Might and Main Library. Number 56, 1907-03-16 — page 19: what you’re looking at

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

pi £F to think. e reason 39 ! en help him if he is in Joshua Vernon's hands | CHAPTER St <<. | Vernon Craig had a great horror of rats. * _ When he felt the one crawl over him he nearly fainted. But when he knew that the rats only sought companion - ship, and would not hurt him, he made friends with them, ; and began to feel that the solitude lost some of its terrors : . while other living things were there. : ; : For a time he felt hungry, and hunger passed, and he resigned himself to his fate; e of escape. ogee ee. a Sometimes he thought he would accept the terms offered, nd purchase his liberty; he even reasoned that, once free in possession of the estate, he could abdicate in favor e rightful owner, and no one would be injured. “Then his ‘soul revolted at bargaining with criminals; but was given no chance, for he was left entirely alone for preary thtee days: 7... ee ae . .* His jailer, Joe Manvers, ot rin at pe et eat had got past the craving for food. H s only comfort was in sleep. Another day passed, and thought of him then, and “a light had nearly merged into the morning, when he © | the door unlocked and saw a flood of light burst into - descended, carrying a lantern. ; boy, about tired of this place?” g¢ did not answer. : fate your eee u will be a friend if you do.” — - is better. I. thought you long speech to make, so don’t interrupt me. SeuoW: Mel. : ey aS - “So much the better, I want to serve you. But you can irt me if you so desire. Id like to do that?” = _ if you will only release me.” Send me to jail—of course you nsible fellow! We don’t want ave been kept, so, if I am to release you, I shall have slindfold you, as a matter of precaution.” : : ry good, very good. But you must ‘do more than nit; you must swear not to call out until we are a mile o away from Do you agree?” es, oh, yes!” aren’t you? oe ee. Tes, very.” , ‘should like it.” p quiet, then, and I will go up stairs and prepare ‘Vernon was in darkness and silence. Fa * a Mor the most violent pains cked his head; but after a few hours even the feeling he. exhausted his energies trying to get out, and knew. t the place was so well constructed that there was ne » Se by ae ea ¢ riches; the tea was deli- | drunk nothing but some stagnant, dirty | ib left in the cellar; but the sandwiches he sh? Now, I’m your best friend; I have come would be reasonable. You | you to know where here; then shout all you like. I shall not -what do you say to me bowl of soup and some good * a. him out to a wagon tient up-stairs, flung him on a small cot, : the cellar. possess for him? He | isk all, < soned, “life’s fitful dream’? would be over. ee NP ae ‘When Janson returned—for our ‘readers will have guessed that it was the asylum-owner who had professed such friendship for Craig—he had with him a tray on which were placed two bowls of soup and two cups of nt coffee, besides a plate of snow white bread. _ : “Now, Craig, help yourself. Tak 1 will have the other.” Re fe Janson sat down on the cold, damp floor as though he vere used to it,’and soon the two were eating the bread ‘and soup, and drinking the Coles, “Vo domi smoket 6 8 “Do you object to my doing so?” C | Nos at all. - Le Cl yt ee “Good: I like a pipe after eating, and then I shall fee It.is a cold night,” = 7 A few minutes were passed ”in silences 9 Craig wished to get away, and expressed his impatierice cé which you like, and by walking to and fro in the cellar. — “Janson at last. was ready.) 0. 2 ao “Now, my boy, Vi just tie this handkerchief ae eyes, and if you are reasonable, you shall have your han Janson took a broadly folded handkerchief, so wide that ‘+ covered nose and eyes, and fastened it around Craig’ A slightly sickening odor was emitted, but Craig did notice it, the odor of the coffee still being very strong. - Janson watched Craig, and saw that he was fast losi ‘consciousness; the chloroform did its work quietly a one Ae ee 4 -~ A low whistle, and Manvers answered by descending steps, of thei cellar, 4.) . ; Se Craig was quite unconscious, and the two men carrie which was in waiting, oy Manvers returned with his three c Half an hour later federates to the house, and made a great “Gone! We are ruined Phe crieds ; The others rushed down the steps and saw the emp’ eenar eee “Gone! Who. could have done it? Who has tt him here? Coffee! By thunder, there will be the dickens to pay fot this!’ — 0 Strange that not one of them had any suspicion He’acted his part well, and flattered himself that he the winning card. _ : eM ee cee Janson reached. the asylum, and, carrying the new pa “There you are, my beauty. When you open 7 peepers, it’s a strange sight you'll see, and real mé will be. Ha, ha, ha! Let Manvers keep his word, James Janson will outwit him and trump his trick! The private asylum owned by Janson and Rich was of those institutions which managed to evade the laws oftentimes assist criminals. — | ee The junior partner, Clarence Rich, M. D., had at on time been the physician at a State asylum, and “was al counted exceedingly clever and skilful in the treatment diseases of the brain. > : Ge But, once tempted by the ae he offer of a very large pect reward, he agreed to assist in the perpetration of ac and was found out before it was accomplished. _ He was expelled in disgrace, and for some months w