Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-10-19

had found Dutton dead. and so on He's
told you all that. hasn't hep
He naturally gave us the facts. Nick
"And he felt keenly as you do, no
suffer if the assailant of Dutton wasn't
caught. And you told him how there
wasn't even constable short of five miles,
and him the only one in the township, and
he suggested to you that in such a case
the village should take the matter into its
own hands. So you three appointed your
selves vigilance committee to come up
and see me and get evidence. Don't inter-
rupt. You've read about vigilance commit
tees in the papers, haven't you? Perhaps
Golding made up the committee for you
Huh! the next thing 1 suppose will be a re-
turn of this committee with the whole viii
lage tagging along. ard therell be a trial
in my dooryard with Golding for judge
witness and judge advocate, and my neigh
bors Will come with rope and serve as
jury and hanging committee. Now, see
here, Alvah, and you, too. Seth, and you,
Jim. I've told you as neighbors that know
nothing about the attempted murder on
the mountain. If so be that an officer of
the law comes TO hold me responsible for
my deeds. even if he's only Jere Smith, the
township constable. I'll go with him peace
ably, and answer in any and every court
every question that Is put to me. But
hear me. neighbors, if you and the rest Of
the village take it into your hands to so
much as examine me, I'll barricade my
mouse, I'll become a soldier again, and the
a
line, and the first man of you that crosses
1t, I'll put a charge of lead through him."
Warren's neighbors heard this passionate
outburst with bewiiderment and conster-
nation. Their jaws dropped. their eyes
We're staring, and a. pallor of something
like terror came upon their sunburned
faces. They had not calculated on this
IN tact, for Warren had analysed their
visit with fair approach to correctness,
they had not calculated on anything If
they had been legislative committee of
investigation they would have called their
"Trip a nshing excursion. for Golding had
encouraged them to think that, if they i'm
pressed themselves upon Warren in the
manner taken by their spokesman the old
soldier would make admissions or at least
say something that would tend to break
ing down OF his reticence as to what had
happened between him and Dutton
having delivered his ultimatum, and hav-
ing stood moment before them with
clenched fists and flashing ewes. Warren
turned abruptly and strobe toward the
mouse, where Elsie, who had been attracted
by his rising voice, and who had heard the
last part of speech, stood waiting in a new
fright for the strange scene to come to an
end. Warren stopped as abruptly az he
had started, for GoldiDg was coming around
the corner Of the house having entered the
Premises at the front gate. instead of at the
side as the neighbors had done.
Good morning. Mr.. Warren he said
with serenity May have word or two
with you in private?'
j" ifeH , profound anger was not of the
kind that destroys control. His eyes
gloWed fiercely, and his attitude betrayed
frank hostility, but he answered with com
pGsure:
What do YOU want? Is it some new
charge you will bring against me? or some
lew trck?"
Nothing Of the kind" returned Goldins
In low voice. Il hoped to find you aIone.S
Warren looked him over a moment and
then. remarkng, Come along" led the way
to the barn. They stood in the open door.
While the three neighbors, recovering their
senses slowly, as if they had been stunned
by lightning stroke, discussed the extra
ordinary situation in low voices, and lin
gered to see what would be the outcome of
the new scene.
Il suppose these good people," said Gold
Ing, have been tormenting you with their
crude inquiries"
"Instigated by you," interrupted Warren.
Goldng bit his lip.
You jump to conclusions he resumed,
but in any event don't you see that YOU
are in danger of very disagreeable ex-
rerience, to say the least2 Now, I've been
thinking it all over 1 admire your pluck
and firmness. What is the sense of our re-
naming hostile to each other? There are
enough in those diamonds for twenty men
like you and me. You've got an advantage
of me in the matter by having Dutton in
your possession, and 1t is only through him,
I suppose, that we can get at them all, es-
pecially the president
Hold on!'' exclaimed Warren sternly,
you're going too mighty fast for me to
keep UP with you. You take it for granted
that I'll strike trade with you to rob
helpless man of his property"
There's no robbery, the property Is as
much mine as HIS
Il won't dispute you. I don't want any,
tl,irg to do with you. You'll get no help
from me in recovering the property if it Is
yours, and as for the threat Of conse-