The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1894-03-21

room. and seating himself without cere-
mony. coolly demanded "A fill of tobacco
We'll" gasped Foster. rising 10 his
feet. of all the COMPOUNDED cheek! Here,
out YOU go. Double quick
I've as much right in this room as
YOU have. Tom Foster" said the tramp
calmly.
Foster stepped back i'm establishment.
stared minute. and then burst into
shout of laughter. You" he cried.
Sergeant
Yes" answered. even l. am
pleased to find that you did not know
me-"
Know YOU echoed Foster. 4
should think not. till you spoke I'm your
natural voice. Why. your own mother
wouldn't know YOU"
That's all right. then. ! am glad the
disguise is so perfect; l will try it on
the squire tomorrow"
What for?' asked Foster. Il sup
pose you have a reason
4 very good one. | am going to try
and find Flowers treasury" I replied
But sit down and listen for ten min
utes." And, much to Fosters satsfac-
ton. I unfolded 10 him my plan.
Splendid he exclaimed when I had
finished. 4 think it VIII work beauti-
fully. And l am getting stronger every
day"
NO row complete without Tom Eos
ter" | laughed Il waited till YOU were
on the mend; but I've had the idea for
some time"
Next day I was up and away before
any one was stirring in the township
and early in the forenoon reached the
boundary of ToOmburra, where / en-
cOuntered Mr.. Ingram riding alone
'MOrnin', sir" l said in a whining
voice.
The squire pulled up. What do you
want?" he asked sharply.
Want job. sir, if so be as you've
got one goin'.''
The squire hesitated. He was chary
of strangers after his experience of Muir
ply. But his habitual good-nature won
the day, and he inquired in a milder tone:
What can you do. my man.
We'll. squire, II said in my own voice
being now satisfied that my disguise was
impenetrable. Il can run you up
shearer's shed. if YOU like"
The squire started. ''Sergt Sparks
he exclaimed i'm establishment. What
are you masquerading in that dress
for?'
Not for nothing. squire, YOU may be-
lieVe me. However, l really do wish
you to take me on as an odd hand for
awhile. If I seem rather neglected. of
my work. you need not be surprised: and
if you hear that your new man spends
a good deal of time at Maginty's, you
may abuse him to your hearts con-
tent"
in the way of business. But how we'll
YOU have disguised yourself How ever
did you conceal your scar
1t was difficult I admitted; but
you see | managed it
Yes, most wonderfully"
The scar TO which the squire referred
had indeed given me a good deal of
trouble before l hit on a way 10 conceal
it, 1t was the result of a slash with a
knife. received at close quarters in my
g 4 ~.
shape il had assumed, something like
an old-fashioned f. and the length OF it.
running as it did from the inner corner
of the right eve we'll out upon the cheek
bone, seemed 10 preclude the possibility
of my assuming any disguise which this
remarkable cicatriX would not render
unavailing with any one who had ever
seen me. At last. however. by a ju-
dicious arrangement of fieSh-colored
sticking plaster. Armenian bOle. and Il
touch of mOther-earth, l 50 obhterated
the troublesome scar as to induce the
belief in my mind that the plan ! had
formed was a feasible One-a conclusion
which the effect OF my disguise upon
Foster and Mr.. Ingram seemed fully TO
Justify.
For the next fortnight 1 worked a
odd jobs about the ToOmburra home
stead. putting in an occasional daily.
and a regular nightly. appearance al
Maginty's and leaving to Foster the
task of accounting for my absence to any
one who might be inquisitive enough to
ask after me. The lOafers about Magin-
tvs. never very particular, were ready
enough to fraternize with me, the more
particularly when they found that l was
able and willing to stand them drinks out
of what they supposed 10 be an advance
of wages which / had received from the
squire Meantime. my disguise worked
admirably. l was gaining for myself a
most unsavOry reputation. and the
squire acting my hints, inveiGhed
against me in round terms. and more
than once threatened me with dismissal
unless l altered my habits.
Matters were at this pass when one
evening. making my way usual from
Toomburra 10 Maginty's, / heard rough
voices on the road behind me; and drew
behind a thick bush in order 10 get
good look at the travellers. There were
two. The shorter of them was a slim,
wiry. ferret-faced fellow, with a not un-
pleasant expression; but his companion,
a burly brOad-shouldered man Of nearly
six feet in hight was lOw-browed and
MISUNDERSTANDING. while a thick black
beard and long dark locks. which fell
almost TO his shoulders. lent him some
what piratical air. The two were con-
versing in low but perfectly audible
tones.
It's worth the risk" Ferret-face WAS
saying IF you're sure you can find it.
And then California for ME"
4 can find 1t right enough if it's where
il was" answered Blackboard. There
was only me and Bill and him that's
gone as knew where il was. YOu may
cut the country If you want; but I'll
cross over 10 -" The rest of the SEN
tence l failed TO catch.
My first idea was to hurry after the
men and join myself TO them. but on
second thoughts. as l felt sure I should
find them at Maginty's later on, | sat
down and lit my pipe and began to
think the matter over. Neither of the
men was known 10 me by sight. nor was
there any particular reason why | should
connect them with the surviving mem
bers of Flowers gang. Still. the frag-
ment of their conversation which / had
overheard left room for this suspicion
Il will make one more effort tonight
TO solve the riddle" / said 10 myself.
Then rising | shook the ashes from my
pipe and rapidly took my way. not to-
ward Maginty's but in the direction of
the township.
1t was quite dark by the time / ar
rived there and ] stole to my quarters
and gave a preconcerted signal which
brought Foster out 10 join me- | lost
no time i'm giving him instructions, and
after touching up my disguise afresh.
especially that tell-tale scar on my face,
| hurried off to Magintys inn, which
lay some three miles down the road.
The door was shut when l got there,
which struck me as something unusual.
and moreover. in response to my knock.
Maginty's shock head was thrust forth,
and he roughly demanded who was
there.