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H. A. Cody
Under Sealed Orders
Published by Good Press, 2019
EAN 4064066242497
Table of Contents
UNDER SEALED ORDERS
CHAPTER
I. THE LURE OF FALLING WATER II. TO THE LOWEST BIDDER III. ONE, AT LEAST, RINGS TRUE IV. A LITTLE CABIN V. UNMASKED VI. OUT OF BONDAGE VII. AT THE CLOSE OF A DAY VIII. THE SHADOW OF MYSTERY IX. UNITED FORCES X. WHEN DREAMS COME TRUE XI. CURIOSITY AND ANXIETY XII. PYRAMID ROCK XIII. THE DISTURBING LETTER XIV. SUBTLE INFLUENCE XV. THE "CUT OFF" XVI. CHRISTMAS EVE XVII. THE NIGHT SUMMONS XVIII. THE WILD NOR'EASTER XIX. DEVELOPMENTS XX. BUSINESS DETAILS XXI. HARNESSED POWER XXII. IN THE PATH OF DESTRUCTION XXIII. RESCUED XXIV. GATHERING CLOUDS XXV. MYSTERY XXVI. UNDER SUSPICION XXVII. IN THE TOILS XXVIII. LIGHT BREAKS XXIX. LOIS GOES TO THE CITY XXX. A STRANGE COMMISSION XXXI. PAPER NUMBER TWO XXXII. THE TABLES TURNED XXXIII. THE REAL HAVEN
UNDER SEALED ORDERS
CHAPTER I
THE LURE OF FALLING WATER
It was evening and a late April wind was whipping down the valley. It swayed the tops of the tall pine and spruce trees as they shouldered up from the swift brook below. It tossed into driving spray the water of Break Neck Falls where it leaped one hundred feet below with a thundering roar and swirl. It tossed as well the thin grey hair, long beard, and thread-bare clothes of an old man standing upon a large rock which towered high above the stream.
The entire scene was wild and made weird by the approach of night. But the old man did not seem to notice anything except the falling of the waters. His eyes glowed with an intense light as he kept them fixed upon the leaping and swirling columns below. His face was like the face of a lover turned toward the object of his affection.
For some time the man stood there drinking in the scene before him. Then he took a step forward which brought him perilously near the edge of the steep rock. His lips moved though no sound could be heard for the tumult of the falls which was rending the air. What connection had such a man with his surroundings? No boor or clown was he, for the simple dignity of face and manner marked him as one of Nature's true gentlemen.
It was almost dark when he at last reluctantly left the rock and entered the thick woods where a trail led away from the falls. Along this he moved with the unerring instinct of one who had travelled it often and was sure of his bearings. But ever and anon he paused to listen to the sound of the falling waters which followed him like the voice of a loved one urging him to return.
"Yes, you want me," he at length cried, as he once more paused. "I hear your voice calling, and I know its meaning. Others need you, too, but they do not know it. You have been calling to them for years, but they have not understood your language. It was left for me to listen and take heed. They will some day, and then you will show your power. I can see what you will do, beautiful falls, and the changes which will come to this fair land when your luring voice is heeded."
He stood for awhile as if entranced after uttering these mystic words. Then he continued on his way and night wrapped more closely about him her dark mantle. He had to walk very cautiously now for the trail was rough, and there were sharp stones and roots ready