The Washington herald., 1912-01-25
CHAPTER xxi.

Yes, young fellers," the sherin. con-
tinued, you stand accused Of gettin'
some mighty valuable documents from
the German gentleman. He'll be down by
the next train TO identify you. and, in the
meanwhile. I'll Jest take charge Of any pa
pers or letters you two may be carryin'.
OF course, amt sayin' he's right and
you're wrong. That's TO be shown at the
hearin' before proper authorities. Anyway,
I'll see II you are totin' anything like
what he claims was taken from him.
The sheriff thrust an inquisitive hand
into the front OF Brockett's shirt, and at
the same identical moment that section of
the car seemed filled with life, animation,
and agitated doings. Brockett, as the
sheriff bent forward drove his knee saw
sgely upward, and the sheriff, with
yowl OF anguish and surprise, fell back,
doubling up and going TO the floor. His
falling body completely blocked the aisle
so far as his deputies were concerned,
and there was really no reason why So
lanO should reach across the intervening
space to smite one of the worthy Arkan-
sans upon the nose. He did, however, and
the deputy, falling upon his chief, made
the progress Of the constabulary doubly
difficult Before they could get the tangle
cleared both boys were out of the car
which slopes downward TO the Little
Rock station. They were two good city
blocks away and not losing any ground
when the frantic sheriff and his men tum-
bled from the car, and a few minutes la
ter they vanished into a jungly network
Of vines and shrubbery beside the river.
The sheriff sighted the disappearing fig
ures and trained a long blue revolver on
the fast-receding Brockett- He might
have hit his target at that distance and
he might only have fired in the air to
frighten the quarry into surrender How
ever this might be, he never delivered
the bullet. A small, stocky boy. intensely
Irish OF general feature. stumbled against
the gallant sheriff at this juncture, and
for the second time in two minutes the
valorous official sought the sod. Rising,
he aimed a well-meant kick at the young
ster, who was perhaps ten feet away as
the boot whizzed and then, realizing that
the mishap was purely accidental, paid
no further attention to the newest dis
turber.
Git after 'em-' he beloved. Hurry
along there! What are ye all, anyhow?
Hookworm cases? Git a move on And
the deputies plunged pantingly in the
mad pursuit Of two active young men
who had start Of at least 600 feet and
every incentive.
Brockett and Solano, their journey once
more interrupted, lost no time in Iamen-
stances were hardly suitable. They
struck out through the Arkansas hills
making remarkably good time, and doing
all their complaining inwardly. Baron
Zollern and the epithets most appro-
pirate to that noble German could wait
but the sheriff of Little Rock was hardly
likely to do much waiting. After hustling
along through the underbrush for per-
haps twenty minutes, the sounds OF pur-
suit died away to a far-off murmur, and
the fugitives took breathing space,
though still pushing doggedIy ahead.
Clear Of Little Rocks outskirts, the
boys made sharp detours around several
farm houses, and even lodged sundry
negro cabins. Coming up to a white.
rather attractive house a little farther
on, they were about to skulk by under
cover Of a hedge, when Solano suddenly
halted.
We need something-at least, l think
we'll need It awfully soon." exclaimed
the Cuban, ''and think We can get it
at this house. Come right along-no time
10 lose, but this is something we've really
got TO have"
A pleasant-faced old lady answered
Solano's knock, AMI the Cuban, with the
utmost politeness. apoIogized for the in
trusion. We would not have disturbed
you" he continued, but for the fact
that we are quite ways from store,
and We really must have some pepper.
Could you favor us with a little pepper
red, IL possible? We are camping out on
the river bank, and pepper is one Of the
things you simply can't do without when
you are cooking in the woods"
The old lady, beaming upon the good
looking, gentlemanly youngsters, hast
ened TO present them with liberal guam
tity Of fiery cayenne, and then urged
them to sit down and rest a while. With