The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1915-12-09

Godfrey mounted ii, stood an Instant
Of the top and then came down again
The other ladder is still there" he
said. n took off his cap and rubbed !.
his head ~perplexedly, l could not see
his face, but I could guess how tense
1t was. ! had been with him In many
trying situations. but only once before |
I seen him use that gesture!
said. at last. DO you know where he
was to meet Miss Vaughan 2"
AT an arhor in one corner OF b
grounds" answered.
Then we'll start from there and AXE
q quiet look for him. Wait here for me
a minute.n
He melted into the darkness, ana I
stood holding on to the ladder as
though in danger OF falling, and star
ing at the top of the wall, where I had
last seen Swain. An hour and half
had passed since then.
A touch on the arm brought me
around with a start.
Here, put this pistol in your pocket,
sal d Godfrey's voice. and I felt the
weapon pressed into my hand. And
heres an electric torch. Do you feel
the button?.
Yes" I said. and pressed it. IA ray
Of light shot toward the wall, but I
released the button instantly.
You'd better keep it in your hand,
he added, s'rady for action. No telling
what Wen run across. And now come
ahead"
He put his foot on the ladder, but I
stopped him.
Look here. Godfrey" I said. 40 you
realize h a what we're about to do is
pretty serious? Swain might have u
legal excuse, since the daughter Of the
house invited him to q meeting. but
If We on OyyoYs thn vyo II v1yo,ra cZ4
sers pure and simple. Anybody who
runs across US in the darkness has the
right to shoot us down without asking
Any questions-and we'd have no legal
right to shoot backis"
/ could hear Godfrey chuckling. and
I felt my cheeks redden.
You remind me Of Tartarin,n he
said; the adventurer Tartarin urging
you on, the lawyer Tarari holding you
back. My advice is to shake the
lawyer. Lester. He's out OF his ele-
ment here tonight. But IL he's too
strong for you. why, stay here" and he
started up the ladder.
Burning with vexation, I started aft
err him.. but suddenly he stopped.
AListen!" he whispered.
l heard something rattle against the
other side of the wall; then a dark
f1gure appeared on the coping.
l felt Godfrey press me back, and
descended cautiously. A moment later.
something slid down the wall, and /
knew that the person at the top had
lifted the other ladder over. Their the
figure descended, and then a distorted
face stared into the circle OF Godfrey's
torch.
For a breath. I did not recognize it;
then saw that it was SWANS.
l shall forget the shock it gave
me. with its starting eyes n work.
ing mouth and smear OF blood across
the forehead. Godfrey, / knew, was
also startled, for the light flashed out
for an instant. n then flashed on
again.
What is it. swain?" / cried, n
seized him by the arm; but he shook
me off roughly.
Stand back" he cried, horsely.
Who is it?" What do you want?'
TITS Lester" l said, and Godfrey
flashed his torch into my face, then
back to SWANS.
But you're not alone"
mo; this is Mr.. Godfrey
Mr.. Godfrey"
Whose house we're staying at" I
explained.
to his head and leaned heavily against
the ladder.
7 think we'd better go to the house,
Godfrey suggested, soothingly. I'VE
all need a bracer. Their we can ak.
Don't you think SO, Mr.. Swain"
swain lioudSu pacaIIly, out 1 cOulQ
see that he had not understood. His
face was still working and he seemed
to be in pain.
Il want to wash" he said, thickly,
II cut nv wrist on that Tanned glass,
and I'm blood all over, and my heads
wrong. somehow His voice trailed
off into an unintelligible humble, but
he held one hand up into the circle OF
light, and l saw that his cuff was
soaked with blood and his hand
streaked with 1t.
Come along, then" said Godfrey
p~eremptorily. You're right-that cut
must be attended to-" and he started
toward the house.
with unexpected vigor. we must take
down the ladders. We mustn't leave
them here"
why not?"
IF they're found, they'll suspect
they'll knoW He stopped
stammering, and again his voice traiIed
away into a humble, as though beyond
his control.
Godfrey looked at him for a moment,
and l could guess at the surprise and
suspicion in his eyes. /, myself, was
Ill at ease, for there was something In
SWANS face-a sort of vacant hor-
me with a vague repulsion. And
then to see his Jaw work.
ing, as he tried to form articu-
late words and could not, sent a
shiver over my scalp.
very WELL" Godfrey agreed, at last.
Wen take the ladders, since you think
1t SO important. You take that one.
Lester, and I'll take this"
<rorf}pya1 ~a~% ,,,o,