Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1912-09-25

POSAOk
of my coat where it would be more
easily available. Davis moved off
so~undlessly through the clearing with
the constable, 1 close at his heels.
There was more light here than there
had been on the shaded road, but even
so we could see hardly twenty feet
ahead Of us.
This amt the direction of the cot
tage," whispered Dodds.
Il know. l want to find something
else first" Davis explained, keeping
straight on through the darkness, like
a hound on a fresh scent.
He moved rapidly forward for a hun
dred and fifty yards and then brought
US up short with a sharp Hist" AS
we strained our eyes into blackness
we made out the shape of an automo-
bile just ahead. It's lights had been
extinguished and its engine was dead.
Wait here" Davis again command
ed as he crept silently toward it to
make sure that the tonneau was I'M
occupied. He was back with us IN a
| minute.
Let me have that lamp of yours,
Kent" he whispered, at the same time
lighting a cigarette.
rs that safe?" l exclaimed in sur
prise, amazed that he would dare to
smoke when he had been taking such
precautions against our being discov-
cred.
Sure" he replied laconically. who
ever was in that automobile is at least
half a mile away by now. The glass
on the front lamps is nearly cold. 1
want to e the number, though. We
may find it useful"
Taking my little electric lamp he ad-
vanced toward the machine again,
flashing the light for a second on the
number, and then peering by it's light
into the t%onneau, eXclaiming as he
Strengthened up: 81 thought so.''
If it was safe for him to smoke, the
constable and l felt that it was safe
for us, too, to relax u precautions,
and together we had advanced until
we were beside him.
what did you find?" I asked, won
dering at his exclamation.
What l expected" he replied en-
igmatically.
The manner of his answer provoked
me and I determined then and there
to have it out with him.
Look here, Davis" l said; 81
brought you into this case and l do not
like the way you have acted about it..
l have freely told you everything 1
have discovered and have aided you
in every way 1 can. Before l go a step
farther on this trip / want to know
more about it"
What is it you wish to know" he
asked. The constable edged nearer
for fear he might miss something of
our conversation.
First, where r we going?"
ITO what is known as the deserted
cottage, about a half mile farther on,
at the edge Of this clearing, a shack
that was built for a shelter for lum-
bermen or quarrymen-which was 1t,
Dodds?"
Built for one and used by t'other,"
the constable replied, but faint been
used by either, SO far as I know, for
a dozen years."
"How do you know the missing post
master is there?"
Traced him.
How"
Bicycle tracks," he answered with
a. chuckle. you were not the only
person who discovered that Rouser,
when he disappeared, went on bicycle.
In fact, Kent, you are q little slow as
a detective. By the time you had as
certained that much, l ascertained
where the bicycle tracks led to and
had even gone SO far as to have Dodds
get warrants for Rouser and his &C
complice."
Il still do not see how you got evi-
dence enough to get a warrant for
Crandall. Did you find him out mere
with the missing postmaster?"
81 didn't say I had a warrant for
Crandall," replied the inspector sharp
ly. did you ever hear of a John Doe
w~arrant?"
How do you know they are out here
now?" I asked.
Wen soon find out. Come on" he
answered, starting across the clearing
almost at a dog-trot.
There were many more questions l
wanted to put to him, but there was
no opportunity, and, besides, | doubted
much if he would have answered them.
At first he made little effort to move
quietly, but after we had gone a
quarter of a mile or more he called
back in a whisper, Quietly now"
We had come to a path which led
us through a short thick growth of I'M
derbrush. AS noiselessly as Indians
following a trail We felt our way along,
the silence broken now and then by
the sound Of a bough bent back, or a
rustling leaf. Soon the path brought
us out on some rising ground. Not fifty
yards ahead Of US appeared the de-
serted cottage.
That's it," whispered Dodds.
SSH" answered Davis. Wal
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