Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1905-10-18

tramp so as 70 make tDefn unrecosnl2-
able.
We came out into the clearing again,
sani took the path which should lead
jus towards tie house, and from which
another path would carry us back to
the inn. Neither Of us spoke; we
we're too deep in thought for that.
ISuideEly, as we walked, we looked up,
Ito see a man approaching us-Feux
Hartman The easy striding, swagger-
| ing Felix Hartman we had known be-
fore, with the gun in the crook of his
arm, and with his face staring straight
towards us.
The thought flashed upon my mind
that he would know instantly where
i've haa been. should lot have
anown quite what to say had ne chal'
ilengel us. But, to my utter amaze
mcnt, he came straight on towards us,
and stared at us for a moment, and
then went on, without so much as a
/ salutation. ! think | murmued a fee
lLle Good morning." but he dill nOC
/ seem to hear,
Once clear of the wood, our tongues
were loosened, and we began to dis
cuss the matter. started by making a
suggestion as to the whole business
"After ali" | said, its not our bust
ness. II is evident that Felix Hartman
met this tramp. There was an alter
catIon-perhaps even a struggle for
line gun. The unknown man is dead,
and his body will be discovered. Why
should we bring ourselves into it? Ii
any one suspects that Hartman is re-
sponsiblc for the death, and rotuts to
him, it's his business to clear bimself;
certainly I, for ny part, could only
Imake matters worse for him.
"One thing occurs to me" said
Fnoch Voyce; our friend ought to he
warned that VIC know. IN u : event
Of trouble, he may decide that it would
be wise to call you, Rattenbury, as hav-
ing seen him attempt to turn The man
ont of the wood You may, after all,
In3cye a powerful factor in the defense
Certainly, think he ought to be told
BIZ the way" added the old man
abrpptly, did you notice anything pc
GUITAR about the body?"
4 saw that The man had particular
lily delicate hands, and that there was
Il ring on one of them. replied.
Yes. / noticed that" said Voyce
Ithoughtfully. "Do you think it posi-
lble that the tramp knew Harnan, and
lthat this was something more than the
encounter between a country gentle
man and q trespasser? In other words
did they know each otEer?"
That point had not struck ne before,
was unable 10 give any solution oil
the matter. Voyce, however, still
urged that we should see Hartman and
tell hin, exactly what we knew; and Il
little later in the day we went up to
| Quarry House and inquired for him
lie was not there-was said TO be out
shooting. We left a me ssage, asking
him to come and smoke a friendly pi F,
that nisnt at tie inn.
About 3 O'Clock that night Felix
! Hartman was ushered in by the land
lord. This time he carried no weapon
and was dressed in quiei suit Of dark
cloth. | thought he looked distrustful-
/ is at us when first he came in. He
seated himself at some little distance
away. and turned his hands nervously
one over the other while he spoke.
I'm sorry to he late. gentlemen he
said, and his voice was curiously gen
tier and quieter than | had heard it
before. I came directly | got your
message. If there is anything | can
/ DO for you-such old friends-living
| here so long
| His voice trailed off sn1 he was ST.
/ lent. He kept his eyes lowered.
was staring at him in amazement, won
iering what could have happened TO
| he man, when Enoch Voyce got up
abruptly and walked out of the room
with n murmured apology. ! offered
..ur guest, a cigar, which he took with
nod % imply thanks then he smoked
in silence. I began to feel scrry for
him, seeing how greatly The accidental
death of the tramp as | believed it to
have been hal affected him. JUS
While was wondering about the mat
ter, AMI trying 10 discover a subject
/ for conversation, Enoch came back in
to the loom and sat down.
Il wanted to see you, Mr.. Hartman,
! began. after an awkward pause, be
cause | felt that after your courteous
aud kindly treatment of my friend
Voyce ana myself. during our few
days stay here, YOU ought to be told
! lust what VIZ know concerning what
( happened In the Quarry Woods the
other morning.
I He started, ana swallowed quickly
and looked fully ut me, then lowered
his eyes again. Enoch Voyce was 81
lent. | proceeded to tell what hat
seen and what we both had 6isoov
cred that day And Felix Harman
save for a little quick culver Of tht
lips once, did not move. And he nevei
uttered a word
you see. Mr.. Harman.' said Enoct
Voyce, breaking the silence ut last
we thought you ought to know. so tina
Iy9u might not he mprepared fer am
thing We might DO or say
The man raised his head and iookei
cuiclly from Enocn TO myself, an'
back again What are YOU going t.
90 or saw" he demanded hoarsely.
We are going TO suggest. in thu
FIRST piece. hat Mr.. Felix Hannah, o
io,,.,,.,, Iro,se ITampshire Knew thi