The Elbert County tribune., 1910-06-24
CHAPTER xII.-continued.

AouhS man. tHluk tOiu you
once before that your legs were alto
gether too active. want you to light
right out of here-skip!"
mot for million dollars. Our
meeting is highly opportune. Cookie.
It's not for me to fly In the face OF
Providence. I'm going to see what's
doing down here"
"All right" replied Cooke. Take
1t all in and enjoy yourself; but
you're my prisoner"
"Oh, that will be all right! So
long as I'm with you can't lose out"
"March!" called Cooke. dropping be-
hind; and thus the two came in few
minutes to the engine. the cars and
the caboose. From the locomotive a
slight smoke still trailed hazily up
ward.
Thomas Ardmore, coatless and hat
less. sat on the caboose steps writing
messages on a board pad while a
telegraph instrument clicked busily
within. One of his men had qualified
as 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:
shall ride tonight 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
certain English gentleman will accom-
pany me. 1t will. be perfectly agreeable
to me 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 dispatch and then
looked up and took the pipe from his
mouth. Collins lifted his hat politely.
"Ah. Mr.. Ardmc~e, you see have
taken advantage of your exceedingly
kind invitation to look you up in
North Carolina"
HE was looking for you very hard
when I found him, Mr. Ardmore," in
terposed Cooke.
said Ardmore, extending his hand to
the reporter. 1T was nice Of you to
walk out here to find me. Wouldn't
they put you up at the house?"
well. the fact Is didn't stop there.
My paper sent me in this general di.
rection on business, but had every
honorable intention of making you
that visit after finished my assign.
ment. But Cookie here says I'm ar
rested"
He's a dangerous character and
can't be allowed to run loose in these
parts. I'm going to tie him up said
Cooke
May ask you. Mr.. Collins. Just
what you are doing here?" inquired
Ardmore.
you may. and I'll bet a boiled
goose that Cookie and ! are on the
same Job"
What are you looking for?" de-
manded Ardmore's chief OF stan. !.
IT'S big story II get it. and
have every intention of getting IT,
said Collins guardedly.
"Out with It'll" commanded Ard
more.
"The fact is. then. that I'm looking
for person Of Importance"
Go right on. please"
And that person is the governor OF
North Carolina. who is mysteriously
absent from Raleigh. He attended
the Cotton Planters convention In
New Orleans. He got as far as At
ianta on his way home and then dis
appeared. need not say to gentle
men Of your intelligence that lost
governor is ripe fruit In my business
and / have reason to believe that fol
some purpose Of his own the governor
OF North Carolina is hiding in this
very neighborhood."
Cooke glanced at Ardmore for in
structious. but the master Of Ardsle,