The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1913-01-31
CHAPTER xli-(Continued).

Wait a minute" said Davis, and
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 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"
Any idea who made them?" I
asked.
Nope, but / 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,
peering down at the road as it was
dimly revealed by the lantern.
60 ahead slowly" he ordered.
As Dodds clucked to the horse
leaned down beside Davis and asked:
What did you find?''
Just what / expected. The auto
mobile is somewhere ahead of u.s."
Whose is it?'
Il don't know yet"
My curiosity would be denied no
longer. Hitherto l had kept silent.
hoping that Davis would confide in
me the object of our strange journey.
Whom are we coming out here aft
err" / asked
The postmaster and his accomplice.
of course ..-.... ......
Who is his accomplish"
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
lis Hugh Crandar?"
He was silent for moment before
ton in admitting that he had been
wrong and l right, and it was with
considerable satisfaction that | finally
heard him answer; Il 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
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 ard fas-
tened the horse to a tree. Again TAX
ing the lantern Davis made a search
OF the road, finally returning the lam
tern TO its place, after carefully extin-
gushing it.
Come ON this way, as quietly as
you can," he directed.
I've got this / said, showing nim
the little pocket electric light with
which I had explored the post office
DO you want it?"
Keep il In your pocket. We may
need it, but it is better not to show
light il we can avoid it."
put ii back in my pocket and took
the precaution of placing the revolver
Davis had given me in the side pocket
of my coat where it would be more
easily available. Davis moved off
soundlessly through the clearing with
the constable. ! close at his heels.
This amt the direction of the cot
tage," whispered Dodds.
Il know | want to find something
else first" Davis explained. keeping
straight on through the darkness, like
hound on fresh scent
He moved rapidly forward for 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. Its lights had been
extlnguished and Its engine was dead.
Wait here" Davis again command
ed es he crept silently toward it to
make sure that the tonneau was un-
occupied. He was back with us in a
minute.
Let me have that lamp Of yours,
Kent" ne whispered, at the same time
lighting cigarette.
Us that safer" | exclaimed in sur
prise, amazed that he would dare to
smoke when he had been taking such