The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1907-12-28


BE careful" cautioned Mrs. Knapp.
Kept my hand on the revolver
that lay in my overcoat pocket, and
walked with Dicky on to the porch
II was common roadside saloon, and
Mt this hour II appeared wholly de-
serted. Even the dog, without which
knew no roadside saloon could ex-
ist, was as silent as lis owners
Here's a gol' said Dicky. He was
to meet us. sure. What time have you
got?"
struck a match in a corner and
looked at my watch by its fare.
Five minutes to three"
"Whewl" he whispered. we're reg
ularly done. | thought he had bad
1 eye when j was bargaining with him. !"
wondered If Dicky had hand in
the trick. II trick 1t should prove to
be.
We'll" said Dicky obviously. II
think | know where the fellow would
have taken us. | trailed him this af-
ternoon. and I'll lay two to one that |
can pick out the right road"
is this the third road from Brook
lyn?" | asked. pointing to the track
that led to the left
Il reckon So" said Dicky. Il
haven't kept count. but / recollect
only two before IT,"
"All right Up with you theni"
Dicky obediently mounted to the
seat beside the driver.
81 shall ride outside" said to Mrs.
Knapp. II may be needed"
Half a mile farther we passed a
house. and within quarter of a mile
another.
I'VE are on the right road" was my
thought as | compared. these In my
mind with the crosses on the diagram
About half a. mile farther a small
cluster Of buildings loomed up, dark
aud obscure. by the roadside.
This is the place" | said confident
ly. motioning the driver to pull up. |
remembered that Henry wllton's map
had stopped at the third cross from
the parting of the roads.
NO. it isn't" said Dicky eagerly.
ITS two or three miles farther on.
traiied the fellow myself to the next
house. and that's a good two miles at
least"
| had leaped TO the ground. and
opened the door OF the carriage.
We are at the fourth place. said.
And the cockeyed barn?" inquired
Mrs. Knapp. peering out.
was struck silent by this. and
looked blankly at the dark forbidding
structure that fronted on the road.
You're right" said Mrs. Knapp
with a laugh. Cant you make out
that funny little window at the end
there?"
| looked more closely at the build
ing. In the dim light OF the stars the
coat of whitewash that covered IL
made II possible TO trace the outlines
of a window in the gable that fronted
the road. Some freak Of the builder
had turned it quarter ,of the way
around, giving 1t comical suggestion
Of a man with droop TO his eye.
And the iron cow" | asked.
Stupid pump. Of course" re-
piled Mrs. Knapp. with another laugh.
Now see II there is lane here by
the barn"
A narrow roadway Just wide enough
for a single wagon Joined the main
road at the corner of the building.
Then drive up it quietly was Mrs,
Kuapp's direction.
Just beyond the barn made out the
figure OF the pump in a conspicuous
place by the roadside and felt more
confident that we were on the right
road.
The driver swore in an undertone
as the hack lurched and groaned in a
DOGGY series OF ruts, and a branch
whipped him In the face. | was forced
to give a grunt myself. as another
slapped my sore arm and sent a sharp
twinge OF pain shooting from the
wound till IL tingled in my toes. Dicky,
protected between us, chuckled soft
ly. l reflected savagely that nothing
spells a man for company like a mis-
taken sense OF humor.
Suddenly the horses stopped so
short that we were almost pitched out.
Mrs. Knapp raped on the carriage
door and | opened IT,
Have you come to the bars?" she
asked presently.
Il guess so. We've come against |
like a fence"
We'll, then, she replied. when we |
get through, take the road TO the left |
That will bring us TO the house."
you are certain"
That is what Henry wrote in the
cipher beneath the map. The house
must be only a few hundred yards
away"
The bars were there, and lifted the
wet and soggy boards with an anxious
heart. Were we. after all, so near the
hiding place? And what we're we to
find?
On sudden turn the house doomed
ip before US and a wild clamor of dogs
broke the stiffness of the night.
The Body Merely Machine.