The Pickens sentinel. (Pickens, S.C.) 1911-2016, 1916-02-24
CHAPTER xvI-conslnued.

cent Joy. Just where the open ground
OF the gully melted again into the for.
est. the figure of man could be seen
moving very quickly, In another mo.
ment 1t had disappeared amid the
foliage
straight for the station" an.
nounced Mr.. Sloan: and, taking out
his watch added quickly; "the train
ls not due for is minutes. He'll catch
t."
The train south?"
Yes, and the train north. They
pass here"
Mr.. Black turned a startled eye
upon the guide. But Reuther's face
was still alight. She felt very happy.
Their Journey had not been for
naught. He would have six hours
start of his pursuers he would be that
much sooner in Shelby; he would hear
the accusation against him and refute
1t before she saw him again.
But Mr.. Blacks thoughts were less
pleasing than hers. He had never had
more than passing hope Of divers
innocence, and now he had none at
ali. The young man had fled, not In
response to his fathers telegram, but
under the impulse OF his own fears.
They would not find him in Shelby
when they returned. They might never
ind him anywhere again A pretty
story to carry back to the Judge
As he dwelt upon this thought his
reflections grew more and more
gloomy. and he had little to say till
he reached the turn where the two
men still awaited them.
In the encounter which followed no
attempt was made by either party to
disguise the nature OF the business
which thus had brought them to.
gether. The man whom Mr.. Black
took to be Shelby detective nodded
as they met and remarked. with a
| quick glance at Reuther:
| $50 you've come without him! I'm
sorry for that. was In hopes that I
might be spared the long ride up the
mountain"
Mr.. Black limited his answer to one
Of his sour smiles.
Whose horse Is this?" came in per-
emptory demand from the other man,
with nod toward the animal which
could now be seen idly grazing by the
wayside. And how came It on the
road alone?"
Eve can only give you these facts"
| rejoined the lawyer. 1T came from
| Tempest lodge 1t started out ahead
Of US with the gentleman we had gone
to visit on It's back. We did not pass
the gentleman on the road. and II he
has not passed you he must have left
the road somewhere on foot He did
not go back to the lodge"
"Mr. Black"
II am telling you the absolute truth
Make what you will Of it. His father
desires him home, and sent a mes.
sage. This message this young lady
undertook to deliver, and she did de-
liver 1t, with the consequences | have
mentioned. II you doubt me take
your ride. 1t Is not an easy one and
the only man remaining at the lodge
Is deaf as post"
"Mr. Black has told the whole
story" averred the guide
They looked at Reuther.
II have nothing to add" said she.
Il have been terrified lest the gentle
mau you wish to see was thrown from
the horses back over the precipice.
But perhaps he found some way OF
getting down on foot. He Is a very
str'ng and daring man."
"fhe tree!" calculated the detec.
tive's companion. He was from
neighboring locality and remembered
this one natural ladder up the side OF
the gully.
Eyes. the tree" acknowledged Mr.
Sloan. THAT, or fall. Let us hone
it was not fall"
AS he ceased long screech from an
approaching locomotive woke ND the
echoes OF the forest. 1t was answered
by another from the opposite direction.
felt by Reuther could not be con.
cealed. The detective noticed It.
I'm wasting time here" said he.
Excuse me, Mr.. Black If / push on
ahead Of you. II we don't meet at
the station. we shall meet in Shelby"
Mr.. Blacks mouth twisted grImly.
He had no doubt Of the latter fact.
Next minute they were all cantering
in the one direction. the detective very
much in the advance.
Let me 60 with you to the station"
entreated Reuther as Mr. Black held
up his arms to lift her from her horse
at the door OF the hotel.
But his refusal was peremptory
"I'll be back in just five minutes" said
he. And without waiting for second
pleading look, he lifted her gently off
and carried her In,
When he returned. as he did in the
time specified. he had but one word
for her.