The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1910-12-27
CHAPTER xll.-Continued.

Young man, think l told you
once before that your legs we're alto
gether too active. l want you to light
right out Of here-skip!"
mot for a million dollars. Our
meeting Is highly opportune. Cookie.
It's not for me to ny in the face Of
Providence. I'm going to see what's
doing down here"
IAN right" replied Cooke. Take,
It all in and enjoy yourself: but
you're my prisoner"
'Oh. that will be all right, So
long as I'm with you l can't lose out"
March," called Cooke. dropping be-
hind: and thus the two came in a few
minutes to the engine. the cars and
the caboose. From the locomotive .
slight smoke still trailed haxily up
ward.
Thomas Ardmore. coatless and hat
less. sat on the caboose steps writing
messages on q board pad. while .
telegraph instrument clicked busily
within. One of his men had qualified
~ operator and = pile Of messages at
his elbow testified to Ardmore's In
dustry. Ardmore clutched In his left
hand \ message recently caught from
the wire which he re-read from time
to time with increasing satisfaction.
1t had been sent from Ardsley and
ran:
I shall ride to-night on the road that
leads south beyond the red bungalow.
and on the bridle-path that climbs the
Ridge on the west. called Sunset Trail A
>ertain English gentleman will accom-
pany me. 1t will be perfectly agreeable
to m. to come back alone. G. D.
Ardmore was still writing when
Cooke stood beneath him under the
caboose platform.
Il beg your pardon. Mr. Ardmore.
but this is our FIRST prisoner"
Ardmore signed a dispatch and then
looked up and took the pipe from his
mouth Collins lifted his hat politely
"Ah. Mr.. Ardmore. you see l have
taken advantage OF your exceedingly
kind invitation to look you up II
North Carolina"
He was looking for You very hard
when l found him. Mr.. Ardmore," In
terposed Cooke.
your appearance delights me.
said Ardmore. extending his hand t
the reporter 1T was nice Of you Il
walk out here to ind me. Wouldn'
they put you up at the house."
We'll, the fact is didn't stop there
My paper sent me In this general ID
rection on business. but had ever!
l I'M ~
that visit after l finished my assign
ment But Cookie here says I'm ar
rested"
Hes a dangerous character an,
can't be allowed to run loose in thes
parts. I'm going to tie him up" SAT-
Cooke
May l ask you. Mr.. Collins, Jus
what you are doing here." inquiries
Ardmore.
You may. and I'll bet a boile
goose that Cookie and l are on tn
same job"
What are you looking for?" d.
manded Ardmore's chief of STAFF
It's a big story if l get it. and
have every intention of getting IL,
said Collins guardedly-
Out with it," commanded Arr
more
The fact is. then. that I'm lookin
for a person of importance"
Go right on. please"
! And that person is the governor {
North Carolina, who is mysterious
absent from Raleigh He attende
the Cotton Planters convention
New Orleans He got as far as A
: lanta on his way home and then di
. appeared l need not say to gentl
men OF your intelligence that 10
governor is ripe fruit in my bushes
and l have reason to believe that Il
some purpose of his own the governs
!. Of North Carolina Is hiding in tn
very neieSborhood-"
Cooke glanced 1t Ardmore for
trucfions hut the master of Ardalt