The Weiser semi-weekly signal. (Weiser, Washington Co., Idaho) 1904-1911, 1904-04-23


Lightly of interest-for which he
could not account; but he betrayed
no surprise, nor did he give any evil
dence that he had observed them.
Taking from his pocket a cigar he
lighted it coolly, and then nonchalant-
ly entered the parlor.
This was simple room with table
and several chairs in it. A swinging
lamp was suspended from above. The
walls were covered with choice pic
torial selections from the Illustrated
criminal weeklies. A few sensational
papers suitable to the clientele at
Peters Rest were on the table, and
Warde idly scanned these with about
the same interest that seraph might
take in reading the London Times.
He had been there barely five min
utes when the door opened and Old
Tom entered the room. At first he
seemed a bit embarrassed before
Warde's cool and searching gaze and
then he said: "You come here to see
Bill jackson, did your"
Eyes; has he come back?"
mo, but maybe my pardner can tell
you something about him"
I'm not particular about that. If
he does not come soon i shall go.
Have you any idea what he wants
with me? I'm d newspaper man."
wait till l call my pardner /
think he knows something about it."
"Never mind your partner. do not
care to know what he has to say"
Warde's suspicious were now
aroused, and he did not propose to
have a tete-a-tete with these brawny
rufians. There could be no doubt
about it, trap of some sort had
been laid for him.
"See here, young feller," said Old
Tom, you amt afraid to talk with a
couple of gentlemen, are your"
81 am not" said Warde, ''but have
nothing to talk to you about. My
time is up, anyhow"
He arose as he said this, but Old
Tom stood before the door leading
into the saloon, and there was some
thing in his face that Irving had not
seen before. The word murder" was
written upon it as plain as could be.
Warde saw that not a moment was to
be squandered. He took the whistle
from his pocket and was raising it
| to his lips when Old Tom sprang
toward him and with one sweep of his
powerful hand sent the whistle spin
ming across the table to the floor. So
vigorous was the blow that Warde
was knocked against door to the
right and it gave way, sending him
through it. Somewhat dazed, he
picked himself up and with mechanic
al presence of mind he closed the
door quickly. He had touched key
on the outside, and he turned it rapid
Iy; and thus locked door was be-
tween him and his assailant-
AT first he could not tell where he
was, it was so dark. But as soon as
he became accustomed to the dark.
ness he found that he was on a back
porch shut in with lattice work
Round about him was the sense OF
something gliding.
In the saloon there was a great
commotion, and he knew that he was
not vet safe. He would be pursued
There was a door doubtless leading
from the barroom TO the porch, anc
the ruffians would come that way OF
break down the rickety door which
he had Just bolted He felt thai
they were coming closer all the time
He could not spare even moment
Hurriedly he felt with unsteady hant
along the lattice work. If he coul(
only find an opening he could cross
the back yard and join Fenton in thu
vacant lot just to the south of thu
Rest. At last he found door in thu
rear and a sense of triumph pos
sessed him.
He flung it open and was about t.
plunge out, but for a moment h
paused. appalled, by the dense dark
ness beneath him; then he heard hi
pursuers coming, and moment late
a light flashed through the porch
lust then the moonlight fiuttere
feebly out of the clouds and h
caught its sheen below. A cold hoI
! ror came upon him.
, Beneath him lay the river.
Now his pusuers were upon hir
: indeed. Just below he saw the hea
of some black object projecting fro1
, the water, and as he gazed eagerl
! out he saw that there was series
these dark objects leading away to
t ward where a tugboat lay mooret
( The object seemed solid, and will
: out moments hesitation he leape
upon it.
. "He has gonel" he heard a hoars
: voice cry.
; "Then he's in the river" came tn
answer.
r And there was a rush toward tn
rear.
The object upon which Warde ha
: lighted was a half sunlen pile, an
= a series Of them were driven at II
u teryals Of a yard apart. Some ha