The San Francisco call., 1910-04-03

automobile before the low, vague of the resi-
dence Carter led his companion off the road and
they circed toward the Cautiously they crept
up through cracking hedge and withered gar
den The house surrounded by broad high
veranda and the windows toward the front the
first floor above the heads of the watchers
They brightly lighted
UP TREE
Carter drew off his automobile and caught the
trunk of tree that stood the edge of the gravel
path. moment later he settled in the fork.
Ralph crouched below him, tremendously disap-
pointed that he could not have glimpse through
the windows By the glow from within he could
make the figure of the Virgnian he peered
into the house.
Weber Carter's sbilant message,
And Granson too he added a moment later.
There period of silence and then Milton heard
a sthed exclamation from above.
What is it," he called up, anxously.
There a murmured response that he could not
make out. Then Carter dropped beside him and,
catching his arm, drew him swiftly away the
route by which he had come. Ralph questioned him
eagerly when they once in the automobile
speeding south but the other strangely evasive
What going on? What did you see? L don't
think its decent of you, Carteret, make OF
and then wrap yourself UP in mystery like this,
complained Milton petulanty. -. -, ,
1t would do good" said Carter, driven at
length to definite answer 1--WE know the essential
fact now. Vebbe is working with Granson. That
means treachery, treachery to the Slate Mountain.
1t nothing else We've found the explana-
ton for the Decline and that's pretty big piece of
information.
But we're handling dynamite, Ralph Don't
tempt to be indiscreet. | saw something as you
guessed, that seemed remarkable to me. 1t was
more than that, it astounding. l know that
can use it; feel the significance it must have. I've
got to work on this. You have only slice at stake,
but I'm playing for my last cent" 49,
At the opening of the market day Slate Noun
tain fell three more points. Rumors had steadily
gained ground that the road in bad shape The
skeptical who had seen only tactical movement in
the first drop had begun to give to persistent
and apparently we'll founded tales of falling receipts
and poor condition 1t might be, as a very few in
tmated, that these reports being skillfully cir
cuated in the interests of Granson. But the appear
ance of disease convincing
= Carter was standing in front of the bulletin board
when he to his decision. Ralph
Milton hailed him in passing through the corridor.
well, what is it this tiine2' he began, cheeriy.
Ralph, said the Virginan wheeling on him sud
denly, ..ts trouble this time. Will you help me
again tonight? | think I'm ready to act now"
Right there with you, Carteret Another expedi-
tion?'
NO. this little affair will be set piece First, |
want you to help me interest Stanchheld in what we
know and what suspect He's lost heavily on
Slate Mountain and he's been worrying We need
him with us"
Together they tracked down Stanchheld Ralph,
who knew him better, opened their proposal. As
losers by mysterious and reacherous deal they
were to work in common Carteret had plan in
view that promised results, and would he lend a
hand? Stanchfeld listened sympatheticaly, though
with little faith, and agreed to place himself at the
Virginians disposal in making investigation.
On the second floor of the clubhouse the writing
room was approached from the main corridor by a
wide hall that led through little Moorish oungng
room, like halfway station he wall of the Moor
sh room toward the front of the building gave upon