Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1916-07-12

trying to open Rhinelander's bag.
They had succeeded IN negotiating the
lock when. to their CONSERVATION.
swung down and in on them from
the roof. The thieves jumped 10
their feet But before Adams was up.
Helen had knocked him over again.
and as Ward jumped at her, she man
aged TO shoot out her foot at the hand
bag. BY fortunate chance she kicked
1t cleanly out of the car. Freeing her.
self from Wards clutches with an en-
ergetic blow, she sprang to the door
herself and jumped after the bag from
the fast-moving car to the ground
Adams. when Helen pushed him
over. had struck his head against an
iron bar and he lay on the car floor
almost unconscious. Ward turned to
him the minute Helen was gone.
Wake up" he shouted. We've got
to get out Of here
What's up?" demanded Adams.
groggily.
Were left. man. Shake yourself
and get out of here before you get
pinched."
Waiting their chance when their
train slowed down in passing the next
station, the two men jumped out of
thS box car. Down the line Ward saw
the bridge they had passed when
Helen sprang from the car. That
girl can't be far off yet. he muttered.
She may be hunting for the bag, II
we get there quick enough. we can
get hold of it ourselves
Helen, running fast as she could,
searched the right OF way keenly.
Help was nearer to her than she was
aware of. But she had eyes for moth
ing beyond her search. and, finally,
hardly a stones throw from the
bridge itself, she saw the bag lying
on the gravel.
The nearest station was to the
north. Helen began to retrace her
steps, thinking to telephone or to get
somehow in touch with Rhinelander
from there fastening on, she heard
her name called, and, looking up. was
astonished to see Spike waving his
hand at her from the bridge just
ahead. He and Rhinelander. follow
ing the train in tie machine. had seen
her spring from the box car.
She started to run forward to Join
Spike. But Ward and Adams had come
up. Seeing Helen approach. they hid.
and when she passed them they seized
and overpowered her and dragged the
bag from her hands.
Not without stout resistance on her
part. She fought the two with blows
and screams. and Spike, hearing the
commotion, ran to where he could
slip over the side of the bridge and
drop to the tracks. Shouting loudly
as he scrambled to his feet, he ran
to where Ward and Adams were fight.
ing Helen, who had again got her
hands on the bag. But when Spike
reached the scene the encounter was
short.
Ward. the more powerful of Sea.
grue's men, engaged him furiously,
and, as n boxer, would have put him
out. had not Spike clenched and
slammed the big fellow heavily to the
ground. He jumped at Adams before
Ward could come back, and the two
crooks. seeing the game lost, took to
their heels.
Spike turned TO see what damage
had been done to Helen. She had the
bag safely in hand and they started
together to join Rhinelander.
The bag was now committed to
Spike for safekeeping, and Rhine
lander headed the car for the city in
an effort to reach seagrus's quarters
quickly with the payment Burning
the tires all the way into town, he
pulled up with Jerk before Seagrue's
apartment and the three. alighting
from the car, FASTENED up to his rooms.
Seagrue. expecting the return of
Ward and Adams with their loot.
caught his breath when ne faced
Rhinelander and his escort at the door.
Rhinelander he could account for.
Helen, he was not at a great loss to
account for; but to see the craning
neck, square jaw. straight nose and
cold. gray eye of Spike in the twilight
of the hallway was too much for even
Seagrue's poise When they pushed
their way in upon him. he made hardly
any attempt to resist Il wasn't
looking for you" he stammered.
Rhinelander laughed. mo! I'M
derstand. However, it's all right. A
couple of your men, Seagrue. had this
bag In hand"-he held up the leather
grip for Seagrue's inspection-'to
bring to you" Rhinelander's eyes
were sparkling with the zest OF VIC.
tory. "They were detained, Seagrue,"
he went on, enjoying TO the full the
of the breathless rascal
before him. I'm fact, the two met with
a little accident" He nodded toward
Helen as the little accident. herself
THE police are looking for the pair
now" explained Rhinelander, testing
ly. But we thought 1t only neighborly
to bring the bag in, ourselves. Espe-
cially since you seem to consider that
our title to the Superstition mine rests
on your receiving the actual cash to
day for the second payment"
While speaking, Rhinelander had
gone to the table, thrown the bag open |
and was tossing the packages Of cur. |
rency out. There's your money. Sea- |
thousand dollars. |
Count It, Seagrue. and give me q r.
ceipt-"
CTo BE coNTINUEDl