Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1914-12-11
NOVEMBER JOE.
THE DETECTIVE OF THE WOODS.
By HESKETH PRICHARD.

Sne was unQeT lHelT TlllSS dHu hdu
to do exactly what she was ordered.
1 found where she'd landed and fol-
lowed her tracks to that little water
fall stream, and it was there found
the golden hair. So far, you see. ev-
erything fitted in together as good as
the jaws Of a trap. and the message
on the bit of paper about a ransom
carried it further on. So did the talk
we had with Harper-it must have
been him did the speaking-at Black
lake. When 1 knocked up Planx's
revolver I was wonderful sorry to
have to do it, but promise Is a
promise, and he'd passed his word
for a safe conduct. After, when my
eyes fell upon the trail left by Har-
per's partner, I knew I never done
a better act in my life. 1t give me
a start, I can tell you, Mr.. Quaritch!
You see, all the weight was in the
middle Of the moccasin. The heels
and toes were hardly marked at all"
November looked at me as II ex-
pecting me to see the meaning Of this
popularity, but I shook my head.
"It meant that the foot inside the
moccasin was a very little one, a
good bit shorter than the moccasin. I"
"You can't mean"-I began.
YES" said Joe. 1.-The second per-
son at Black lake wasn't a man at
all, but just Miss Virginny herself"
"Well. If that was so, why, she had
the game In her hands then. She had
only to appeal to us-to speak"
Joe interrupted me. Hers was
sort of game. You see, I'm
pretty sure that Miss Virginny has
kidnapped herself, or, at any rate.
consented to be kidnapped. She had
just padded round and Joined the two
men later, and then when I come to
think over it careful I saw how I
might raise the name Of the man that
was helping her. I lit out for Wish
ere's camp and asked the woman If
there was anything Of Miss Virginny's
missing from her room. She said
there wasn't. Then I saw my way a
bit. I was in the woods with Miss
Virginny last year, and I know she's
mighty particular about personal
things. I don't believe she could live
a day without a sponge and a comb
and, most Of all, without toothbrush.
None of them high toned gals can.
Isn't that so?"
"Yes, that is so, but
WELL" went on November. "if she
went Of her own free will, as I was
she did--or else why did she
come back to Black lake?-if, as Z
say, I was right in my notion and
she'd made out the plans and kid
naped herself, the man who was with
her would be only just her servant
in a manner of speaking. And I was
certain that one of the first things
she'd do would be to send him to
some store to buy the things she
wanted most. She couldn't get her
own from Planx's camp without Civ
ing herself away, so she was bound to
send Hank to hike out new ones from
What happened then?"
II started in on the stores round
about this country, and with luck I
stepped into the big store at Lavette
and asked If anyone had been buying
truck of that kind. They told me
Hank Harper. asked just what.
They said a hairbrush, a comb. a
couple Of toothbrushes and some
other gear. That was enough for me.
They weren't for Mrs. Hank, who's a
halfbreed woman and don't always
to clean herself O. Satur-
days.
II see," said I.
1.-The things were bought yesterday
so it all fits in. and there's no more
left to find out but why Miss Virginny
acted the way she has, and that We'll
know before tomorrow"
It was we'll toward 10 o'clock that
night before we reached Harper's cab
in on Otter brook. At first we knock
ed and knocked in vain. but at length
a gruff voice demanded angrily what
we wanted.
Tell Miss Virginny Plank that No
vember Joe would like a word or two
with her."
Are you drunk" shouted the man,
"or only crazy?"
i've tracked her down fair and
square. and I've got to see her."
II tell you she isn't here"
Let me in to make sure for my
self"
IF a man comes to my door with
a threat I'll meet him with my rifle
in my hand. So you're warned"
came from the cabin.
"All right, then, I'll start back to
report to Mr.. Plank"
On the words the door opened and
vivid, appealing face looked out.
Come in, dear Joe," said a honeyed
voice.
Thank you, Miss Virginny. I will"
said Joe.
We entered. A lamp and the fire
lit up the interior of a poor trapper's
cabin and lit up also the TALL slim
form of Miss Virginia PLANK. She
wore buckskin hunting shirt belted
in to her waist, and her glorious hair
hung down her back in a thick and
heavy plait. She held out her hand
to Joe with one of the sweetest smiles
I have ever seen or dreamed Of.
You're not going to give me away,
dear Joe, are you?" said she.
you've given yourself away,
haven't you, Miss Virginny?"
Virginia Plank looked him in the
eyes, then she laughed. II see that
haven't but can l speak before this
gentleman"
Joe hastened to vouch for my dis
cretion, while Hank Harper nursed his
rifle and glowered from the back
ground. where also one could discern
the dark face of the halfbreed squaw.
But Miss Virginia showed her COM