Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1922-02-18
H.-Conttnued.


CHAPTER H.-Continued.
found two footprints of her narrow
shoe in the mud after the turn had
been made, then all rae vanished. I
crept forward, enveloped in gloom,
keeping as closely as possible to the
high board fence at the left. The way
was rough underfoot. and my prog
ress consequently slow, being anxious
to make as little noise as possible. The
passage was SO black, lost all
knowledge as to how l had gone. and
was only aroused to my position by
finally coming UP against a pile; of
lumber which completely blocked the
further n of the alley. 1 recalled
dilnly that the Passage swerved here,
running along the side of the Alva
factory, until it reached Cans street.
Then the place I sought was to my
high fence. along which ! Rad been
so cautiously feeling my way.
~ The silence NIs p]ro asu ssupsfy;
of the upper sky I was barely able to
trace h upper story of the building,
but it was all black. a gloomy, DESERT
ed hole.' Any faith 1 might have had
tina the two l had attempted to fol-
low had come there vanished as I
strained my eyes for some CLEAN of
light, or any other sign to denote their
presence within. I still believed they
had turned the alley. but this wat
not their goal; beyond doubt they
had entered some gate along the way,
and thus escaped me~entirely.
1 hardly know what impellcd me
to grope my "a back along the
fence, blindly feeling ior a gate Curl
osity, no doubt, and a lingering desire
to make certain OF what was inside
the barrier. The entrance was easily
found. a mere wooden door, held by
an iron clasp which opened instantly
to my touch. I stepped inside, clos
ing it quietly behind me, and stared
uncasily about through the enshrpud-
ing ~blackness.
My eyes. grown. accustomed to the
gloom, made out dim outlines, en-
couraging further exploration. Dis
covering ample space. and what felt
corner in search. A>that moment
the gate latch clicked ,sharply, apd l
sank down into%the black ground
shadow, every nerve tingling with
alarm. The gate operated almost
noiselessly. yetXmy strained ears could
detect its stealtS movement, and
hear the crunch of a heavy footstep
on the clnder path within. The Eel.
low evidently knew his way even tn
that darkness. for there was no hes
itancy in his movements, no uncer-
tainty. He faded away along the rear
wall, and l became aware that he had
turned about the further corner. That
would naturally mean there ri q
door there. l had evidently been
searching the wrong side.
Assured the man had vanished, and
that he sought entrance to the build
ing through some passage welt known
to him, l. crept forth along the end
wall, crouched, low in the shadow, u.s.
Ing every precaution against discovery.
All that was venturesOme in me held
high carnival and nothing Of danger
now could have held me back. |
reached the orne around which the
fellow had disappeared. but. In the
intense blackness. could perceive no
movement beyond. no Sign of any
presence. | listened eagerly, scarcely
venturing to breathe5 and in another
moment was rewarded by hearing
the gentle tap OF, knuckles on wood
4 few feet away; there could be no
doubt OF the number-twos rabs, e
pause, three. raps:athe. Very signal
mentioned I'm the letter. waited,
still bfeathless, uncertain what shad
occurred, yet Convinced the man
ahead mad been given aentr4nce. n
Enable Longer rs ~ithitsnds the
str.in.l toot .s fsfyata. .ate tas
Of the. gate clicked b1stfd ~.
~ 1HEFT - 49, EEL fNsL.ts-LEL