Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-05-03
THE HOUSE OF THE
BLACK RING.
BY FRED LEWIS PATTEE.
CHAPTER xvr-continued.
Copyright. 1905. by Henry Hoit a Co,

tireiy There was no movement about the
house and not a sound. though they listened
intently. Squire Hartswick and the sheriff
held a whispered council of war. and then
the sheriff with the air of one leading
forIorn hope advanced to the front gate.
"Hello!' he cried. Hello, in there!
No response.
Say, watch them upper winders STILL"
whispered Uiie sharply. keeping well IN the
rear. You'll see gun barrel in less n
one minute. Get out of line of the sheriff.
Quick!' he ordered exctedly.
Try EN- again., called the squire, well
In front and remarkably cool. Here let
me try EN-" He went through the gate
and beloved Justify:
Hello in there! Hello, Farthingr'
murmur of admiration arose behind him.
only brave man could do that. Suddenly
he advanced and knocked loudly at the
front door. There was a sharp sound from
within. causing Ulie and several others to
duck out of sight
Watch for gum" he shouted Watch
quiek!''
Then a small pleasant-faced woman. with
sleeves rolled up, with -four on her hands
ana with towel knetted about her head,
appeared at the door. She took a startled
step backward when she saw the crowd
why, what's the matter?" she gasped.
What's happened7" She put her hand up
to shade her eyes, and examined the scene
with bewiIderment
Is Mr., Farthing at homer" The sheriff
sterped forward with business swing.
They're up in the gap peeling bark" she
answered But what are you all here for?
What Is it? What's happened7'
I'VE suspect that you folks had some
thing to do with that break last night and
II Is our duty to search your premises"
Break? Why, what do you mean?' She
took a step nearer the sheriff and looked
UP at him appealirgly.
My store was broken into last night
and robbed, and we've got proof that your
people were the ones that done it, broke in
the squire brutality.
''Why-why. our people break into a
store?''
That's what / said. Now to business.
We've got a warrant to search your prem
ises, and we're going to do It. Come on,
sheriff
why. certainly" she said briskly "You
are welcome to go anywhere you wish and
search"
Here, johnson and, Carpenter, come in
tatively. Squire, I shall want you. The
rest of you stay where you are" The four
followed Mrs. Farthing into the house. In
half an hour they appeared at the door.
Nothing in the house." announced the
squire briskly. I'VE are going to try the
barn now" For ten minutes more there was
no movement. Then Johnson and Carpen-
ter came out at side door.
1t evident from their looks that
something had happened.
What Is It?' called several In chorus.
gut the whole layout They did not walt
for further explanations but pressed toward
the barn with a rush. Several entered, and
the others crowded the door
Keep out OF here" yelled the sheriff.
They fell back but Immediately crowded
forward again. After moment they were
In the middle of the barn floor. The squire
and the sheriff were in one corner. From
under q heap Of hay they were pulling out
one by one various articles. A pair of rub
Der boots. a suit of clothes blanket and
l.u,, gAx, h4DY,
beside them.
"Only eleven here" announced the squire
as coolly as If he were taking account or
stock. They had salmon for breakfast. An,
see here" He was blowing the chan from
a large, thin book. That's my stamp book;
stamps still in 1t. Here, sheriff count
'em: there ought to be seven dollars worth
In ones and twos."
The sheriff took the book and ran over
the number Of stamps between the pages.
There were seven dollars and twenty cents
worth. The squire was still fumbling In the
hay. A sharp exclamation turned all eyes
In his direction
Good God See here!' His voice fairly
broke In its excitement. That's KARI
Keichline's stamp book, took the night ne
was murdered. Here. sheriff. look at it for
Gods sake"
by mighty, you're right cried the
sheriff excitedly. THAT'S 1t. Look here:
1886 See the covers loose and there $ the
blot on the front. Stamps all gone. Yes.
sub, that's the very book He continued
to handle 1t in a dazed sort OF way There
was an absolute rush about him In the barn.
They stood gaping at the book and no one
breathed.
Amy of you remember what / said?'
spoke up the squire at length. with the tone
of the man who says II told yeh So after
the event He had arisen, and he gestlcu-
lated heavily as he talked. Them F'artn-
ings can't bulIdoze and bluff me- / knew
all the time Jim Farthing killed Karl: I
knew It as we'll as I knew I was alive and
breathing And you thought the old man
was mistaken did yeh? Where's Amos?
Heigh?" There was raspfng sheer IN
his voice. Amos had not deigned to ac-
company the searching party: he was at
home and at work
II don't seem to see him, do you? WAL
sub. all / can say is that you folks are in
luck. the biggest kind of luck, and all be-
cause I didn't lose my head and be blurred
out of what l knew. / tell yeh den or
nurderers In your backyard amt safe.
We've found goods in this hay-mow from
three different breaks, and there's. more
under there. You can all thank your lucky
SEARS you're alive, that's all. Poor Kari
he knocked him over Jest like chicken.
He made a dash at his eyes with his coat
sleeve.
A wave Of Indignation was gathering in
the crowd sinister and deep They had
been angry when they started from the
store and the sight OF the stamp book in
furiated them. The low murmurs grew In
a moment to angry denunciation, then
quickly into cries or hate ana vengeance
They had not the slightest doubt that they
stood in the retreat of the veritable muir
derers Fear. self-protection, apprehension
of they knew not what mingled with their
feelings for Karl to lash them to madness.
Little knots gathered here and there argu-
ing exctedly. Then all at once single
voice raised the wolf-cry and they were be-
yond reason.
Lynch emf
Quick, men. Catch 'em before they can
run" Angry yells from the pack greeted
the cry A dozen voices took 1t up.
Don't give the old woman time to warn
EN-"
Jim Farthing's the man. Dang him.
Hes the murderer"
Hang the heil-hound- him before he
has time to kill somebody else"
Lynch him.
1.-THE whole d---n bunch of EN-"
A few mad spirits can make a mob OF
any multitude. and mob Is piece Of
hell.
Shoot emf
Hang emf"
Lynch emf
Here, get the ropes; somebody get some
halters'
Cut the rope offn that rig"
Come on. we'll learn the hell BIRDS"
Tfl,sa, .sey. F,axx toI