Part 40 (1/2)

”I'll show yer. Catch hold.”

Macklin's tones were angry ones, and Ferris complied. With the body of Hal between them, the pair pa.s.sed down one flight of stairs, and then to a narrow stairway in the rear leading to a dirty wash-shed.

”Wait here wid him till I come back,” said Macklin, and he darted out of the wash-shed door.

Ferris stood beside Hal's body. Presently he thought he heard a low moan, and he imagined that Hal moved one arm. His teeth chattered worse than ever, and it was all he could do to keep from rus.h.i.+ng away.

At length, after what seemed to be an age, but which was really less than five minutes, Macklin reappeared.

”We've got der boss chance!” he exclaimed, in a low tone. ”Chuck dat piece of rag carpet over him. Dat's it. Now pick him up ag'in.”

Once more the two took up Hal's body. Their course was now through the court and into a narrow lane. Here the snow was piled high, but neither seemed to mind it.

”Here we are.”

It was Macklin who spoke. He stood at the bas.e.m.e.nt door of an old stone structure which in years gone by had been a vinegar and pickle factory.

Pus.h.i.+ng open the door, he motioned to Ferris, and Hal's body was taken inside and the door once more closed.

”Wait till I strike a light,” said Macklin.

”What is this place?” asked Ferris.

”It's a factory wot ain't in use,” was the reply. ”His body won't be found here for two or t'ree months, if da finds it at all.”

Macklin struck a match and lit a bit of dirty tallow candle which he carried.

”See dat big hole in der floor over dare?” he asked.

”Yes, what is it?”

”Sum kind of a vat, I t'ink. Dat's der place. Hold der glim, will yer?”

Ferris took the candle. His hand shook so that the tallow dropped all over it.

”Wot's der matter wid yer nerves?” asked Macklin, sarcastically.

”Nothing,” returned the tall boy, briefly.

”Yer shakin' like a leaf.”

”I am cold.”

And for once Ferris told the truth. An icy chill seemed to have struck his heart.

Catching hold of Hal's body, Macklin dragged it to the edge of the vat.

There was a slight sc.r.a.ping sound as the body was pushed over the edge of the hole, and then all became quiet.