Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-10-02
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The jetDeler toetghed the dust tvith e dis t7atStful trotDn.

xHe JetceteT Ne1ghSG the aust lCtth c dts
 t''atstful troton.
 hydraulic company had been robbed again. Some two months previously there had occurred series of depre- dations by which the company had suffered. The boxes were not swept of their golden harvest each day, and in spite of all precautions coarse gold had disappeared mysteriously from the rifles, this, although armed men had watched all night. There had been much guess work The cabin on the hillside was the nearest habitation the company's Hume disgorged its flood in the gulch beneath it-and sus- picion had eventually pointed its way. The sudden ceasing of the robberies with the disappearance of Hugh Stires had given focus to this suspicion Now, almost coincident with his re- turn. the thievery had recommended. It had been a red letter day for Dev- lin and his ilk. who caviled at the more charitable. Of all this, however,
 
 was serenely ignorant.
 Entering the town. there were few stirring on the sunny streets, but he could not but be aware that those he met stopped to gaze after him. Some indeed followed. His first objective point was jewellers, where he could turn his gold dust into readier coin for needful purchases. He saw a sign next the Mountain Valley House and entered
 The jeweler weighed the dust, with . distrustful frown, but Harry's head was turned away. He was reading q freshly printed placard tackled on the wall, an offer of reward for the detec- tion of the sluice thief. He read it through mechanically, for as he read there came from the street outside a sound that touched muffled chord in his brain. It was the exhaust of a motor car.
 He thrust the money the goldsmith grudgingly handed him into his pocket and turned to the door, A long red automobile had stopped at the curb. Two men whom it carried were just entering the hotel. Something in the sight of the long, low racer" reminded IHarrySt8 what? His eye traced its polished Ines, noting it's cunning mech anism. itS build for silent speed. with the eager lighting of connoisseur. He took a stepl toward it, oblivious to all about him.
 He did not note that men were gath ering. that the nearest saloon was emptying of its occupants. Nor did he see a girl on horseback. with a tiny child before her on the saddle, who refined up sharply opposite.
 The rider was Jessica. the child an ecstatic five-year-old she had picked up on the fringe of the town to canter in with her hands gripping the pommel of the saddle. She saw Harry's position instantly and guessed it perilous. What did the men mean to do? She leaned forward. swift apprehension in her face.
 Harry came back suddenly to a real ization of his surroundings. He looked about him. startled. his cheek darken- ing its red. every muscle instinctively He saw danger in the low ering faces. and the old lust of daring leaped up instantly to grapple with the character. Devlin's voice came over the heads ,f the crowd as, burly and shirt sleeved, be strode across the street: Hand over the dust you've stolen before you are tarred and feathered. Hugh Stires!" Harry looked at him. surprised. his mind instantly recurring to the placard be had seen. Here was a tangible ac.  T have stolen nothing" he respond. cd quietly. Where did he get what he just sold l meT The jewellers sour query rose | behind him from the doorway.
 Well find that out" was the rough | rejoinder.
 In face of his threatening peril Jes- 'ica forgot all else-the restive horse, - child She sprans to the ground, |