Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1901-07-05
CHAPTER xXII.-CoNr1NuED.

lCopyTIgnts 1897 oy r. IennySon Neely.l
CHAPTER XXII.-CoNTINUED.
Cup to this afternoon at five no
trace of them has been found" said
Loring. 'Day after tomorrow that
safe-opener should reach us. If you
have influence with Col. Stevens you
should urge him to have a guard at
the quartermaster's depot, even if he
had to strip the fort. The general
cannot be reached by wire"
'Why?" asked Folsom, looking up
in alarm. "You don't suppose he'd
come back to rob his own Officer"
HE is not the man to take risk,
but there are those with him not so
careful, and the hand that sent Bird
sails gang in chase of Dean could
send them here, with the safe-key.
Those few clerks and employees would
be no match for them"
"By heaven, believe you're right!'
cried Folsom. (Which way are you
going now?"
Back to the hotel by way of the
depot was the answer. "Will you
go?"
Zone moment. do not travel about
1ust now without a gum" said Folsom.
stepping within doors, and even the
low sound of their voices died away and
all was still as desert. The old trader
did not return at once. Something de-
tained him-Miss Folsom, probably.
reasoned the engineer, as he stood
there leaning on the gate. Aloft a
blind creaked audibly, and, gazing up
ward, Loring saw a dark, shadowy
shutter at the third-story window
swing slowly in. There was no wind to
snoye it. Why should human hands be
so stealthy? Then dim light shone
Through the Stats, and the shade was
raised, and, while calmly watching
the performance, Loring became aware
OF a dim, faint, far-away click of
horses hoofs at the gallop, coming
from the north. eff that were from the
eastward, now" thought he, sit might
bring stirring news" But the sound
died away after a moment, as though
the rider had dived into sandy soil.
Just then Folsom reappeared. 81 had
80 explain to my daughter. She is most
reluctant to have me go out at night
just now"
Naturally" said Loring. calmly.
1'And have you been way up to the
third story? I suppose Miss Folsom
has gone TO her room"
THE girls have, both of them-but
not to the third story. That's Mrs.
Eletcher's ROOM
All, yes. The woman, believe, who
accidentally scared your horse and
threw your
Tine very one!" he answered. "I'm
blessed if l know what should have
taken her out at that hour. She says
she needed air and walk, but why
should she have chosen the back-gate
and the alley as way to air and sun
shine?''
Would you mind taking me through
that way?" asked the engineer, sud-
denly. Its the short cut to the depot.
j understands
1Why. certainly. I hadn't thought of
that" said Folsom. Come right on
And SO while the hoofbeats up the
road grew louder. the two turned
quickly back to the rear of the big
frame house. THAT coming horse
brings news" muttered Loring to him
self. as he turned the corner 1--WE can
head him off, but 1 want to see this
situation first"
Looking away southeastward from
could see in the daytime vista OF
shingled roofs and open yards. broad
valley. with corral and Enclosures on
she southern edge of the town, but not
u tree. Tonight only dim black shad-
pws told where roof and chimney
stood, and not a sign could they see
Of the depot. Loring curiously gazed
aioft at the rear and side windows OF
1he third story. 'They command quite
view, l suppose" said he, and even as
he spoke the sash of the southeast
room was softly raised, the blind
swung slightly outward. That woman
watching and listening again! And it
was she whose sudden and startling APP
pearance at the rear gate had led to
Eolsom's throw SO early the morning
Burleigh and his mysterious friend
syere found missing from their quar-
sers just after dawn -the very morning