The Pioche record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1908-1925, 1921-07-01
CHAPTER II-Continued.


swept, the few lights showing mere
pin-pricks In the darkness. plunged
straight across the street, as though
headed for the nearest ear line, and
then, In the shade of darkness, re-
traced my steps, passing the corner,
until l attained the side entrance.
Here, assured that | was safely be-
yond observation, paused to gain
some conception of my surroundings.
Across from where | stood appeared
the dim outlines of long, ramshackle
building apparently shed of some
kind, while beyond the saloon was
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 lie intended to deceive, 1t
was no more than natural for him to
have thoughtlessly designated the
proper point of the compass.
l advanced cautiously, finding the
narrow sidewalk one of boards, In very
bad condition. 1t was only when l at
tanned the end of this row Of houses,
and came to the entrance of narrow,
dark alley, that found the slightest
proof that was, by good fortune,
upon the right trail. 1t 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, l 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-
wiling, as that gloomy passage APP
peared, they must have turned into II
and CROPPED their way forward. Where
For what purpose7 could think of
hut one object-the Alva iron factory
the mysterious meeting place at SIC
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 l 60 On alone unarmed as
was, knowing nothing Of what nigh,
encounter? I hesitated, my heart
beating like trip-hammer, vet, after
all the danger seemed more of the i'm
agination than reality. Besides. wa.
still young, and venturesome; the stu
alton appealed to me, and-well, tn,
memory of that girls face remained
strangely insistent. Odd as II ma,
seem, her predicament yielded me ,
reckless desire to have an immediat,
hand in the game.
found two imprints of her marrow
shoe In the mud after the turn ha,
been made, then all trace vanished.
crept forward. enveloped In gloom
Keeping as closely as possible to tn,
nigh board fence at the left. The wa,
was rough underfoot, and my progress
consequently slow. being anxious 4
make as little noise as possible. Tn
passage was SO black, I lost all knowl
edge as to how far had gone, and wa
only aroused to my position by fnal
coming up against pile of lumbe
which completely blocked the furthe
end OF the alley. recalled dimly tina
the passage swerved here, runnin
along the side of the Alva factory II,
til 1t reached Cans street. Then m
place l sought was to my left, benin
the protection Of this high fence aIor
which had been so cautiously feelir
my way.
The silence was profound, stupef
Ing, uncanny. Against tie lighter les
Of the upper sky was barely able
trace the upper story of the buildin
but It was all black, gloomy, deser
ed hole. Any faith might have hs
yhat the two had attempted to folio
had come there vanished as | straine
my eyes FOR some CLEAN of light, /,
any other sign to denote their present
within. ! still believed they ha
turned down the alley. but this was ne
their goal; beyond doubt they had er
tered some gate along the way, an
thus escaped me entirely.
hardly know what impelled me (
grope my way back along the fenc.
blindly feeling for q gate. Curiosit,