Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1903-05-28

That may be all mere bravado."
And he would take no money"
That is poser. Didn't want any
lnoney?'
Not cent, even when it was offered
10 him"
THAT astonishes me-what can the
fellows object be?"
find out" muttered the man with his
back to the window.
And he made no declaration of what
ne intended to do?" asked the lawyer,
after moments pause.
No, nothing of the kind, except that
he seems to be interested in the young
school teacher"
Know him?"
Says he never saw him but once In
his life, but he wants him to be free for
some reason or another. Urged Jim to
DO all he could, and threatened things
ii he did not
THAT man, whoever he is, will bear
watching" was Henslows comment as
he resorted 10 his glass again.
y. chuclsle came from the chair where
the other was seated.
BLESS you, we don't intend to lose
sight of the chap while he is in the
neighborhood."
Job, clinging to the window sill.
smiled quietly to himself.
Then I wasn't wrong in thinking
that was being watched"
He had no chance to hear anything
further of what was being said in the
room. for the visitor had risen and now
moved to the door. The two men stood
there for q moment in deep conversa-
ton. but though he listened intently,
Job could not catch word of what
was being said.
He dropped to the ground from his
uncomfortable position, for he was anx-
ious IL possible to catch sight of the
visitor when he came out.
With this intention he slipped around
to the front of tho house and in the
shadow waited.
Presently the door opened quietly, a
man popped out, his hat pulled down
had no opportunity TO get a good
glimpse of his face. Then the man
stepped into the middle of the road,
looked about him for u moment, and set
off at q brisk pace down the street.
Job Hendricks had just seen him
disappear among the shadows when
from the other direction a man sud-
denly appeared, running and out Of
breath.
He was portly Individual and as he
came up to where Job was standing the
latter recognized him as the fat con-
stable he had seen that day haranguing
the people before his house.
Now we are in for it," muttered he
to himself. Here is the law in search
Of the prisoner"
The fat man drew up with a gulp and
a gasp and mopped his red face wildly
with his handkerchief.
You seem to be excited, friend" said
Job, soothingly.
Excited? Well. guess be-" Then
looking Hendricks over from head to
foot: I'm the town constable, and
I'm lookin' for man what has skipped
from jail
Sure of it?"
How sure of 1T? Didn't he knock the
bars out, the murderous young villain?
Next time 1 get hold of him he shan't
have any more privileges.
There was u man just passed by
here ON rum said Job, thinking
of ruse that would give the school
teacher q respite until he could find
QUIZ. Icilos,-:-4 .lbn.
Just so, and dark trousers. Some
out of the house minute ago." Jerk
Ing his thumb In the direction of the
lawyers cottage.
Must be the VERY man, and which
way did he go?"
Hendricks pointed in the direction
the other visitor at the cottage had
taken.
The constable sighed and mopped
his brow vigorously.
'Phew! This is job L amt no
lllin' fur. And that 1t shu'd happen
to the only gentleman criminal we
ever had to town. Well. SO long,
stranger, and thank you kindly"
Then, with mighty groan. he set
off on run in the direction pointed
out. Job could not resist laugh
at the grotesque figure the man
made as he disappeared in the night.
lie turned just in time to see young.
Barnett come out through the gate
For a moment the latter hesitated
and then. recognizing his visitor In
the moonlight. advanced:
What, are you still here?'' he
asked, rather testify.
Exactly and it seems that I was
just in time to save you from being
captured
What do you mean?"
Job told him of his meeting with
the constable and how he had sent
that worthy off on the trail Of an
other man.
We'll. you are WONDER" replied
Dick, at the same time puzzled that
a stranger had twice that day put
him under obligations. Still the
pOOA
me now as LATER
II wanted you to have all the time
possible for Your talk. 1t may be
that you will not have the chance
again so SOON"
Barnctt's face fell and he became
more serious.
You think, then, 1t will go hard
with me for taking leave as I did?"
No doubt of 1t, but why go back?
You might remain in hiding until
your name is cleared of the charge"
But the other shook his head.
NO, no; that would look as If L
We're guilty Come, I think I can
slip back to the improvised cell, re-
store the bars and pretend that I
rave never been away from it.
lare say that the good Mr.. Bliyens
VIII be so delighted to see me that
le will not care to make the matter
public"
III you trusted to me, you might
le we need to go back" said Job.
You are kind, but think I shall
'e acting for the best part in going
'ack 1t will appear in my favor
hould 1T become known that / could |
ave freed myself, and yet remained |
prisoner" Then, before Hendricks
ould reply Barnett turned and /
made off in the direction of his tenn |
orary prison.
Good stuff in that young chap"
a, Job, as he watched the
light figure disappear in the dark.
Justice will be blind, indeed, if she
FRS in dealing with such an honest
nd right minded man as that"
AS he turned away light APP
cared in the upper window of the
ouse, and for a moment the figure
I woman was outlined on the
paaue curtain. He stood there with
asped hands watching the silhou-
lte, motionless, for an hour or
lore, and then turned with a sigh
} seek his bed at the Bluebell.
CHAPTER X