Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-01-02

the stars were fewer. Suddenly Saxton
brought the ponies to stand and pointed
to dark pile that doomed ahead of them
The Poindexter house stood forth somber
In the thin starlight.
us that the placer" asked the bishop
now wide awake.
an That's ats IT," said Wheaton. This road
cottonwoods. That first building was
Poindexter's barn. 1t cost more than the
court house of this county"
Saxton gave the reins to Raridan and
jumped out. mo more smoking" he said
throwing away his cigar. You stay here
and I'll reconnoiter a Bit" He walked
swiftly toward the great barn, which lay
between him and the house. There was no
sign Of life in the place. He crept through
the barb-wire fence into the corral. He
had barred and padlocked the barn door on
his last visit, and he satisfied himself that
the fastenings had not been disturbed.
Ihere were no indications that any one hao
visited the place. He reasoned that If
Snyder had sought the ranch house for q
rendezvous he had not come afoot Saxton
was therefore disappointed to find the barn
door locked and the corral empty; there
was little use in looking further, he con-
Guided; but before joining the others he re-
solved to make sure that the house also
was empty 1t was quite dark and he walk
ed boldly up to it. The wind had risen and
Whistled shrilly around it; loose blind I'M
der the caves tapped noisily as he drew
near. The great front door was closed; he
pushed against 1t and found it securely
fastened He had brought with him a kew
10 rear door, and he started around the
house to try 1t and to make sure that the
house was not occupied.
AT the corner toward the river glass
suddenly crunched under his feet. The WIN
COWS were deeply embrasured all over the
mouse, and he could not determine where
the glass had fallen from The windows
We're all intact when he left, he was sure
He drew off his glove and tiptoed to the
pa hto An
smooth glass. and instantly touched a
broken edge. AS he was feeling the frame
to discover the size of the opening, the low
Wmnny or a horse came distinctly from
within.
He stood perfectly quiet, listening, and in
moment heard the stamp of a hoof on
the wooden floor of the hall. He backed or
toward the driveway. which swept around
IN 'front.' OF the house, and waited but all
remained as silent and as dark as before
He ran back through the corral to the
other men. who stood talking beside the
blanketed ponies.
There's something or somebody in the
house." he said. He told them of the
broken window and Of the sounds he had
heard. "WhOever's there has no business
there. and we may as well turn him out,
I've thought of good many schemes for
utilizing that house, but the idea of MAX
ing barn OF 1t hadn't occurred to me-"
He threw on his overcoat and tossed 1t
into the blackboard.
II guess that's good idea, john" said
Raridan. following his example. wheaton
stood mufi1ed in his coat. His teeth were
chattering. and he fumbled at the buttons
but kept his coat on, walking toward the
house with the others
We may have a hosse thief or we may
have hdnaper," said Saxton, who had
taken charge Of the party; 'but in either
case we may as well take him with his live
stock"
LET us not be RASH" said the bishop, fol-
lowing the others. He may prove an un-
ruly customer
He's probably a dude tramp who rides a
horse and has taken fancy to Poinuexter's
architecture" said Wary.
Quiet" admonished Saxton, who had
lighted a lantern. which he concealed under
his coat.
You two watch the corners of the
house." he said, indicating Raridan and
Wheaton; "and you. bishop. can stand on
here, II you will, and watch for signs OF
light in the upper windows. The big front
doors are barred on the inside. and my key
opens only the back door,
"I'n go with YOU" said Raridan.
Mot yet, old man. You stay right here
and watch until throw open the from,
doors"