Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1894-12-27

49, " Aob oAiCuAb hC dOf
At the storehouse, the ordnance ser.
geant, aided by one or two semi-in.
valided troopers, was packing cavalry
equipments to be sent to a distant COM
mand. The glad June sunshine was
pouring in at the open doorway, and
the mountain breeze was fresh and
bracing. The men were chatting in
low tones over their work, and the talk
was only of the robbery. Graves was
In town, in consultation with the civil
authorities. The local morning paper
had but two topics to discuss, the In
dian outbreak and the robbery. 1t had
but one theory: the Indians were the
malefactors in the first case, and the
soldiers in the second. That COWBOYS
or settlers, ranchmen or road-agents,
could be the real culprits was not for
an instant to be believed. Two soldiers
closely answering the description given
by Mr.. Lacy, the paymaster's clerk,
had been in town for several hours the
previous day, patronizing stables, sa-
looms and restaurants, and literally
supplied with money, had ridden away
as soon as details of the robbery were
being circulated about the streets, and
they were now lat large"-that ex-
pressive term which is used by the
press when it desires to imply that the
party enjoying his constitutional
rights is probably fugitive from JUS
tice. The sheriff, with efficient
posses" was securing the country in
pursuit. Officials at the fort, profess
ing to doubt the evidence laid before
them, had refused to cooperate with
the civil authorities in securing their
arrest, and had insisted that the men
were merely returning ON the trail of
Col Winthrop's command. Morgan
had read many screed in similar
strain. twas what his own men were
saying that aroused him to sudden in
terest.
who was that red-headed chap was |
out here last night asking to know |
where was Schramm's trunlx?" inquired
Private Geohegan of his comrade.
"Oh, he's wan of the sheriff's gang. |
misremember his name. Sure the
quartermaster sergeant told him
Schramm carried his trunk, like the
on the end of his nose. But
be said he knew he'd left a box or
trunk in somebody's care-Mrs. Hink-
els, / think, or the wife of some of the
sergeants. He was nosing around the
addresses quarters half the evening""
WAS he? Did he get anything?'
He did. He got some important in
Mrs. Clancy tould him
he'd black his eye for him If he stuck
his red head inside the door, and while
he was entertaining the gentleman
Hrs. Hinklc ran up to the post with a
'ox, and when she came back the Teller
vas talking about search warrant.
It's little of Schramm's they'd find at
uld Hinkle's now. She's took it up to
he officers quarters, whatever it is"
And then Morgan remembered the
ager voice in his kitchen the night be-
ore, and Lots announcement that 1t
'as Mrs. Hinkel who begged to see ,
onstance, and a new light flashed
cross his mind, new shadow fell ,
thwart his path. What if the author !
les were now to ask him where {
rhramm's effects were hidden? What /,
they should demand the right to ex- =
mine them? Morgan was no longer :
IMPLY subaltern officer, he was the :
pro tenn, of the big and q
nportant post of fort Ransom, and 1
ound by every consideration to act in i
injunction with the civil officials in n
lie enforcement of law and in the aid =
civil process.
Even as he was bordering over the
after, horseman appeared in the !
Dad glare of the sunshine on the bare y
zen space in front. s
I'm looking for the post command y
y said he, and handed him a tele- q
am. Morgan mechanically unfolded II
and read: .,
ITO the Sheriff, Latimer county, a
Commanding officer Fort
lnsom instructed to give every assist :,
ce in his power You viii be allowed y,
make all proper search. "A
This was signed by the adjutant gen. n
Il of the department, and was pres :,
thy supplemented by another which n
, operator at the post handed in. lie al
S in conversation with the deputy -
riff at the moment, and, excusing -
nself, Morgan opened and read: Ia
Commanding Officer, Fort Ransom. Il.
il authorities report they are ham r,
ed in search for money stolen from We
ymaster Graves. Render every as 81.
iance and allow all proper investi- HI
ion" ~.
Do you mean that your people think Sc
of this money is hidden here at this he
to" he queried. ~
Wen, sir, that's what some of 'em 60,
: Two OF our olncers VIII oe OUT as
e in moment. rode ahead while ~,
y were jogging along in their bug Of
an
of