Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1912-03-22

holds Il up TO the light no can SEQ at
. glance whether Il IL empty or not.
Do you reckon Peg1oe has sumcient
confidence TO al the jug again for
usr'
But MahaRy's expression indicated
no great confidence In Mr.. Pegloe's
confidence.
Credit" began the Judge, rs pro.
verbally shy; still 1t may sometimes
BE- increased, like the muscles OF the
body and the mental faculties. by 1u.
dicious use. I've always regarded
Pssloe's % . cheap mind. l hope l
have done him an injustice" He put
on his hat. and tucking the jug under
his arm went from the house.
Ten or fifteen minutes elapsed. Ma
hafy considered this good sign: 1t
didn't take long to say no. he reflect
cd. Another ten or fifteen elapsed.
Mahaffy lost heart. Then there came
a hasty step beyond the door. 1t was
thrown violently open, and the judge
precipitated himself into the room. A
glancc showed Mahary that he was
laboring under intense excitement.
::6oiomou, / bring shocking news
God knows what the next few hours
may reveal" cried the Judge. mop
ping his brow. Miss Malroy his dis
appeared from Belle Plain, and Han
nibal has gone with herr
Where have they gone" asked Ma
haffy, and his long Jaw dropped.
Would to God I had an answer
ready for that question, Solomon!"
answered the Judge, with a reian-
choly shake Of tho nead. He sazed
down on his friend with an air of
large tolerance. II am going to Belle
Plain, but you are too drunk. Sleep
It off, Solomon, and join me when
your brain Is clear and your legs
steady"
Mahaffy jerked out an oath, and
lifting himself of his chair, stood
erect. Re snatched up his hat.
STUFF your pistols into your pock-
cts, and come on, Price!" he said.
and stalked toward the door.
He fitted up the street, and tho
Judge pulled and painted in his wake.
They gained the edge of the village
without speech.
There is mystery and rascality
here!" said the Judge.
What do you know, Price, and
where did you hear this?" Mahafry
shot the question back over his Shout
der.
"At Pegloes; the Belle Plain over
seer had just fetched the news into
tow."
Again they were silent. all their
energies being absorbed by the physi-
cal exertion they were making The
road danced before their burning
eyes, it seemed to be uncoiling itself
serpent.wise with hideous undulations.
Mr.. Mahaffy was conscious that the
Judge, of whom he caught blurred
vision now at his right side, now at
his left, was laboring painfully in the
heat and dust. the breath whistling
from between his parched lips.
You're just ripe for apopiexy,
Price," he snarled. moderating his
pace.
"Go on" said the Judge, with stolia
resolution.
Two miles out Of the village they
came to roadside spring; here they
paused for anen instant. Mahany
scooped up handfuls OF the clear wa
ter and sucked 1t greedily. The judge
dropped on his stomach and buried
his face in the tiny pool. gulping
up great thirsty swallows. After q
long breathless instant he stood erect.
with drops Of moisture clinging to his
nose and eyebrows. Mahaffy was q
dozen PAGES down the road. hurrying
forward again with relentless vigor.
The Judge shufaed after him. The
tracks they left in the dust crossed
and re-crossed the road. but present.
~ the slanting lines Of their advance
Strengthened. the Judge gained and
held a fixed place at Mahatfy's right,
step or 80 In the rear. His opulent
fancy began to deal with tho situa-
ton.
If anything happens to the child.
the man responsible for 1t would bet
ter never been born-IN pursue him
with undiminished energy from this
moment FORTH" he painted.
What could happen to him, Price?"
asked Mahalfy.
God knows. poor little lad!"
"Will you shut up!" cried Mahafy
savagely.
Solomon"
"Why do you go building on that
idea? Why should any one harm him
what earthly purpose"
Il tell you, Solomon. we are the
pivotal point in a vast circle of crime.
This is q blow at me-this is revenge,
sir, neither more nor less! They have
struck at me through the boy. it is as
plain az day"
what did the overseer sayT"
"Just that they found Miss Malroy
gohe from Belle Plain this morning.
and the boy with her"
This is like you. Price! How do
you know they haven't spent the night
at some nelghbor's?"
"The nearest neighbor Is Ave or six
miles distant. Miss Malroy and Han
nibal were seen along about dusk in
tho grounds at Belle Plain; do you
mean to tell me you consider 1t likely
that they set out on foot at that hour.
and without q word to any one. to
make q visit?" inquired the Judge; but
Mahaffy did not contend for this
0oSnt