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the spiral, staircase,~ No, they are caught
ina tr:
“ SP on thought out all this?”
“Yes, when they told you what they
meant to do, I knew of this place a long
time ago. Very few know of the door
“Bate “the vault; does it, as you said,
contain the greater part of ‘the money be:
longing to ibe.»
nee, ust now much more than
usual, Booause it’s the end of the year.”
in
ey,” laughed “Tt hasa
time lock, and no ordinary burglar could
open it inside of several hours’ hard wi
with the finest of tools,’ It’s one of the
best in the country, that lock is. There’s
no danger of their opening the vault, and
they" ‘re caught like rats in a tra)
t that moment there was a tremendous
pounding on the iron door separating the
two cellars,
“Tom, they may break it down.”
““No, they can’t, but we mustn't lose |-
time. Here, give me your band, Pm not
sure that I know my way up.
went into the church, ‘I only went” into
the cellar. I don’t think they use this part
very much, I never saw any furnace or
anything of that sort,”
he pounding on the door yas renewed,
** Let ut, you young villains |”
“ “Ici De the worse for you if you don't !”
m, they're sure to break it down,
They have sledges and steel jimmies.
Make haste or all that you have s so bravely
done will have been done in vain,”
aita moment till I strike a match
and—hallo
He _ suddenly stumbled and fell, drag:
ging Jack after him,
at's the matter?”
“There's a flight of stairs. I fell on the
bottom step. ai is must lead into the
church, Com i"
g
At that ome oie they heard the sound of | sai
an organ and of voices singing a hymn.
Mingled ‘with these sounds came the
pounding upon the iron door,
“Make haste, Tom!” cried Jack, “I'm
sure they wil force the door open.
“Let them,” answered Tom, ascending
the Stairs as s rapidly as the darkness woul
er!
P At lest he reached the top. Ending adoor
which was latched but not locked,
Opening this, found “himself in a
small apartment, evidently used by the
minister as a robing room, as there were
pegs on the wall, a wash Stand and mir-
ror, a small table, ‘and two or three chairs
of the kind used } in chuynehe es.
Jack spra: past m, threw open a
door, and Darst into thecha el, crying out:
*“ Burglars in the bank, urglars in the
bank |”
CHAPTER XV.
A STARTLING CONFESSION, .
Tne handful of men and women assem-
nd ing heartful prayer, were terribly
startled when Jack oster appeared among
thi
em,
Men rang to their feet, women
screamed or fainted, the organist stopped
pla ing, man. started to leave the chapel,
nee. minister, turning to Jack, sai
ste m
“ What do you. mean, young man, by
disturbing the services in this unseeml.
manner? Have you no respect for divine
wors! hip?”
» “but there are bur-
next door, and unless
something is done they will break in here
and get away.”
‘Break into a church? What is there
here to tempt them?”
“They are in the cellar next door, and
are trying to break through. ‘om:
dozen strong, men will be able to over.
power them
‘At that moment the sound of blows was
heard again,
capture them, There are only four of the
ruffians,”
The sexton of the little church came for-
ward with a long poker in his hand,
“ Which cellar are they in?” he asked,
“The one under this back room, We
got Re by way of the stairs,
And what were you doing in_ the cel-
lar?’ asked the n, suspiciously,
“+ Aren't you a part of thet band yourselves?”
“Oh, yes, it’s jikely." said Tom, impa-
tiently. “I'ma clerk int
bur, lars captured me, but with ny broth-
er’s help I got away roby dots lots. ol
here know
“An nd you are wasting times "said Jack,
seizing the poker from the sexton’s hand.
“Come on, Tom, we may get the best of
said Jack.
e
—~S HAPPY DAYS
them ye yet, t, without the help of these fright-
ened peo)
With that he “hurried into the ante-room
followed by To:
There was heard a sudden crash below
at that moment, and in another instant
came the sound of hurrying footsteps on
the stairs.
The door leading to the cellar was
thrown violently open, and a man ap-
peared.
Cras!
Jack dealt the fellow a stunning blow
on the head withthe long poker, and
brought him to the floor in an instant.
A second man, coming up from the cel-
Jar in. hot haste, stumbled over the pros-
trate pody of his fellow criminal and fell
eavi
7“ Lie where you are or you're a dead
man!” cried Jack, springing forward,
“ Quick, Tom, look out for more of the
scoundre
‘The sexton and two or three men from
the chapel now appeared, and as a third
man came rushing up from the cellar he
fell right into their arm:
“There’s another,” said Jack. “Look
out for him.
“e He can get into the other part of the
cellar,” said the sexton, ‘*There’s a little
door in the wall, but it’s only wooden and
cau be easily force
s there a way out of the other part of
the cellar?” asked Jac
“Yes, There are ‘steps leading to the
vestibule, just under the gallery stairs,”
“Quick, send some men to watch the
door and prevent the man from escaping.”
The men who had come with the sexton
held two of the burglars, the one whom
Jack had struck down still lying senseless
on the floor. ~
Music was now heard in the chapel and
Jack presumed correctly that the services
had been resumed in order to quiet the
more timid members of the congregation,
The sexton had left the room on Jac
suggestion, and the boy, turning to Tom,
“Go and find a rope somewhere, old
man, so as to secure these fellows. Then
send somebody out for a policem
“You've got us this time, young “feller,”
said one of the captives, ‘
wait. The governor has got it in for you
and he’ 11 do for you yet, you and the lot of
yen Threats will do you no good,” said Jack,
quietly. ‘It: was your turn awhile ago,
and now itis mine. Such men as you are
better off behind bars, though that is a
peor place to put any m
The sexton presently “retumed and re-
ported that the fourth man had escaped.
“T saw him running out asl reached the
entry,” he explained. ‘*The door under
the stairs was wide open, and I make no
doubt he was the man in the cellar. I
tried to stop him, but he dashed out into
he snow and got aw: aye wt shouted, but
there was no one Sin sight,
“Tt's Dick,” said Tom. | “I can describe
him perfectly. I had ad opportunity enough
to observe im e. was. keeping
guardo
“ You! ie never "catch Dick,” said one of
the men. “ He’ 18 fo0 smart, afid, pesides,
the governor ’Il help hi get- aw. I
won t t be the first time he's ‘s sheltered some
0!
“Shut up, you fool !’ snarled the other,
‘om soon returned with a policeman
but stated that he had been unable to fin
a rope anywhere about the building,
“You won't need one now,” said Jack.
** These men and the officer will be enough
to take the prisoners to the station. * You
go wit with them, Tom, and swear out acom-
plaint,
“What are you going to Gon with the one
on the floor?” asked the sex
“I don’t know. I hope 1 haven’ t killed
him. I would not wish to have the blood
of anyone on my head, not even that of as
bad a man as this one has been, I must
have struck harder than I intended.
“He'll come around,” said the officer.
“He’s only shamming. Better not stay
here alone with him or he'll do for you yet
as. this fellow sgid he would.”
“T shall not remain alone with him,”
“Sexton, you will stay here ?”
es, of course, You're a plucky young
fellow to tacklea man as bigashim, You
don’t look very rug:
e two prisones were dea away, each
guarded by two stron, Tom accom-
panying the party, Jack and. the sexton be-
ing left alone,
Jack kneeled beside the fallen man and
laid his hand on his forehea
“T don’t think he is dead, he said, in a
tone of relief, “There is clotted blood en
his bead, and Ino doubt stunned bim
i We had better send
He will know how to
the man ie of neglect.”
“You're an Oda one,” nid the sexton,
First you knock down and
nearly kill him, and then you're afraid he
may ie
*“T only meant to prevent his escape, not
to kill him,” said J.
<’s | Bald Head for years, a
The man moved uneasily at this moment
and groaned.
““He’s coming around,” paid the Sexton.
“Look out for him. ink he’s only
playing | (possum and means to spring on
you yet.”
**Perhaps,” said Jack, and putting his
and under the man’s body, he drew out a
loaded revolver, ‘* You'd better take care
of this. It’s too dangerous to leave lying
ound,”
The music broke out afresh at this junc-
ture, and the sound of joyous bells was
g
said the sexton.
Tes the new year,”
What's to be
“Service "ll be over soon.
done with this man
“Put in charge of a doctor,” said Jack.
““A minister'll be the best, ” said the
man, himself, trying to You"
done for me, Jack Foster, and I'd better be
gettin’ ready for the grave, I'll never get mee
over that crack. It’s a fracture of the
skull, that’s what it is, ”
“T tr ‘ust not,” said Jas
ck. y
“That's what it is,” said Bob, feebly,
“This isa church, isn’t it? Send for the
minister—quick !”
-He fell back, gasping for breath, and
Jack, witha great fear at his heart, hur-
ried from the room.
The minister was dismissing the congre-
gation, and Jack hurriedly stated his er-
ran
“Twill come at once,” said the man, fol-
lowing Jack in a few moment:
“Do th, my ‘poor man?”
asked the minister, kneeling by Bob’ss
“Yes e easier it tell ‘whats
onmy mind, Put your oor close, Jack,
want to tell you somethin,
Jack kneeled with his “head close to
“There’s a man been meaning to have
revenge ,¢ on you for what your father done
to im,”
just as J told you, last time we met. His
ame
“ Yes 2” muttered Jack.
“Ezra Elliott !”
CHAPTER XVI.
THE KEY TO THE SECRET DOOR.
Jack was thunderstruck at the strange
confession of Bob, and could scarcely be-
lieve that he had heard aright.
“What!” he gasped. Do. you mean to
tell me that—no, itis impossibte, Tell me
again, who is t
‘ob had either fainted or lapsed Into un-
consciousness, for le no answer and
lay on the floor ike c one dead
ack ran fora doctor ana succeeded in
rousing one after a long trial, taking the
man bac: with him to the church.
The doctor made a careful examination
of the svounded robber, and at last said:
“The man is not dead, but he needs care
and attention, Who is he?”
e was a burgier,” said Jack; “but if
he can be restored, that sliould hot mat-
ter.”
**No,” said the minister, “it should not,
Cure him if possible, He may reform,”
The prisoner was allowed to remain in
the church till morning, as the night was
too wild and stormy to allow of his re-
moval, .
He was made as comfortab‘e as circum-
stances would permit, and in the morning
was taken to the town lock-up where he
was put in the hospital ward and given
what care he needed.
His skull had not been fractured, as
both he and Jack feared, but he had been
weakened by loss of blood and needed es-
pecial | attention.
Jack did not see him till late in the af-
ternoon, although he had been told that he
was improving and would certainly live.
e saw the man alone, andasked: ©
** What did you tell me last night in the
church? You said that a man meant to
omeaninjury because of things my;father
had a lone tohim, Who was it?”
‘ t know ‘anything vabout it,” said
the Mea, in asulky tone. “I never said
nothing to Oo you. You fetched me one on
7 head with a poker, I know that, and
at’
** But you did say——'
**Never said le I tell you,” said
job and after that he refused to answer.
any and all of Jack's questions, and t!
boy at last left him, convinced that it was
useless totry and make him speak,
Ie made another attempt the next day,
but it was as unsuccessful as the first, the
man denying that he had had any conver-
sation with Jack and refusing at last to
talk to him atall,
$in a much improved condition,
and there was every assurance that h
would speedily recover from his injuries,
and it was ;doubtless the knowledge of this
that m de him refuse to answer Jack's
question
*T ean’ C believe that he spoke, the truth,
fearing that his end was near,” reasoned
the boy, ‘and yet he may have done so,
Kitty's visits to the old hut may have
en made with a view of persuading her
father to sever his connection with these
evil men. She never would explain them,
and got. very indiguant when I mentioned
the subje
© Stills we what possible association’ could
there be between Judge Elliott and these
lawless creatures? Why, they have even
been suspected of murder. There isn’t a
man more respected in all the town than.
Ezra Elliott. Icannot believe this scoun-- = :
rel’s story, and yet there is so much mys-
tery hanging over the w: hole affair that -
I scarcely know what to beli
He saw Kitty in te “public “library the
next day and said to
ave never told me what took you ~
up to Bald Head on the two occasions I
met you there, and did you certain services
which .we not speak al . -
e | deeply interested, and things I Shave lately
heard make me more so, Won't-you tell
went up there for fun, that’s all,” said
Kitty, “ ‘and I don't see what affair it is of
ours, anyhow.”
he was growing angry again, but Jack
remained perfectly cool, and replied with-
out the least show of temper: _
is my affair, Kitty. My father’s
name has been dragged into it, and I must
know why. told that he had done.
your father an Mniury, and that the judge
wished to avenge this upon me, Was he
in eae of going to the hut on Bald
H
“YT. uestions are an insult,” retorted
Kitty, with flashing eyes. “Don't tbe
gore to speak to me again! Ih @ told
u why I went to Bald Head, para that ©
Jaght to be sufficient,
She turned to go, bi Jack stood in front
of, her and said calm
“Tt t suflicient, You have not.
stated ‘your real reason for going there. No
x ung girl goes to Bald Head just for fun,
ou had some stronger motive than that,
and I must know what it is
dare you use such language to
me?” cried Kitty, almost beside herself
with rage. ‘Stand aside this instant, or
I will call for assistance.”
Others were approaching, and not caring
to have them overhear the conversation,
Jack, stepped aside, saying in a low voice
as he did
“Some day you will understand me bet-
ter. Ido not intend to let this matter rest -
till I have learned the trut
Kitty swept by him with a scornful toss
of the bead, but without further words,
and he went on into the library as uncon-
cernedly as if nothing had happened.
“It is useless toask her anything,” he
mused, ‘She is terribly proud, Well,
girls are queer things, anyhow, don’t -
Believe it is ever worth while to try and
make them out.”
The bank officials all praised Jack for
what he had done, but he disclaimed any
credit, and said it should be given to Tom.
oor between the bank and the
chapel, the existence of which had been
quite forgotten, it was said, was removed,
the space walled up with stone and
cement, So &s to prevent any future visits
to the vau
*T don't Me aite understand,” said Jack to
Tom, ‘how your key fit ted both doors
when the claim is made that the existence
of the door into the church was forgotten.
our key is not an old one, is
“No, it is of quite s a new design.”
Let me see it,
They were sitting in. Jack’s room at the
time, it being quite late, talking over af- ~
fairs.
Tom handed the key tohis brother, and-
the latter laid it on a piece of white paper
and crew its outlines with a fine pointed
penc
“ What are you doing, Jack?”
“* You are not the only one who has a -
key_to the vault
**No, there are ne or three,”
“ Who has the
“Evans has o: I don't. know who ©
has the others. Why ae you take the
outline?’
ory tell. you ‘some day, Tom,” replied
Jack, carelessly. “Really I don’t know
fully ‘why Ididit. There must have been
a reason. or Iwouldn’t have done it. You
n trust me, can’t you, old chap
“ I should fey I could !” answered Tom,
heartily. t does seem funny that my
key should ae that other door, loesn "cit?
I suppose it is a mere accident,
ere are no duplicate ‘nek, made of
this pattern,” said Jack to himself. “It
was not an accident. The duplicate was
made for some purposes an and a aust wy)
and learn what t'
“You know that part of ‘the ‘church cel- .
ar used to belong to us, that is, to the
bank?” asked Tom. “This door connected
the two parts. The old bank was what is
now the chapel, and even after we moved
into th the new building we used to use thé
°
ah Fes, I know,” said Jack, absent-mind-
e
Nn ight or so after this, when Tom was
sitting with Jack, be suddenly put his
hand in his pocket, handed a key to his
brother, and said :
*