Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1916-03-08
CHAPTER XlX.-(Continued.)

SWANS words gave me plenty u
think over, and left me so troubled an0
uneasy that l made II trip to h TOP
of the ladder to take Il look over
Elmhurst. But everything appeared as
usual. Perhaps Swain was right-per-
haps it was Silva who was using every
minute to increase his Influence; but
what could L do? So long as he com
mitted no overt act. there was no eX.
cuse for interference. AS Swain had
said, there was nothing that | could
do but watch.
Two hours later. just as l was get
ting up from a dinner to which, in my
%perturbed condition. 1 had done small
justice, l heard a ring at the bell, and
presently Mrs. Hargis entered to tell me
that there was a gentleman asking for
ne. / vent out to meet him, and was
astonished to find that it was Sim
mOnds.
Il don't wonder you're surprised
he said. as we sat down. Fact is, I'm
surprised myself, for l don't know ex-
actly what I'm to do out here. But
Swain. after he got back to his cell,
was like a crazy man; he was sure
something dreadful was going to hap
pen to Miss Vaughan If she stayed
In the house with those Hindus. In the
end, he got me kind of scared, too, and
made me promise to come out and help
you keep watch. l went down to the
Record office and had a talk with Cod
frey before l started. ] half expected
him to laugh at me; but he seemed to
think I'd better mn The fact u.s."
concluded Simmonds, shifting his cigar
to the ether side Of his mouth, "he was
SO serious about it, that l brought two
men along. One Of them is %patrolling
he road in front of the house, and the
other the road along the side. I've ar
ranged for two others to relieve them
at midnight. Now, what's it all about,
anyway"
Well" 1 said, lin the first place,
neither Godfrey nor 1 believes that
Swain strangled that man."
II can't hardly believe it myself"
agreed Simmonds. for he seems a nice
young Teller; but it's a clear case;
there's the motive. he was on the
ground, and there's the finger prints.
How can you explain them away?"
Il can't explain them away. But,
just the same, Godfrey believes the
Hindus."
He intimated something of the sort
to me-" said Simmonds; but there's
no evidence against them
No" conceded; that's what we've
got to find"
Where are we going to look for it,"
There's only one place to look for
1t. and that's in the house where the
murder was committed. 1 only wish
We could get Miss Vaughan out of it
that would give us a freer hand"
Whats the matter with the fool
girl. anyway" demanded Simmonds.
Il should think she'd jump at a chance
to get away"
SO should but she isn't reason
able. just now. l can't make her out.
Perhaps she'll come around in a day
or two, but meanwhile, if she should
happen to need help, l don't see how
your men out on the road, on the other
side of a 12-foot wall, could do any
good"
simmonds rubbed his chin thought
fully.
What would you suggest?" he asked
at last.
why not put them in the grounds,
as soon as 1T is dark, and let them IN
ceal themselves near the house,? They
can get over the wall on this side. We
have ladders. Besides" 1 added, "it
would be a great mistake to give Silva
any reason to suspect he's being
watched. He'd see the men out on the
road. sooner or later: but they could
keep out of sight among the shrub
berry,"
SimmOnds considered this for a mo-
ment.
Il don't know but what you're right"
osS 81 ga bC11A6C ~
that way then" and he went away
presently to call in his men. He soon
came back with them. and gave them
careful and detailed instructions az to
what he wanted them to do, dwelling
especially upon the Importance OF their
keeping carefully concealed. Then we
got the ladders and put them in place.
B careful not to touch the top Of
the WALL" l cautioned them: there's
broken glass on top. and the merest
touch may mean a bad injury"
when you get down on the other
side" Simmonds added, take down the
ladder and hide II in the shrubbery at
see 1t II you left II standing there. but,
for heavens sake. don't get mixed Ut
so you amt find IL again. Be back
here at 1880. and your relief will be
ready. You've got your whistles :!
Well, blow them good and hard II
there's any trouble. And be mighty
careful not to let any n zee. you Of
you nay get snake bit"
The men mounted the ladder. crossed
he wall and disappeared on the Other
eide, and Simm0nds and ] turned back
TO the house. felt ~ though q great
load had been lifted from my shOul.
ders. With those two men no clos.
could happen to Miss Vaughan.
SimmOnds and ] spent the remainder
Of the evening In discussing the case
but neither Of I'm WEI able To SHE'D
any new light upon II. Shortly aftel
IL, the two men who were 10 form
the relief arrived. and Just ~ ",
started for the wall. Godfrey drove II
front OF the highway. II needed bu
y moment to tell him Of our arrange
ments. which hs heartily approved. III
Joined ua and we were NOON IT tn,
foot Of the ladder. While we waited
SimnnOndw ave the new men the sam
minute Instructions he had given IN
others. and presently we heard . Sigh
Whn han kInD0 m Aastu enNHNnanN -