The state herald., 1915-02-26

| kio IL udSo tu6 pOllCe dItcT yOubc,
warned James. "as soon as he can
reach the village"
That's all right" returned the
Watermelon. "Hervs . ten-spot for
each of you. and mind you do what
say"
For you," said Mike. I'D give me
hearts blood"
Where do we find this pond?
asked James.
Come with me and I'll take you to
the road that leads by It. You give
me time to get to the hotel, though.
before you give him his clothes"
Trust me-" said Mike, lovingly con-
cealing the greenback in the dark dirty
recesses of his rags
They parted In the road where the
Watermelon had come upon the big
red touring car. Mike and James
watched him until he disappeared over
the top of the hill. then climbed the
wall and made their way through the
woods to the little mountain lake.
I'VE won't get the Clothes" said
James, until we have had talk with
the guy and tried to get him into a
reasonable frame of mind. It's list
likely that he may be somewhat put
| out"
There was no one In sight as they
made their way cautiously to the edge
Of the lake. The trees grew nearly
down to the narrow. pebbly beach and
were reflected in the quiet depths Of
the water. The little brook, tumbling
over its miniature waterfall, with a
ripple and splash. was the only sound
that broke the all.pervading silence.
Nothing stirred in the underbrush.
neither man nor beast, and James and
Mike were about to slip away as quiet
ly as they came when stick snapped
behind them sharply and Mike
wheeled.
A man was peering at them eagerly
over the tops of few bushes. His
face was white and his teeth chatter
ing. His arms. dimly discerned
through the branches. were wrapped
around his shivering form with fervor
and he was standing gingerly on first
one foot and then the other.
Hello" said Mike facetiously. Go
ing in?" and he nodded casually back.
ward to the lake.
Been in" chartered the miserable
wretch. trying to control his teeth SO
that he could say more
"Oughtn't to stay in too long" ad-
vised James solicitously. your lips
look blue"
bad for the heart" said Mike.
we amt ladies'" added James with
delicacy. You might come out from
them bushes"
"Some-some one stole my-my-
my Clothes" stammered the young
man. stepping carefully forth. Been
here-here since this-this morning"
He looked sharply at the shabby pair
before him. with quick distrust in his
bloodshot eyes and added coldly:
Someone tramp"
Did you see him7" asked James.
"No-no-no. But who else could
have stolen them,"
~" said Mike. drawing himself up
to his five feet Ave and throwing back
his pudgy shoulders. Il am n tramp.
trust. sir. you meant no insult to me
profession"
The stranger waved the question
aside. Get me some clothes and IN
give you some money"
what money!" asked James.
II will send you some. am rich
My car is In the road. Maybe you saw
H. | was coming through the woods
to the hotel to get a tow up. for was
out OF gasoline. when ! saw the lake.
1t was early and ! thought l would
take a swim. Maybe you saw my car
by the side of the roadi"
Il didn't see no car" said Mike.
did you come by the road7'
Yes. n narrow wood road"
"Ycs. yes: that's where left II. The
damned thief has probably gone on
with my car. too"
Then he couldn't be u tramp" said
James judiciously. "Tramps don't
know nothing about motor-cnrp."
Il saw big red car" said Mike.
down the road bit. over tho other
side OF tho village. going south. But
maybe your car wasn't red
Yes, yes. II was." cried the stranger
What was the maker Could yoI
tollY"
"A Thomas car"
"Ah. my ear. Get me something to
put on and I'll make II worth your
while. I'm William lIhrgrnyo Batch.
clor. Maybe you have read about mo
In yesterdays paporn7" And the poor.
shivcring. naked wretch drew himself
up proudly and smiled with much com.
plnconcy.
~" said Mike. tapping himself on
his breast. "am George v. OF Eng.
| land"
mo. no." protested tho stranger.
I'm not foollng. Get me aomo clothes
and come with mo to tho nearest tclc-
graph oiilee and ri show you"
How much.r asked Mike. "wlii you
giyo mo7'
us" corrected James
How much do you want1"
"liow much will you eiyeT.'