Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1909-07-10

Nothing In the house." announced
the Squire, briskly. I'VE are going to
try the barn now" For 10 minutes
more there was no movement Then
johnson and Carpenter came out at a
side door.
1t was evident from their looks that
something had happened.
What is it?" called several In
chorus.
Nothing; only we've found the kit
We've got the whole layout" They
did not wait for further explanations,
but pressed toward the barn with
rush. Several entered, and the others
crowded the door.
Keep out of here!" yelled the sheriff.
They fell back but Immediately
crowded forward again. After a mo-
ment they were IN the middle of the
barn floor. The squire and the sheriff
were in ono corner. From under a
heap of hay they were pulling out one
by one various articles. A pair of rub
ber boots, suit of clothes, blanket,
and number Of cans of salmon lay in
heap beside them.
only eleven here" announced the
squire coolly as IL he were taking ac-
count Of stock. "They had salmon for
breakfast. All. see here!" He was
blowing the chaff from a large, thin
book. That's my stamp book; stamps
still in IT,. Here, Sheriff, count 'em:
there ought to be 81 worth in ones and
twos"
The sheriff took the book and ran
over the number of stamps between
the pages. There were 1920 worth. The
squire was still fumbling in the hay. A
sharp exclamation turned all eyes in
his direction.
Good God! see here!" His voice
fairly broke in it's excitement. That's
Karl Keichlines stamp book. took the
nj 10Th hn @ mn Ghnf.iT
look at it for Gods sake
by mighty, you're right" cried the
sheriff, excitedly. That's it. Look
here: Report of the Secretary OF Ag-
riculture, 1885, See, the covers loose
and there's the blot on the front.
very book He continued to handle
it in a dazed sort of way. There was
an absolute hush about him in the
barn. They stood gaping at the book,
and no one breathed.
ANY of you remember what I said?"
spoke up the Squire at length. with the
tone of the man who says II told yeh
and he gesticulated heavily as he talk
ed. Them Farthings can't bulldoze
and bluff me. / knew all the time Jim
Farthing killed Karl; I knew 1t as well
as / knew l was alive and breathing.
And you thought the old man was mis-
TAKEN, OlO Eens "n Amos
Heigh?" There was rasping sneer in
the searching party; he was at home
and at work.
II don't seem to see him, do you?
Wal. sub, all can say Is that you folks
are in luck. the biggest kind of luck,
and all because l didn't lose my head
and be bluffed out Of what / knew.
tell yeh a den of murderers in your
back yard amt safe. We've found |
goods in this haymow from three diff |
ferent breaks, and there's more under |
there. You can all thank your lucky |
stars you're alive. that's all. Poor |
Karl-he knocked him over Jest like
chicken" He made a dash at his |
eyes with his coat sleeve.
A wave of Indignation was gathering |
in the crowd sinister and deep. They |
had been angry when they started |
from the store, and the sight of the |
stamp book infuriated them. The low |
murmurs grew in a moment to angry |
then quickly into cries !
of hate and vengeance. They had not |
the slightest doubt that they stood in |
the retreat Of the veritable murderers. |
Fear, self protection, apprehension of |
they knew not what mingled with their |
feelings for Karl to lash them to mad |
ness. Little knots gathered here and |
there arguing eXcitedlv. Then all at |
once a single voice raised the wolf
cry and they were beyond reason.
Lynch 'em!"