The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1919-06-27
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that one Of those chaps in there Is
from Green Fancy. Go to bed at ten
o'clock, my friend, and put out your
light. I don't insist on your taking
off your clothes, however. will rap
on your door at eleven o'clock. BY
the way, don't forget to stick your re-
volver in your pocket"
A few minutes before eleven there
came a gentle tapping on Barnes
door. He sprang to his feet and
opened 1t, presenting himself before
Sprouse fully dressed and, as the Sc
cret agent said later on, aft to kill"
The night was as black as pitch.
Barnes, trusting to the little mans
eyes and hanging close upon his coat
tails, followed blindly but gallant!y
in the tracks Of the leader. 1t seemed
to him that they stumbled along par
allel to the road for miles before
Sprouse came to halt. 'This Is the
short cut TO Green Fancy" he whls-
pered, laying his hand on Barnes
arm. eve save four or five miles,
coming this way. Do you know where
we are?"
IT haven't the remotest idea.'
"About a quarter Of mile below
Curtis house. Are you all right2"
"Fine as q fiddle, except for a
bGrked knee and a skinned elbow, q
couple of more or less busted ribs.
I've banged into more trees than"
"Sh" After a moment of silence,
intensified by the nournful squawk Of
night birds and the chorus Of katy
dds, Sprouse whispered, did you
hear that?"
Barnes thrilled. This was real mel
odrama. "Hear what?" he whispered
shilly.
"Listen!" After a second or two:
'There"
Its a woodpecker hammering on
the limb Of a"
"Woocpeckers don't hammer at
night, my lad. Don't stir! Keep your
ears open"
Sprouse ciutched his companions
arm and, dropping to his knees In the
thick underbruah, pulled the other
down after him.
Presently heavy footsteps ap
preached. An unseen pedestrian
passed within ten yards Of them. They
scarcely breathed until the sounds
passed entirely out Of hearing. Sprouse
put his lips close to Barnes ear.
telegraph" he whispered. ITS q
system they have of reporting to each
other. There are two men patrolling
the grounds near the house. You see
what we're up against, Barnes. Do
you still want to go on with 1t?"
"Tn stay by you," replied Barnes
sturdily.
Several minutes went by. There
was not sound save the restless pat
ter Of rain ia the tree tops. At last
the faraway thud of footsteps came to
the ears of the tense listener. They
drew nearer, louder, and once more
seemed to be approaching the very
spot where he crouched.
Then came the sound Of a dull,
heavy blow, hOarse gasp, a momen-
tary commotion In the shrubb4y,
and-again silence. Barnes blood ran
cold. He waited for the next football
of the passing man. 1t never came.
A sharp whisper reached his ears.
"Come here-quick"
He fioundered through the brush and
almost fell PROSTATE over the kneel-
ing figure Of a man.
"Take care! Lend a hand" whis.
pered Sprouse.
Dropping to his knees, Barnes felt
for and touched wet, coarse garments,
and gasped:
my God! Have you killed MmT'
Temporarily" said Sprouse, be-
tween his teeth. "Here, unwind the
rope I've got around my waist. Take
the end-here. Got a knife? Cut OF
section about three feet long. I'll
get the gag in his mouth while you're
II uOluS L. 1du6ucu always SohhJ IhSAA
own ropes" he concluded, with grew
some humor. "Got it cut? Well, cut
two more sections, same length"
With incredible swiftness the TIVE
Of them bound the feet, knees and
Il arms Of the inert victim.
"T came prepared" said Spr0use, 90
calmly that Barnes marveled at the
iron nerve Of the maR.
"By heaven, Sprouse, II believe
he's dead. We've haven't any right
to kill "a"
"Don't be finicky," snapped Sprouse
ut wasn't much of crack, and II
was necessary" Strengthening up
with sigh Of satisfaction, he laid his
hand on Barnes shoulder. "We've
just got to 60 through with it now
Barnes. Well never get another
chance. Putting that fellow out OF
business queers US forever afterward.'
He dropped to his knees and began
searching over the ground with his
hands. "Here it Is. You can't see 1t