The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1913-01-11
wondered II they were speaking


OF the men about my place had
proved to me that both observations
would apply. No one seemed to know
very much OF this brawny. sandy
giant. in spite OF his two years resi-
dence In the neighborhood.
Now the shores shadow was en-
sulhng us. and the next moment. with
a gentle swish OF waters, We felt the
boats bottom CRATE on the pebbly
beach. There was landing a short
distance further up-a spindling
wooden pier-and to this Jerry. knee
deep in the black water. turned the
boat and made it fast
The prospect which confronted us
as We walked shoreward over the
! creaking planks was about as hos
pltable as the grim walls of a prison.
The tree barrier rose stark and for
bidding dozen yards away. Be
tween it and the river was COM
bination of pebbles. sand. high grass,
and ragged overgrown lawn. family
| visible in the starlight. On nearer
| approach, however, we found an open
ing in the curtain OF trees. veritable
valley Of shadow, through which we
| passed to a strip Of neglected sward
and squat. unpainted weather-beat-
en- cottage Of a single story. with
vine-screened verandah.
And in what seemed to us the very
center of the house front. there shone
a tiny glowing point of red fire. We
had not come altogether in vain. BY
all the odds OF chance, 1t was safe
conclusion that Murphy. in propria
persona, was behind that lighted end
| of a cigar Then we saw the point
move, describing a half circle. and ST.
multaneously a voice rang out-a
deep. sonorous voice. but of churlish
| intonation:
| What do you want here?'
I suppose he expected me to come
to sudden halt, but l was then only
a few steps distant from the veran-
dab. and as ! answered him. l COW
cred that distance.
My motor boat ran out OF gaso-
lene." l said. and drifted to your
beach. | was in hopes We might bor-
row enough to get us home"
| saw him now. dimly. in the shad-
owed recess. He was seated facing
me, a creature OF great bulk. with
! huge head and ponderous shoulders.
Il don't keep gasolene." was his
gruff response.
Il thought" l began, but his next
utterance drowned my words.
Il say l don't keep It," he reiter-
ated. in louder tones. Isn't that
plain?"
"oh, quite. You have neither gaso-
lene nor good manners"
saw him rise, massive tower.
dwarting his surroundings. and take
step forward to the edge OF his
porch.
This Is my house and my castle"
he flung at me. savagely, "and l won't
stand for trespassers. II you two
don't want to be flung off my proper
ty, it would be advisable fo- you to
make haste in going"
My laugh was not calculated to
salve his i'll humor. yet think he
must have gathered from 1t that was
not to be terrorized by either his
size or his threats.
II Your names Murphy. l think" l
ventured. calmly. not moving an inch.
But he made no response.
Mine is Clyde" l went on: II am
one of the state game wardens.'
I'm not interested in who you
are" he growled.
But I'm interested in learning
what your Chinaman was shooting
this morning, over on the Cameron
place"
Then find out" was his courteous
retort, I'm sure | shan't tell you"
Maybe the Chinaman will be more
obliging," | suggested. and turning to
Jerry. who had stood in silence, all
the while. few steps behind me. l
said: Look around at the back. my
lad, and II you can find Mr. Murphys
man fetch him here.
But before had quite finished. the
biy man In the shadow OF the veran-
dah was storming:
"HeU stop Just where he is. II he
dares to come another step nearer
this house, III throw the pair of you
over the hedge, neck and crop. DO
you hear me?'
And II you dare to interfere with
an officer or his deputy in the dis
charge Of his duty, the authorities
will settle with you" was my calm re-
ioinder. "Trot ahead, Jerry, Hta
bark's worse than his bite"
Jerry. quick to obey. disappeared
on the instant around the corner Of
the bungalow. and Murphy. after a
pretended dash forward. halted on
the lower porch step.
See here." ne demanded, cum
brously. What's all this, anyhow :?
You come here after gasolene, os-
tensibly, and then declare you're
game wardens after law-defying
Chinese poacher."
(TO BE CONTINUED)