The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1905-05-31

II sortcr goes agln the grain now to
hist the oars over to mother fellow"
Then. reaching into his pocket, draw
Ing out a letter and handing IL to AL
bert, he added: "'Bout two weeks ago
| got this ERE from that thief Frye. /
was 'spectin' the gov'ment boat long
most every day an so couldn't cum
any sooner"
Albert read the letter and gave q low
whistle. "Frye must have been either
very hard up when he wrote" he said,
Tor else the other parties are crowding
him, and this is his last effort to fleece
you. L nave heard that he has been
specializing in wheat lately, and 1t may
be he has got caught. L hope so, SO 1t
Will be easier for us to bring him to
terms. 1 have my plans all mapped
out, and 1 think we had best go for
him at once while he is likely to be I'm
his Office" Then, calling to Frank and
rapidly writing n check for $500 while
that surprised young man was shaking
hands with Uncle Terry, he continued:
please go up to the station, Frank,
and get an officer at once and step into
the Maverick bank on your way back
and get this check cashed. We will go
prepared for the worst"
When Frank had gone Uncle Terry
said: There WANT no need o. yer get
tin money, Mr.. Page. I've brung
three hundred, which Is all he asked
fer"
1--WE may need more nevertheless"
answered Albert, land as l wish to
make but one visit to Frye's Office, it's
best to go prepared Then after fill
Ing out Il writ of replevin he added:
Excuse me II moment, Mr.. Terry.
l will be back soon."
He was absent perhaps five minutes,
and then Uncle Terry was astonished
to see n strange mar enter from an
inner room. He wore n full black
beard, smoked glasses, broad SLOUGH
hat aud n clerical coat which was but
toned close to his chin. Uncle Terry
looked ut him in surprise, waiting for
the stranger to speak.
Don't you know me, Uncle Tcrry?"
said the new arrival.
"By gosh, it's you, Mr.. Page" ex-
claimed the old man, cor else I'm tuck
with n change o. hearth" Then he add
ed, with q laugh, "I'd never known ye
'cept fer yer voice"
"I'm al right, then, I guess said
Albert. land now for my plan. When
the officer comes we four will go Mt
NICE to Frye's office. You will go in
alone and open matters. Contrlve to
leave the door ajar, and when o get
to talking the rest of us Will creep up
and listen. And here is where our
wits must work we'll. Act rs though
you did not suspect anything wrong,
but tell him you are discouraged and
have put out all the money you can;
also that you are poor and can't af-
ford to waste any more on what you
believe to be q hopeless case. Then
ask him to return you the trinkets
you gave him, as the girl values them
highly; and right hero Is where you
must contrive to get Frye to admit he
will refuse to give them up until his
fee Is paid, and lie may ask quite n
sum. If you can settle the matter by
paying him n or two hundred dollars
I should advise 1t, but not more. IF 1t
comes to his refusal we Will walk in
at that point. and the officer will serve
the writ. We can search his premises
and ever make him open his safe, and
II we find what we want we Will take
It,"
When Frank and the officer returned
und line former had also donned & dis
guise, the four proceeded to Frye's of
flee. 1t was early, and none OF the
other occupants on that floor had ar
rived. Uncle Terry knocked ut Frye's
door, but 10 one answered. He knock
ed again; still no answc He tried the
door; 1t was locked. Then he knocked
harder; no reply. Then he stepped
back to where the others were waiting.
Chars nobody in thar" he whispered,
cor. IL thar Is, he's asleep" Albert went
forward and listened. There was no
sound. Then he stopped and tried to
look through the kcyholc; it was plug
ged.
~ smell gas coming out of the key
hole" he whispered to the officer.
You go and try it,"
The officer did 80. Then he took out
n pocketknifc and thrust the blade
through the kcyholc II pecped in.
Then lie bcckonod to Albert.
something's wrong in there, Mr..
Page" he said. II can sec n mans
legs, and the gas is coming out of that
kcyhole enough to choke you. We'd
best call the janitor."
That official was found, and he, too,
pccpcd.
81 noticed n light in Frye's office
when l retired last night" lie said.
depend upon 1T, there is something
wrong" Then, turning to the officer,
ho added, you are an officer of the
law, and as I am in charge of this
building / give you permission to open
Frye's door on the score of public safe
ty."
Grasping the knob, the officer threw
his weight against the door, and 1t gave
way. A cry Of surprise escaped him.
Frye was sitting in his chair, with
head thrown back, staring ut the cell
ing and with mouth and eyes wide
open. The room was sitting with gas,
and the officer opened the window. In
doing 80 he noticed the two stopcocks
were opened, and he turned them off.
Then he returned to he hall. When
the room was fit to breathe in again all
four entered, and the officer laid his
hand upon Frye's face.
"Dead!' lie exclaimed.
Albert noticed an envelope on FTye's
desk directed to Sifas Terry. He quiet
ly put 1t In his pocket and joined with
| tln raut In n uoornb ~ tho room,