The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1921-07-28


SHADOW Waldron; he is sure to
expose himself sooner or later. We
must get away from here, out Of the
hands of these fellows. Could you
find your way to the stairs in the
darkw
Eyes. 1 have been here. often"
'Then I am going to turn out this
light before opening the door"
She led the way confidently enough,
moving silently along the wall, l
keeping close so as to touch her: A
few steps brought US forth into the
hall at the head Of a fight Of stairs
leading downward. My fingers gripped
the banisters, while she stood aside
to let me pass.
"You better 60 ahead now; the next
fight is directly beyond this, and
ends at the street door"
"You will follow"
"Of course; 1 shall keep right be-
hind you"
We went down step by step, not a
stair creaking, or sound louder than
our own breathing. I reached the
last step, warned by the newell post.
and felt ahead with one cropping foot
to assure myself Of the level beyond.
Her fingers grasped my sleeve, and
lips almSst at my ear, whispered a
barely audible warning.
"Look to the right! What is that?'
It was a dull, red glow, a mere pin
prick in the black curtain, yet 1t
seemed to change in brilliaHcy, like an
evil eye winking at US out OF the
dark. There was something uncanny
about the thing, yielding me no sugges-
ton as to what it could be, yet
frightening by its baleful gleam at
such time and place. Then there
was borne to my nQstrils the faint
odor Of tobacco smoke; it must be q
man sitting there smoking; what we
saw was the red tip of his cigar.
Could We slip by unheard? !
doubted it, yet whatever happened,
one of US, at least, must escape from
the house before any alarm was
sounded. There was but one chance
left-for her to slip silently down
that other fight Of stairs to the street
door, while remained behind to pro-
tect her flight. If there was no alarm,
no notice taken Of her passage,
possibly I might venture to follow
without being overheard; but she
must 60 first, her step was light and
she was more sure Of the way. Be-
sides, I co1ld block pursuit, by a
fight if necessary, and thus give her
ample time in which to unchain and
open that front door. Once without,
these fellows would never follow.
I put my lips close against the girls
ear.
1T is a guard there smoking. Don't
try to answer, but do exactly as l
say. One Of US, at least, must get
out; you stand the better chance,
with my remaining behind to hold
these fellows back if there should be
any alarm. # there is not, I'll follow.
Do you understand?-answer with
your hand"
felt the firm pressure of her fingers
In quick response.
1.-THE fellow evidently hasn't heard
anything yet-you better CO."
I felt her creep past me without q
sound, her hand slipping from ny
grasp as her foot touched the level
floor of the hall. She was invisible,
no longer even q shadow in the black
gloom. Then suddenly from somewhere
a chain clanked family; the ear could
not determine from what direction the
sound came, yet it was clear enough
to be heard plainly. The man stood
still, evidently listening; lost sight
of the red glow, as though he had re-
moved the cigar from between his
lips. and slowly Strengthened myself
up, braced for any emergency. She
had reached the outside door, and was
preparing to open it. For an instant
nothing happened. Then the sharp,
resounding click of heavy lock
echoed up from beneath, like the tap
of a hammer.
The fellow snapped on the cleo
tricity. flooding the large hall, and,
uttering gruff oath, started forward.
We met face to face. There was
nothing Else for it but to fight it out.
If I ran the act would only expose
her before she could distance pursuit |;
besides that first glimpse had revealed
my antagonist, and 1 was glad-it was
"Gentleman George! he knew me
almost at the same. instant, splitting
out a curse as be reached back for