The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1909-07-02

ene AFTERNOON, while IN the evening 400
worth Of fireworks were to be set on
from q fIoat anchored in the lake, and
there would be concert by the cornet
band,
It seemed to Hugh as II he, Of all the
town, had remained at home. Across
tie square Harvey Dwight was max
ing up the mail In the tiny postofFice,
and Rem Vincent was waiting to take
the single bag up to the station. OF
course Turner, the station agent, was
at bis post, but the rest were at the
grove and had been most Of the day.
Rem Vincent came over and sat down
on the steps beside him. Coin out to
the grover he asked enviously.
"Dwlght's goin' as soon as he gets the
mail made up."
mot me- said sHugh. II like an old
fashioned Fourth"
A CLEAN Of hope sprang into Vim
cents eyes, Say" he begged, will
You take the bag to the station? 1t
amt heavy, just few letters, and
can get out to the grove with Dwight
All the good stun IL on the float. Them
rockets just tempt you out. Nipple
bet he'd have the whole town out at
the grove. and he's done It,"
Go ahead" said Hugh. "I'll tell
Dwight" And he watched Rem make
on down the street Somehow his
words kept ringing through his head.
Why should Nipple want to get the
whole town to the grove1 Was 1t pride
Of was there some other reason?
Az II In answer there came 4 muf-
led explosion, and the step on which
be was sitting shook slightly. That
must have been big bomb. Hugh look
ID up. but the sky at that moment was
lighted only by the stars.
| Suddenly he understood. The store
was next the bank. Could the whole
celebration have been arranged to get
the people out of town so that a raid
might be made at the bank? Nipple
had announced that the best thing OF
the day would be the set piece. This
was to be fired at IL o'clock. The train
went through at IL. He had read Of
such scht mes.
There was no way Of getting into the
bank. and no Waterman was employ
cd. The solitary police officer paradine
the square was thought SUFFICIENT. and
tonight even he was out at the grove.
Thew was one tiny window at the
reav. and to this Hugh made his way.
He almost betrayed himself by 4 cry
a. he glanced In.
The vaults Of the bank were In the
cellar to save the expense Of building
pier to raise the structure to the
street level. In the wall on the store
side was breach. and on the floor lay
the doors to the vault, blown of with
dynamite. Three men were working
over the contents Of the safe, storing
suit cases with the spoil. and from the
lelsurely fashion In which they worked
Hugh was satisfied that they intended
to take the train.
II anything were done 1t must be
done without much assistance, for the
people were all out Of town. Dwight
would be Of little use. He might get
help at the station. He brushed the
dirt from his knees and strolled over
to the postoffice. Dwight was standing
In the doorway.
"Drat that Rem Vincent" he scolded.
"Seen him, HughY'
"Gone to the grove" explained Hugh.
II told him I'd take the bag up to the
station and see that 1t got on board all
right"
Jump In, and I'll drive you round
that way" offered the postmaster.
Hugh shook his head.
II want to use the phone moment -
| he said. "You hurry up. They've been
ut II almost an hour now"
Dwight unlocked the door and Jump
ed into the buggy. TITS spring lock, -
he explained. BE sure and shut II
when you're through. Giddapv' And
the buggy sped on down the road Vim.
cent had taken.
Hugh called up the station and chat.
ted for moment. then he hung up the
receiver and fattened his face against
the front window.
It was an hour before the three men
emerged from the store and carefully
locked It after them. They set out up
the street. and Hugh, shouldering the
mail bag, started after them.
| AnCy SOAAC ~ sAAC 6OO0O Va olCR0s
but the sight Of the mail bag treasured
them. and they went on. The bag was
an excuse for Hugh to take 1t easy, and
he kept them in sight until they en-
tered the station. He set the mail bag
on the baggage truck and went inside
after the men. Turner nodded to him
a. he entered. and with q sigh of relief
Hugh sank into seat in the corner.
Presently Button. the baggagemas-
ter. came in and approached Hugh
Apparently he had been drinking, and
they were soon in wordy warfare that
presently passed to blows. Button
drew a pistol. and Turner came out OF
his Office with another weapon. But.
ton, suddenly recovering. faced the
three men with Turner and held their
hands up while Hugh bound them.
1t was all over In moment. and the
three were locked in the baggage room
while Hugh and Button set on for the
grove to capture Nipple.
Nipple had promised the sensational
close Of the evening for IL o'clock and
had meant It to be set piece showing
- 4. J..