The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1911-03-31


bars would receive his early attention.
ION second thought" | said assum-
ing a reflective air. perhaps it would
be well, brother. for us TO unite our
persuasive efforts on Bittinger. To
gether we might accomplish what mel
Their could do alone"
He did bit of reelection himself,
knowing his thoughts perfectly. With
out my assistance he would break into
the room | had described from with.
out and take the risk of getting shot.
With me he might be able to pick the
lock of the door to the room and get
away with the Doodle like n common
thief Besides. he enjoyed playing
part.
81 think, brother" he said after con-
siderable weighing of the advantages
on either side, 1--WE will work the-I
mean we will make the attempt to
soften this mans heart together"
"Then | will join you there" re-
piled. There are several places ON the
way at which l wish to leave tracts.
Suppose we meet there for the mid
day meal"
My colaborer agreed, and l, getting
out my horse, rode away. | wasted no
time distributing tracts, but rode
straight TO the Bittinger ranch. where
l found the owner and prepared him
for Mr.. Warburys coming. The ranch
man entered heartily into my scheme
and agreed to play his own part in It,
The villain of the piece was late in
arriving, and | feared that, after all.
he suspected trap and would fail to
walk into it, But Just as was giving
him up saw him coming on the road,
Dismounting at the steps. he walked
to the veranda, where was waiting
for him, and Bittinger came out. See
ing two parsons instead of one, the lat
ter put on n feigned scowl, saying:
81 suppose you two lazy rascals have
come down on me for dinner. l don't
mind feeding you If you'll let me off
from your efforts to convert me.
wish you to understand that I'm n
heather, and, what's more, you can't
make me anything else"
Dinner was waiting. SO we all went
in together. Since a desperate was
guest no other members of the
family, except Bettinger, were present,
and he was secretly well armed. The
women In the house were all put up on
TO the top story. where they would not
| be injured in case Gny shooting took
| place,
| Blttinger, so long as we retrained
from any effort to convert him. made
pleasant host, but as soon as we
made the slightest effort in that direc
ton, or, rather. when did so, for my
colleague. being solely interested in
getting his hands on the plumber, left
this part OF the performance entirely
with me. our host grew grim. My plar
was that we two parsons should spent
the night in the house. Wagstaff woult
pick the lock of the supposed treasure
room and go in, and l would see thai
he didn't get out without surrender.
'Mr Warbury," l said at table
dropping in presence of our heather
host the prefix brother, 81 would like
tomorrow. If Mr. Bittinger will keel
us till then, TO have you visit with m,
some persons in this neighborhood Il
whom l have been endeavoring to ad
minister spiritual comfort. thinl
you will be able to add largely to thei
consolation"
II don't mind" he replied.
"Oh. you can stay here IL you like
put in Bittinger. eve got two rooms
vacant, one on the second story, tn
other down here. The one down her
is the only bedroom on this floor. w
keep It exclusively for guests
gave a quick glance at the villail
and saw an expression of satisfaction
on his face at the prospect of beini
assigned room near the treasure an,
being left alone on the floor to worl
out the problem without disturbin
any one.
All was going well when /. who sa
facing a window, saw two men ridin
into the premises. one of whom | knew
and who knew me. 1t was eviden
that my role OF parson would be play
I'd out as soon as be came In an
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