The Pioche weekly record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1877-1900, 1899-08-31
CHAPTER XII.

he laQ Sucn horror OF uTunhdl US III
general that the mans illness excited
no sympathy within. Besides he had
TO communicate regarding
Robert Luke, the brother, and had long
since ceased to take any interest in
what had become of him.
Leisurely mounting his horse that
afternoon, he rode down to the public
house.
There he was received by an expect
ant crowd of loafers, foremost amongst
whom was the landlord he so much de-
tested.
Take Mr.. Halls horse, Bill, can't
yerw cried Sullivan. Very good OF
you, sir, Pm sure, to have taken the
trouble to come. This business has
quite upset me-it's awful!"-and the
man really did look as If his nerves
were in a more shattered condition
than usual. 'Will you step inside, sir!
he asked respectfully. Il have let
ter you had better see at once"
Mr. Hall followed the landlord into
the little back-parlor, which was so FAR
in advance of the rest Of the estap-
lishment as to boast of a calico ceiling
Closing the door, Sullivan pulled out
letter from the depths OF one OF MS
pockets, 1t was the letter written by
Robert Luke to his brother in England.
Mr.. Hall read the letter carefully
through.
II can't make head or tail of it," he
remarked at last. 1T is dated on the
day the man disappeared, see; but
what was the trial, and what was the
thousand pounds reward he seemed sc
| keen about getting?"
you'll remember, sir, surely! 1t was
the great Froyles murder in England
This man William Luke was taken VI
on suspicion. He was the butler t(
the old gent who was killed"
Eyes, yes; l remember now reading
all about it." replied Mr.. Hall, becom
ing more interested.
well, this William Luke was con
demned to death, and there seemed n
4
Shortly after the execution was to hav
taken place, however, the police &c
upon another scent"
81 remember-and he was pardoned.
Eyes, sir; and the people who wer
wanted in his stead were two of tn
servants who gave evidence agains
him at the trial. Here is printe
handbill describing them.
Mr.. Hall took the paper in his han'
It was headed Zone Thousand Pount
Reward" and contained the descril
lions of Edward Bartlett and AnI
Dodson.
81 cannot say that this in any wa
enlightens me- he remarked PRESENT.
Then, referring to Robert Luke's lie
ter to his brother, he said, Luke seer
ed to fancy that he traced likene
in Tom Baynes to the woman who
here wanted This is absurd"
HE had his own reasons, no doubt
replied Sullivan.
Possibly he had, or thought he ha
but-which is more likely-he W
carried away by the hopes of gaini
the reward, and so allowed himself
suspect people without just cause. "
"He may have been right, anyhow
growled the landlord.
81 don't think so, and I'll tell y
why. / have seen Baynes' wife, a
she in no way answers the descripti
: of the woman here"
\ ooh, you have seen her?"-"Ye
y "And what was she like?"
\ "In the first place she was not ne
\ " so tall as this Anne Dodson, "
\ seems to have been much above
Y average height of women. Then
\ hair was very dark"
\ THAT might easily be manage
\ argued Sullivan.
y "Of course; but her features in
Y way answered the description here.
a fact, l am certain she could not HI
= been the same person"
"oh! grunted Sullivan, in dis
\ pointed tone. We'll, perhaps, sir,
81 would like to see the man Luke. H
in the next room"
you wished to see me-" said
souatter, taking a seat by the beds
. yes, SIR" said Luke, IF you are
Z Charles Hall"
= THAT is my name!
81 have come out all this way to
my brother Robert"
Eyes; know all about it. You h
=, heard how suddenly he went away
HE never went away, sir" rep
the sick man.
what, then. do you suppose has
- come of him?"
~ Raising himself with difficulty l
"A, one arm, William Luke looked wi
Nv about him.
n my head-my head!" he exclaii
- ooh, don't mind me, sir! I'll thinl
its rectly."
re, "My belief-is-thath he has been
2 OF away!"
ada. PUT away?"
" Eyes, sir-murdered!
Nonsense, man; you are imagi
. things which we know cannot be
By whom could he have been
I, dered?"
"By them"
wart Whom"
edward Bartlett and Anne bod
ng "My good fellow" said Mr..
'ouid soothingly, there have been no
people in this neighborhood.
vrs brothers suspicious as to Baynes
quite ridiculous He and his wife
ny OF nothing like the people here des
take ed" and Mr.. Hall held up the pr