Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1912-09-18

tered only n vehicle of any sort,
and that was about two miles out from
Ardway. when we heard an automobile
in the distance behind us.
Turn out" whispered Davis to
Dodds, "and stop until it has passed
US"
The constable drew in under the
shade Of some trees. 1t was pitch
dark, the only light coming from an
ancient lantern hung over the dash
board. AS the automobile came near
err Davis unlocked the lantern and
holding it down between his legs
shielded it with the folds of a long
~raincoat ne was wearing. The auto
mobile dashed by us, apparently un-
aware of u presence.
"All right" said Davis, as soon as
it had vanished in the distance, "go
on"
Dodds drove on in silence for per-
haps two miles farther. We passed a
little stone cottage nesting in a clear
ing under the hill.
'It's just beyond here?" said Davis,
a note Of inquiry in his voice.
yep" said the constable, "Miller's
Lane, they call it."
Though in my city eyes there was
no sign Of a road, Dodds, about three
hundred yards beyond the cottage,
pulled the horse sharply to the right
and we began ascending a rocky lane
that led almost straight up the hill.
ECVXToit q minute ,, cold Ho-v;o 80
the constable checked the horse.
Jumping out quickly the inspector
seized the lantern and dropping back
a few PAGES began making what ap-
peared to be a minute examination Of
the road.
''Taint much Of a road" the con
stable whispered to me while we wait
ed. 'It's only used for logging, though
when we come up here this afternoon
there was automobile tracks both 60
ing and coming"
amy idea who made them?" l
asked.
Nope, but I guess he knows with
a gesture in the direction of the Ian
tern light.
Just then Davis rejoined us, hang
ing the lantern over the dashboard
again. Instead Of resuming his seat,
he knelt on the floor of the blackboard,
peering down at the road as it was
dimly revealed by the lantern.
GO ahead slowly" he ordered.
AS Dodds clucked to the horse 1
leaned down beside Davis and asked:
what did you ind?"
Just what l expected. The auto
mobile is somewhere ahead of u.s."
Whose is it?"
II don't know yet"
My curiosity would be denied no
longer. Hitherto I had kept silent.
hoping hat Davis would confide IN
me the object of our strange journey.
Whom are we coming out here aft
err" I asked.
"The postmaster and his accomplice,
Of course"
Who is his accOmplice?"
I'm afraid | misstated the case"
said Davis with a grim chuckle. "The
postmaster is the accomplice. The
other is the master criminal"
"Who is the other?" | persisted. "Is
is Hugh Crandall?"
He was silent for a moment before
answering. I attributed it to hesita-
ton in admitting that he had been
wrong and l right, and it was with
considerable satisfaction that l finally
heard him nswer 81 should not be
surprised if we found Crandall some
where in the vicinity"
He continued to peer down into the
road as the horse struggled up the hill
till we came to a comparatively level
plateau.
"Stop here" he called out authori-
tatively.
"The deserted cottage is at least a
mile farther on" volunteered the con
stable.
Wen walk it." said Davis. we
cannot take any chances of the wheels
being heard"
"Dodds pulled off the road and fas-