The Monticellonian., 1919-08-29

We must be directly beneath her
bed. Quiet now" With infinite care
he pried aside one of the loosely nail
ed boards which constituted the floor
ing of the girls bed room and wrig-
gled up out of sight, while restrain
ing his Impotence with difficulty the
other waited. Five minutes later Nor
gan returned. Rage contorteu his face
and his voice shook with passion as
he haarSely whispered
Someone has beaten us to it, 1t is
gone-every sinker of it. We will have
to wait until morning" Like whipped
ours they crept out into the night for
getting i'll their rage and diSappoint-
ment to close the cellar door behind
them.
Early morning found all the mem
hers Of the household astir save Ethel,
As they were about to summon her TO
breakfast she burst among them, her
face white and her hnir streaming
down her back. a Navajo blanket drawn
about her slender figure.
The gold - she cried exeitedly, as
she clutehed John. 1T Is gone-van-
ished as mirage" With EXPLANATIONS
of establishment and unbelief all rush
ed into her room. 1t was as bare of
the treasure as n garnet.
Morgan turned upon Davis with an
ugly scowl.
Seems to me that it is up to you
To explain this disappearance, Davis"
Holly the other answered him.
Il know no more about il than do
YOU And if you dare insinuate that
Ethel"
An exclamation from the girl drew
their eyes from each other and look
ing ut the floor at which she was point
ing they saw the loosened board
night before. With one accord they
rushed into the cellar and stood gaz-
ing at the freshly dug tunnel and other
signs of the thiefs work. Davis.
whirlng upon Morgan. addressed him
coldly.
You suspected me. Morgan, but how
about yourself? Who opened that cell
ar door. and who made that holef"
"Do you mean" burst forth the
Hawk as with simulated anger he
made a step toward the other. Davis
doubled his fists.
No" cred Ethel as she sprang be-
tween them I'VE will have no fighting
here. We have other things to do"
| With last evil glance at his success
full rival, Morgan followed, by the
Spider, left the room.
II believe you are upon The right
track. John" said the girl as the pair
disappeared. Slowly he shook his
head.
No I think I was in the wrong,
Ethel. As a matter of fact | lost my
temper and said what / had no right
to. 1t is the work of that mad Hermit
no doubt.
"Then why does he attack only you,
she asked quickly"
at does seem strange" was his
thoughtful reply.
Within the harness room Morgan
whirled upon his follower.
| Hey are DeSlllIlulS III suspect ihe
and we have got to disabuse their lit
tie minds Davis has been the victim
too many times, now | suppose / have
| got to be the goat to even things up
Come along" Gathering up two lariats
they started up the mountain side.
| Shortly later they reached the brink
of cliff that overlooked a valley, the
opposite side of which was a long
rifle shot away. Here Morgan threw
| himself upon the ground while the
| Spider, grinning over his task, bound
him with one of the ropes, then loop
ing one end of the other about his
chiefs body secured the other end to
tree. Having made sure that every
thing was secure he raised the Hawk
in his arms and carrying him to the
edge of the cliff lowered him over the
| lip, and with last chuckle at his com
panion's plight went hurrying away
Soon later he entered the living room
to confront Davis and Ethel. The for.
| mer arose.
"Where is Morganf" he asked sole
| itousry, seeing the Spider alone. 81
| hope ne did not take me seriously
HE felt terribly about it and went
off by himself an hour or so ago." was