The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-01-09

ing Off a millionaire's son. He didn't
look to me as if he had the nerve
ITS only chance, but it's worth
trying"
In the lower hall they met Whea-
tom. who was pacing up and down.
Is there any news z" he asked,
with show of eagerness.
mo. We lost our trail at Rollins"
thing?'
Nothing so far" Wheaton replied.
He uttered the $50 far bravely, as
if he really might be working ON clues
OF his own. His speculations Of one
moment We're abandoned the next.
He was building and destroying and
rebuilding theories and plans. Of iacF
ton. He was strong and weak in the
same breath. He envied Raridan and
Saxton their air of determined activ-
ity. He resolved to join them, to
steady himself by them. He was
struggling between two inclinations:
from Snyder, which: was buttoned- in
his pocket, and boldly confess that
the blow at Porter was also an tndi-
rect blow at himself; tand on the other
had, he held to a cowardly hope that
the boy would yet be recovered with
out his name appearing in Hthe mat
ter. He was aware that all his hopes
He was sure that every one would
soon know Of his connection with the
kidnapping; and yet he, still tried to
convince himself that he was wholly
guiltless. T
He was afraid of John Saxton;' Sax
ton. he felt, probably knew the part
he had played in the street railway
matter. It seemed to him that Sax
ton must have told Others; probably
Saxton had Evelyn's certificate put
away for use when William Porter
should be restored to health. but on
second thought, he was not sure Of
this. Saxton might not know after
all! This went thru his mind as John
and Wary stood talking to him.
Wheaton," said Saxton, do you
remember that fellow Snyder who was
in charge of. the Poindexter place
when 1 came here?"
"What-Oh, yes!' His hand rose
quickly to his carefully tied four-in-
hand and he fingered it nervously.
You. may not remember it, but he
/ had only one eye"
Yes, that's so,' said Wheaton,. as
! if recalling the, fact with difficulty :.
:And Mrs. Whipple says there was
something wrong about one Of the
eyes of the man who accosted her
and Grant at Mr.. Porter's gate. What
became of that fellow after he left
tne fancn-naVe you any 1dea!'- Rar-
idan had walked away to talk to a
group of men in the reading-room
! leaving Saxton and Wheaton alone.
He went west the last I knew OF
him" Wheaton answered., steadily.
1t had struck me that he, might
be in this thing. It's only a guess
but Raridan and I thought we'd run
out to the Poindexter ranch and see
if it could possibly be the rendezvous
Of the kidnappers. It's probably a
| FOOLS errand, but it won't take long
and We'll do it unoffcially without
saying anything to the authorities.
His mind was on the, plan and he
looked at his watch and called tc
Raridan to come.
+ 81 believe I'll go along" said
Wheaton, suddenly. 1--WE can be back
by noon Tomorrow" he added, con.
scientiously, remembering his duties
at the bank. - 49,
All right said Wary. Were
taking bags along in case of emer.
gencies." A boy came down carry.
ing Saxton's suit case. Wheaton AND
Raridan hurried out together to the
Bachelors to get their own things
1t was a relief to Wheaton to have
something to 9do;z it. was hardly pos.
sible that Snyder had fed to- the
ranchhouse; but in any event he was
glad to get away from Clarkson fol
l a few hours