Omaha daily bee., 1916-02-28

spike and Lug. Takmg Bill aside, Raa-
sfue called Lug over and told the two
about Rhinelanders loss of the deeds
ana the effort Helen would make to Sc
cure certified copies OF them. While
ne was talking he looked at his watch.
IN five minutes" said seaRrue, "the
men In the recorders office will start
Tor dinner You two fellows take Spike
and go quietly up to the court house.
When the office Is empty get the book
Of deeds and bring It to my room. Bill,
can you trust Spike?''
Bill answered he thought he could
Don't lose any time" directed sea-
srue. You may have TO hunt around a
little up there. Report 10 me down at
the room.'
Blu and his companion stepped over
to the train for Jimmy. Spike watched
them disappear and hurried up the street
himself He now made himself respon-
sible for further interruption TO the
lunch that Helen and Storm were just
peglnning to relish.
"seagrue." he whispered lis up TO
some work"
what workq" demanded Helen in
alarm.
Don't know yet" answered Spike.
"but I'll find out"
do. spkes' she murrpured, hurriedly
Don't let him make any more trouble
tor US, will you?"
Spike, nodding to reassure her, trotted
away. when he got back 10 the train
Bin and Lug came from one OF the cars.
Bill had a revolver In his hand"
"Bill, where's my kit?' demanded
soikc
STOW H." muttered Bill, "snd come
along"
When the three shambled up to the
court house square the clerks were leav-
lng the building and the last man out
closed the front door. Bill resolved to
get in through a convenient side en-
trance and dispatched Lug around the
building to force back window
BY the time the street was clear Lug
had effected his entrance and opened
the door for his companions. with Spike.
Biil made his way 90 the recorders Of
flee and began search among the
books. II was not until he had tossed
one book after another aside and when.
finding the last book OF deeds. he con-
suited the index book and threw open
the pages containing Rhineianders q
right-of-way deeds that Spike got the
least inkling of what he was after.
But the moment Bnl found the page
he was looking for he slapped his hand
down ON II exultantly. That's the book
we want" he exclaimed huskily
Spike stretched his eagle neck forward
Fine he muttered. grinning. HOLD
onl What's that3' he whispered II
alarm. grabbing Bilfs arm with a start
BIN alarmed looked around. Some
body's coming" cried Spike, under hi'
breath. "See u Lug's there"
Bil unsuspectinEly ran out 20 see II
their lookout had been disturbed, The
instant he left the room Spike. watch
ing his chance. ripped the two leaves
recording Rhinelanders deeds forcihly
from the book and slowed them into the
breast OF his shirt just a. Bill returned
Bill grabbed the book and going TO an
open window dropped the book where
Lug stod waiting The moment the lat
ter caught the heavy volume he made
hurriediy away with Il for Seagrue's
! room
Spike and Bill were less fortunate IN
! their escape. They walked into the hall.
way and had reached the head OF the
I stairs when they were seen by the day
watehman. With shout he hailed
? them.
BIN, without hesltating, whipped oui
his revolver and fired. spi@e Angrlly
/ caught hts companion's arm. Wreated ths
gun from his hand and stuck II in his
own pocket. The watchman. pulling hi,
own pistol, dropped back into a doorway
BIN dashing down the corridor one way
while Spike made record sprint down
he stairs the other. The watohmar
based Bill and Bin. reaching win
low. sprang through Il TO the ground
citing ON his feet, he ran for safet,
,own the street.