Warren sheaf., 1903-11-05

"a MAN SPRANG PAST HER LIKE Al
PANTHER, DARTED DOWN THE
STEPS, FOLLOWED BY TWO SHOTS
FROM HER SMITH & WESsON"
Number s, Flint's latest addition, de-
clared that from his post at Hays
corral he had distinctly heard the
swift hOOfbeats of brace of ponies;
darting up the level bench to the
westward. Number had turned up
safely, and declared that at the mo-
ment the scream was heard he was
round by the flagstaff, listening to,
the night chorus of a pack of yelping
coyotes, afar out to the northwest,
and then he thought he heard scram-
bling and running down at the FOOT
Of the bluff just as the shots were
fired. Investigation on his part was
what took him out Of sight for the
moment, and later investigation
showed that one marauder, at least,
had gone that way, for capeless
greatcoat was found close down by
the shore, where some fugitive had
tossed it in his flight. This overcoat
bore, half-erased from the soiled
lining, the name of Culligan, troop
'K;" but Culligan had served out his
time and taken the discharge year
before. The other overcoat was even
cider, an infantry coat, with shorter
cape, bearing company number
"47," but no name. Both garments
savored strongly of the stable.
Then, before quiet was restored,
certain search was made about the
quarters. It was found the intruders
had obtained admission through the
basement door at the back.
But what had they taken? The sill
yer was upstairs, intact, under Mrs.
Blake's bed; so was the little safe
in which was kept her jewelry and
their valuable papers. Books, bric-aI
brac-everything downstairs seemed
unmolested. No item was missing
from it's accustomed place. Mrs.
Blake thought perhaps the intruders
had not entered her room at all. In
Gerald's den were .''stacks,'' as he
said, of relics, souvenirs, trophies Of
chase and war, but no one thing Of
the intrinsic value Of $50. What could
have been the object of their mid
night search? was the question all
Fort Frayne was asking as people
dispersed and went home-the doctor
intimating it was high time that Mrs.
Blake was permitted to seek repose.
Not until he had practically cleared
the house of all but her most init
mate friends, Mrs. Dade and Mrs.
Ray, would Waller permit himself to-
ask question that had been upper
most in his mind ever since he >heard
her story.
Mrs Blake, someone has been ran
sacking Mr.. Fields quarters for let
ters or papers. Now-was there any
thing Of that kind left by the cap
tain that--someone may have need
ed?'
Mamie Blal1e's head was uplifted
instantly from Marions shoulder.
She had been beginning to feel the
reaction. For one moment the three
women looked intently into each
others faces. Then up they started
and trooped away into Gerald's den.
The doctor followed. The upper
drawer Of the big, fat-topped desk
stood wide open, and pretty Mrs.
Blake opened her eyes and mouth in
emulation. as she briefly exclaimed:
It's gone!''
Then Waller went forthwith to the
quarters of the commander and
caught him still in conference with
his quartermaster and the guard,
four or five Of the latter being
grouped without. The major retired
to his front room, where, with Will
kins, he received the doctor.
Maj. Flint, !" said Waller, those
5ov'er'coats yer belong to Mr. J. Hays stable-
mel men, !, Pete and Crapaud. Will you or
der their immed ediate arrest p, p,
q Would, doctor, 4 was the ansWer,l
ag II sF Gtnntinll