The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1916-03-09
CHAPTER xx.-(Continued.)


Elmhurst. But everything appeared as
usual. Perhaps Swain was right-per-
maps II was Silva who was using every
minute to increase his influence; but
what could do? So long as he COM
United NO overt act, there was no ex-
cuse for interference. As Swain had
said, there was nothing that l could
do but watch.
Two hours later, just as was get
ting up from a dinner to which, in my
perturbed condition, had done small
justice, heard a ring at the bell, and
presently Mrs. Hargis entered to tell me
that there was a gentleman asking Tor
me. went out to meet him, and was
astonished to find that it was Sim
monds.
II don't wonder you're surprised"
he said, as we sat down. Fact Is, I'm
surprised myself, for l don't know ex-
Rctly what I'm TO do out here. But
Swain, after he got back to his cell,
was like crazy" man: he was sure
pen - Miss Vaughan IL she stayed
In the louse 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. I went down to the
Record office and had O talk with God
frey before started. ! half expected
him 20 laugh at me: but he seemed to
concluded Simmonds, shifting his cigar
to the other side OF his mouth, he was
30 serious about II, that brought two
men along. One Of them Is patrolling
the road in front OF the house, and the
other the road along the side. I've ar
at midnight. Now. what's 1t all about.
anyway"
Well" said, in the first place.
neither Godfrey nor / believes that
Swain strangled that man."
Il cant hardly believe 1t myself"
agreed Simmonds, for he seems q nice
young Teller; but it's q 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
murder was committed by one of those
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 il
that would give us a freer hand"
What's the matter with the fool
girl, anyway? demanded Simmonds
Il should think she'd jump at chance
to get away"
80 should but she isn't reason
able, just now. 1 cant 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 neil 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 it is dark, and let them con-
ceal themselves near the house? They
can get over the wall on this side. We
have ladders. Besides" l added, 1t
would be a great mistake to give Silva
any reason 10 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"
he agreed, at last. We'll arrange it
that way, them" and he went away
presently to call in his men. He soon
came back with them, and gave them
careful and detailed instructions as 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.
BE careful not to touch the top Of
the wall" i cautioned them; there's
broken glass on top, and the merest
touch may mean n bad injury"
when you get down on the other
side" Simmonds added, take down the
ladder and hide it in the shrubbery at
the foot Of the wall. Somebody might
see 1t II you left It standing there But,
so you can't find II 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 one see you, or
you may get snake bit"
The men mounted the ladder, crossed
the wall and disappeared on the other
side, and SimmOnds and turned back
to the house. felt as though a great
load had been Lifted from my shout
ders. With those two men 30 close
at hand. surely n0thing very serious
could happen to Miss Vaughan.
Simmonds and spent the remainder
OF the evening In discussing the case,
but neither Of US was able to shed
any new light upon 1t. Shortly after
II, the two men who were to form
the relief arrived, and just az we
started for the wall, Godfrey drove in
front Of the highway. 1t needed bat
a moment to tell him Of our arrange
ments, which he heartily approved. He
Joined us and we were soon at the
foot Of the ladder. While we waited, |
gave the new men the same !
minute instructions he had given the |
others. and presently we heard a slight |
scraping against the wall and the men |
who had been on duty recnossed 1t.
They had nothing Of especial inter- |
est to report. The yogi and Miss |
Vaughan had taken a stroll through |
the grounds early in the evening, and |
my heart sank as the detective added |
that they seemed to be talking earnest
ly together. Then they had reentered |
the house, and Miss Vaughan had re-
NAMED In the library looking at book,
while her companion passed on out Of
sight. At the end of an hour, she
had closed the book, shut and locked
the outer door, and turned out the
light. Another light had appeared
shortly afterwards In room upstairs.
It, too, had been extinguished half an
hour later, and the detectives pre-
stunned that she had gone to bed. After
that the house had remained In COM