Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1902-07-03

the district. and yet they've just found
out that he managed to send a tele-
graphic dispatch from Black Rock sta
ton just under their noses. Why, only
an hour or so arter the detectives and
the news arrived here thar came along
and the driver said that a smart look
in chap in store clothes had come
out Of an old prospector's cabin up
thar on the rise about mile away and
| asked for newspaper. And the de-
scription the teamster gave just fitted
TriXit to a T. Well, the information
vas give SO publiclike that the detect
ives had to make rush ever thar and,
tb'gosh although there wasn't a soul
passed them but a file of Chinese COO
lies, when they got thar they found
nothin = nothin but them Cinnamon
cookin their rice by the roadside
Masterton smiled ca9lessly and walk
ed to the window as if intent upon the
still falling snow. But he had at once
grasped the situation that seemed now
almost proyidential for his ineXperi-
ence and his mission. The man he was
seeking was within his possible reach,
if the story he had heard was true.
The detectives would not be likely to
interfere with his plans, for he was the
only man who really wished to meet
the fugitive. The presence Of Poole
made him uneasy, though he had new
er met the man before. Was it barely
possible that he was on the same mis-
sion on behalf of others? If what he
heard was true, there might be others
manager. But then the spies-how
could the deputy sheriff elude them
and how could he?
He was turning impatiently away
from the window when his eye caught
sight Of struggling file of Cinnamon
breasting the storm on their way up
the hill. A sudden idea seized him.
Perhaps they were the spies in ques-
ton. He remembered the drivers sto-
ry. A sudden flash Of Intuition made
him now understand the singular way
the file Of coolies which they met had
diverted their course after passing the
wagon. They had recognized the dep
uty on the box. Stay! There was an
other Chinaman in the coach. He
might have given them the signal. He
glanced hurriedly around the room for
him. He was gone. Perhaps he had
already joined the file he had just seen.
His only hope was to follow them. But
how? And how to do it quietly? The
afternoon was waning. It would be
three or four hours before the down
coach would arrive, from which the
driver expected assistance. Now, il
ever, was his opportunity.
He made his way through the back
door and found himself among the
straw and chips of the stable yard and
wood shed. Still uncertain what to do,
be mechanically passed before the long
shed which served as temporary stalls
FOR the steaming wagon horses. At
the farther end, to his surprise, was a
tethered mustang, ready saddled and
bridled, the opportune horse left for
the fugitive, according to the lounger's
story. Masterton cast a quick glance
around the stable. 1t was deserted by
all save the feeding animals.
He was new to adventures Of this
kind or he would probably have
weighed the possibilities and conse-
quences. He was ordinarily a thought
full, reflective man, but like most men
Of intellect he was also imaginative
Land superstitious, and this crowning
accident Of the providential situation
n which he found himself was superior
to his logic. There would also be
grim irony in his taking this horse for
such purpose. He again looked and
listened. There was no one in sight or
hearing. He united the rope from the
bit ring, }eaped into the saddle and
emerged cautiously from the shed. The
wet. snow muf1ed the sound Of the
horses hoofs. Moving around to The
rear Of the stables so as to bring it be-
ped his heels into the mustangs tanks
and dashed into the open.
At first he was confused and Devil
dered by the half hidden powders and
snow shrouded bushes that beset the
broken ground and dazzled by the still
driving storm. But he knew that they
would also divert attention from his
fight, and beyond he could now see a
white slope slowly rising before him.
near whose crest a few dark spots were
crawling in file, like Alpine climbers.
They were the Cinnamon he was seek
ing. He had reasoned that when they
discovered they were followed they
would, in the absence of any chance Of
signaling through the storm, detach
one of their number to give the alarm.
Him he would follow. He felt his re-
volver safe on his hip. He would only
use it if necessary to intimidate the
spies.
For some moments his ascent through
the wet snow was slow and difficult,
but as he advanced he felt a change Of
temperature corresponding to that he
had experienced that afternoon on the
wagon coming down. The air grew