Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1915-11-06
CHAPTER ~.
Into the Enemies Hands.

The major lay dead, with my blood
rslDed revolver evidently the
weapon which had struck the blow
Eipg beside him. Dawn would reveal
ne deed and would be discovered
.lone in the house. Only my wakeful-
ness. my desire to investigate. had in
srfered with the complete success of
this hideous plan. Taylor had pre-
mred himself for this emergency. had
deliberately taken the weapon for that
very purpose. Where had the fellow
zone? And what had become of the
negro?
stood there, lamp in one hand and
revolver in the other. staring down at
the dead face of this man who had
Oree been my fathers friend Out of
the mist foated the face of the girl.
the girl who had waved to me in the
road The vision brought back to me
coolness and determination. felt
through the pockets of the dead man
and found a knife, keys and a roll of
bills untouched, but not scrap of pa
per On the floor, partially concealed
by one arm. was large envelope, I'M
addressed, roughly torn open. 1t wes
some document, then, the murderer
sought, and he had fed with it in his
possession.
Intent now on my one purpose of
discovery. my mind active and alert, |
began a rapid search of the house.
The front door was fastened and
barred proving Taylor had not left
that way There was but one other
room on that floor, a kitchen in con
Siderable disorder, as though the serv-
ant had made no effort to complete ais
work; but its outer door stood IN
atcbed. Sam must have gone with
the mountaineer in his hasty fight
must be equally guilty. This wa. the
only conclusion possible, and the
knowledge that | was left there alone
rendered my own position precarious.
Harwood had surely never ventured
into this doubtful region without hav.
Ing soldiers within call, no doubt in
the village, who. if he failed to appear
when expected, would search for him.
Before they came and made discov.
cry Of the dead body. must be safely
beyond reach If found there. no de-
tense, no asseveration of innocence,
would ever save me from condemna.
ton. Their vengeance would be swift
and merciless.
Thinking now only of my own es-
cape unobserved, felt my way into
the night with my bundle. This would
be Federal territory; or If not. al
ready. my nights ride would bring
me we'll within their lines before
GAVIN slipped instantly out of the
solled suit of gray and donned the i'm.
macuiate blue. buckling the belt about
my waist, and securely hooking the
saoer Then | scooDed out a hole in
tae soft dirt and buried the old uni.
form tearing my pass into shreds
scattering the fragments broadcast
II was so lonely and still all about
lnat ! felt a return of confidence a
renewed courage. The house behind
NE and the stable before. were mere
outlines, scarcely discernible through
he gloom Once safely in the saddle
l clrc!et the gloom of the house 81
lently and followed the roadway tc
the gate
Not a light cleaned in any direction
ana could recall no other house near
OY While it remained in view could
uot remove my eyes from the mansion
mad Just left, or forget the dead body
Hlhg there in the dark The shyine
VI ny horse at the gate caused me t.
note the black something lying
against the post AT first | deemed Il
mere shadow. but the animal woulC
Ao' respond even to the spur, and
usmounted better to ascertain the
cause Of his fright The negro lay
mere, dead as his master, a knife
.lrast in his heart. Then it was Tay
'of alone who had done the foul deed
mere was nothing | could do but fee
swiftly through the night My owl
position was now far too desperate t.
" my giving any dlSIEAs VI
seeking to trace the murderer To fal
INTO Union hands world be my deati
variant irrespective of Harwood'i
lale' and my duty lay in carrying on
As orders OF "Old Jack" To ALLOW
myself 10 be captured would spoi
everything.
rode toward Hot Springs as rap
tliy as ! dared, wateAful OF ever
esepcaing shadow, until / came to th'
-'si struggling houses. These wer'
esfs and silent. aud not so much as
NOs parked as / walked my horse eau
lo-sly forward toward the mail
street ! saw but one dim light stream
~ through an uncurtained window o
mat Locked like a law Office, AM
passed Close enough to learn thar
1olp Of men within we're playinI
S~Ios It was highly probable thes'
seionged to the majors escort
VAssed ia EAsOs uaobserved and roa