The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-07-15

make. Am I right In assuming that
you wish to stay with me to the end?''
Perfectly" replied Hilgerd. II
wouldn't misc the rest for the world"
II appreciate your frisndship. Paul."
said the other. turning away.
Hilgerd carefully placed the letter in
his pocket. and then bathed his face in
the cold water Of the pool. With some
difficulty they pushed the boat over the
portage to Mud Creek. whose swift cur
rent was soon hurryihg them along
through the fog Of the early morning. A
fallen tree caused some delay. and just
a. they reached the bank below the
track they heard the distant whistle Of
the TAO train.
Just In time to get your ticket! ex-
claimed Wharton. He left Sanders with
the professor and dashed after Hilgerd
up the steep sandy embankment. He
followed him into the car and whis-
pered few final instructions. Hlgerd
saw him turn for another friendly
glance. as he reached the door. and
then he disappeared from view.
Number 26, for the east, left Reeds
willie on time at $50. Hilgerd. with a
good cigar between his lips. lay back
lazily on the cushioned seat. He was
feeling very comfortably after his
hearty breakfast, though trifle
diowsy. The morning sun shone bright
ly on the circllng fields. with their
curious crooked fences. and Hilgred
thnnrht hof . 10 h.
1t was twenty miles to the junction
and he was wishing for a morning
paper to while away the time. His
hand fumbling mechanically In his coat
pocket. touched Wharton's letter. He
drew II forth with a silent laugh. He
had forgotten all about 1t. Tearing
open the envelope with an Indifferent
yawn he read as follows:
"Muskrat Pool. Sept 25. 4 a. m.
Dear Pau!-It Is with regret that l in
form you that our last adventure IL at an
end for the reason that l have found
Newell. That Is to say. We found him-for
he was the gentleman we held up so ar
ttstically In the cabin. Newell 10 q born
actor. DO you recall how beautifully he
played the part Of the surprised bandit? or
course this !s not the first time We have
supported each other. and practice Is max.
ing him perfect. Probably l am not so
bad myself when It comes to the heavy
parts. but his talent Is pronounced. 1t
would amuse you to know how Newell
hoodwinked the gang and gained the con-
hdence OF that merciless devil. the Pro-
fessor. You see there was q real Profes.
sor. He was the stoop-shouldered man
the second one we trapped. Newell subbed
n hA ia
There was over half million In that safe
last night which my dear Wade Is no
doubt wildly searching for at this mo-
ment. OF course he does not suspect that
1t Is snugly stored away In my satchel to-
gether with the princely sum that the
gang had boarded up In the tin box. As
you vii remember. you carried this money
to me yourself across the little bridge
This was the safest plan. II they had i'm
mediately discovered the trick you can
see how easy 1t would have been for me
to have quickly withdrawn from the scene,
leaving you burdened with the necessity
Of making some very embarrassing ex-
plantations. Luckily we were not dlscov.
cred. We both desire to thank you heart.
lily for the invaluable aid you so nobly,
though unconsciously rendered. That in
fernal Simms came near turning our
lights on US.
"D!d you get a good look at the Pro-
fessor's daughter? That was Curly Dick,
successful masquerader in female cos
tune, and much better shot than his
partner, as you can testify. 1t occurred
to me that We might run across some Of
his attire. and my dramatic, through
probably Satanic sense Of humor suggest
ed the daughter business to help out the
play, but when Curly himself suddenly
loomed up In full costume / confess I was
somewhat staggered at the realistic pre-.
sentation Of the plot.
''The stupid sheriff we will accidentally
drop on one OF these numerous islands.
We have nothing but kindly feelings to-
ward him on account of his heroic work
at the oars. We have probably made
enough IN this deal to place US beyond i'm
mediate want. 1t Is difficult to say Just
where we win operate next, but rest as
sured will drop you line in which you
may find material for future work. OF
course I would expect no reply. Trusting
received too severe shock. remain with
that your confidence in humanity has not
we'll wishes. philip Wharton"
Several minutes later the car door
opened and closed with bang.
"C-e-d-a-r J-u-n-c-t-i-o-n" bawled
the businesslike brakeman. with the
turned-up nose and prominent triangu-
lar ears. He paused and gazed curious.
ly at the maa in the third seat from the
front. on the left. A bunch OF paper
was tightly clenched In his hand. while
the other fumbled at his throat His
face was white and he looked helpless
ly and without meaning at the fitting
trees. He did not look up ait the brake
mans touch. and the latter passed on
in hesitating wonderment
On and on. with It's monotonous roar
plunged the flying train. Then night |
came softly down, and Hilgerd fell into |
dfflIl alIlr,nha