The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1910-11-17

They arose. very giddy and uncer-
tam, on their feet. For the first time
they forced themselves to look at the
cOpse lying below them.
OH breathed Johnny. Look
Below them. on the farther edge Of
the copse and over quarter OF a mile
away, they saw Mr.. Kincaid. He was
bare-headed. Curly was with him.
The man was trying TO send the water
spaniel into the cOpSe. Curly pretend
ed that he wanted to play and did not
in the least understand what IL was
all about. Finally Mr. Kincaid gave
II up and departed over the brow Of
the hill.
And while this little by play was go
ing on two small boys above him felt
the warmth OF life flowing back into
their frozen souls. The blood returned
to their lips. their humping hearts
calmed. an the blessed JOY and sun
shine and freedom OF the world flood
ed i'm return tide Of blessed relief.
Gee said Johnny. I'm never go
ing hunting again. Never any more
NeVer,"
You bet I'm going to be careful at
ter this" said Bobby. My, but I'm
glad"
Il wonder why he didn't pick up
his cap?" wondered Johnny.
Perhaps he had il in his hand"
The boys drove home ringing the
changes on thousand new resolutions
'of caution.
It's a good lesson TO us" said Bob
by by way of reminiscent philosophy
often heard before.
They put Bobby Junior into the
barn, cleaned the Flobert changed
their hunting clothes, and answered
with alacrity the summons to the din
ing room. After they were well start
ed with the meal MIR. Orde came in
and sat down. He nodded abstract
eddy, and had little to say. The boys
were too far down in remorse to care
to bring up any of the subjects near
their hearts. Finally Mrs Orde re-
marked this general depression.
L must say you're a cheerful lot
OF men folks" said she. What is il ?
Business?" she smiled at the boys in
raillery at the idea. But she could
not cheer them up. AS soon as the
meal was over Mr. Orde dismissed the
boys.
Run along now" said he br fly; Il
want to talk"
They climbed the stairs to Bobby's
room and sat down glumly on the
floor. Reaction was strong and they
had both fallen into aimless doldrums
OF spirit. Suddenly Bobby sat up
straight at attention.
The Orde house was provided with
old-fashioned hot-air registers. When
the registers happened all to be open,
they constituted most excellent speak
ing tubes. Thus, without intention OF
deliberate eavesdropping. Bobby and
his friend became aware of the fsI-
lowing conversation:
What's the matter Jack? Any
thing wrong at the office or on the
IiVer?"
Mr.. Orde sighed deeply.
"Oh, no. EVerything's snug as a
bug in a rug, sweetheart said he.
"but I'm bothered a lot A dreadful
thing happened today. You know that
popple thicket out at Pritchard's
placer"
Both boys froze into horrifed at
YES"
Wei, just before dusk Pritchard
was found dead near the east end of
it"
Why. how did that happen cried
Mrs. Orde.
The boys stole a look at each other.
'tHe had been murdered"
~Murdered!" cried Mrs. Orde sharp
Iy.
OH" moaned Bobby in a smoth-
cred voice
Yes he was found with knife
wound in his throat"
How terrible" said Mrs. Orde.
But that isn't what worries me =
Pritchard is no irreparable loss" (
Jack" cried Mrs. Orde.
He isn't" insisted Orde stoutly.
competent witnesses coming out from
that thicket, and, as far as anybody
has been able to find out he is the
only human being who was out there
today They have him under arrest.
II never heard OF anything so ride
ulOuS!' cried Mrs. Orde Indignantly.
There has been bad blood between
them" said Orde. and everybody
knows it. That's The trouble. Pritoh-
ard as usual has of and on done a
lot OF talking"
you don't for moment believe"
Certainly not. Arthur Kincaid new
er would harm a fly in anger And
rely absolutely on his word"
you've seen him?''
"Of course. He acknowledges he
was out at Pritchard's, but denies all
knowledge of the affair. That's the
trouble. He offers no explanation of
the facts and the facts are-Queer."
What do you mean?"
well. this: the men who saw Kin
caid coming out of the thicket say he
was bareheaded. When Pritchard's
body was found. Kincaid's cap was
about fifty feet distant"
What does he say to that ?"
His story is so ridiculous that /
wouldn't blame anybody who did not
know Kincaid for not believing 1t. lie
says he was playing with his dog
Curly when Curly grabbed the cap