Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1914-12-17
CHAPTER TX.
"Con1e in, dear joe"

AS be spoke short. bearded
man In thick overcoat stepped into the
light. followed by a tall and strongly
built companion. Both wore black visor
masks. with fringe covering the mouth
l noticed they were shod in mecca
SINS
"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" growled
PLANK.
If we agree on 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.
II conjecture that is something Of an
easy question to answer" said PLANK
in his slow tones. lin fact, r.
On the word he slipped out re-
volver. But quick as was Plarx's
hand to carry out the impulse Of his
brain. Joe's was quicker. He knocked
the revolver from Planx's grasp.
"You treacherous dog. PLANK" cried
the kidnaper. "Is that how you keep
faith? Well. we have a reply to that
too. We offered to give up the girl
for 100000. now we make the price
$15O.OOOv
III never pay a cent of it, shouted
PLANK.
when you come to change your
mind replied the kidnaper quietly.
lust 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 masked
men left the hut, and. like the explo-
sion OF a thunderstorm. PLANK opened
upon Joe.
November faced the storm with an
entirely placid aspect until ! began to
wonder 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.
but, seeing Joe's face. he changed his
mind and rushed from us into the
darkness.
At once Joe put out the light. I'VE
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 remarked with
a chuckle.
And in fact this was exactly what
happened. 1t was 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 Mooseshank
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 /.
"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 l.
''I'm going to find out the name Of
the man that has Miss Virginny hid
away. If 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 bet with
me that he would come back with the
name Of her abductor, and was won
dering what clew he had to go upon.
Hardly any that I 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?" ! 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. II expect
he's got her up at his cabin on Otter
brook"
Look here. November" said. "You