Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1888-11-30
whispered tones Of what we should

do when we got to he men.
On this night, with more than ordi-
nary alertness and caution put into our
movements by the almost tragedy that
We had together witnessed on the
river bank, we climbed like cats to the
shed roof from the one available col.
umn of the small porch in the kitchen.
end of the shed. Crawling stealthily
along in the shadow thrown from this
taller roof of the main building. by
a low red moon now peering between
black-crossed limbs of elm trees, we at
last reached the comb of the ell-roof.
and our peering heads were on level,
Dr. even little above level, with the
sill Of Polly's open north bedroom
winIow.
Being in tie lead. I was upon the
point of lifting my bare foot after the
shoes and tocziugs in my right hand.
and which hat gone pioneering boldly
over the comb of the roof and down
upon that of the attic. when Buck
ever more vi5ilant and alert than l,
ever more 81 sceptible to correct pre-.
monitions of danger or mystery than
put his ST ong hand upon my arm
with such grasp that l came near
rolling down tie shed roof in the belief
that l had seen Old Bogus Leather
wood leaning menacingly out at Pol
ly's open north window. When we
were so far down the side of the gently
sloping roof AZ to be quite out of the
range Of this. the only north window
in the house. Buck whispered:
Ibid you see imp"
Eyes. What's he doin' theree Tryun
to ketch us, you reckon?" l whispered
back in fright that Buck did not par
ticipate in.
What do you mean? WHO did you
think it WASP" he asked, trying to look
Into my face.
why, Bogus-yur pap! 1t was him.
wasn't it?' l answered. stcadying .
little and trying to recall the form and
sem lance Of the apparftion at the
window. Buck balanced himself on
the palm 81 LIS left hano ana turned
about so as - face to the west and
seating himself on the roof drew his
feet up and clasped his hands over his
knees with the shoes grssped in one Of
them. This was = habit Of his when
setting about the solution of some
mental problem involving correct de-
auctions from q number of isolated
facts.
why. blame ut, hoo! Hit wasn't
the ole man, nur any whurs n-yur i'm.
Let's have another look At the winder.
They shorely haint' put none than
fellers into Polly's room, you reckon"
didn't know. They might put that
flame Teller Martin. in there, mebby!
Buck looked at me. with q grin.
''Now. don't poke yur head more n
eench above the comb-thess fur
enough to git yur left eye above ut.
Jim, un en- keep ut peeled. I'm don't
git SO dod-burned sk-yurt nuther-
less you wawnt to roll offun the ruff. -
With this admonition from my &C.
knowledged leader in all things. phys
ical and concrete. and my follower
in all things metaphysical and abstract,
I erept by his side very cautiously and
slowly to the comb Of the roof. and
getting my left eye shove it. looked in
1t the window.
There were to rs strange CLEANS Of
light flashing in and out Of the room.
appearing now ON = dark wall; now
sliding swiftly up and down; now rest
ing moment upon the very bureau
In the upper drawer Of which lay the
splendidly jeweled pistol that zoe had
seen once at our deadly peril. Pres
entity the light was gone and the figure
of a stout man appeared in tho win.
dow. He held something in his left
hand, and the diffused moonlight was
sufficiently strong upon him for Buck,
If it was not for me. As the man turned
into the room again after looking out,
Buck seized my arm. drew me back Z
little way, and not waiting to turr
round this time upon his left palm. hi
whispered:
''Now whut in the jeemuny crimuny
do you spose he's do-un in there? Lcsl
git up closter un watch i'm"
"Who is ut Buckf Did you see i'm
plain enough to tell Who it vast"
ask. without pausing in our silent
scramble to the window.
Eyes. Hits the fiddler-that felleI
IS the judge called Herkimer Smith,
rclse never sot eyes on the Teller er
my life, by gum!" Buck whispered
back. LEI he's stealun any theng
you keep right with me I'm we'll up ir
right there"
Relying implicitly ON Bucks we'll
known courage and accurate judgment
IS well as his great strength, did Al
he directed, and in an instant we wcr,
1t the window sill looking in.
With throb at my heart and full
ness in my throat that made me gull
down huge swallow of empty air
saw to the loft of the window Polly
bed with Polly lying soundly sleeping
with her black hair lying loose ovel
one bare round arm and the ligh
white counterpart Trapped about hel
shapely figure. In the opposite cor
her Of the room her mother lay heavily
swathed in quilts and blankets. Fol
she was delicate. nervous invalid. al
ways chilly and always wrapped NJ
moro than any one else could be. A
brief glance served for her. and Their
my eyes returned to the daughter. and
! looked with something like feeling
Of pity for her and regret for the harsh
thought had harbored concerning
her. and the harsher resolutions had
oeen isrming ABOUT Ter.
But while / was still gazing and re-
psnting. 70: nd, bright spot of light
danced over tie side Of huge rough
wooden chest that occupied the south.
east corner Of the room. Directly the
spot Of light steadied itself upon the
aide of this monster chest and near the