The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-11-18
Copyright. 1913. by
 HesleEh PriShazi

Mary one" answered Thompson- sThere isn't one nearer than LRval- lOtte, as you well know. We wasn't drunk, we was drugged. We must 'as been, though how it was done beats me. for we had nothing but bread and bacon and tea. and made the tea my- self"
 Where's the kettleF'
 eve left that and the frying pan back at the hut, for we're going tO hunt the country for the thief You'l come along, Nov P
 .1on my own condition, or Tn have nothing to do with 1t.''
 whats it7''
 .aThat nary a man. fYyou goes back to Tideson's bridge hut tal1 I give you leave"
 But we want to catch the robber. every we'll Ge and try if you think you can do ik-~
 An outburst Of argument arose. bue soon one and another began tO aaYs stWe1l leave tt t0 you. N0v.a Mind you fetch my $19O back for me. Now eLeave Nov alone'' '+G0 on. Now November laughed q suppose you all slept with your money on your It appeared they all had. and Lars and Chris. who possessed pocketbonka. ana found them flung. empty. in . cor her of the hut
 Well Mr Quarftch and men be getting along. boys. I'll let yun know if I've any luck Then suddenly No vember turned to the big spokasHan and said. By the way. Thompson. did yeu i'll that kettle at tine brook before you found you'd lost your cashP
 ssNo; run right back. {"
 <sFhat'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 Tidesonss bridge in an hour or two.
 .sDo you think this is the work of the same man that held up Dan 1Ei- chaels P
 Guess so. Can't be sure. The grounds fine and soft, and we ought to get the answer to a good many gues- lions down there.
 Thanks to the canoe and a short cut known to November. we arrived at Oct 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
  moved round examining everything in his deft, light way. Lastly, he picked up the kettle and peered inside.
 Whats in it? said l.
 .sNothing'' returned November
 seWeIl. Thompson told you he hadn't filled it,'' reminded him.
 He gave me a queer little smile s.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 moss backs" he vol unteered l'Now we'll look around here.''
 The inspection of the tracks was nat urally a 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 he named each of the men to me as he pointed to their several tracks. As we approached the bank he indicated a distinct set of footsteps. which we followed to the hut and back again to the water.
 .sHe's the chap that did it. said No vember. That's pretty plain
 He is q heavier man than I ana. and he walks rather on his heeIs.
 November nodded. and began to fol- low the trail, which went down into the stream. Re stood at the water s edge examining some stones which had been recently displaced. then wad- ed down into it. 2 Where was his boat?" I asked.
 But November had by now reached a large flat stone some feet out in the water. and this he was looking round and over with great care. Then be beckoned to me. The stone was a large. flat one. as have said, and be showed me some scratches upon its farther surface. The scratches were deep and irregular. stared at them. but to me tbey conveyed nothing
 ''They don't look like the mark oe a boat" I ventured.
 .sThey aren't But that chap made them all right." he said.
 seBut how or whyT%
 November laughed. .'I won't answer that yet, but I'll tell you this. tho robbery was done between ? ana g o'clock last night
 What makes you say thaE9n
 fT0 Be <sontlnuad.2