Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1915-12-08
at is" agreed Godfrey gravely; I'VE

quiCtly. L ana IOunu MIN
waiting, a dark shadow. He put his
hand on my arm, and stood a moment.
as though in indecision. For myself, 1
felt as though an intolerable burden
had been laid upon my shoulders.
Well" l asked at last, what now?"
w must see If Swain has returned"
he answered. IF he has, all right. If
he hasn't, We'll nave to go and look
for him."
What is it you fear, Godfrey@ L de-
handed: do you think SWANS in
danger?"
something wrong over there. This is
the first night for a week that that
light hasn't appeared"
STILL" 1 pointed out, that may
have nothing to do with Swain"
No; but it's Il coincidence that he
ways afraid OF condolences. Let us
see if he is back" and he turned to-
ward the house.
But l held his arm.
III he's back" l said, hell have
taken inc ladders down from the wall"
mats true" n together we made
our way forward among the trees.
Ihen we reached the wall and there
was the dim white line Of the ladder
leaning against it. Without a word,
GODFREY mounted it, stood an instant
az .. me Top ana then came down again.
AAA - III lllSIE. VII
SAID, n took off his cap and rubbed
his lead perpleXedly. l could not see
ms face, but l could guess how tense
II was. had been with him in many
trying situations. but only once before
L seen him use that GESTURE.
1T won't do to alarm the house" he
SAID at last. ID you know where liz
was to meet Miss Vaughan w
AT an arbOr in one corner of the
grounds" | answered..
n We'll start from there and take
a quiet look for him. Wait here for me
a minute"
He melted into the darkness, and 1
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 n a half
mad passed since then. .
A touch on the arm brought me
around with a start.
Here, put this pistol in your pocket"
sal q Godfrey's voice, and l felt the
Weapon pressed into my hand. :.And
the buttcn?"
Yes" I said. n pressed it. A ray
OF light hot toward III wall, but /
released the button instantly.
You'd better keep it in your hand"
ne q "rady for action. No telling
ahead"
He put his foot on the ladder. hut /
stopped him.
Look here. Godfrey" 1 said. do YOU
realize that what we're about to do is
pretty serious? Swain might have a
9 excuse. since the daughter of the
house invited him to a meeting: but
II we go e h wall, we're trespas-
sers pure and simple. Anybody who
runs across us in the darkness has the
right to shoot us down without asking
n questions..and we'd have no legal
YyIvn8 r Ohnnt hnnly1O
/ could hear Godfrey huckling and
l felt my cheeks redden.
You remind me OF Tartarin." he
said; t h ~adventurer Tartarin urging
you on. the lawyer Tararin holding you
% na wxer NY advice is to shake the
ment here tonight. But if he's too
strong for YOU. why. stay here" and no
started up the ladder.
Burning with vexation. I started aft
er ! m but suddenly ne stopped.
"Listen!" he whispered.
| heard something rattle against the
other side of the wall; Their a dark
ngure 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 h other ladder v Then the
figure descended. and then a distorted
face stared into the circle of Godfrey's
torch.
For a breath. I did % recognize it;
then l saw that it was SWANS.
shall never forget the shock it gave
me. with its starting eyes and work
Ing mouth and smear Of blood across
the forehead. Godfrey. I knew. was
also startled. for the light flashed out
for an instant. and then flashed on
again.
What is it. Swain?" 1 cried. and
seized him by the arm: but he shook
me off roughly.
Stand back" he cried, horsely.
Who is it," What do you want?"
It's Lester" / said, and Godfrey
flashed his torch into my face. then
back to SWANS.
But you're not alone"
Mo-. this is Mr.. Godfrey"
MI. G0dfrey?"
Whose house we're staying at"
:Ah!' said Swain. and put one hand
the ladder.
= think we'd better go to the house,
Godfrey suggested. soothingly. I'VE
all need q bracer. Then we can talk.
Don't you think 80. MI. SWAIN"
Swain nodded vacantly. but I could
sec that he had not understood. His
race W0S still working and he seemed
to . In pain.
II want to wash" he said. thickly.
II cut INV wrist on that damned glass.
ana I'm blood all over. and my heads
wIonR. somehow" His voice trailed
on into an unintelligible humble. but
Hight. ana I nav that his cuff was
soaked with blood and his hand
streahod with It.
Come along. then" said Godfrey
peremptotdly. You're right-that cut
must b attended to" and he started