Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1915-09-23
X II " " X u *k*k Xxx sEse
Copyright by A. c. McClurg & Co.
CONTINUED

ooh, I see-you are Lieutenant Ray.
mond. Got to us earlier than you ex.
pected. Find many recruits north?"
mo-" I answered, taken completely
by surprise, but managing to control
my voice. THAT was why I thought
might accomplish more in this section
Those counties have been combed
over" l hesitated an instant, and yet
it was best for me to learn what ]
could. 81 was not aware, captain, that
my projected visit had been an
nounced."
He laughed, and the second match
went out, leaving us again in dark
ness.
Nor was it, officially; merely a
friendly letter from an officer on
Heitzelman's staff to our major asking
for you a friendly reception Camp
gossip brought the news to me. YOU
knew Harwood?"
mo; only General Ramsay advised
me to confer with him, because of his
intimate knowledge Of this section. He
belonged, l believe, in Green Briar?'
Eyes, we were at his place yester
day; south Of Lewisburg. What sort
of looking man was this fellow Tay
lor?"
| described him infinitely, hoping fol
some recognition, but the captain did
not appear to recall any such charac
ter.
1--WE have only been in this region q
few months" he said, in explanation
"and l don't remember any such chap
He is none of Ramsay's scouts. What
do you say, Snow?"
"Only man like that I've heard Of
sir, is old Ned Cowan, and It amt
likely he's left the mountains to &C
into old Jacks camp"
Fox laughed, as though the idea
amused him.
Hardly. Cowan is too we'll known
to take the risk. Either side would
hang the hound on sight. Well, let's
ride along into Hot Springs. You'll
come with us, lieutenant?"
There was no excuse left me, no rea
son that l could urge for riding on
alone westward. Indeed, before
could clearly collect my thoughts,
was in the midst Of the horsemen
slowly moving east once more over
the dark road Riding as rapidly as
the darkness made possible, we clat
tered into the deserted street at Hot
Springs, and Fox cursed vigorously
the negligent guard. The sergeant
knew little Of where Major Harwood
had gone, as he had given no orders,
and not even intimated the probable
time of his return. When last seen he
was riding out the south road accom-.
panied only by his servant
Fox swore again, and ordered the
men into saddle, and we swung out al
a sharp trot along the dirt pike.
rode next him, but the captain was in
such rage l kept silent, knowing we'll
the tragic discovery soon to be re.
vealed The gray dawn began to steal
about us, making objects near at hand
visible, and revealing the tired faces
of the cavaIrymen. There was suffi.
cient light to enable us to perceive the
the motionless form lying beside the
gate. Fox drew up his horse with a
jerk, and leaned forward staring.
"My God, men," he exclaimed
nhnl<ipo IIoryrDnd'C MI
Turn the body over, Green-ah! the
poor devil was knitted Here, a half
dozen Of you, unsling carbines and
follow me-there's been dirty work
done. Sergeant, don't let your men
destroy those footprints in the road
Lively now, lads!"
l advanced with them up the drive
way, fearful that if / held back it
might later be commented upon The
front door refused admittance, but we
entered from the rear Everything
within was exactly as / had left it,
and in the parlor, still dark because
of closed blinds, lay the lifeless body
Of HARDWOOD. Fox fell upon his knees
beside the motionless form, ordering
the windows thrown open, his hands
touching the lifeless flesh.
Dead for hours" he exclaimed in a
tone of horror, turning his gaze upon
me. Struck from behind-see, Ray
mond. What in Gods name can this
mean?"
He began searching the pockets.
"Not robbery-for here is money,
and a watch. But the papers are gone,