Argosy All-Story Weekly, Vol. 123, No. 3 — page 133: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

MOORS END. “T wasn’t spying on her, if that’s what you mean,” I answered surlily. “I was in the library choosing a book when I heard some one creeping down-stairs, and put out ‘ my candle, thinking it might be some one I should watch. To my surprise, it was Shirley, and she came directly to the li- brary. “I knew she would be suspicious at finding me in the dark there, so I—vwell, I stepped behind the screen; then she went over to the safe and left the purse and note there. I found them after she had gone, and brought them here to show you.” Somehow, it sounded even more caddish told in this bald way, but my uncle did not seem to notice it. He stood for a moment looking down at the little worn purse in his hand, and an odd smile flickered over his lips. For an instant his keen eyes seemed to soften. *‘ After all, he is her father,” he mur- mured. ‘“ We can’t blame her for a little loyalty.” His tone changed to a cold, businesslike one’ “ You did right to show these to me, Carlos, but I fancy that they will do more good replaced where they were, so that he may see them. No, I will go down myself. I feel safer to have you up here with this dangerous man. I think, after all, we shall have a good night’s rest—if this warning is taken.” “T hope so—I shouldn’t mind a full night’s sleep.” Uncle Gregory looked at me keenly for a moment, then slipped out without a word. He was back in a.few moments more, with a flask half full of whisky, the same from which he had given me the drink before. “Take some of this and it will steady you. I never indulge, myself, but it is good for emergencies such as this.” I shook my head, I did not fancy his thinking that my courage needed stimulat- ing in this way. - “Thanks, not now. I may take some later.” __ “ Very well. «Good night.” He placed the flask on the table and withdrew noiselessly. I made my few preparations for retiring; which consisted. of dragging the lounge across the door so that no one could come in without waking Digitized by (Go ogle * quiet in the room! 415 me, gathering a pillow and some coverlets from my room, and shading the light. Then I rolled myself up in the blankets and laid down on the lounge. It was very still in the house; the wind had. completely died down, and after the turmoil of the last two days the silence seemed almost tan- gible. Down-stairs I could hear the faint ticking of the big clock, and every now and then the woodwork creaked loudly. I knew these were only the noises to be heard in any qjJd house, but if one is wait- ing for an unknown danger to strike in an unforeseen place, one is apt to be fanciful. Twice I sat up as I thought I heard steps passing softly through the hall, and laid down again determined not to let my nerves run away with me. These must have been somewhat tense, for, whenever the embers of my fire fell with a sudden rustle in the grate, I started up. The clock struck eleven, and I realized that if I kept this up I should have no rest at all. I didn’t feel sleepy, my head was singularly clear and active, but I felt that it would be wiser to get what rest I could, in case the night followed its prede- — cessors in excitement. I laid down again, and resolutely shut my eyes, and by dint of many time-worn, sleep-producing devices fell at last into an uneasy doze. | I had no means of knowing how long I slept, for I had forgetten to wind my watch, but I woke suddenly. Neither do I know what woke me; there was no noise, and the same oppressive silence filled the darkness around me, but I was conscious that some- thing had waked me and dragged me back reluctantly from a heavy sleep. I sat up and listened, but there was noth- ing except the distant sullen thud of the surf outside. Then I realized, all at once, what had disturbed me—the same thing which had waked me on the Fall River boat; not a noise, but the cessation of a noise. I ‘had gone to sleep listening to the man’s heavy breathing, now there was perfect The lamp was out by his bed, but I had left the candle and matches on the floor beside me. I felt for these, lit a candle, and with it in my hand approached the bed. DOO Original fro me : THE OHIO STATE UI |) = S CO