The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1914-11-10
Continued

How many bottles OF whisky had
your said he.
Nary one answered Thompson
There isn't one nearer than Laval
lotte. as you well know. We wasn't
drunk, we was drugged We ~ st "a
been, though how it was done beats
me, for we had nothing but bread aud
bacon and tea. and made the tea my
self"
Where's the kettle?"
I'VE left that and the irving par
back at the hut, for ing tC
hunt the country for the t. You'll
come along, Now"
ION my own condition, or I'll have
nothing TO do with it."
whats ttT'
That nary man OF you goes back
to Tidesons bridge hut till | give you
leave"
But we want TO catch the robber."
Very well. Go and try IL you think
you can do it."
An outburst of argument arose. but
soon one and another began to say;
We'll leave IT TO you, Nov" Mind
you fetch MY 500 back for me. Nov
Leave Nov alone" Go on. Nov"
November laughed. II suppose you
all slept with your money on you?"
II appeared they all had, and Lars
and Chris. who possessed pocketbooks
and found them flung. empty. in a cor
ner Of the hut.
We'll, Mr.. Quar1tch and nell be
getting along, boys. I'll let you know
n I've any luck" Then suddenly No.
vember turned TO the big spokesman
and said "By the way. Thompson. did
you I'LL that kettle at the brook before
YOU found you'd lost your cash."
mo: ] run right back
That's lucky" said November. and
we walked "w'v in roar of Shor. ID
Questions to tET raaoe placed hi out
disposal by Close. BY water we conlO
run down 10 Tideson's bridge In ar
hour or two
DO you think this Is the work ui
the same man chat held up Dan Mi
chaels?'
Guess So Can't be sure. The
grounds tipe and soft. and we ought to
yet the answer to good many ques
tions down there"
Thanks TO the canoe and short cut
known to November. we arrived at our
destination in 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 fry
ing pan beside the stove and the kettle
on its side 10y the door. November
moved round examining everything in
his deft, light way. Lastly. he picked
up the kettle and peered inside
What's in it," said |.
Nothing" returned November.
We'll. Thompson told you he hadn't
filled it," l reminded him.
He gave me queer little smile.
Just So" said he and stroIled for fifty
yards or so up the tote road.
1--WE been along looking at the foot.
marks of them six mossbacks," he vol,
unteered. Now well look around
here
The inspection Of the tracks was nat.
urally somewhat lengthy business.
November had studied the trail Of the
six men to some purpose, for. though
he hardly paused as he ranged the trod.
den ground. so swift were his eyes that
hA n nj onh
he pointed to their several tracks. AS
we approached the bank he indicated
a distinct set of footsteps, which we
followed to the but and back again to
the water.
Hes the chap that did it." said No
vember. That's pretty plain"
He is 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 boatY l asked.
But November had by now reached
large fat stone some feet out in the
water, and this be was looking round
and over with great care Then he
beckoned to me. The stone was
large. fat one, as ] have said, and he
showed me some scratches upon its
farther surface. The scratches were
deep and irregular. | stared ut them.
but to me they conveyed nothing.
y don't look like the mark Of a
boat" | ventured.
They aren't. But that chap made
them all right" he said
But how Or why"
November laughed. II won't answer
that yet, but I'll tell you this. the
robbery was done between 2 and 5
o'clock last night"
What makes you say thatT
November pointed to a grove of birch
on the nearer bank
Those trees" he answered: then.
on seeing my look Of bewilderment. he
added. "and he wasn't a 200 pound
man an heaTier than you. but a little
thin chap. aud he hadn't boat"
Then how did he get away-by