Crawfordsville Weekly Journal, Crawfordsville, Montgomery County, 29 November 1895 — Page 7

and demand s, as they bad demanded it of me when they had me down? But I had enough business of my own without meddling with theirs. Still it Would be foolish to clash with them, and I waited among the branches until Bome minutes after they had stolen around the end of the house and vanished in the darkness. When it seemed safe to do so, I descended to the lower limbs and dropped softly to the earth.

When my feet touched the ground, another fact became apparent—there were no lights on tho lower floor. Every one in the houso had retired for the night, following the custom which generally prevails in the country.

A new apprehension arose. The treacherous Asiatics whom I had run against in tho lane would remain near the building until all within were sunk in slumber. Then they would enter and make their demand upon Howard for the secret, whatever it was, they had sought to wrest from me. He would not give it. They would insist, and a deadly struggle would follow. Murder was in the air.

I was still convinced that neither of these men, with all their subtlety, knew of my presence—a happy piece of good fortune for which I could claim no credit. The advantage, if I could keep it, was with me. I would wait and possibly prevent the consummation of a dark deed.

Between the tree which I had climbed and the window was another tree, much closer. I did not use it because it could serve me'no better, and in the event of any one of the inmates coming to the window he or she was likely to discern my figure among the branches.

I stepped back from the «pot where my feet first struck the earth and stood behind a larger trunk, which I took to be that of an oak. Its size afforded an effeotual screen for my body, and 1 would naturally bo on the outer circle of the men whom I was trying to watch.

If the two contemplated any evil deed, to carry it out they must enter the house. The natural way to do that was through ono of tho doors or windows on tho lower floor. But they were sure to be well secured, and an attempt to use them was liable to alarm tho inmates. Nothing could be moro inviting than .he upper windows, which would not be so well fastened and were readily reached by lfieans of the trees growing on all sides of the house. =r

CHAPTER XTV.

But which window would be used by the cowans? That must be conjecture but, since the light had shone plainly from the room I mentioned, and since its approachability struck me, it seemed likely that it would be favorably noticed by the two figures prowling among the trees, if such should prove the fact, no position could be better than mine. So 1 decided to await developments.

A soft rustling reached ma The stillness was profound, and my acute hearing told me it came from the other side of the house. "They are working at the front they have found a better mode of entrance there."

But while the thought was framing itself the rustling ceased. I waited for its renewal, but heard it not They had stopped working or possibly had effected an entrance. In that event a light would soon 6bow.

It became evident this time that a light was burning in the upper room, from which my view had been shut off. It was dim, however, and only the outline of the window showed a little more dearly. The lamp on the other side of the curtains was at a low point "They have effected an entrance and are moving around in that apartment"

The light became a little stronger. The outlines of the sash were more .marked, but the illumination remained indistinct

From between me and the house came the faintest possible noise, as if a serpent was gliding over the withered grass. The resemblance was deepened by several almost inaudible hisses.

They were not serpents, however, but the two men had stolen to the rear of the building and were standing, between it and me. If they had contemp'ated entering the front, they had changed their minds, r*

Nqt only that, but they meant to use th§j\^indow upon which I had fixed my att0ptb iAj,

The low Rorapmg sqund,,whioh 'Was next heard .was. madfl.jiypne/Jf them climbing the tree which grew so olose to the stjon^, wall that ,some, of its branohes must have touohed it The Asiatio, intended to asoend to. the window and enter the bouse through it, evjn though the light showed that some one was on the other side of the curtain.

From my position behind the oak I saw the figure of the man rising slowly to sight as he climbed tHe trunks until his head andshoulders \yere above the window ledge. Then he braced himqelf among the limbs and stood still. It was easy for him to step aoross the intervening space, but he was waiting for bis companion to join .him.

The second head and shoulders rose on the horizon of my sight, and after some shifting about the second secured a position beside the other. Then, steadying himself by grasping a projecting limb above him, he placed his foot on the window ledgo.

His whole figure WKS now stamped with ink against tho dimly lit window shade, his bc ul reaching to tho top, and his arms, body and legs clearly showing as if painted against the yellow background. His companion waited lor him to open the way They intended to enter the apartment. Murder was in tho air.

I saw him stoop to grasp and raise the sash. His pose was a fair one, and sighting as well as 1 could in the gloom I pulled trigger.

A smothered exclamation, a wild clutching for support, aud the man slumped to tho ground, where lie lay as if killed. His astounded enmrndn was paralyzed for tho moment, and thru let. go ami droppod beside him. mainlined my position, with tho smoking re­

volver reaay Tor more service. "That evens up the little affair in the lane," I muttored, "and saves the life for the time of the man whose lifo may not be worth saving."

But the fellow was not killed. Thore were whispered words between the two, and then, from the sounds that reached me, for I could not make theni out in the deeper gloom, l3 knew they were moving slowly around the end of tho .house toward the front.

What could be their thoughts? Did they believe the shot came from he man whom thoy attacked in the lane, or did they think that the suspicious Howard was on guard and winged one of them in the nick of time?

The explosion of the pistol must have reached those in the house, even if all were asleep. But no one came to the window to investigata The dim light was undisturbed, and so far as appearances went a tomb was not more devoid of life.

A curious impulse came to ma It was. to sound the knocker on the door, rouse the occupants and tell them what had occurred. I could well claim that I had prevented the commission of a crime and probably saved the life of one or more persons. That such was the aot

saw him stoop to raise the sash. would be so evident that Howard and his wife, as well as the old couple with whom they lodged, would bo filled with thankfulness therefor.

But how explain my presence at the critical moment? They would naturally want to know what brought me there at that unseemly hour. If 1 should say that 1 was an officer of the law who had regarded the interlopers with suspicion, it would hardly satisfy them. More likely they would believe 1 was one of the burglars who had quarreled with the others and was as much to be dreaded as they. A complaint to the authorities would put me in an unpleasant situation, and though 1 could soon establish my identity all proceedings, so far as concerned the couple in whom 1 was interested, would be brought to naught

It is rarely safe for a detective to act upon impulsa He must weigh each step carefully and labor to the end in view with the careful calculation of a professor solving an intricate problem in mathematics.

Waiting until the conspirators had time to get well clear oif the premises, 1 moved stealthily around the end of the house to the front and was making my way toward the lane when a tall figure loomed up in the darkness, and I came face to face with a man who held a shotgun in his hand. "Who are you?" he demanded in a threatening voice, bringing his formidable weapon partly to a level. "A friend," 1 made baste to reply. "I mean no harm." 1 knew instinctively that the man before me was Isaiah Bridges, the owner of the house, and that he was making an investigation of his own, with loaded weapon in hand "Was it you who fired that gun a little while ago?" "Yes 1 saw a burglar trying to climb into one of your windows anddropped him."

This ought to have disarmed his suspicion, but it did not. "And how come you to bo sneaking round bore?"

It was a natural question and the one I was expecting. "1 was passing along the highway, and they entered your lana I did not like their look's and followed. When I Baw them trying to enter the window, 1 fired."1 "Did you kill the tarnal scamp?" "No," but hurt him so badly that he was'glad to leave with the help of his companion. They will trouble you no mora" "But why didn't you let me know afore they tried their trioks?" "They are strangers to ma I could not know they intended any wrong until I saw them attempt it. Then it was too late to warn you." "Why didn't you come round to the house afterward and tell me?2' "Youwere nsleep, or I supposed so." "So wo war, but that racket woke us." "I have just come from the rear, where I discharged my pistol and hadn't time to wake you up." "That won't do," said the old man, his suspicion active again. "You W3rn'tgoing toward the front door, but trying to sneak off down the lane. Confound you, I believe you are one of 'em! I've a good mind to fill you full of buckshot "I wouldn't advise you to try that, for thero are several cartridges left in my revolver, and before you could bring your gun to a level I would use them alL I told you I was a friend, but you can consider me an enemy if you wish."

I made a suggestive motion with my weapon, which he understood Ho ached to let me have the contents of his gun, but was afraid. V~ "Waal, the best thing you can do is to clear out from hero as quick an you can travel. There have been several murders in thi'spart of tho country, and tho law hain't found out who done 'em, but if yon should catch it while prowl-, ing round where you'vo got no business to be 1 won't hesitate to tell tho folks

that I done it." "Now, Mr. Bridges," I said conciliatingly, "what is the use of our"— "Who told you my name?" ho broke in. "Every ono in the neighborhood knows yon as a good citizen and a gentleman like your brother Nattain. You do me great injustice to suspect me of any wrong intention. 1 would no more harm you than I would my own father." "That talk is very nice, but I don't know you. You haven't told me your name nor where you come from." "Don't yon know William Browning of Railway?" "The president of our bank?" "Of course. Ho knows you well, and I'm his son." "Thatwon't work. I don't knowany Mr. Browning, and there's nobody tf that name that has anything to do with our bank. Now I know you're an impostor. Cl'ar out I"

The old fellow was too shrewd for ma I was outwitted, and with a little laugh I turned about and strode toward the open lane. 1 had not gone 20 paces when what did he do but bring his shotgun to a level and let fly at me with both barrels in quick succession!

CHAPTER XV.

Had the sun been shining tho "Statement of Carl Wittner" would never have been written. The gloom interfered with the old farmer's aim but, as it was, 1 felt the wind made by the heavy load of buckshot as it, whizzed past my ears. It was a close call. •Angered, I whoeled about and leveled my revolver, but checked myself before pulling the trigger. Suppose I fired and killed him 1

It would have been murder without excuse. My life was no longer in any danger and his act in firing at me was justifiable. He would not have been punished had he carried out his threat and "filled me with buckshot" Many

"Too late," he called.

might censure him for not having done so. I shoved my weapon back in place and walked briskly down the avenue leading to the main highway.

But there were others to think about The presumption was that the two East Indians, having preceded me, might be waiting in ambush to adjust that little affair in the rear of the farmhouse.

They could not fail to know that it was I who had tumbled one of them from his peroh and nipped in the bud the scheme he had in mind. They must believe I was in league with the Howards, and that before they could succeed with them 1 must be brushed from the path. What better opportunity than that which now presented?

But the wound of one of them must have been a potent factor in preventing what 1 feared. I was that apprehensive that 1 held my partly discharged revolver in hand after entering the road and turning in the direction of the farmhouse where 1 made my temporary home.

What had become of them could not be guersei. They had probably gone in the direciion of the town and were not likely to bo heard of again.

Reviewing my wort or tne evening, as 1 walked homeward, 1 saw little in it to enoourage ma 1 had uot onlv failed to gain an iota of additional knowledge of Nana Sahib's ruby, but bad put the suspected ones on guard, and therefore inoreased the difficulty that confronted me from the first

Probably up to this night Darius Howard was confident that no one bad followed him to this pleasant little town, and that he was still safe with his secret in the house where he had made his home for an indefinite tima

But the occurrences of the night must undeceive him. A desperate attempt had been made to break in upon him. His secret was no longer secura He would take instant measures to avert the threatened danger.

The most effective step would be a change of quarters. He was not likely to spend another night in the old stofte house. What was done, therefore, to oheokmate him must be done quickly.

It is well known that the safest hiding place for a criminal whom the officers of the law want is in the heart of the' great city of New York. It was hard to understand why this strange couple had left so seoure a concealment and taken up their residence where their chances of detection were increased tenfold.

But, for that matter, everything thus far was hard to understand. Tho conceded fact, as 1 saw it, whioh confronted me was what next would be done by them. They were under my eye now and if I let them slip I would not '.je likely to got on their track again.

I was glad to find- on reaching my home that all the folks had retired. I lot myself in with the night key with which I had been furnished and went to my room without being seen by any one. This was'fortuuate, for my clothing had lost much of the neatness which marked it at first and was in nt. vi

0f

at­

tention. Tho farmers breakfast early, and finding that Mr. Bridges intended to drive into town 1 rode with him, reaehing the station in time to catch the early trains had I wished, but my purpose was not to leave unless the Howards did so. I waited most of the foruuuon, but saw nothing of them.

Guarded inquiries jjavo mo no infor­

mation of tho two men of t.ho night be fore. Had 1 chosen I might have killed that one at tho window, but was relieved, to know that such was not tho case. He must have been hit pietty hard, but not sufficiently so to endanger his lifo.

If thero had been any fooling of conceit in my mind—and I protest thero was littlo, if any—it was pretty well romovod by what followed by my loitering about tho railway stau.,y. My intention was. if either Howard or his wife boarded any train, to do tho same and shadow thom wherever they went, but I made an inexcusably stupid failure to carry out my purposo. 1 scanned every train that went toward New York and of course kept an eye on those going in the opposite direction. This was somewhat perfunctory, for I did not suspect that either of the couple would proceed southward.

A Philadelphia train drew up at the station, and from my coign of advantage I watched tho passengers as they disembarked and others got on. The stop was brief, and just as it began moving again Darius Howard made a rush from somewhere and swung upon one of the platforms, being helpod by the waiting brakeman.

I made a dash to do the same thing, but had farther to go, and the brakeman blooked my way. "Too late," lie called. "There'll be another along in half an hour."

There was no help for it. If Howard saw me, and in all probability he did, he must have read my purpose, and therefore would be on his guard against me unless I effected a complete change in my appearance.

Mr. Bridges has returned home alone, and for tho time I was perplexed as to what to do. It was useless to try to follow the man who had gone southward, for there was no saying what his destination was. He might have started on a journey of 20 or 1,000 miles.

I have referred to a game of bluff which I had in mind. Hitherto I had been working at long range, as may bo said. Now I decided upon a bold stop, which insured Success or failuro.

From tho railway station I walked to my dwelling place, reaching there just in time for dinner. I spent a couple of hours in my room, and then, telling my friends that I might not return until late, once more set c.it for the old stone building where lived Isaiah Bridges, the brother of my host. Of necessity I was attired as on the night before, but my ornamental cane was left behind, and every chamber in my revolver had its charge.

It was a cool, brisk autumn afternoon, and the sun was shining. Any effort at secrecy would have been idle, and I walked with a confident step up the long lane, which bad been the scene of more than ono stirring occurrence within the preceding 24 hours.

Without hesitation I stepped upon the broad porch and sounded out a ringing knock with the old fashioned contrivance which must have penetrated to every recess of the building.

The summons was answered by Mrs. Bridges, a sedate old lady, who wonderingly surveyed me through her spectacles and waited for the announcement of my business. "Good afternoon, Mrs. Bridges. I am an officer of the law, but don't be alarmed," I added, noting her slight start.. "Something occurred here last night. Burglars I believe tried to effect an entrance, and a pistol shot was fired.

She stood as if hesitating what to do or say. Assuming that 1 was welcome, I stepped aside, removing my hat "1 would like to make a few inquiries, and we can do it better inside than on the porch, if you have no objection.

She led the way into the wide, plainly furnished parlor, her manner showing that she was doubtful as to the prudence of tho step.

Evidently she had received instructions from her boarders, and even my pretended business did not fully reassure her.

My original plan, as I have hinted, was to pretend to be an assessor who had called to examine the property, but the events of the preceding night gave me another pretext 1 doubt whether even that would have worked had her

husband been at home, so I took care to call when he was absent, looking tfter bis farm duties. "Couldi^t you stop when Mr. Bridges is home?" she asked, sinking into a rooking chair and surveying me with distrust. "When will ho be in?" "I can call bim. If I don't, he will not bo homo until sundown. "That is hardly necessary. May I ask whether you saw any of tho burglars?" "Mercy, no! I didn't dare look out of the wiuuor. My husband shot at one of them, who pretended ho was a friend. "Did he kill him?" "I'mafeard not, for wo haven't found his body." "What a pity! He will not be likely to show himself around here again. "No, .indeed. The gun in the kitchen is loaded, and we're ready for him." "That's right Don't let him catch ^ou unawares. Did they attempt to enter by way of tho door?" "No they must have dumb one of the trees and tried to j-ic into the back winder. Tl'py had a quarrel :nong themselves, and one of,'em fired off a gnu or pistol. and then my husband ho fired, too, and riio man groaned and jumped up in tho air. So ho must have been hit purty hard." "Undoubtedly. I will take a look at the K. -n and window, ploase. You know it is necessary that I should secure all tho information I can. "Mercy, 1 can'tallow you to do that!"

CHAPTER XVI

Tho good old lady was horrified at my suggestion, but I forced matters. "You know tho punishment for obstructing an .ifricer of tho law in his duty?" I adi -.id in my most impressive manner. "No," shv replied faintly. ."'What is it?" "Well, it i:i i:ur hantrme." I answer­

ed, with a smilo. "but a heavy fine or imprisonment. I have my suspicion who tlioso burglars were, and by examining the marks they have left may bo able to

1

"Is tills the window which the burglar tried to enterf" fix the crime upon them. You certainly wish to givo mo all the help you can." "Yes, sir, but"— "Nonsense! Come on."

Having gone thus far, it would have been fatal to hesitate. She had some powerful reason for preventing my going up stairs, but she did not daro stato it and was awed by my assumed character.

I started p, "oi isk pace up the broad winding stairway. Was I mistaken, or did I catch the sound of light, hurried footsteps along the upper hall?

She was moro deliberate of movement, and at tho landing abovo I waited for her with an apology for taxing her strength so much.

It was oasy to tell from the location of the rooms on the second floor whioh was the one to be examined. Not desiring to betray myself too soon, I opened the door on my right

It was a bedroom, n6at, cloan and simply furnished. A glance showed that it was occupied, for the signs wore everywhere present. "That isn't what you want," sho 6aid, breathing fast because of her oxertion. "That is a front room." "I beg pardon but, you see, I am not acquainted with your housa" "I wish yon would let me lead tho way and not Ijo in so great a hurry."

This was said with an impatience which showed that she resented the way I had taken matters in my own hands. "I beg your pardon, but I am younger than you and presumed on your strength." "It seems to me you are presuming on a good many things. Ho*" know you are what yon claim to be—an ossifer of tho law?"

A very proper question, ana answered it by drawing from an inner pocket my shield, which showed that I was a member of the detective polico of New York.

This of itself was proof that I was not* what I had claimed to be—an officer of Onion county, N. J. I hacf not stated that, but I gave the impression. Had her husband been present ho doubtless would have beon quick to detect the deception and would have quickly ended my visit.

But fortunately he was absent, and the trick served mo. She was impressed and made no further protest.

But, simple hearted and honest as she was, sho showed a cunning that surprised mo. Having stated that 1 had entered tho wrong room, she led the way to another apartment, whose windows opened at tho rear of the house.

That, too, was an occupied bedroom, but the furniture was much plainer than in the other. 1 decided that it was tho one used by herself and husband, while the other belonged to Mr. and Mrs Howard. "Now wo shall see what we can learn," I remarked in a businesslike way, stepping to one of tho rear windows, raising the sash and examining the window sill and the stones beneath "Nothing here," I quickly added "Tho gentleman left no trace that cau be of any help to mo. Lot's try the otb er."

ThiR sash was also raised, and I mad. a proiongrja ana minuto examination ol the interior and outsida Nothing was to be not«d, and I knew Buoh would be the fact tho moment I crossed the threshold, for although this was a rear room it was not the one which the East Indians had attempted to enter. That was to the left aud could be reached only by passing out again into the hall.

Still it served my purpose pot to let her know for the moment that 1 saw tho clever trick she had played on me. I pressed, my examination, and then, with the window raised and my head partly out, I turned quickly toward her: "Is this the window which the burglar tried to enter?" "Well, that is—didn't 1 tell you I didn't see any of 'em?"

I repressed th.e smile that tugged at my mouth. Here was an old lady so conscientious that she Wjould uot tell a falsehood to save her life, yet neither would she betray those whom she believed it bor duty to protect Instead of answering me she pairied my qnestiou "Como here one moment, I said kindly. .She obeyed timidly and stood at my side. 1 drew back my head, leaving the sash raised, and replaced my derby "Now, it doesn't look reasonable to me that two or threo burglars would havo tried to get in this window when thoy had no means of doing so. Of course you have a ladder about the premises, but they did not make uso of it." "1 don't think they did, for it is in tho barn, wliero it. has been for weeks. "Exactly. Then how could they get up to this window from tho ground?" "Ilow many of them was there?" she asked in turn.. "Wo understand thero wore three. "Well, couldn't ono of them stand on tho other's head and then let ho third climb upon his head?" sho demanded triui:mh:»ntlv t.hoimh Iwv

solved tho question. Under tho circumstances it was an ingenious reply, and my respect for her cleverness rose. "I declaro I did not think of that, but how do you account for tho fact that thoy left no signs behind thom?" "I'm not 'counting for anything. You protend to bo an ossifor of tho law, and if you are as smart as you think you can answer tho question yoursolf. My oyos ain't as good as thoy used to bo, bin. mobbo I cau sco where yon oan't."

And, stopping forward, tho "good gray head" leaned out of the window and peored through her spectacles at tlio old stone wall and tho ledgo as if sho expected to discover a written explanation of tho whole mystery.

Not only (hat, but I saw her chip a pieco of mortar with her thumb nail from botweon t.ho stones just below tho lodge. "Somoono must havo douo that," she remarked, scrutinizing tho mark with intorest. "What do you think of it?" "I think it was removed by your thumb—in fact, I saw it done—though, of course, you did not know it." "Is that true:" sho asked as innocently as a child. "Woll, I must bo moro careful. They could have como in this winder tho way I said, couldn't they?" "Probably thoy could, but I don't think they did," "Why not?" "That isn't tho way with burglars." "Do you know much about such folks?" "Madam, my business brings me in contact with them," I romarkod, with all the impressiveuess I could assumo, "and it is my duty to study their ways." "That's the way you learned, eli?" "Exactly, and in no other. I am convinced that neither one of those criminals attempted to outer this room by tho means you name."

It was quite clear that sho moant to keep me from entering the right one, and I was determined that neither she nor any one elso should do that.

I lowered the window and slowly walked-Across tho room and out of the door leading to the hall. My head was bent as if in troublous thought. "Wait," she interposed, hurrying to place herself in front of mo. "It would be more polito if you would lot me lead." "I must bog your pardon again, but I wish to relievo you of all tho labor I can.'' "Tho best way to do that is by leaving the house." "I will be glad to do so when my work is completed."

It was no fancy this time that I hoard a soft footfall and saw tho door opening to the room slightly ajar. Some one Was on the other side, stealthily watching ug and listening to our words. The

y..'

Well, sir, what do you wirnt.Y"

door itself was less than six-feet distant and almost before ma 1 acted as if I band nor myself dare put foot inside of it." "Nevertheless 1 shall do so, and yon must uot, try to stop mo.

I took two steps forward and grasped the bandlo of tfcc dour, expected to have it locked in my face, but it was not, and shoving it vigorously inward stopped across tho threshold and almost stumbled over Mrs. Darius C. Howard. who calmly confronted mo with tho icy question: "Well, sir, what do vou want?" Baw it not, but nothing escaped ma "Do you want to go on the roof," she asked, "and look down the chimbley?" "That would be hardly worth while, but there is another apartment on this floor, and it is that which the burglars attempted to enter last night and which I must examine."

I compressed my lips and looked sternly at her. "But I don't oare if yon are an ossifer of the law, you can't go in there." "And why not, I pray?" "It is private, and neither my hua-

(TO BE CONTINUED.)

Situation in Constantinople Quieter. BERLIN, Nov. 25.—Reports received from Constantinople by diplomats here show that the situation in the Turkish capital is quieter. It is hoped that further measures on tho part of the powers will not be needed.

Sailor Nelion Dead.

SANDUSKY, O., NOV. 95.— Peter Nelson, who was accused of being the instigator of the terrific battle that w»« waged on board the schooner Aunt Ruth, off this harbor a week vigo, died Sundaj- at the county jail.

Killed by an Explosion of (las. BUTLISH, Pa.. Nov. 25.—Edward Holler, aged 70, was killed by an evalosion of gas in his home at £a.vonburg Sunday morning, and hi, daughter, Minnie Holler, was so badly injured that.she will probably die. jfuuioreri Dcutli of A lev. f) minis.

PAWS, Nov. 25.—1 a. m.—,'t was rumored at midnight that Alexander Dumas, the distinguished juthdr, was dead. 1 iie report has nor ^v.-en confirmed. but it is known that .M Dumas' condition .'Jr. ifoii noteheaas, see

THE JOUUNAL CO.. PRINTERS.

FOK tags see Tuii JooKS/i To., Pi:i3 n:ii