Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1893-03-23
CHAPTER WI.
UN MASkE ED.

UNMASkED.
Mr.. Arnold Dacre lett the cabin of the
charcoal burner with decided flea in his
ear. 1t took very little retleC ion aud in
Quiry of his informant, to decide that
the man he had seen lurking near Whar-
tons room the night previous, was the
same man who had been d passenger on
the stage coach, and that individual had
certainly materialized still later at the
lonely cottage
What was his motive?-there could
be but ono, and that was plainly
manifested by his actions and in
qurles. In some mysterious way,
aware of the existence of the miss
ing package, he was fast upon its trail.
He must have been spying at Wharton's
room the evening previous, he must have
overheard the revelation of the paralytic>
Either by following Dacre, or from his
own deductions. he had stumbled upon
the self-same plan OF procedure. He
was certainly aware OF the secret tho
charcoal burner could reveal. He had
anticipated Dacre. He knew as much
as he did 1t was only p question now,
Of who reached Binder first.
Who was he? Vainly Dacre asked
himself this question, concernedly. TOO
vious evening, he was u stranger to
Ridgetield. Could he be detective, or
was he some friend. crony Of Wharton or
Cupples. who, securing an inlling IT
the precious prey at stake, was on
deavoring to obtain portion Of the
splendid booty SO safely hidden away?
Dacre cudgeled his brain with these
and score of other kindred queries.
He reached the vicinity Of the tavern
just after dark, weary, anxious, irrttated
He glanced eagerly all abont tho loung-
ing room, but the specialized stranger
was not in sight He did not even APP
pear at the supper table. Dacre Ven
tured q casual inquiry of the landlord
concerning him. The latter asserted
that he was in his room upstairs.
Eight O'clock - nine - ten - between
watching the clock, smoking cigars fu-
riousy and pacing up and down the
road, Arnold Dacre kept his spirits in d
pretty lively and restless condition.
Would Binder never come! He watched
the moonlit road with devouring eyes.
Asout an hour before midnight, his
anxious vigil was rewarded A jovial
pedestrian came swinging along the road.
He was singing cheerily. Arnold Dacre
halted him with sharp challenge as he
approached.
Your name Binder?"
Bright you arel' spoke the bluff must
clan Don't know you, though,
No. but | am friend of q man you
befriended day before yesterday-a par
alytic. Do you remember him?'
"Eh' Oh! that poor fellow" exclaimed
the charcoal burner Sympatheticaliy.
SHOULD say did, He was in bad shapes
| worried half to death after he'd left,
for letting him go on alone, sick Us he
was"
well, as said, he was my friend
reiterated Dacre glibly. Here, that's
for you,'
He had thrust little package into the
charcoal burners hand.
"Eh! what's thiS?" demanded the lat
ter in surprise.
trouble aud kindness, and. oh, by the
way, he got you to write something out
for him"
''Yes, sort OF direction to some old
digging or mica cave he'd discovered, l
think
''He lost the paper, he's very sick, and
wants YOU to make another copy of it. :"
Sam Binder started and scratched his
head obviously.
"Well. stranger now you've got me. !"
he pronounced blankly.
What. you can't remem Der it?" cried
Dacre with apprehension.
Dunno. You see l never charged
my mind with it. Hold on. I'll try.
Let me think"
He sat down by the roadside and bent
his head upon his great brawny hands.
His business was charcoal burning.
Brain labor was new and difficult eS-
perience for him.
live got it, he cried at last
Eyes, yesn urged the eager Dacre.
TRY and remember correctly, nv man.
It's matter Of the greatest impor-
lance"
Minnie Creek'-"Rodgers swamp
by piecemeal sections, that destroyed