The Cairo bulletin., 1912-07-02
4 Run Across Eric.
CHAPTER xxx.


the ammunition In excess Of our
needs. Conroy was enthusiastic, and
somewhat loquacious, but l cut his
conversation off rather sharply, and
ordered the men into their saddles.
With brain clarified by sleep l real
ICED the importance of the work be-
fore us. and how imperfect my plans
were. / could merely ride forth to
Elmhurst, hoping to pick up some
clew to aid me. Az we rode rapidly
along the deserted road leading to
Farrell's reviewed over and over
again every remembered detail, only
to conclude that ! must get hands on
Grant, and by threats, or any other
available means, compel him to con-
fess his part in the villainy. Dusk
settled about US. succeeded by night.
as We pressed steadily forward. the
men riding silently, the only sound
the thud of hoofs. and the slight Jingle
Of accoutfements As we passed the
black wallis OF Farrel's shop, / re-
called the papers found In Grants
coat. and the reference In Fagins note
to q rendezvous at Lone Tres. Prob
ably that was the spot where the two
had been accustomed to meeting. II
true in the past. why not now as well?
Suddenly it occurred to me that it
was at a place called Lone Tree that
the minute men had gathered for their
attack on Delavan's wagon train.
Could this. by any possibility, be the
same spot? drew my horse back
beside Conroy.
Ever heard Of a place called Lone
Tree?" ! asked quietly. ea
He rubbed his head thoughtfully.
mot just about here, sir. We
camped over east of there once, may
be a year ago. down In a hollow where
there was one big tree standin' all
alone, kind Of an odd-lookin' tree, sir.
and seems to me. the guide said the
place was called something like that.
Say. Tom" to the nearest dragon,
do you remember that Lone Tree
where we camped when We were out
hunting Tarleton?"
Sure; In east Medford. There was
a farmhouse across on the side Of a
hill. got some buttermiIk there"
Wasn't that what the guide called
the place-Lone Tree7"
."Derned IL | know. sergeant. Don't
recollect hearin' the guide say any
| thin bout that, but the woman at the
house told me her place was called
Lone Tree cottage-so / reckon he
might"
This was chance worth trying.
I'VE will take the first turn to the
left. and have a look at the place."
said. "Conroy. you and Tom ride
ahead. and keep your eyes open"
We reached the hollow where the
big tree stood. about midnight, but
| found little reward. The house on
the hill had been burned to the
ground Near the tree, however, we
| discovered evidence Of recent camp
fires, one not vet cold. and apparently
there had been quite body Of men
| camped there lately. Conroy manu-
/ featured a torch, and secuted about,
finally reporting:
4 don't know how many were here,
| sir, altogether, but there was lot o.
horses. picketed over near the creek
| | reckon the last of them didn't leave
until dark tonight, an they rode north
toward the main road. There was
maybe dozen in that party"
/ We followed the general direction
the fellows seemed to have taken.
Conroy and on foot, scanning the
trail by aid Of pine knot. The dust
lay thick on the clay road through
the cut. where we had charged the
foragers, and II was easy to see tho
band had turned east, There was but
one conclusion possible; II this was
Fagin's gang Of cutthroats, as I sus'
| pected, then they were either return
ing to their sand caves in Monmouth
county after raid. or else were start
ing forth on some new project near
at hand. Whichever was true, Elm
hurst lay in the direction taken. De
termined to learn the truth, we
pressed forward. riding rapidly, YET
exercising the, precaution of keeping
q two scouts well In advance. 1t must
have been nearly three o'clock when
, we reached the summit Of the low hill
within few hundred yards OF the
house. and found the two scouts
awaiting rs. .a
| My first glance across the ravine
revealed the outlines Of the house
above the low trees Of the orchard
All appeared peaceable enough, and
felt o sudden relief There We're lights
burning ON the lower floor streaming
| through several windows. while uI
stairs one window was ablaze. Late
as it was, this illumination was not
surprising, however. as the care Of the
wounded man would necessitate night
watchers, while, no doubt, Claire
would anticipate by reaching there
before morning. All this flashed ovel
me, as my eyes hastily, surveyed the
familiar surroundings. Then | be
came aware that the older scout was
reporting. s v,.ly
4 There's quite a bunch Of horses
J picketed down there in the ravine