The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-10-16
CHAPTER xxi.

John Folsom's prophecy had come true
Entoing one detachment after another
from the stookade at Warrior Gap b,
show OF scattered bands OF braves. head
devil Of the ogalialas. Red Cloud. had
gradually surrounded three companies
with ten times their force OF fighting men
and slaughtered every soldier OF the lot
There had been excitement at Gate City
during a brief visit OF the general and
his aid inspecting the affairs Of Major
Burleigh, who. confined to his bed by
nervous prostration and forbidden by the
doctor TO see anybody. had nevertheless
sent his keys and books and bank ac-
count, and, to the mystification OF the
chief, more money was found In the big
office safe at the depot quartermaster S
than was necessary to cover his account
ability.
The general and hts inspector were
fairly puzzled. They personally ques-
toned tho bank cashier and the quar-
termaster's clerks. They ransacked that
safe and poured over the books, both
there and at the bank. The only queer
thing discovered was that large sum
OF money-S5000 or so-had been withdrawn
from the bank in cash one day and within
the week replaced.
Then the general had 10 turn back TO
Cheyenne aud hasten thence TO the forts
OF his soldiers to the relief OF the be-
leasuered posts along the Big Horn the
tidings OF the massacre reaching Gate
City and plungtng Fort Emory in mourn
Ing only few hours after his departure.
Then came still another excitement at
Gate City. Major Burleigh had suddenly
become endowed with new youth and
energy. He who was declared by his
physicians to be in critical condition,
one demanding the utmost quiet: he who
could not even see the department com
mander and of whom the doctor had said
IL might be weeks before he was again
fit for duty. had sprung from his bed,
dictated certain letters. wired important
news 10 the chief quartermaster at
Omaha, demanded of the railway authori-
ties an engine and caboose TO bear him
over the newly completed mountain divi-
sion to Cheyenne, had taken every cent
from his private safe. had entered his
office at an early hour. satchel and safe
key In hand. was confounded by the sight
OF two clerks there smoking frobidden
pipes and. turning. without n word had
fed. One of these was the young man
who so recently had written to conf
dant In Omaha telling of Burleigh's queer
doings and his own desire to get from
under.
IL transpired later that Burleigh went
back 10 the bank. presented n check for
currency. but the cashier had become
alarmed by the Investigations made by the
general and had temporized, said he must
consult the president and asked the major
TO call two hours later, whereat Burleigh
had taken alarm. He was looking ghast-
ly, said the cashier. II was apparent TO
every one that. mentally, bodily or both.
the lately debonair and successful man
of the world had lost his grip.
And before even the swift running en-
gine could have landed the fugitive in
Cheyenne the truth was known. The
package purporting 20 contain $4,000 in
currency for the payment OF the workmen
at Warrior Gap. sealed in Burleighs
office and sent at Incredible risk by the
hands OF a young cavalry officer with
only ten troopers through the Indian
lines, borne intact TO the commanding
officer OF the new post. though It's gal
liant guardians had run the gauntlet at
the cost OF the blood of more than half
their number, was found when opened 10
hold nothing but waste paper.
Then indeed was explained Burleigh's
insistence. Then indeed was apparent
why he had not pressed his charges
against the officer who had publicly
him. Then indeed was ex-
planned why good old John Folsom had
so large a sum In cash from
the bank and how Burleigh was enabled
IL.
Then did 1t begin TO dawn on people
where Hank Birdsall. "the Pirate OF the
as he had been alliteratively de-
scribed, had got the straight tip" which
enabled him TO instantly enlist the ser
vices OF so many outlawed men in des-
perate game.
Gradually as the whole scheme became
evident and the truth leaked out Gate |
City woke up TO a pitch OF pious fury
against its late popular and prominent
boomer" and citizen Gradually IL |
iawned upon them that, In jealous ha- |
red OF the young soldier whom Folsom's |
ovely daughter seemed To favor, he had |
irst sought to undermine him, then to |
-uin and finally TO make way with. even |
while at the same time covering the |
racks of his own criminality.
IL was Elinor Folsoms lover. Lieuten- |
Int Dean. who horsewhipped him for |
rood and sufficient reasons. Ii was Eli |
lor's father who bribed him with n big |
md sorely needed loan TO prefer no
,harges against the boy. IL was Bur-
eigh who almost Immediately after this
episode had secured the
ending OF Lieutenant Dean on a mission |
10 fraught with peril that the chances |
we're ten TO one against his ever getting
through alive.
Who could have posted" Birdsall but
Who could say what the
icy OF the big safe was gone with him.
nd in that safe at the time OF the gen
rails visit was at least $4,000 Old
commanding officer at Fort
emory. had wired to department head
quarters.
An expert safe opener was ordered out
rom Chicago. and right I'm the midst OF
II the turmoil there suddenly appeared
pon the scene blue-eyed young man.
Nth pale features. clear cut and strong.
light brown noustsche that shaded his
Mouth. and. though he wore no uniform.
he rumor went round that this was
Lieutenant Loring OF the engineers. In
antry and cavalry. commissares and
doctors and suffers. the
enizsns OF Gate City well knew as at
aohments Of the army. But what the
lischief was an engineer Loring put
y at Gate City's new hotel. simply reg
'tering as from Omaha. hut that ne
ore credentials and wes a man OF mark
late City learned from the fact that
olonel Stevens himself had met him on
rival and wished TO take him out 10
he fort. and was ill-peased when Mr.
orins explained that his business would