The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1914-12-12
Continued

|
Office
But | tell you there wasn't no pack
age In the safe" the officer declared
positively. Il was there two seconds
after she popped. an they didn't have
chance to touch a thing. There
wasn't no package of bills nor no 9TH
er package in that thar safe"
''rhen there is but one cUncIusion."
Peterson said with apparent reluc-
tance The payroll money was remov-
ed from the safe before 1t was blown
open. Mr.. Holt. the cashier. is the only
person 20 whom the combination Is
known"
Looks like yon are right. though
wouldn't ha' thought it of Jimmy" the
sheriff agreed sadly. wed better go
look him up"
Holt's boarding place lay on tbe fur.
ther side of the Manning cottage. and
as the sheriff and Peterson hnrried to-
ward 1t they observed jimmy standing
at the Manning gate chatting gayly
with Elsie and the now entirely recov.
cred Lord Cecil.
THE safe was blown open last night.
Jimmy" the sheriff announced reiuc.
family. ~ know the payroll money
wasn't in it, and MIR. Peterson says you
must have removed 1t, you bein the
only one who coud open the safe.
"Oh, seer! Holt exclaimed. and his
face lit up with delight, by George.
my hunch was real! When you told
me about those yeggs being In the
neighborhood | got uneasy about the
money In the safe and thought it
would be safer to pack it around with
me If no one knew. Here it is. safe
as 4 church." he added triumpha ntly
and produced from his pockct Hat
Drown parcel
Course know II was all right, Jim.
n.y. the sheriff began apoloseticaiiy,
III Peterson interrupted with sar.
lStiC laugh
Nice bluff he Suecred Think you
an stand us or untii yoi can make Il
getaway. now that vuur little trick
mas fzzled, ehi How du we know
what is in that packaget Show us the
money"
With eyes blazing with Indignation
Holt tore open the package
'Then look he began. then stopped
suddenly. amuzement and chagrin
spreading over his features. He nad
offered for inspection handful OF
worthless paper cut to the size or
oanknotes.
81 thought So" Peterson commented
spitefully, and the shrrif's expression
grew stern as he stepped forward.
Reckon you better come along with
me-" he said coldy
With heartbroken cry Elsie threw
herself upon Hoits breast
II don't believe ii. Jimmy boy. And
] will love you always" she sObbed a
flame OF jealous hatred leaped into
PeterSons eyes. Cecil caught the ex-
preston, and vague thoughts aud rec
objections shaped themselves quickly.
He stopped the sheriff With a gesture
II rather think. Y know. that Mr..
Peterson has the money In his pocket,
Mr.. Sheriff, he said quietly
For an instant Peterson stared Wild
~ at this unexpected actilser. while
lanic tore at his nrain
oh, ! am glad-gladr' the girl cried
and clung closer to her sweet heart
With snarl Of fright and rage Peter
son leaped back. drawing his revolver
"Rut I'll get you. If | hang for it,"
he screamed. and leveled his weapon.
With blazing eyes Elsie strove to COW
or the body of her sweetheart With her
own. The revolver cracked murder
ously but the bullet sped futileIy to-
ward the sky. AS the nssaSsin's finger
had frightened on the trigger Lord Cecil
had sprung forward and caught his
wrist with steellike grasp An in
slant later the smoking revolver had
been twisted from Peterson's hand.
You might. ah. remove this person.
Mr. Sheriff" Cecil suggested but.
to make sure. if you will permit me-
he slipped his hand inside the cont OF
the now cringing man and produced
a brown packet. which he handed to
the sheriff with smile
IF yon think 1t worth while to open
II you will find my surmise was cor
rect" he added Then suddenly b,~e.
dom settled upon him like fog. 1T
er-s quite simple. y know" he
drawled wearily in response to the
bewildered looks directed upon him.
MOI in the least interestin' happen
ed to be passin' the window of the OF.
fee an saw this person open the safe
an change packages. an when heard
that Mr. Holt was the only one sup.
rosed to know the combinatiou-why.
The deduction was too obvions to miss.
J know"
| Three hours later an eastbound train
the line being again cicar-stood at
Baxter station Lord Cecil shook
hands cordially with Jimmy Holt. and
then. with kindly smile. turned to
Elsie
I'm sorry | can't stay to the wed.
Jim. but wish you every happiness"
he said gently.
You've will never forget you." the
girl said. and tears sparkled In her
eyes Il don't dare TO think Of what
might have happened IL yop had not