The Aberdeen weekly. [volume] (Aberdeen, Miss.) 1878-1933, 1921-06-24
CHAPTER II-continued.

The street was deserted and rain
swept, the few lights showing mere
Din-pricks In the darkness. 1 plunged
straight across the street, as though
headed for the nearest car line, and
then, IN the shade of darkness, re-
traced my steps, passing the corner,
until 1 attained the side entrance.
Here, assured that I was safely be
yOnd observation, I paused to gain
some conception Of my surroundings.
Across from where I stood appeared
the dim outlines of a long, ramshackle
building, apparently a shed OF some
kind, while beyond the saloon was a
row Of One-stOry dwelling houses.
seemingly exactly alike, and exhibit
ing no evidence of being occupied.
In which direction had the couple
turned after their exit through the
side door of the saloon-to right, or
left?
JAMS had unconsciOusly pointed in
this direction when he told of where
the girl lived. and. although that was
doubtless a lie intended to deceive it
was no more than natural for him to
have thoughtlessIy designated the
RAORCA punt VI -ilC CO0pdSS-
L advanced cautiously, finding the
narrow sidewalk one Of boards, In very
bad condition 1t was only when I at
tanned the end Of this row of houses,
and came to the entrance OF a narrow,
dark alley, that found the slightest
proof that L was, by good fortune
upon the right trail. It was above this
opening that the incandescent bulb
fiickered dimly, yet, In spite OF wind
and rain, gave me glimpse of the mud
underfoOt. The two must have been
the only ones passing that way since
the driZzle began, for their footprints
were yet visible In the soft mud of the
crossing as they advanced beyond the
safety of the board walk. BY bending
low, and keeping my own shadow out
of the way, / was able to trace their
progress for two or three yards quite
easily. and then, to my surprise, the
footprints turned abruptly to the left,
and disappeared entirely.
To all appearances the two had pro-
ceeded down the alley. Black, unin-
viting, as that gloomy passage APP
peared, they must have turned into it
and CROPPED their way forward. Where?
For what purposeP I could think of
hut one ob1ect-the Alva iron factory,
the mysterious meeting place at S76
Cans street. Beyond all question this
alley would skirt along the back of
that building, and there would be an
entrance at the rear.
Dare / go on alone, unarmed as
was, knowing nothing of what might
encounter hesitated, my heart
beating ike q trip-hammer, yet, after
all the danger seemed more OF the i'm
agination than reality. Besides, 1 was
still young. and venturesome; the stu
alton appealed to me, and-well, the
memory Of that girls face remained
strangely insistent. Odd as It may
seem, her predicament yielded me a
reckless desire TO have an Immediate
hand in the game.
L found two fnprints OF her narrow
shoe In the mud after the turn had
been made. then all trace vanished. I
crept forward. enveloped in gloom,
keeping as closely as possible to the
high board fence at the left. The way
vas rough usderfoot, and my progress
consequently slow. being anxious to
make as little noise as possible. The
p0ssa ge was so black, lost all knowl-
edge as to how far had gone, and was
only aroused to my position by finally |
coming up against a pile of lumber
which completely blocked the further
end OF the alley. / recalled dimly that |
the passage swerved here, running
along the side OF the Alva factory. I'M
til 1t reached Cans street. Then the |
place I sought was to my left, behind |
the protection OF this high fence. along |
which I had been so cautiously feeling |
my way.
The silence was profound, stupefy- |
ing, uncanny. Against the lighter lead |
OF the upper sky was barely able TO |
trace the upper story OF the building.
but II was all black, a gloomy, desert |
ed hole. Any faith might have had |
that the two had attempted to follow |
had come there vanished as strained |
my eyes for some CLEAN of light, or
any other sign to denote their presence
within. / still believed they had |
turned down the alley, but this was not
their goal; beyond doubt they had en-
tered some gate along the way, and
thus escaped me entirely
hardly know what impelled me to |
grope. my way back along the fence.
blindly feeling for a gate. Curiosity,
no doubt, and a lingering desire TO
make certain OF what was inside the
barrier. The entrance was easily |
found. mere wooden door, held by an
iron clasp, which opened instantly to
my touch. 1 stepped inside, closing 1t
quietly behind me. and stared uneasi1y |
about through the enshrouding black
ness.
Ny eyes, grown accustomed to the
gloom, made out dim outlines, encour-
aging further exploration. Discover
Ing ample space, and what felt to my
feet Ike walk. turned the corner In
search. At that moment the gate latch