The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1913-01-23
CHAPTER xI,--(continued).

wait minute, said Davis, ano
the constable checked the horse.
Jumping out quickly the inspector
seized the lantern and dropping back
n few PAGES began making what ap
peared to be a minute examination OF
| the road.
"Taint much of a road" the CON
stable whispered to me while we walt
ed. Its only used for logging, though
when we come up here this afternoon
there was automobile tracks both go
ing and coming"
ANY idea who made them?"
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
he knelt on the floor of the blackboard
peering down at the road as it was
dimly revealed by the lantern.
go ahead slowly" he ordered.
AS Dodds clucked to the horse
leaned down beside Davis and asked :
What did you tind?"
Just what l expected. The auto
mobile is somewhere ahead of u.s.
Whose is it,"
81 don't know yet"
My curiosity would be denied nc
longer. Hitherto had kept silent
hoping that Davis would confide in
me the object of our strange journey
Whom are we coming out here aft
err" i asked.
THE postmaster and his accomplice
Of course"
Who is his accomplish
I'm afraid | misstated the case,
said Davis with a grim chuckle. 1.-The
postmaster is the accomplish. The
other is the master criminal"
who is the other?" | persisted. rs
is Hugh Crandall?"
He was silent for a moment before
answering. / attributed it to hesita
ton in admitting that he had beer
wrong and 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 leve
plateau.
stop here" he called out authori
tatively.
The deserted cottage is at least 9
mile farther on" volunteered the con
stable.
Wen walk it," said Davis. 1--WE
cannot take any chances of the wheels
being heard"
Dodds pulled off the road and fas
tened the horse to tree. Again tax
ing the lantern Davis made search
of the road, finally returning the Ian
tern TO its place, after carefully extin
gushing it.
Come on this way, as quietly as
you cam" he directed.
1--WE got this" / said, showing him
the little pocket electric light with
which I had explored the post office
DO you want it?"
| Keep it in your pocket. We may
need it, but it is better not to show
| a light il we can avoid it."
| / put it back in my pocket and tool
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 of
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 somethine
else first" Davis explained, keeping
straight on through the darkness, like
a hound on fresh scent.
He moved rapidly forward for hun
dred and fifty yards and then brought
us up short with sharp Hist" Al
We strained our eyes into blackness
We made out the shape OF an automo
bile just ahead. It's lights had beer
extinguisled and its engine was dead
Wait here" Davis again command
ed as he crept silently. toward it tt
make sure that the tonneau was .un
occupied. He was back with US in q
minute.
Let me have that lamp of yours
Kent ne whispered, at the same time
lighting cigarette.
rs that safer | exclaimed in sur
prise, amazed that he would dare te
smoke when he had been taking such