Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1917-08-18

a
to perform. sacred trust-namcly, &c
wit, to uphold the majesty of the law
in MaSkcloOn county"
'But we've never had Il lynching IN
this county, protested the bloodthirsty
man with the rope, land they've had
two over Lake county way"
Local pride nearly Swaycd the sheriff
against us, but ut last he held ND his
hand.
81 can't allow ii. boys" he said re.
grctfullW "An we can do. accordin'
TO the law, is to take 'cm to jail"
"Bcforc | move out of this place."
Upton $. Clair protested, "I'vc got to
have some clothcs.'
AN right. SON." soothcd the sheriff:
"thcre amt any call to get hectic
about it. ST." turning to one of the
others, "Scc If there amt some old
clothes III that closet in the hired
helps ROOM"
81 departed and soon returned with
garment known in history as a
Mother Hubbard, so called because of
It's resemblance to squash.
This IS all | could find" ST report
ed. '"rhc Hmtingdons' help was n
female woman''
"Thatll do" the sheriff said briefly.
tossing ii TO Clair. Put this on with.
out any arguments and well be OH our
way"
Clair thought OF protesting. but was
overcome by the idea Of the woman
in the next room ard hastily donncl
the garment, which was cut on limos
dcSlSled TO cover any sort Of figure
which nature could turn out. The Of.
feet OF the dress plus the whiskcrs was
startling, to say the least
"Bcforc we go" the sheriff decided
we had best have Il look ut thc rc.
mains" TO me he said: "Whcrc Is
the deceased? Whore is Mrs. Green?
Mrs. Green hasn't been murdered. >
started to set him straight
Il didn't ask how she met her death
the sheriff thmdcrcd "Or course |
doh t expect YOU 10 admit YOU killed
her. All | asked WAS whore she is
and. by George, I'll have I'M answer
Where Is Shc:'
pointed silently Mt the locked door
"BoyS," said the sheriff, with emo
ton, II poor, dcfcnSclcss woman licS
beyond that door foully done TO dealt,
by these here ruiians. Smith. WadS
worth. Clancy. Sndcr, YOU will act Il.
ambulance department"
-Four OF his comedians went toward
the door.
Nait," the leader commanded. BE
fore YOU enter that room take off thcn
hats"
Ihc four nondcScript hats came on
silently Then they discovered that
the door WAS lockcd. However, that
proved only II slight obstacle. for the
lock was easily forced. 1t struck me
rs funny that Mrs. Green had NOT
walked out on the scene before this
y prcmonition of coming disaster grin
ped my heart.
The four men re-cntcrcu, CARRYING
revercntly limp I.,0lc. which was
unmistakably Mrs. GIcta. Had she
been struck by Il stray bullet from tho
attacking party? If she had, things
certainly were looking black for Clair
and myself. We hal no way OF PROV
Ing that we were innocent, and oil
'ciresr&umstantial evidences would be
against US. \ murmur of anger ran
around the room, and the man with the
rope fingered It ncrvously.
STEADY, boys" the sheriff ordered.
"Onc moment" The young man with
the camera held up his hInd. Don't
move"
There was Il binding flash, and my
overweight nerves jumped seven feet
ana rcboundcd before my brain assured
them that ii was only Il iiaShlight.
The effect on the four members OF
tho ambulance squad was even moro
startling. Apparently not expecting
the explosion, they dropped their bur
den and stood With mouths open. Ac-
cidcntally they dropped the body in Il
sitting posture.
There WAS IL slight scream. Mrs.
Green opened her eyes and demanded,
"Whorc am -
III the officers Of the law had been
startled before, their condition now
was absolute transformation.
'NIadamc," the sheriff inquired,
aren't YOU dcad?'
II should say not!
"Then You are not Mrs. Green"
Il certainly am"
"l'ut Mrs. Green Is dead. Her daugh-
ter told lis So"
Dead! Fiddlc&tickS! It's Il wonder
I'm not, though, after coming over
mere i'll an open boat and being at.
tackled by Il half naked savage with
whiskers, and, lets scc-somc one
was shot. That's when I tainted. I
guess, because | don't remember any,
thing more until just now"
"All l have to say" stated the man
with the rope, iamming his hat on dis
respectfully, 'is that this is bum
night to get n man to play joke on
him."
"NIadamc," the sheriff said, with
gloomy politcncss, "you have spoiled
tho only murder case We ever had in
Maskeloon county; that's what you
have done. Come on, boys
In, alto 4,