The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1907-06-07
CHAPTER XIII.
Besieged.

anu We we're CHeeTlnS ourselves with
the idlest talk possible. Stoddard. who
had been to the chapel for his usual
seven o'clock service, was deep in the
pocket Greek testament he always car,
Fled.
Bates ran in to report a summons
at the outer wall. and Larry and |
went together TO answer il. sending
Bates to keep watch toward the lake.
Our friend. the sheriff. with dep
uty, was outside In buggy He stood
mp and talked to us over the wall.
you gents understand that I'm only
doing my duty. It's an unpleasant
business, but the court orders me to
eject all trespassers on the premises.
and I've got to do IT."
The law is being used BY an in.
famous scoundrel to protect himself.
don't intend to give in We can hold
out here for three months. IL neces-
aary. and advise you to keep away
and not act as tool for a man like
Pickering"
The sheriff listened respectfully.
resting his arms on top OF the wall
You ought to understand. Mr.. Glen.
arm, that | amt the court: I'm the
Sheriff. and it's not for me to pass on
these questions I've got my orders
and I've got to enforce EN-. ard hope
you will not make it necessary for me
to use violence, The Judge said to me.
We deplore violence in such cases.
Those were his honurs very words"
You may give his honor my compll.
ments and tell him that we are sorry
not to see things his way, but there
are points involved in this business
that he doesn't know anything abou,
and we unfortunately have no time
10 lay them before him"
The sherif's seeming satisfaction
with his position on the wall and his
disposition to parley had begun to
arouse my suspIcions. and Larry sew
eral times exclaimed impatieatly at
the absurdity Of discussing my affairs
with a person whom he insisted on
calling a constable. TO the sherinrs eyi.
dent annoyance
You. sir.-we've got our eve on you.
and you'd better come along peace
able. Laurance Donovan; the descrip
tons fits you TO q"
You could buy a nice farm with
that reward. couldn't yuu--" began
Larry but at that moment Bates ran
toward US calling loudly
They're coming acr.Ss the lake
cir" he reported. and instantly the
sheriff's head disappeared. and as we
Tan toward the house We heard his
horse pounding down the road toward
St Agatha's.
The law be damned. They don't in
tend TO come in here by the front door
as matter Of law. " said Larry Pick
sring's merely using the sheriff to give
respectfully TO his maheuvers."
It was no time for a discussion of
motives, We ran across the meadow
past the water tower and down to the
boat-house. Far out on the lake we
saw half a dozen men approaching the
Glenarm grounds. They advanced
steadily over the light snow that lay
apou the ice. one man slightly in ad.
vance and evidently the leader.
Its Morgan" exclaimed Bates.
-And there's Ferguson"
Larry chuckled and slapped his
thigh.
observe that stocky little devil Just
behind the leader He's my friend
from Scotland Yard. Lads, this is
really an international AFFAIR"
Bates. go back to the house and
call at any sign Of attack" | ordered.
The sherlffs loose somewhere"
And Pickering is directing his
forces from afar." remarked Stoddard
Il count ten men in Morgans line.
said Larry. "and the sheriff and his
deputy make two more That's 10. not
counting Pickering that we know Of
on the other side"
Warn them away before they get
much nearer" suggested Stoddard
I'VE don't want to hurt people il we
can help it."-and at this went to the
end of the pier Morgan and his men
we're now quite near. and there was no
nistsking their intentions. Most OF
them carried guns. the others re
yolvers and long ice hooks.
na1faH bnfIf,o
hands for truce. we wish YOU no
harm. but IL you enter these grounds
you do so at your peril"
They had paused at a word from
Morgan and listened sullenly
Were all sworn deputy sherifs.
called the caretaker smoothly We've
got the law behind us"
THAT must be why you're coming
IN the back way" replied
The thickset man whom Larry had
identified as the English detective now
came closer and addressed me in a
high key.
You're harboring a bad man, Mr.
Glenarm. You'd better give him up
I've got my papers and the American
law supports me. You'll get yourself
into trouble II YOU protect that man.
You may not understand. sir. thai he's
= very dangerous character"
Thanks, Davidson" called Larry
You'd better keep out OF this. You
r. ~ a bad man with the shillalah,"
you are, YOU blaskguard,"
go ofioer. so spitefully that we
.ca