The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1881-01-25


house, guess"
"Ah, dot was a good poy," said
Dutchy, gladly. Dot vas nice und
get some supper too, don't 1t 7"
I" reckon replied the boy.
Re-shouldering his pack, the two con-
tinued to follow the road, heyouth lead
ing, until, half mile further on, a cabin
appeared in the shadows.
Here's my house," said the guide.
eco to the door and I'll run and tell
father" and he disappeared towards the
barn.
Densmore looked sharply about him.
This was Prices. A long, low cabin,
strongly built, with small barred win
dows, barn back of it, dreary woods
upon all sides. A regular den. The
detective shuddered,
"a bad hole; yet he's the chief. If L
can catch him, with the dies, it will
destroy the gang"
Then, with a resolution to succeed or
perish, he slowly moved towards the
door.
AS he raised his hand to knock, it was
suddenly opened. A heavily built,
heavily bearded woodsman stood before
him-a man with skill and cunning in
his face, and desperate, threatening
courage in his eyes-a devil to dare, a
giant to do-Dlck Price. He glowered
upon the pedlar, shading the flickering
torch he held with one brawny hand,
while his piercing glance searched Dens.
more's face.
"What dye wantp"
"You vas de lettle poy's pap Dot
vas goot. want some 'tings to eat and
some e'tings to sleep. De lettle poy said
so." And, with simple naturalness,
Carl pushed aside the mighty doorman,
entered the cabin, threw his pack upon
the floor, and, with a sigh of relief,
dropped on to low bench near the fire.
"Ah, dat vas goot."
For an instant anger famed in Prices
face; but, before he could speak,
woman, young, 1.-THE and charming,
entered, and, with q glance at the
man before her, said, "Ah, this is the
pedlar Will spoke to me of. He lost his
way, DEAR" she continued, going to
Price, and laying her hand upon his
arm "and Will met him on the road,
and asked him to stay with us tonight,
It's all right"
The passion died from the mans face {;
the voice of the woman thrilled Carl.
This girl and the boy who had guided
him were one. She was the spy of the
gang.
$50 yer pedlar, eh ?" said the host,
advancing, "an' lost yer way? Wall,
yer welcome to our fare and fire; but 1
tell ye little more ceremony will be
better with Dick Price next time. L
was nigh shakin' ye!'' and he smiled
grimly.
Carl smiled too, childlike and bland,
and said Yaw." The host and his
companion were amused.
"Where's the boy =" asked Price.
{" He went to the barn. replied the
woman, as she busted herself preparing
the eevening meal. " He was too tired
to eat, and will not be in tonight.
Carl was sure now that woman and
boy were one.
A plain but plentiful supper was serv-
ed, after which the pedlar and his host
drew before the open fire with their
pipes. Naturally, the conversation
turned upon trade, and Dutchy very
willingly told of his success, and even
showed the silver which he had gather
ed during the day. Price picked piece
of it from his hand.
"This ere's bad," said he.
"Vat Pad "and Carl leaned forward
excitedly. 80, you vas foolin'," he
continued, examining the coin. "Dis
viii pass"
1t may pass, but it's counterfeit all
the same," said Price. "I'm sure Of
it."
"Vell, neffer mind. It's good enough
for me" said the pedlar with smile.
81 only wish had a t'ousand dollars
NIT it,"
Wall, I reckon ye could git it," said
Price, resuming his pipe. "I heard q
feller say to-day thar war lots o. il
around"
spy shimminy! i would like to gel
it," said his companion. "It vas gooI
effery ware CO."
81 know feller what's got some ol
the stuff" said Price, in a low tone