Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1915-01-14
CHAPTER XIV.
The Man In the Black Hat.

these SquatterS up here DO you think
they mean business?
There amt much fooling about
these mountain men," Puttick answer
ed bitterly. And now | says this to
you. Mr.. Petersham, and / can't never
say nothing stronger If you're mind
ed to stay on here at this place. you
must pay if you don't want Miss Pc
tersham hurt or killed"
MY daughter?''
That's how / read it. What else
could he mean? He said you'd be sor-
ry all your life
Good heavens! Even the most hard
ened ruffians would not hurt woman
You don't think it possible?' Peter
sham turned to me.
II think that Linda runs a very great
risk by staying
Then she shall CO.,
But when Linda was called and the
facts made clear to her she absolutely
refused to leave Kalmacks.
You will force me to pay the mon
ey. them said Petersham. though l
am well aware that this demand will
only be the first of many. Whenever
these blackmailers want $1,000. aye.
or $4,000. they know they will only
have to ask me to supply them. But
can't risk YOU'LL pay"
Joe turned to Petersham IF you
climb down now I'll be right sorry |
ever come with you. don't hold with
backing down under a bluff"
|. who knew Joe, was surprised to
hear him offer so definite an opinion
in such strong terms. but Linda clap
ped her hands.
Its all nonsense, isn't it? Why, if
any one attempted to hurt me Joe
would make him regret it. wouldn't
you. Joe?' She flashed him a glance
of her glorious eyes.
I'D sure try to hard enough" re-
Piled November. And now, Mr.. Qua
ritch, I'll ask Ben here to show me
just where the fella stood when he
held him up this morning.
SO Joe went down to the brook, and
| went with him. We were soon be-
side the canoe which Puttick had been
mending.
Here's where | was, and there's
where he stood,'' said Puttick. pointing
to small mass of rock close by. And
1 there's the place | set down my watch"
November glanced over the details
brook for some distance Presently he
returned.
Did you strike his trail?'' asked Put
tick.
mo, the stones lead right away to
the lake. and like as not he came in
a canoe"
Like as not" agreed Puttick and
resumed his work on the canoe which
had been so rudely interrupted earlier
in the day
We found Linda in the living room
arranging some fishing tackle. She al
once appealed to Joe.
ooh, Joe, | want to try some OF
those English lures Mr.. Quaritch gave
me. I'm going to fish, and l want tc
use this two jointed pole. Will you
fix it for me?''
''rd like you to make me a prom
ise Miss Linda"
what is it?''
Not to go out at all today
You don't think I'm in danger?'
you're in great danger Miss
Linda"
Then you must go out with me
-
dare
Look here, Miss Linda, if you'll stay
in the house just over today | wouldn't
wonder but it might be quite safe fol-
you to go out tomorrow = and ever
after"
Joe. you mean you have discover.
ed"-
mo; | amt discovered nothing. but
if you stay in the way ask maybe
SHALL Joe took up his hat.
"Where are you going. NovemberY'
asked
over to Senis lake. Mr. Quaritch.
Will you see Ben Puttick and tell him
won't be back till lateish and will he
cook the potatoes and the contour
cakes if don't get back to time? Miss
Linda. will you please tell every one.
even your father. that you have a
mighty painful head and that's why
you're staying inY'
Yes, Joe,' said Linda.
After Joe's departure took a book
and sat with it in the veranda. where
| was joined in due course by Linda
and Mr. Petersham
Its cool here. the only cool spot in
the place today" remarked Petersham.
Yes. and don't the spruces smell
SWEET" said Linda Joe cut them to
give me shade
She pointed to row of tall saplings
propped against the rail of the veran-
da so as to form a close screen.
Joe always thinks of things for peo-
pie" she added
Petershan glanced from me to Lin
da. IF your headache is bad you had
better lie down in the house." he said.
''It is ever so much better. but I'll