Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1895-08-09
men, who have made an attempt to
murder me-"

men, who have made an attempt to
murder me-"
"Why?" asked the Colonel.
because l have been spying out what
they are doing at the mines," explained
the stranger. "My name is Baker
Charley Baker. l am mining expert
by profession, and was sent out here by
the real owner of the Musselshell mines,
a man named Perry Wynans--"
Exactly" interrupted the Colonel,
with a start Come into the house,
Mr.. Baker. I'll send your horse to the
stable"
Placing a metallic whistle to his lips,
the Colonel blew two or three peculiar
notes, and then motioned the fugitive to
enter.
"Many thanks, Colonel" said Baker,
"but l must warn you that you will ge;
into trouble if you champion my cause.
Sam Gadder is very bitter against me,
and swears that he Will kill mel"
"NeNer mind that" returned Col.
Whipsaw, with another graceful wave
of the hand. evil Cad ller pursue
you:"
81 cannot doubt it. "
L
cept.ng the shelter of my house. Walk
in"
The Colonel's factotum had now made
his appearan' 0, bright eyed, herculean
young man of one and twenty, and the
Colonel proceeded to give him few
rapid orders in tone too guarded to
reach even the newcomers hearing.
"And put this horse in the stall next
to mine" Ned, added the Colonel. "Lcave
them both saddled and bridled."
Ned nodded Obediently, and fastened
away with the horse, while the Colonel
led the way into the dwelling
81 have just received a telegram from
Mr.. Wynans," he said, motioning his
guest to q chair, land reca him well
as young man who passed couple of
days with me several years ago. As you
will see by this mes age he is now at no
great distance on his way to US. O."
Bak glanced at The telegram, a sigh
of relief escaping him.
81 am glad he has taken this stand"
ho declared. II have been wishing all
the morning l could get line to him
The truth is, this man Gaddler is one of
the worst miscreants | have ever ell
Wynans for months and years, and is now
taking out of the two mines about six
thousand do lars every day. He has di
covered that | have been in the neigh
borhood ever since last Wednesday, and
has reached very clear conception of
the purport of my visit In word, he
is aware that l am in possession of all
his nefariOuS sec cts, and he SwcarS that
] shall never return to Perry Wynans 10
tcl what know"
81 see your clothes are badly torn, Mr..
BakeH" said the Colonel. "Are you Sc
riOuS y huIt?"
"NO, sir, thanks to the speed Of my
horse" replied Baher. GAS my assail-
ants were dozen to one, would have
stoJd no chance at all if had not been
we'll mounted. Ab!"
lie raised his hanl warningly, listen
ing with an air of keen interest
"There they arc" he remarked as
confused clatter of hoofs resounded
from distance "The villain has mus
tered his for, es anew and is coming here
to kill ne"
"You just sit where you are for the
PRES Mt, Mr.. Baker," en- solned the
Colonel, quietly, slipping revolver into
his right h p pocket "Ill take look
at these people, and see what is their
business in this quarter"
Selling an AK which stood behind his
writing desk, the Colonel sauntered out
in the direction Of the bridge we have
mentioned, With the air of man who is
proceeding to his timber.