The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1912-11-09


up II the first wave OF the misty in
undation was marching like lofty
wall. ran toward the stable. cursing
myself In my mad disappointment
| galloped for eco yards, and then
the fog gathered me TO itself, and
had Just enough sense to pull the
horse TO slow trot.
! could still see the road for a dozen
PAGES. but all sense OF proportion and
distance had gone from me. The fog
was not stationary. but curled in
broad confusing wreaths. or poured
sideways upon me in avalanches OF
denser mist. Sometimes the car was
on the road, sometimes on Il. Twice
nearly capsized In the end /
climbed down and went to the horses
head. leading II forward at the run.
made better progress after that.
let | was not more than half way
10 the cairn hill when from the 'whirl-
ing shadows to my left there came
sound that set my heart leaping in
my breast II was the muffied thud OF
a rifle.
] stopped. listening and staring into
the mist. A second shot followed And
then, as II raised by these echoes.
there changed distant bell a deep
voice OF loud alarm from the prison
tower. telling the moor that convict
had escaped. that julius Craig was
free and that IL. miserable fool that
was, had failed in the trust which
had been placed upon me.
tried not 10 think, but ran stub
bornly on beside the horse with that
internal bell rioting In my ears. My
life on the moors had put me IN
sound condition, and never slack
ened my pace till / had trotted up the
rise to where the track TO the ruined
farm began. | checked the horse
and walked slowly forward studying
the edge OF the moor besides the high
way for the mark OF the grassgrown
ruts | knew so well.
heard the footsteps long before
saw him, quick patter upon the hard
surface behind me. AS he came out
Of the fog he shouted, bringing his
rifle to his hip with an easy swing.
lie was a stoutly built man in the
neat dark uniform that marks the
prison warder.
BE careful with that gum l said;
for he still had me covered
II beg your pardon. sir" he pant
ed; but we were close TO him and"
Close TO whom
There's a convict escaped he ex-
planned you haven't seen him9
No. nor likely to in this weather"
lie had got his breath by this time
and stood leaning on his rifle. look
ing vaguely about him.
You are right. sir. We stand far
better chance Of losing ourselves than
OF finding him in fog like this But
one thing is equally certain-he can't
get far either
Il was while he spoke that | heard
1.-THE clnk OF boot striking a
stone. and that not score OF yards
away.
I'm afraid you are only wasting
time ] said. as carelessly as was
able "a needle in a haystack 10
easy compared to a convict in
fog
Il think | must take your advice.
sir" he laughed.
We wished each other good after
noon, and he melted away rs man
might slide behind a curtain His
footsteps died out down the road by
which he had come as ] moved for
ward
THAT was near thing, Kingsley,
said. voice In the shadows. and I
humbly thanked my luck that Hemno
stepped out upon the, road.
i've no excuse began. 1T was
all my fault and"
Hush keep quiet"
lie stood for a moment listening
like dog at door.
III that fool OF warder had net
gone back wa were dome he whisper
ed. The guards chased nsSright into
the rlhns. While they searched them
We slipped down the track. Come
along, Craig. ans well"
The convict rose from the heather.
where he had lain, and stumbled to-
ward us. lie was shaking like man
with the ague, and the sweat Vas
running off his forehead and down his
cheeks In narrow streaks.
Am | safer" he suffered, grab
bling my arm. I've money. man.
money You shall have II. ] swear
you shall have 1t ALL But | won't 90
back there-not alive!"
Come, pull yourself together" said
Hearne, with hand on his shout
der. we have no time 70 waste, re-
member"
We wrapped the long coat over his
yellow clothes, stuck the wig over his
cropped head. and helped him TO the
front seat. took my place beside
him, Hearne clambered up behind, and
our journey began.
The horse was OF the old moor