The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-08-16
The Professors Daughter.
ByH LYNDE.
PRIZE DETECTIVE STORIES. No. 10.
e. wharton's mouth closed like a

rifle. Wharton's mouth closed like
trap.
Engagement opened by the enemy"
exclaimed Hilgerd, breathing hard.
Eyes, they are trying our range, and
fell little short. We will give them an
other trial before showing our hand.
They had not long 10 wait. Another flash
and the lenden missile whistled so close
overhead that Hilgerd and the sheriff in
voluntarily ducked together. Wharton
never stirred.
They're improving some" said he,
grimly. "Tlrn about is fair play" lie
swung the 3S-caliber Winchester TO his
shoulder with the easy grace OF born
rifleman. master OF the weapon, he
poised IL lightly, his attitude an artistic
study. As they rose on little swell, he
fired. Clink! clinkl went the lever, and
the second report seemed but an echo TO
the first. The pungent fumes OF the
burnt powder hung closely about in the
mOisture-laden air. No sound came from
the pursuers TO indicate the effect of the
shots, but the distance between them
gradually wldened.
eve probably disa bled one OF her pro-
pellers' said Wharton, throwing in an
other shell. "The mouth OF the creek is
right over there, and we ought TO beat
them easily into It,. Hilgerd's hands
were blistered from the unusual work and
the pain in his back was excruciating,
Dul lnt DuIlN VI AhS ehNi III
never seemed to tire, and the stroke was
still strong. They are near the mouth of
the. creek and with a few more strokes
will be out of sight. Hilgerd is consci-
Gus of singing pain in his right hand
and his oar is dashed out Of ii in splin-
tiers as another whip-iike report .hoes
over the water.
"Are you hurt, Paul9' Wharton asks,
quickly.
inches further to the right and 1t would
have counted"
"Pull in your oar, Mr. Hilgerd, said
the sheriff. 1T will run easier. think
/ can manage for while. Much fur
ther?" he asked.
"No," answered Wharton, pointing
ahead. GA few more strong pulls, SAN
ders, and you will have saved the day" I"
They were heading for an impenetrable
thiclxet, barricaded by mass of fallen
water-soaked logs. They were almost
upon the largest OF these, and Hilgerd
braced himself for the shock 1t never
came, for the boat, as IL moved by hu-
man impulse, swerved swiftly to the left,
and grazing some low, overhanging vines,
glided through narrow channel into a
hidden pool.
"Not word, now, for your life, - said
Wharton, impressively. He drew his re-
volver and cooked it.
snow, Professor, Ii rests with you who
will go first You understand
The prisoner silently bowed his head.
Several minutes passed in a silence that
almost made itself felt. Then came the
slight splash of an oar.
"What shall We do, JakeY' asked low
voice. "Keep on or turn in TO the right
branch?''
"D--d IL / know came the gruff
reply, and then followed string OF startl-
ing expletives touching upon bad luck In
general, and their own I'm particular.
freddy said they'd take the main
bayou" said another voice, in hoarse
drawl.
"What in hi does Reddy know bout
it. anyway?n snapped the gentleman first
addressed. ''If Reddy hadn't acted like q
blamed mud-sticker, and done "a he
ought to hev did, we a. had those blame
chumps dead to rights. Reddy be id!
You keep straight ahead there, Smoky,
and" An intervening clump OF bushes
charitably smothered Jahe's further re-
marks, and the voices became a confused
murmur, gradually dying away into the
night Five minutes passed. Wharton
broke the spell with laugh.
professor, i am afraid your proteges
are not in the habit of freluenting your
valuable library to any great extent. Jake
has talent, rhetorically speaking. Why
neglect him?"
The Professor disdained more than
grunt in reply, and Wharton directed
Sanders to row across the pool They
pulled the boat upon sort of island,
dryer than the surrounding parts and
built a fire. Hilgerd started TO bring
something from the boat and Wharton
followed him down to where IL was pulled
up on the sand. He came close and spoke
in Hilgerd's ear
"Paul, things have taken an unexpected
and disappointing turn.
"There is but one way / can see now to
discover any trace of poor Newell, and
that is through him, nodding his head
toward the still manacled captive. 81
must talk to him and if Newell is still
alive, will promise him all possible leni-
ency IL he will tell US where to find him.
1t is the only way and there is no time to