The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1900-04-27
CHAPTER VII.-CQNTINUED

CHAPTER Nll.-CQSTINUED. q
The carpenter came, and he and two
or three of the guard laid hold of one
end of the plank after its nails were
drawn, and with little eXertion ripped
it off the other posts. Then everybody
held his breath minute. stared, and a
small majority sworc. SO far from its
being open to cats, cans and rubbish,
the space on that side was filled solid
with damp, heavy sea sand-a vertical
wall extending from fioof to, ground.
Canker almost ran around TO the oppo-
site side and had big plank torn off
there. Within was wall as damp,
solid and straight as thato first discov-
cred, and so, when examined, were the
other two sides provided. Canker's face
was sturdy, and the board gaz:d and
was profoundly happy.
At last the colonel exploded:
F! by Jupiter! They haven't got away
at all, then! There isn't flaw in the
sand wall anywhere. They must be
hiding about the middle now. Come on,
gentlemen" and around he trotted to
the front door. Sergeant" he cried,
SCt Oul uli INC III tuclI
bedding-every blessed thing they've
got. l want to examine that floor"
Most of the guardhouse birds" were
out chopping'wood, and Canker danced
in among the few remaining, loading
them with bedding belonging to their
fellows until every item of clothing and
furniture was showed out of the room.
One member of the board and one only
failed to enteIo with his associates-a
veteran captain who read mech war
literature and abhorfed Canker. To the
surprise of the sentry he walked de-
liberately over to the fence, climtfed it
and presently began poking about the
wooden curb that ran along the road.
making a low revetment ep retaining
wall for the earth, cinders and gravel
that, distributed over The sand, had
been hopefully, designated sidewalk
by the owners Of the tract. Presently
he came sauntering back, and both SEN
tries within easy range would have
sworn he was chuckling. Canker
greeted him with customary asperity.
What do you mean, sir, by absent
ing yourself from this Investigation,
when yoy must have known I was with
The board and giving it the benefit of
The information 1 had gathered?"
Il was merely expediting matters,
colonel. While you were looking for
where they went in 4 was finding where
they got out"
Went in what? Got out of what %
snapped Canker.
Their tunnel. sir. It's Libby on a
small scale over again. They must
have been at work at it at least ten
days" And as he spoke, calmly ignor.
ing Canker and letting his eyes wander
over the floor, the veteran battalion
commander sauntefed across the room,
stirred up a slightly projecting bit of
aooring with the toe of his boot and
placidly continued: IF you'll be good
enough to let the men pry this up you
may understand"
And when pried up and lifted away
\ snugly fitting trap door about two
feet square there yawned beneath
It, leading slantwise downward in the
direction of the street, n tunnelothrough
the soft yielding sand, braced and
strengthened here and there with lids
ind sides of cracker-boxes. ''Now. if
you don't mind straddling a fence, sir,
Ill show you the other end" said the
captain, imperturbably leading the
way. and Canker, half-dazed yet wholly