The Rich Hill tribune. (Rich Hill, Mo.) 1903-1911, 1907-07-18

cHApTER xvIIl.-continued.

What have YOU done; what has hap
penedgv ] demanded
He put his hand to his head uncer-
tainly and gasped as though trying to
gather his wits,
He was evidently dazed by whatever
had occurred. and / sprang round and
helped him Il a couch. He would not
lie down but sat up. staring and pass
ing bis hand over his head. Il vas
rapidly growing lighter. and / saw a
purple and black streak across his
temple where a bludgeOn Of some sort
had struck him.
what does this mean. Bates? Who
has been in the house2r
1T was early this morning" be fal-
tered. about two o'clock, I heard
noises in the lower part OF the house
I came down, thinking likely it was
you. and remembering that you had
been sick yesterday
Yes, go n.
The thought Of my truancy was no
balm to my conscience just then
"As I came into the hall. saw lights
in the library. AS you weren't down
last night the room hadn't been lighted
az all. ] heard steps. and some one
tapping with a hammer
yes: a hammer. Go ont"
1t was. then, the same old storyl
The war had been carried openly into
the house. hut Bates-just why should
any enc connected with the conspiracy
injure Bates. who stood so near to
Pickering, its leader? The fellow was
undoubtedly hurt,-there was no mis-
taking the wound on his head. He
spoke with a painful difficulty that
was not assumed. / felt increasingly
sure. as he went on.
4 saw a man pulling out the books
and tapping the inside OF the shelves.
He was working very fast. And the
next thing I knew he let in another
man through one Of the easements
the one thee that stiIl stands a little
open.
He hinehed as ne turned slightly to
indicate it, and his4ace twitched with
pain
Never mind that: tell the rest Of
your story
'Then / ran IN. grabbed n Of the
big candelabra from the table, and
went for the nearest man. They were
about TO begin on the c~himney-breast
lit was Mr.. GienarTa's pride in all
the house,-and that accounts for my
being there ia front of the fireplace.
They rather got the best Of me. sir"
Clearly; I see they did. You had a
h~andto-hand fight with them, and be
ing two to one
no; there were two Of us.-don't
you understand, two Of US. There
was another man who came running in
from somewhere, and he took sides
with me. / thought al first II was you,
sir.s The robbers thought so. too, for
one OF them yelled, Great God: Glen.
arms come backf just like that But
it wasn't you. sir. but quite another
person.
That's a good story so far; and
then what ~happeHedG"
Il don't remember much more, OK
cept that some one soused me viii
water that helped my head consider
ably, and the next thing / knew / wal
staring across the table. there at you
who were these men, Batesg sposl
up quickly"
Ny tone was peremptory. Here was
felt. q crucial moment IN our rela
tions.
Well he began. deliberately q
dislike 20 make charges against q Gel
low man. but ! strongly suspect n O
the men OF being
"Yesi Tell the whole truth or Il WI
be the worse for you"
u very much fear n Of them wal
Ferguson. the gardener over the WY
I'm disappointed Ia him, SIR,
very good; and now for the othe.
one"
Il didn't get my eyes on him ha'
closed with Ferguson and we Wer'
having quite a lively time OF II whel
the other n came IN then the maj
who came 10 my help mixed as all ur
-he was a very lively person,-anl
what became of Ferguson and the res
OF it / don't know"
There was food for thought In wha
he said. He had taken punishment II
defense OF my property-the crack o.
his head was northumberland ! couiI
not abuse lin or question his Y%eracitl
vita n grace; not, a. least. withou
tine for investigation and study. How
evor. i Ventured % AK him n ques
tiCh;
III you we're guessing, shOuldn'
ysn think il quite likely that Morgan
VAS the other man
He met my gaze sCnarely.
- mt ~ who uoaefh1a Al
olenarm." ne reptile at once.
aAnd the man vii helped you-whI
a. the devil was heg4
-Bless me. dont know sir IL
disappeared. I'd ike nightly 70 Sc
aim again
eHumphi Nov you'd better DO some
thing FOR your head ~ summon ia.
village doctor q yta eay Q
NO, thank you er ~ take car