Mansfield mirror. (Mansfield, Wright County, Mo.) 1908-1957, 1919-07-03
CHAPTER XIII.
The Second Wayfarer Receives TWO
Visitors at Midnight.

The coroner'S inquest over the bod
los Of Room and Paul was held that
afternoon at st. Elizabeth. Witnesses
from Harris Tavern were among those
10 testify. The verdict was Murder
at the hands of parties unknown
Sprouse did not appear AT the raw
ern until long after nightfall. The Sc
cret agent listened somewhat indifter-
emily TO the latter'S account or his
telephone experiences. At nine O'CLOCK
he yawned prodigiouSly and ~nounc
that he was going to bed, greatly to
the surprise of Mr.. Barnes, who fol-
lowed him from the taproom and de-
manded an explanation.
People usually go to bed at night
don't they" said Sprouse patiently.
at is expected, | believe"
Put. my dear man. We are to un-
dertake-"
Il have some cause for believing
that one of those chaps in there is
from Green Fancy. Go TO bed at ten
o'rlnck, my friend, and put out your
light. | don't insist on your taking
OF 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 it, presenting himself before
Sprouse fully dressed and, as the Sc
/ cret agent said later on, fit to KILL
The night was as black as pitch.
Barnes, trusting to the little mans
eyes and hanging close upon his coat
I tails. followed blindly but calamity
in the tracks Of the leader. 1t seemed
to him that they stumbled along par
, aIlel to the road for miles before
SprOuse came to a halt. This is the
short cut to Green Fancy" he whis-
pered. laying his hand or Barnes
! arm. we save four or five miles,
coming this way. Do you know where
We are?"
~ haven't the remotest idea"
about a quarter of Il mile below
Curtis house. Are you all rightf'
Fine as a fiddle. except for a
harked knee and u skinned elbow, a
couple of more OF less busted ribs
I've banged into more trees than
Ssh" After a moment of silence
intensified by the mournful squawk OF
night birds and the chorus Of katy
dds. Sprouse whispered, "Did yor
hear that"
Barnes thrilled. This was real mel
odrama. Hear what!' he whispered
shilly.
Listen" After a second or two
"There!"
ITS a woodpecker hammerirg OF
the limb of "a"
"Woodpeckers don't hammer o.
night, my lad. Don't stir! Keep you
ears open"
sprouse clutched his companions
arm and, dropping to his knees in the
thick underbrush, pulled the Other
down after him.
Presently heavy footsteps ap
preached. An unseen pedestrian
passed within ten yards Of them. The,
scarcely breathed until the sounds
passed entirely out of hearing. Sproust
put his lips close 10 Barnes ear.
"Telegraph," he whispered. ITS 6
system they have Of reporting to eacf
other. There are two men patrollins
the grounds near the house. You SCI
what we're up against, Barnes. d.
you still want to go on with it,"
"Tll stay by you" replied Barne'
sturdily.
Several minutes went by. Their
was not "A sound save the restless pal
ter Of rain In the tree tops. AT las
the faraway thud Of footsteps came Il
the ears Of the tense listener. The.
drew nearer. louder. and once NOR
seemed TO be approaching the yer,
spot where he c%r0uched.
Then came the sound Of a dull
heavy blow, a hOarse gasp, a momen
tary cpnmptinn in the shrubber!
and--again silence. Barnes blood ral
cold. lie waited for the next fO0tfaI
of the passing man. 1t never am
A sharp whisper reached his ear.
"COue bere-quick
He f%iOundered through the brush AM
almost fell PROSTATE over the kneel
ing figure Of a n
Take care! Lend a hand" wits
perGd Sprouse.
Dropping to his knees, Barnes fel
for aud touched wet, coarse garments
: and pssnsd