The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-12-02
lContinued.1

ssBy the way, I'd like to hear exactly what I'm charged with, 2 said Atterson.
 Theft of $10O,O0o from the Grand banks May as well hand them over and put me to no more trouble.H
 Robson plunged his hand into Alter sons pockets and searched him thor oughly, but found nothing.
 They ate mot on him!' he cried. ssTry his pack. "
 From the pack November produced a square bottle of whisky, some bread, salt, slab of mutton-that was all. Where have you hidden the stun P! demanded Hobson.
 Suddenly Atterson laughed.
 t'So you think I robbed the bank ?s' he said. stI've my own down on them, and Pm glad they've been hit by some one. though Pm not the man. Anyway, sI'H have you and them for wrongful arrest, with. violence. 2 j November was lingering over the. pack, which lay open on the ground, examining it and it's contents with con centrated attention. Atterson had sunk down under 2 tree like man wearfed out
 ination of the vicinity. A few yards brought them to the end of Atterson's tracks
 Here's where he slept, said Hob son. Its all pretty clear. He was dog tired and just collapsed. guess that was last night. It's an old camp ing place, this. But where has he cached the banks property 7's
 For upward of an hour Hobson searched every conceivable spot But not so November Joe, who, after a couple of quick casts down to the rtv- CT, made fire, put on the kettle and Lit his pipe
 At length Hobson ceased his exerz tions and accepted a cup Of tea Joe had brewed.
 There's nothing cached round here, and his trail stops right where he slept He never moved a foot beyond that nor went down to. the river, 100 yards away. The chaps either cached them or handed them to an aecompIice on the back trail. Pm thinking he'll con- fess, all right. when get him alone. .'' He stood up as November moved to take, cup of tea over to Atterson.
 ssNo, you don'tr' he cried Prison CT Atterson neither eats nor drinks be- tween here and Quebec unless he con fesses where be has the stuff hid.
 He won't ever put you wises7 said Joe definitely.
 seWhy do you say thatg'
 Cause he can't He don't know himself
 4sBahrs was all Hobson's answer as he turned on his heel.
 November Joe did not move as Hob son, his wrist strapped to Atterson's, disappeared down the trail by which we had come.
 sewen." said, 'ewhat next2
 1sI'n take another look around, Joe led the way down to the river, which, though not more than fifty yards away, was hidden from us by the thick trees.
 It was a slow flowing river. and in the soft mud of the margin saw, to my surprise, the quite recent traces of a canoe having been beached. Beside the canoe there was also on the mud the faint mark of paddle having lain at fun length.
 Joe pointed to 1t. The paddle had evidently, thought, fallen from the canoe, for the impression it had left on the soft surface was very slight
 tsHow long ago was the canoe here?''
 eAt first Iight-maybe between and 4 o'clock replied Joe.
 sThen don't see how 1t helps you at all Its coming can't have anythin to do with the Atterson robbery, fo the distance from here to the camp too far to throw packet. and the ai9 sence of tracks makes it clear that At terson cannot have handed the loot over to confederate in the canoe Isn't that right?''
 Looks that way" admitted Joe.
 stThen the canoe can be only coin cidence.''
 November shook his head. "I wouldn't go quite so far as te say that, MT. Quaritch.''
 Once again he rapidly went over the ground near the river, then returned to the spot where Atterson had slept, following Q slightly different track to that by which we had come. Then taking the hatchet from his belt, he Bp1it dead log or two for a fire and hung up the kettle once more guessed from this that he had seen at least some daylight in a matter that was still obscure and inexpifcabIe to me.
 CT wonder if Atterson has confessed to Hobson yet" I said, meaning to draw Joe.
 '.He may confess about the robbery,