The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1915-01-21
CHAPTER v.
The Guilty Man.

CHAPTER v.
The Guilty Man.
"HERE was no doubt about the
fact that November was sur
prised. He said nothing for
full minute. then he looked up
sharply.
How many bottles of whisky had
your" said he.
Mary one" answered Thompson.
There isn't one nearer than Laval
iotte. as you well know. We wasn't
drunk. we was drugged We must "a
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 kettle?'
I'VE left that and the frying pan
back at the hut. for we're going to
hunt the country for the thief You'll
come along. Nov?''
"On my own condition. or TN have
nothing to do with it,
"What's it,"
THAT nary man Of yon goes hack
to Tideson's bridge hu; till | give you
leave"
But we want to catch the robber."
VERY well. Go and try If you think
you can do it,
An outburst of argument arose. but
soon one and another began to say:
well leave it to yon. Nov" Mind
you fetch my $3.50 back for me. Nov"
Leave Nov alone" Go on, Nov"
November laughed Il suppose you
all slept with your money on yon?"
1t appeared they all had. and Lars
and Chris. who possessed pocket bnoks.
and found them fling empty in a cor
ner OF the hut
well. Mr. Quaritcb and nell be
getting along. boys III let yon know
if I've any luck" Then suddenly No
vember turned to the big spokesman
and said "By the way. Thompson. did
yon fill that kettle at the brook before
you found you'd lost your CASH.
mo: run right back"
"That's lucky" said November. and
Te walked away in roar of shouted
questions to the canoe placed at our
disposal by Close. By water we could
run down 20 Tideson's bridge in an
hour or two
do you think this is the work of
the same man that held up Dan Mi
chaels?'
Guess so. Can't be sure. The
grounds fine and soft. and we ought to
get the answer to a good many ques
tons down there"
Thanks to the canoe and Il short cut
known to November. we arrived at our
destina ton 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
OH its side by the door. November
moved round examining everything in
his deft. light way. Lastly, he picked
up the kettle and peered inside.
whats in it:' said l.
"Notlling," returned November.
"Well. Thompson told you he hadn':
filled it," reminded him.
He gave me queer little smile
"Just so.' said he and strolled for fifty
yards or so up the tote road.
"Pve been along looking mt the foot
marks of them six, mossbacks." he vol
unteered. Now wen look around
here"
The inspection Of the tracks was nat
ur;lIly somewhat lengthy business
November had studied the trail Of the
six men to some purpose, for. though
he hardly paused rs he ranged the tired
den ground. so swift were his eyes that
he named each Of the men to me as
be pointed to their several tracks. A
we approached the bank he indicated
distinct set of footsteps, which W.
followed to the hut and back again tt
the water.
Hes the chap that did it, said No
vember That's pretty plain
He is a heavier man than am. and
he walks rather on his heels.
November nodded. and began to fol
low the trail, which went down int
the stream. He stood at the water:
edge examining some stones which
had been recently displaced, then wad
ed down into it.
Where was his boat?" asked.
But November had by now reached
q IarCo f1at stone some feet ont in fht
water. and this he was looking round
J and over with great care. Then b