Putnam patriot., 1915-01-29

lass to where broken picket fence las visible amid a fringe of weeds. 10 description can titiy picture the hoomy desolatiom surrounding that amshackle place. Evidently this fence. now mere ruin, had once served to protect garden plot. But l saw mere ly d tangled mass of wild vegetation. iso thick and high ss to obstruct the view Narrow footpaths branehed in either direction, and l chose to follow I the one to the right thinking thus to ! skirt the fence and learn what was beyond before approaching the negro cabins on the opposite side To my surprise l found myself suddenly standing on the bank of a narrow 5 bayou, the water clear. yet apparently s mationess. the opposite shore heavily tfmbered owing to a sharp curve l could see scarcely hundred yards in either direction, yet close in beside the q shore light boat was skimming over the gray water Even as | gazed, the fellow plying the paddle saw me and q waved his hand. In another moment the bow grounded on the bank and it's occupant came stumbling up the slight declivity.
 8 He was medium sized wiry look $ ing fellow. with olive skin and small N mustaehe. dressed in brown corduroy. q colored handkerchief wound about |s his head in lieu of a hat. As he came x to the level where I stood he stopped suddenly. staring into my face. E va A Who are you. m'sieur?" II came in last night replied eva sively. and was just looking about x bit. =
 # The black eyes searched my face. rnd noted his right hand touch the hilt of knife in his belt.
 What water is this: l asked. ig- pa,1ng his action .'Bayou?' # "Oui, m'sieur."
 Are we near the sea T' @ sTwsnty-seeI mile. You not know where you are? 'Tis odd you not know. m sieur.'
 I laughed. enjoying his bewilder ment. yet not realizing how to turn it to better account
 sOh. no. l came by train in the night and am a little hay as te leea #tion. You live about hereE
 som time Then of again-sailo Whare Coombs? You know, m sieur?'
 NO don't" acknowledged. ."Asleep in his cabin likely"
 The creole for such he undoubtedly was. made swift resolve.
 .'Tis like, n siear. find out May be you come too.
 The last was more of an order than D question. l gave it no apparent heed, #but turned in the direction of the cab Bins I had no reason to avoid Coombs. ndeed l desired to see him. and had no intention of permitting this lad to Suppose that feared his yelled 1hreats. Without so much as glancing back at him l advanced along the foot spath. my hands in my pockets Yet
 ny mind leaped from point to point in Eager speculation. Little as 1 liked d Aoombs this creole was even more tiangerous. The one was a rough. the other venomous snake. So far as the original purpose of my adventure was concerned it had already largely faded from recollection The swift recur renee of more startling events domi- hated.
 ''Ze right; turn to ze right m'sieur," Said a voice behind me. and then l xaw Coombs standing before the door of the second cabin.
 What does this mean, Broussard" :" De growled savagely. Where did you pick up that fellow?"
 At the landing" the creole hastened tp explain. How could I tell? He said he knew you, m sieur. As# '.0h he did. hey? Well. all I know about him is that he blew in here last light with a woman. Claimed to be @young Henley and took possession of the place reckon it's about time saw some papers to prove what yer are young feller. fore yer go snoopin' round at daylight. Whats yer game enyhow?"
 Tine mans buster gave me my clew. { Ihe thought suddenly occurred to me that for some reason he was more afraid of me than l of him.
 You can see my authority. Coombs. any time you are ready to exhibit your avn" 1 returned coolly. leaning back 0gainst the side of the cabin and star As him straight in the eyes. If you Ire the oyerseer here. then it is my money that is paying your wages. and 4fom the look of things you'll not hold fhe job long at that
 Coombs did not cringe. but my tone Brought him uneasiness
 M The niggers won't work" he re k Urned gruffiy. Thar aint a nigger OF the place"
 Apparently white men enough hang Ing around Whats the matter with tue negroes =
 Ghosts. and the fellow laughed
 s'Aaybe yer'ye seen sum?''
 strengthened up. stung by the sheer fn his voice.
 No. but I've seen something more fo the pOint-a murdered man" What
 killed last night in that back room up- ktairs- Shot in the head through the
 ssindow l heard tine shot and inyesti-
 gated His body lies there now
 saw Broussard's snaky eyes flash
 acress toward Coombs' face. but the
 alter remained motionless.
 Its d. lie"' he ejaculated rough
 ,. There is nobody there.''
 Easily settled. Come with me. and
 I'll show you.r
 Rather to my surprise neither ob-