Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1909-02-06


made her anxious. Moreover, she was
in way committed. for she could not
now emerge without being seen. As
she waited a man came from the path
and Joined the others The sky had
been overcast and gloomy. but the
moon drew out just then. and she saw
that the newcomer. evidently patrol.
carried rife IN the hollow OF his arm.
She also saw that one OF the FIRST three
was the automobiles owner.
Fer some minutes they conversed IN
undertoncs. whose very secrecy in
famed her imagination. IL seemed 10
her that they made some reference 20
the tiume. Had there been another rob
berry OF tho sluice boxes aud could
they still suspect Hughf
Dread and Indignation made her
bold. When they turned into the path
she followed. treadlng uoiselessly. tin
she was close behind them. They had
stopped again and were looking intent
ly at shadowy gray something that
moved In the bottom below.
She heard the man who carried the
rifle say. with a smOthered laugh:
Its only Barney McGinn's old white
horse taking drink out Of the slulce
box. He often does that"
Then the sherin's voice said: MIC
Ginn's horse is IN town tonight. with
Barney on her back Horse or no
horse. I'm going to- The rest was lost
in the swift action with which he
snatched the frearm from the first
speaker, sighted and fred.
In the still night the concussion
seemed TO rock the ground and reused
a hundred echoes. IL startled and
shocked the listening girl. but not so
much as the sound that followed it
cry that had nothing animal.Iike and
that sent the men running down the
slope toward an object that lay hud-
died by the sluice box
In horrified curiosity Jessica follow
ed. slipping from shadow 10 shadow.
She saw the sheriff kneel down and
draw collapsed and empty horse
skin from figure whose thleving cum
ming IL would never cloak again.
$50 IT was you. after all. Prender-
gast!" the sheriff said contemptuously.
lhe white face stared ND at them.
venomous and writing. turning about
the circle as though searching for some
one who was not there.
How did-you guessY'
The sheriff, who lad been making a
swift examination. answered the pant
&c question. you have no time TO
think OF that now" he said.
a sinister look darted into the dim
ng yellow eyes, and hatred and GER
tainty rekindled them. Prendergast
struggled 10 sitting posture. then
fell back, convulsed. "Hugh Stiresl
He was the only-one who knew-how
1t was done. He's clever. but he can't
get the best or PrendergastP' A spasm
distorted his features. "Walt-waitp'
lie fumbled In his breast, and his
fingers brought forth a crumpled piece
OF paper. He thrust Il into the sher-
fff's hands.
"LOOk! Lookr' he gasped. THE
man they found murdered on the claim
tnere"-he pointed wildly up the HILL
side-"Dr. Moreau. i found hlm-dy-
ing! Stires"-
Strength was fast falling him. he
tried again TO speak, but only inapticu-
late sounds came from his throat.
A blind terror had clutched the heart
or the girl leaning from the shadow.
DR. Observation-Disclosures" Why. he
had been one OF Hugh's friendsl why
did this man couple Hugh's name with
that worst OF crimes? What dreadful
thing was he trying to tell? She hard
ly repressed desire 10 scream aloud.
BE careful what you say. Prender-
CAST" said the sheriff sternly.
The wretched man gathered force
for last effort. His voice came In
croaking whisper;
1T was Stires killed him. Moreau
wrote 1t down-and kept the paper.
Tell Hpgh--we break-evenr'
wr-s---