Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1914-12-11
CHAPTER TX
Mconna in. dear joe

whispered ioiAA.
AS he spoke, a short, bearded man
in a thick overcoat stepped into the
light, followed by a tall and strongly
built companion. Both wore black
visor masks, with fringe covering the
mouth. I noticed they were shod in
moccasins.
"Evenin," said the tall man, who
was throughout the spokesman. my
partner and me is come to make you
an offer, Mr.. PLANK. We've got your
daughter where you'll never find her.
where you'd never dream Of looking
for her"
Don't be too sure Of that" growl-
ed PLANK.
"If we agree on a bargain, she shall
be returned to you unhurt three days
from the time the price is paid over,
and that price is 100000.
Those are our terms. The question
for you is do you want your daughter
or do you not?"
The next incident was as swift as
1t was unexpected.
"I conjecture that is something Of
an easy question to answer" said
PLANK in his slow tones. I'm fact,
r.
On the word he slipped out re-
volver. But quick as was Planxs
hand to carry out the impulse Of his
brain, Joe's was quicker. He knock
ed the revolver from Planx's grasp.
"You treacherous dog, Plank"
cried the kidnapper. SIS that how
you keep faith? Well, we have
reply to that too. We offered to give
up the girl for 100000. now We
make the price $150,000."
"In never pay a cent Of it," shout
ed PLANK.
when you come to change your
mind" replied the kidnapper, quietly,
"just hang a white handkerchief on
one Of the trees at the edge Of this
wood. Then put the money in notes
in that tin on the shelf. Leave us two
clear days and you'll get your girl
back safe. But If you monkey it will
be the worse for her."
Without more words the two mask
ed men left the hut, and, like the ex-
plosion of a thunderstorm, PLANK
opened upon Joe.
November faced the storm with an
entirely placid aspect until began to
wondered at his patience. But when at
last he spoke the other fell dumb as
If Joe had struck him.
That's settled, Mr.. PLANK. You've
done with me and I've done with you.
Now quiet down and out!"
PLANK opened his lips as if to speak,
mind and rushed from us into the
darkness.
At once Joe put out the light. 1--WE
can't trust PLANK just at the moment.
He's fair mad, but We'll have him
back in half an hour to show him the
way back to Wilshere's," he remark
ed with a chuckle.
And in fact this was exactly what
happened. II was a subdued but still
a very resentful PLANK whom we es-
corted through the dark woods. On
our way back to our camp Joe made
a detour to examine the tracks of the
kidnapers by the light Of the lantern
which he had carried with him.
AS had been the case by Moosehank
lake, so now we found the trails very
clear near the waterside. Joe studied
them for long time.
well, you're out of it now, at any
rate" said I.
And what about my promise to
Calvey?" he rejoined. I'm deeper in
it than ever. I've got to find Miss Vir-
ginny, sure"
You can't track her because of
that threat in the letter to Plank"
That's so. but I'll be speaking to
Miss Virginny before tomorrow night"
said Joe quietly, nor, having made
this dramatic announcement, would
he say more.
The next morning Joe was early
astir.
What are you going to do today?"
said I.
I'm going to find out the name Of
the man that has Miss Virginny hid
away. II you'll wait here, Mr.. Quar-
itch, I'll come back as soon as I've
done it. You've got your rod and
there's plenty of fish in the lake"
With that I had to be content. Be-
fore starting Joe had laid a bet with
me that he would come back with the
name Of her abductor, and l was Won
dering what clue he had to go upon.
Hardly any that could think of-the
trail Of the two men and the golden
hair, very little more.
About 2 O'Clock I heard November
hail me.
What about the bet?" 1 called on
sight of him. who pays?"
You pay. Mr.. Quaritch," said Joe.
why. who is it, then?"
"A fellow called Hank Harper"
why, I've heard of him. He pass
es for a man Of high character"
Joe laughed. "All the same. he's
the chap who done it," said he. Il
expect he's got her up at his cabin on
Otter brook
Look here, November" 1 said,
you tell me Hank Harper is in the
kidnapping business and I believe
you, because I've never known you
TO speak without solid facts behind
you. But I think you owe me the
whole yarn"
Joe pulled out his pipe. "All right,
Mr.. Quaritch. To begin at the begin
ming. There are two of them. Ones
this man Harper. 1 don't know who
the other is. and it don't much mat
ter. If we find Harper we find his
partner. Well, Miss Virginny was
fishing when they stole down upon her
and carried her off. I've already
told you what happened until they
took to the canoe. They padded
across the lake and the two men got
cut. leaving Miss Virginny in the ca
noe to paddle herself round and land