Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1894-11-15
tCoPYRICEr, 1901 I
CHAPTER XI.-CoNTISUEp

| CHAPTER XJ-CONTINCED.
Ben did not know the country any
better than did Hendricks. They tool,
to the woods and went north, Hen
| bricks and Fenning riding on either
side of the captain, and Ben following
at some distance behind.
1t was some time before they reached
| an open country, and, rough as it was,
| they galloped away ard soon left Ben
| far out of sight.
| You are going to the Laran house.
| said fleming, who had recovered his
| spirits.
Yes" replied Hendricks. 'HGve
| you OWNED the rest?''
NO"
"Wait, hardly know myself
1t was ten o'clock when the party
having toiled slowly up a long accliv-
| lty, came out upon wooded brow of
the hill looking eastward. 1t was a
magnificent stretch of country and it
was radiant with the morning light.
Hendricks dismounted and looked
| through his glass.
IF you follow the top of that stone
ledge, to the second green line of hills
| and look between those two rounded
knobs, just under that white cloud
that hangs down like teat-you will
see the Laran chimney" And Hen
bricks handed the glass to Fenning.
Yes, L can see it, said Fenning.
How far is it?''
Approximately four miles and half.
We can get within pistol shot of the
house from this direction. I know
every turn in the way. Well wait here
for Ben. get bite and a drink, take
the extra horse and leave him here to
wait for u.s.
1t was eleven o'clock before Ben
came up and the captain was the most
impatient of the party, but Hendricks
beguiled the time in telling Fenning
some of his earlier experiences in the
place and Jennings remark as the liar
rative ended was: We'll. / wouldn't
doubt that woman either. But you
never can tell what Il woman will do
At half-past eleven, Hendricks and
Fenning. with the captain between
them, set off in the direction of the
Laran house, Hendricks leading the
extra horse.
This part of the way was by all
odds the most difficult of any. AS
they descended into the valley they
had to skirt primeval morass, its
pools inhabited by millions of water
fowl. But Hendricks knowledge of
the country enabled him to pick his
way through the labyrinth and about
two o'clock, he said, as he reached an
almost impenetrable covert and dis
mounted: DO you know where you
are?"
Fenning looked about him and shook
his head.
But the captain recognized the place.
banning his eyes, he remarked that
he and Endicott had been there hun
dred times.
$50 has Miss Endicott," said Hen
bricks, land now that you are here 1
hope she will come again"
Hendricks fastened his horse and
beckoned to Fenning, who stepped
aside out of sight of the captain.
A few PAGES away and covered with
brambles there was smooth crown of
rock. Hendricks parted the brush, got
down on his knees and searched q
moment with his hand. He then took
a small stick and dug the dead leaves
out of a depression in the rock and put
his ear to the spot.
just listen there moment" he
said to Fenning as he got up.
What is it?" asked Fenning who
had put his ear down to the hole.
Its the dynamo running under
meath. It's directly under our feet !
bored that hole nearly two years ago
to see how thick the crust was. In all
/ made about fifty of them. but Laport
stopped most of item because they
leaked
1--WE are then within two hundred
feet of the house." said Fenning, with
establishment.
I'VE are within twenty feet of the
steel fence. You can touch it if you go
through that brush; so speak softly.
1t is the widest spot in the neighbOr-
hood, and to reach us the inmates must
come round from the entrance. There
is a corner of the road visible from that
opening. I'm going to ask You to
watch it. while l give the captain his
Instructions
Fenning took his place at the open
ing, and almost Immediately said:
There's somebody now
Hendricks quickly used his glass.
Its Mrs. Hendricks and Calicot," he
said They are going for ride, and
will keep to the road. There's only
three of them left. and one of them is
probably on the balcony. We have got
to wait
This was the hardest part of all. One
whole hour passed, and the captain
swore that four had passed, but
Hendricks repeated injunction was:
Have patience and keep SILENT
1t must have been three o'clock
when, in moment of silence.
all three of them heard a twig
snap. and Hendricks and Fenning put
hands on their. revolvers. The next
liant the green leaves Were parted
by Z pair of white hands. and an equal |
ly white face looked suddenly in upon
them, and its eyes rested upon the cap
tain with a look of dreamy hopeless
ness and terror.
Miss Endicott." exclaimed Fennins,
between his teeth.
Hendricks with a motion babe him be |
silent.
The girl stepped into the center of |
the little space, her eyes still fixed on |
the captain.
What have you done with him?" !
she said.
you are to go to him." said Hen
bricks. There is your horse. Get upon
it,
''sYes,' she said. 81 must CO.
''Get upon the horse" repeated Hon
friol- i.uDerafiyelv and he took her |