Carrizozo outlook. [volume] (Carrizozo, N.M.) 1910-1945, 1919-06-27

Several minutes went by. There
wns not n sound snve the restless pat
ter Of rain In the tree tops. At last
the PARKWAY thud OF footsteps cnme TO
the ears OF the tense listener. They
drew nearer, louder. and once more
seemed to bo approaching the very
spot where he crouched.
Then came the sound OF n duh,
heavy blow. a hoarse gasp. n momen-
tary commotlon In the ~shrubbery,
and-agaln silence. Barnes blood ran
cold. He waited for the next football
OF the passing man. II never came.
A sharp whisper reached his ears.
"Come here-duick !"
He ~fioundered through the brush and
almost fell PROSTATE over the kneel-
ing figure OF a man.
"rakc carei Lend a hand" whis-
pered Sprouse.
Dropping to his knees. Barnes felt
for and touched wet, coarse garments.
and gasped:
my Godi Have you killed hlmf"
Temporarily" said Sprouse. he
tween his teeth. Here, unwind the
rope I've got around my waist. Take
the end-here. Got n knife7 Cut of
a section about three feet long. I'll
get the gag in his mouth while you're
doing II. Hangmen always carry their
own ropes" he concluded, with grew
some humor. SCOT II cut7 Well, cut
two more sections, same length"
with incredible swiftness the two
Of them bound the feet, knees and
arms OF the inert victim.
II came prepared" said sprouse. so
calmly that Barnes marveled at the
iron nerve OF the man.
"By heaven. Sprousc, IL believe
he's dead. We've haven't any right
to kill a."
Don't be finicky." snapped Sprouse.
ut wasn't much OF a crack. and II
was necessary" Strengthening up,
with a sigh Of satisfaction, he laid his
hand ON Barnes shoulder. "We've
Just got to go through with II now.
Barnes. Wen get another
chance. Putting that fellow out Of
business queers a. forever afterward."
He dropped to his knees and began
searching over the ground with his
hands. "Here II is. You can't see II,
OF course, so I'll tell you what It is.
A nice little block Of sandalwood. I've
already got his nice little hammer, so
wen see what we can raise In the way
Of wireless chit-chat."
Without the slightest hesitation he
struck n succession Of quick. confident
blows upon the block Of wood.
"By CAD. you are a wonderr"
await TIL tomorrow before you say
that" replied Sprouse. sententiously.
"Come along now. Stick to the trail,
We've got TO land the other one"
Turning sharply TO the right
Sprouse guided his companion through
the brush for some distance, and once
more came to n halt. Again he stole
on ahead, and as before the slow, con
hdent. even careless progress OF Q
man ceased as abruptly as that Of tn,
comrnde who lay helpless In the
thlcket below.
Barnes laid n firm, OBTAINING hant
IN the mans shoulder.
"See here. Sprouse." he whispered
ats all very well for you, knocking
men over like this, but Just what II
your object2 What does all this leaC
up tot"
Sprouse broke In. and there wal
not the slightest trace Of emotion II
his whisper.
quite right. You ought 70 know
l suppose you thought l was bringing
you up here for n Romeo and Julie
t~ete-a-tete with the beautiful Mis-
Cameron-and for nothing else. Well
in a way, you are right. But, first o
all. my business Is to recover tn
crown Jewels and p~archments. l an
going into that house and take then
away from the man you know as Loeb
II he has them. II he hasn't them m!
work here Is a failure"
"Going into the houseT' gaspeI
Barnes. "Why. my God, man, that /
impossible. You would be shot dow
as an ordinary burglar and-the Law
would justify them for killing you.
must Insist"
II am not asking you to go into tn
house, my friend. ! shall 60 alone,
|. said Sprouse coolly.
"on the other hand, | came up her
to rescue a helpless"
keep COOL It's the only wal
, Now listen. She has designated he
, room and the windows that are herr
, She is lying nwake up there now. TAX
II from me, hoping that you will com
| tonight. l shall lead you directly I