Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1903-07-11

I'm getting suspiciousT" said
Barnes.
"Of what7"
THAT 1 have been fooled"
"How's that?"
This chap Ellison might. for all I
know, be one Of the gang who Is In
terested in the man we are seeking.'
Cant believe that"
well, L don't like to believe 1t,
either" grumbled the chief, AN IL
he has played us a trick i fail to SEQ
what he will gain by It.; besides l
took care to look the man up. he
is the brother OF a banker Of wealth
and repute but. perhaps 1t none the
better for that" He was silent for
a moment and then. You see / was
getting desperate and ready to take
any chances. The failure to capture
this man made us the laughing STOCK
Of the town, and ! for one was get
ting tired of 1t, so / was ready to seize
any straw
81 fully understand" replied Thorne.
who since Barnes had engineered the
thing would not have been sorry IL
the whole affair turned out a gorgeous
humbug. But he did not venture 10
express any Of these thoughts aloud;
what he did remark was:
IT'S too soon TO give up all nope
yet. Strange things happen In mat.
terS ike InlS-dIQ We HluSN NC poNAN'N'
But somehow / have q premonltlon
that all IS not right" straining his
eyes as If he would pierce the secrets
of the f%orbidding black building that
lowered beyond them.
II wish I hadn't made a deal with
the fellow" shaking his head.
I'VE have to bargain when It comes
to getting on the track of q slippery
individual such as we are looking for
ran1in1 InGnaptnF ThnrnP- IN a VOICE
that meant to be consoling.
He had hardly delivered. this short
speech, when suddenly the crack or q
pisto! shot rang through the silence.
The two men started-then, without q
word, they set off or a run toward the
alley that ran along h side or the
strange hotel.
Barnes had received minute direc-
TONS" and knew how 20 proceed. His
men, running forward from all direo-
tions (and there were enough OF them
to have captured a squad OF rogues).
came up with their chief at h en-
trance Of the alley. He gave them
hurried directions about guarding ap-
proaches to the place, and they depart
ed ~grumbingly into the shadows, In
dignant that they were NJ allowed to
take q prominent part IN the capture.
Now, then, Thorne," exclaimed the
chief, see to your gum, and follow me-
and with these words he dashed on up
the alley at n wonderful speed for O
man of his weight
When the inspector came up with his
superior he was standing before an
open window, which led into the base
ment OF the place. A pickering light
was seer for a moment IN the gloom,
but as they looked 1t suddenly disap-
peared.
The two police officers for a moment
regarded each other In silence.
Not going TO plunge into that black
hole, are your" asked Thorne, with a
SILVER.
TT don't look exactly right. There
should be a light there" replied the
other. but since there is none, why.
we must supply It." SO saying, he
took a folding dark lantern out of his
pocket, shook 1t into shape, lit the q n
die within. and said. grimly, I'VE have
gone too far 70 retreat now, so come on,
and the devil take the hindmost." With
this, holding the lantern in one hand,
he scrambled over the sill OF the win
dow and let himself drop to the floor
He was followed a little later by In
speCtor Thorne.
It's suspiciously silent" muttered
Barnes, as he waved the lantern back
and forth, and peered into the corners
Of the room.
Continued Next Week.)