The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1910-07-28

ton he had got up to the next corner
and was just boarding a trolley car.
Barton was disguised with himself for
having let the boy get away SO easily.
1t was fully half a mile to the end
OF Terrace road. and Barton began to
calculate as to time. Yes, he could
easily get there and back in 80 min.
utes. Still. he did not care to take
any chances Of missing John Kramp.
ton, SO he walked down to the drug
store in the next block. There he
called up his home. His man an
swered the ring.
Henry. I'll be back at O'Clock
sharp" he said. "But II Mr.. Kramp-
ton happens to drop in before that,
make him comfortable till come"
Law. Mr.. Krampton has done been
here and gone!" came the darky's
voice.
Gomez" echoed Barton.
Yes. sub: he said he come early
cause he's goin' to a party up to Mrs.
Hunt's."
Did he leave any word for met"
Yes. sub. He said he's goin' to
Pittsburg in the mornin' an won't be
back till next week."
With vicious jerk, Barton hung up
the receiver. "That comes pretty
near meaning the deals off" he
snapped mentally. "Well, it's just
some more of my miserable luck
5000 lost chasing around here OH some
tool joker's directions!"
The stock sale out of sight, Barton
again thought of the letter and the
note. He decided with savage grit
OF his teeth to run down the clues
that had lured him away from some.
thing really worth while. He wanted
the worst in the world to make some.
body pay, If possible. for the prank
being played on him.
To this end, he set out for the ter.
minatfon of Terrace road. When he
reached it he was thoroughly warmed
up and madden than when he started.
The rock mentioned was there. It
was big, fiat boulder and lay hardly
two feet from the gate that opened
into handsome country place.
Barton got stick out of some un.
'derbrush that had been chopped down
and pushed 1t from side to side under
the rock. 1t was like trying to res.
cue lost collar button from under
The bureau. All at once, as the stick
came out at one corner 1t brought
with 1t white sheet of paper. This
Barton grabbed eagerly. He struck a
match and read:
So far SO good. Now go down Terrace
road l0O yards. cross over to the grocery
story on Hollow avenue and ask there
for letter addressed to yourself.
Barton clenched his fist. There's
where I'll run them to EARTH" he con.
cluded with smile of satisfaction.
Across the woods on the breeze
came the sweet, ripping laughter of
girl evidently from one of the near.
by scountry homes. But to Barton's
ears at that second it was a cruel,
hooking gurgle.
"Thts things positively becoming un.
canny." he thought. slight fear over
coming his anger and disgust. Some
genius of evil must have me on the
run. Missing 5000 commission by
five minutes, and then losing a gold
piece may be accidents, but coming
together this way makes it look
deuced queer!"
Gripping his stick more firmly. he
started down the road again, this time
walking more cautiously. At the point
indicated he turned into the cross lane
and went over to Hollow avenue. The
little grocery store was close to the
road, its front windows filled with
stacks of colored cans.
Barton stepped into the shadow of
tree and watched. The store seemed
deserted by customers. the only per.
son to enter being a harmless look
ing old woman. For some time he
stood sentinel patiently, but there
wasn't suspicious movement about
the place. Then he went down and
entered the door. The proprietor, a
man of middle age. was arranging
some boxes behind the counter.
did anybody leave a letter here for
Richard Baritone"
The man looked at Barton and
thought a moment. "Yes," he said
slowly, ut seems to me they did. It's
over there in the desk, think"
He went around to his bookkeeping
stand. and after fumbling over some
papers, took out an envelope.
Eyes, here 1t is" he said.
"Who left it. do you know" ques.
toned Barton. taking the missive.
Il wasn't in the store when it
came" answered the man. But |
think some boy or other brought 1t
here"
The grocer's manner and tone indi-
Gated that he was telling the truth.
Barton said no more. but tore open
the fourth mysterious message.
You are about to reach the rainbow.
Go down Hollow avenue and turn into
the first lane on your left On the little
bridge at the foot Of the hill you will
find the treasure.
Thrusting these directions into his