The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1919-06-13
CHAPTER Kill.
The Second Wayfarer Receives TWO
Visitors at Midnight.

Visitors at Midnight.
The coroner's inquest over the bod
les of Room and Paul was held that
afternoon at st. Elizabeth. Witnesses
from Harris Tavern were among those
to testify. The verdict was Murder
at the hands of parties unknown"
Sprouse did not appear at the Tav-
ern until long after nightfall. The Sc
cret agent listened somewhat indiffer
emily to the latter's account of his
telephone experiences. At nine o'clock
he yawned prodigiously and announced
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.
sit is expected, believe"
"But, my dear man, we are to I'M
dertake-"
81 have some cause for believing
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 gentle tapping on Barnes
door. He sprang to his feet and
hfyncalf hnforo
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
tails, followed blindly but CALAMITY
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 a halt. "This is the
short cut to Green Fancy" he whis-
pered, laying his hand on Barnes
arm. "We save four or five miles,
coming this way. Do you know where
we are?"
81 haven't the remotest idea"
"About a quarter of mile below
Curtis house. Are you all right?"
"Fine as fiddle, except for a
barked knee and skinned elbow. a
couple of more or less busted ribs.
I've banged into more trees than"
"Sh!" After a moment of silence,
intensified by the mournful squawk of
night birds and the chorus of katy
xyh;cr,nrnh SfTlid
hear that?'
Barnes thrilled. This was real mel
odrama. "Hear what" he whispered
shilly.
.Listenw After a second or two
"ThereT"
"It's a woodpecker hammering on
the limb of "a"
"W'oodpeckers don't hammer at
night my lad. Don't stir! Keep your
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. They
scarcely breathed until the sounds
pissed entirely out of hearing. Sprouse
put his lips close to Barnes ear.
Telegraph" he whispered. Its a
system they have of reporting TO each
other. There are two men patroling
the grounds near the house. You see
what we're up against, Barnes. Do
you still want to go on with it?"
"I'll stay by YOU" replied Barnes
sturdily.
Several minutes went by. There
was not sound save the restless pat
ter of rain in 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, a hoarse gasp, momen-
tary commotion in the shrubbery,
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 man.
"Take care! Lend hand" whis-
pered Sprouse.