Wallowa chieftain. [volume] (Joseph, Union County, Or.) 1884-1909, 1902-11-13
A STUDY IN SCARLET

BY A. CONAN DOYLE.

had small bundle containing a few
OF her more valued possessions.
Opening the window very slowly
and carefully, they waited until a
dark cloud had somewhat obscured
the night. and then one by one pass
ed through into the little garden.
With bated breath and crouching
figures they stumbled across it and
gained the shelter of the hedge
which they skirted until they came
TO the gap which opened into the
cornield.
They had Just reached this point
when the young man seized his two
companions and dragged them down
into the shadow. where they lay ST.
lent and trembling.
1t was as well that his prairie train
ing had given jefferson Hope the
ears of a lynx.
He and his friends had hardly
crouched down before the melan-
choly hooting of mountain owl was
heard within a few yards of them,
which was Immediately answered by
another at small distance.
AT the same moment a vague. shad.
oWy ngure emerged from the gap for
"hlch they had been making. and ut.
tered the plaintive cry again, on
whlch second man appeared out of
the obscurity.
tomorrow at midnight" said the
nrst, who appeared to be in author.
ity, When the whip-poor-will calls
three times"
1t Is we'll" returned the other.
Shall | tell Brother Drebber?"
Pass 1t on to him, and from him 10
the others. Nine to seven!"
Seven to five!" repeated the other
and the two figures fitted away in
nl1erent directions. Their conclud-
ing words had evidently been some
form OF sign and countersign. The
instant that their footsteps had died
away in the distance. jefferson Hope
sprang to his feet, and. helping his
companions through the gap, led the
way across the fields at full speed
supporting and half carrying the
girl when her strength appeared to
fail her.
Hurry on! hurry on" he gasped
from time to time. I'VE are through
the line OF essentials. Everything
depends on speed. Hurry on"
once on the highroad they made
rapid progress. Only once did thew
meet any one, and then they man.
aged to slip into field, and SO avoid
recognition.
Before reaching the town the hunt.
er branched away into a rugged and
narrow foot path which led to the
mountains.
Two dark. Jagged peaks loomed
above them through the darkness.
and the defile which led between
them was the Eagle Ravine. in which
the horses were awaiting them.
With unerring instinct. Jefferson
Hope picked his way among the great
ooulders and along the bed of a
drled-up water course until he came
to the retired corner, screened with
rocks, where the faithful animals had
been picketed.
Ihe girl was placed upon the mule.
and old Ferrier upon one of the
horses. with his money-bag. while
Jefferson Hope led the other along
the precipitous and dangerous paths.
1t was bewildering route for ary
one who was not accustomed to face
nature in her widest moods.
On the one side great crag tow
cred up a thousand feet or more.
black. stern and menacing. with long
basaltic columns upon his rugged
surface like the ribs OF some petri-
fed monster.
On the other hand a wild chaos of
powders and debris made all ad-
vance impossible. Between the two
ran the irregular track, so narrow in
places that they had to travel in In
dian file, and so rough that only
practiced riders could have traversed
1t at all
Yet. in spite Of all dangers and diff
ticulties. the hearts of the fugitives
were light within them, for every
step increased the distance between
them and the terrible despotism from
which they were flying.
They soon had a proof, however.
that they were still within the iuris-
diction of the Saints.
They had reached the very widest
and most desolate portion of the
pass, when the girl gave a startled cry
and pointed upward
On a rock which overlooked the
track showing out dark and plain
against the sky. there stood a soli-
tary sentinel. He saw them as soon
as they perceived him, and his mill
tary challenge OF who goes there?"
rang through the silent ravine.
Travellers for Nevada" said JEFF
ferson Hope, with his hand upon the
rifle which hung by his saddle.
They could see the lonely watcher
lingering his gun, and peering down
at them as II dissatisfied at their
reply.
by whose permission?"
''The Holy Four" answered Fer
rier. His Mormon experiences had
taught him that that was the highest
authority to which he could refer.
Nine to seven" cried the sentinel.
Seven to five" returned Jefferson
Hope, promptly, remembering the
countersign which he had heard in
the garden.
Pass, and the Lord go with you"
said the voice from above.
Beyond this post the path broad.
ened out, and the horses were able
to break into a trot.
Looking back thew could saa fhe