Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1908-11-12
CHAPTER XII.

Inside of the hour Hope made three
calls-all disappointing ones. To the
elegant apartments occupied in the past
by the arch-swindler, to the home of his
chief and confrere. to a club where both
sometimes spent their evenings.
He got trace of the company president
He was with some choice friends, drown
ing fear and detection in strong drink.
With him Hope had nothing to do so he
continued his search, but he gained no
conclusive trace of the man he sought.
He knew the machinery of the law well,
from past critical experience. and besides
had a hundred-aye, a thousand-ready
aides whom he could rely on-recent as
sistants in the political battle he had
fought so hard to win, but which now
seemed as bauble, a mere bubble to him.
The first reckless fever of triumph and
hate had changed, however: he no longer
thought of immediate public denounce-
ment of his enemy. A slow, refined
method of netting out his vengeance ap-
pealed to him. and he considered only per-
sonally securing the fugitive again. Sc
cretely arraigning him, probing deeper for
detailed confession and positive conclu
gamated says do it?'
Il must find him-I. alone-before the
night is through" decided Hope. Where
is he hidden? What will his course be-?
Free-the fight is lost | acted with rash
preciptancy. but the temptation was
strong. Patience, Everett-my murdered
brother, Ten years. and so many days
in all those years Yet all sworn to this
cli ha boS lv
come
But precious time had already gone by
and Kane had not been found. Every min
ute at leisure thus meant golden time to
perfect his plans for security for the fugi-
tive. Finally an inspiration seized Hope.
The mills" he said. swiftly, and the
driver appraised. started his horses head
In a new direction.
The works were not in operation
Here and there presented evidences of
light and action, but only to a degree
evidencing the necessary means Of keep
ing important steam and blast essentials
in shape for the morrow The election
had caused general stoppage of labor
and as Hope ncared the mills at a furious
rate of speed, the grim, black outlines of
stacks and bunkers were ghouIishly sug-
gestive Of the ruin brooding over the
doomed enterprise.
His body thrilled in the swaying vehicle
and his eyes lit up. as, sharply scanning
every part of the structure where the gen
eral Offices were located, he made out
certain speck of light
1t was in the single room bulb illumi-
nant in the entire building, and it marked
that section Of the same given over to
the private headquarters Of the executive.
a quick theory, keen hope. inspired
the trailer. 1t was quite natural that
Kane should come hither Some spoils
there were yet on hand to seize. some
incriminating documents, doubtlessly. to
destroy before he abandoned the sinking
craft, and signaling a stop in an avenue
formed by towering heaps of pig iron.
Hope leaped to the ground
"Wait for me here" he ordered the
cab driver.
"All right, sir"
Hope sped forward. He was yet a lit
tie ways from the mills proper, but he ad-
judged it best to approach with caution. |
There was a labyrinth of criss-cross lanes
and roads 10 pursue. and suddenly, as he
emerged into the main cindered path. that
cut the factory expanse due south and
north, he very nearly ran under the feet |