The Holly chieftain., 1915-02-12
W CONES
~SMWm
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NO" said AIphonse. and violent.
positive protestations could not have
been more convincing.
But where are they? left them in
the car"
They probably fell out. father.~
said Henrietta.
They have never fallen out BEFORE"
snorted the general, with base suspi-
cions against Henrietta.
we can get another tomorrow"
said Henrietta. I'VE will simply re-
turn to the hotel In the village for the
night" And once more she replaced
the napkins In the basket.
Yes" agreed Bartlett There il q
good hotel near the railroad tracks"
Where are the railroad tracks ?"
asked the general. who had lost all
faith in Bartlett's knowledge of the
country. I'VE passed no railroad
tracks"
Just before you come to the vii.
lage." retorted Bartlett, irritated a.
badgered animal. you have to cross
them as you come up the main street"
We crossed none," said the general,
with the indifference of one who real.
lies that there is no more to hope for.
The boat is sinking, let 1t sink. The
last cent gone and the landlord com.
Ing for two months rent Let him
come.
NO." said Billy gently. I'VE didn't
father"
Why, we did. we must have" pro-
tested Bartlett. 81 always come here
on the railroad train. They have to
flag 1t. but 1t stops. Why. know there
are tracks there"
They were all gathered around the
table. except the Watermelon and Al
phonse. Alphonse still stood by the
door, hat in hand. He was merely a
paid hireling. His masters affairs.
were none OF his. The Watermelon
still sat on the dresser and swung his
fest. The predicament was only one
Of the many he was more or less al
ways involved in and not worth think
ing about. Bachelor and the police
did not worry him that night. 1t was
too early.
"Why not eat something before we
go?" he said. I'VE have been here
about an hour now, and another hour
won't make our crime any the worse"
Yes agreed Henrietta promptly,
surprised at her own depravity.
Let's" and again she took out the
plates and napkins.
Suppose they come back" softly
whispered Billy.
Instinctively they all glanced at the
door. and Henrietta paused with her
hands on the edge of the basket.
The Watermelon laughed. you amt
worrying because you broke into an
others house." said he. Whats fret
ting you is that you may be found
out"
TITS awful" acknowledged Billy. Il
feel funny in my stomach and have
.creeps up my back"
$50 have IT, said Henrietta, and
nodded grimly.
"Do what you please" said Bartlett.
But don't get caught"
"They won't come" said the Water.
melon. "They have been gone for
quite time and aren't coming back"
"Ah. my dear Holiness" said Henri.
eta, explain your deductions"
They've been gone long because
there Is 80 much dust on everything
and the house smells so close. They
won't be back tonight because none of
the neighbors have been in to leave
anything for them to eat and there
aren't any chickens In the chicken.
house. Alphonse- would have stirred
'em up II they had been there"
Suppose some one passes and sees
the light" suggested the general,
tempted to the breaking point by the
dainty supper SO near at hand and the
thought of the terrible apology Of a
meal they would get at the dila pidated
hotel they had passed in the village
And above all things, the general loved
his meals.
1--WE are at the back Of the house
and 1t is almost twelve. Every one
is In bed and those who aren't are
drunk and wouldn't be believed any.
way"
TITS Ave miles to the village" added
Bartlett with no apparent relevance.
"Aw. be game" encouraged the Wa
termelon. BE sports"
Just being hungry is enough for
me-" declared Henrietta. taking the
last Of the edibles from the basket,
CHAPTER xi.
A Nfaht's Lodoina.