The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1911-02-17

$500 lost chasing around here on some
fool ioker's directions!"
The stock sale out of sight, Barton
again thought of the letter and the
note He decided with a 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
mination Of Terrace road. When he
reached it he was thoroughly warmed
up and madder than when he started.
The rock mentioned was there. It
was a big, fiat boulder and lay hardly
two feet from the gate that opened
into a handsome country place
Barton got stick out of some un-
derbrush that had been chopped down
and pushed it from side to side under
the rock It was like trying to res
cue a lost collar button from under
the bureau. All at once, as the stick
came out at one corner it brought
with it a white sheet Of paper. This
Barton grabbed eagerly. He struck a
match and read;
So far so good. Now 80 down Terrace
road 100 yards, cross over to the grocery
story on Hollow avenue and ask there
for a letter addressed to yourself.
Barton clenched his fist There's
where I'll run them to earth" he con-
cluded with a smile of satisfaction.
Across the woods on the breeze
came the sweet, ripping laughter of
a girl evidently from one Of the near
by country homes. But to Barton's
ears at that second it was a cruel,
mocling gurgle.
This things positively becoming un-
canny" ne thought slight fear over
coming his anger and disgust. Some
genius of evil must have me on the
run. Missing a 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
a 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 a suspicious movement about
the place. Then he went down and
entered the door The proprietor,
man of middle age, was arranging
some boxes behind the counter.
Did anybody leave a letter here for
Richard Barton?"
The man looked at Barton and
thought a moment. Yes" he said
slowly, 'it 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 it is, he said.
"Who left it, do you know?" ques-
toned Barton, taking the missive.
T wasn't in the store when it
came" answered the man. "But /
think some boy or other brought it
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