Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1902-06-20

Col. DlnRlo b SHOulueTs wien an up
roar was heard below, at the street
entrance. The noise increased and
swept up the stairs, and the cause of
it all presently burst open the door
and dashed into the room. A wild
eyed, strapping big fellow with his
trousers tucked into his boot tops was
among them. He was covered with
dust and his face was ominous and
eager.
"a trsdtorss he shouted. waving q
scrap Of paper over his head; "there's
Q traitor In this room!"
During the foreboding silence that
followed Guys heart beat like Q trip
hammer.
"A traitor. Barneys" queried Wan
bingham. getting up and sweeping his
gaze over the people before him. His
voice was soft, but there was metal
lilo glitter In his eyes IS he advanced
to the edge of the platform. Come
here, Barney he added, indicating
cleared space in front of him. "come
here and tell us about 1t. Boomer, you
and the captain will please guard the
exit"
The Captain stumped away to the
door, followed by Boomer, both frown-
ing heavily. Mr.. Boomer grimly devel-
oped revolver.
az got the information from the
broom man." said Barney, approach
Ing as he had been directed to do and
presenting the folded paper. II would
have got here sooner but that broncho
Of mine-consarn him!-got scared
and threw me, so had to walk half
the way"
vlandingham unfolded the note and
read 1T silently. Guy, who was watch
ing him narrowly, saw his face slightly
redden and observed twitching of
his heavy iron gray mustache. The
deep stiffness was at last broken by
the chairman.
lis there hunchback man in this
| room?" he demanded, sternly.
| There was not, and Guy was partici-
pating in the general feeling of relief
when Barney cried out:
"Hunchback, squire? That doesn't
say anything about a hunchback!"
Il thought you couldn't read, Bar
ney?" returned Vlandingham, accom-
panying the words with severe look.
mo more can't, squire. can spell
out print tolerable we'll, but writin's
point beyond me. I stopped at your
house, though, on the way in, and Miss
Betty read the note aloud and sent me
along here in hurry. She said I
wasn't to give the note to anyone but
you"
Was it disappointment or consterna-
ton that afflicted vlandingham. Guy
wondered as he surveyed him.
| Il have been possessed with the idea,
gentlemen" continued the chairman,
addressing the meeting. shat trouble
u to be expected through the agency
Of hunchback. This note doesn't de-
scribe such person, but know who
the man is. If Mr.. Herbert" he
turned to Guy and handed him the
note-'will assist us, we will be able
to capture him without trouble or vio-
lence. Please read that, Mr.. Herbert,
and inform me whether you are &C.
quainted with the individual de-
scribed."
Guy glanced at the writing hur-
riedly.
Eyes, SIR" he replied, 81 know him."
"Will you go with Barney, here, ap-
prehend the fellow and see that he
stays at my house until 1 Gomez"
Guy saw how Vladingham was try
ing to save him. He noted also the per-
picked faces of the citizens in front,
and OF those onthe platform; especially
was he aware of Barney's blank amaze.
The latter's eyes were starting from
his head, and it was evident that his
brain was violently disturbed. Guy
gave Vlandingham square and manly
look.
"On my honor, Mr.. vlandingham,'
said he, "the man will be at your house
when you get there
"Why," gasped Barney, leveling his
finger, shat there
"silence!" roared ylandingham,
knocking the extended arm downward.