Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1914-11-24
CHAPTER V.
The Guilty Man.

There was no doubt about the fact
that November was surprised. He said
nothing for a full minute. then he
looked up sharply.
How many bottles Of whisky had
you?" said he.
There isn't one nearer than Laval
lotte, as you well know. We wasn't
drunk, we was drugged. We must a
been, though how it was done beats
me, for it had nothing but bread and
bacon and tea, and made the tea my
self"
Where's the kettle?"
we left that and the frying pan
back at the hut, for were going to
hunt the county for the thief. You'll
come along, Nov?"
"On my own condition, or Ill have
nothing to do with it,"
What's it?"
That nary a man of you goes back
to Hideson's bridge hut till l give you
leave"
But we want to catch the robber."
Very well. Go and try if you think
you can do it."
An outburst of argument arose, but
soon one and another began to say:
Well leave it to you, Nov" Mind
YOU feach my $3.50 back for me, Nov"
Leave Nov alone" Go on, Nov.
November laughed. Il suppose you
all slept with your money on you?"
1t appeared they all had, and Lars
and Chris, who possessed pocketbooks,
and found them flung empty in cor
ner Of the hut.
We'll, Mr.. Quaritch and nell be get
ting alone, boys. I'll let you know If
I've got any luck" Then suddenly No
vember turned to the big spokesman
and said BY the way, Thompson, did
you fill that kettle at the brook before
you found you'd lost your cash?'
No; run right back"
That's lucky" said November, and
we walked away in a roar Of shouted
questions to the canoe placed at our
disposal by Close. BY water we could
run down to Tideson's bride in an hour
or two.
DO you think this is the work of
the same man that held up Dan Mich
aels?"
Guess so. Can't be sure. The
grounds fine and soft, and we ought
to get the answer to a good many
questions down there"
Thanks to the canoe and a short cut
known to November, we arrived at our
destination in an admirable time.
First of all, skirting the path, we
went to the hut where the six had
slept. A few articles dropped from
the hastily made packs lay about, the
frying pan beside the stove and the
kettle on it's side by the door. Novem-
Der moved round examining every
thing in his deft, light way. Lastly, he
picked up the kettle and peered inside.
What's in it?" said l.
Nothing" returned November
We'll, Thompson told you he hadn't
filled it," reminded him.
He gave me a queer little smile.
Just So" said he and strolled for fifty
yards or so up the tote road.
I've been along looking at the foot
marks Of them six mossbacks," he vol
unteered. Now. we'll look around
here"
The inspection of the tracks was
naturally a somewhat lengthy bust
ness. November had studied the trail
of the six men to some purpose, for
though he hardly paused as he ranged
the trodden ground, so swift were his
eyes that he named each of the men to
me as he pointed to their several
he indicated a distinct set Of footsteps,
which we followed to the hut and back
again to the water
He's the chap that did it," said No
vember. That's pretty plain"
He is a heavier man than am, and
he walks rather on his heels"
November nodded, and began to fol-
low the trail, which went down into
the stream He stood at the waters
edge examining some stones which
had been recently displaced. then wad-
ed down into it.
Where was his boat?"I asked.
But November had by now reached
a large fiat stone some feet out in the
water, and this he was looking round
and over with great care. Then he
beckoned to me. The stone was
large, fiat one, as have said, and he
showed me some scratches upon its
farther surface. The scratches were
deep and irregular. | stared al them,
but to me they conveyed nothing.
They don't look like the mark of n
boat" | ventured.
They aren't. But that chap made
WILD T