 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 n smaller and
more crowded room, warm and fetid,
into which were packed no less than
half dozen barrels Of raw and cook
cd peanuts, arranged about a low
stove or which a peanut.iilled caul-
dron was slowly stcamiug.
Curiously interesting as all this
would have been under ordinary cir
cumstances, | experienced only sur
prised relief, for with my injured an
klc | was In no fettle 10 cope with
even the weakest adversary Indeed,
now that this easement was afforded
me. my sprain suddenly asserted Itself
with renewed eXacerbation, sharp
twinEes OF pain shooting 90 my knee
and demanding instant relief.
In front Of the low stove had mo-
ticcd stool, and for this ! CROPPED
with the caGerness Of the drowning
man after n straw. To my Joy laid
hands upon it, and drawing IL nearer
sank down with sigh Of gratlirauon
comparable only 10 that with which q
Marathon victor drops to earth after
n hotlycontcsted race.
Gradually. now that my weight was
removed. the pain lessened. and q
sense Of comfort cnsuod. Content
ment EMBODIED me, which, II | 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
impeachment to my going when chose.
distinctly recall that | was con-
ecious of certain strange incongruity
of situation, but could hardly compre-
bend In Just what the incongruity con.
sisted. | knew only that ! 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 midocean, and Peter Johnson.
in oilskins. sat at the helm. with q
saturnire leer on his face, and tngged |
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 windpips
and lungs, so that my breath came |
only in sharp. fhudderlng, aching |
Sasps,
ITO an COSTINITFD)