The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1920-02-06

could gain no glimpse OF the approach
| ing figures, but heard the crunch OF
J their boots on the gravel of the drive
way, and a moment later the sound Of
their feet as they mounted the wooden
steps. Kirby must have perceived the
forms of the other men as soon as he
attained the porch level, and his nat
urally disagreeable voice had snarly
ring.
"That you, Donaldson? Have either
of those women come backY
mo-" and I thought the sheriff's
answer was barely cordial. 1--WE amt
seen nobody What did you learn
down at the Landin'?"
Nothing" savagely. Haven't found
d trace except that Haines
hasn't been home since before dark ;
some niger came for him then. Is
that girl safe inside?"
"Sure; just as you left her, but she
won't talk. Tim tried her again, but
it's no use; she wudn't even answer
him."
"Well, by Heaven! I'll lind way to
make her open her mouth. She knows
| where those two are hiding. They
haven't had no time to get far away,
and I'll bring her to her senses before
l am through. Come on, Carver; I'll
show the wench who's master here, If
1 have to lick her like common mig
ger"
| The front door opened and closed,
/ l.. {,,-a ctanlinU in
| silence, the stiffness between them
| finally broken by muttered curse.
I drew back hastily, but in silence,
eager to get away before the sheriff
and his deputy should return to their
seats by the porch rail. My original
plan of warning the women of the
house of their peril was blocked, COM
pletely overturned by the presence of
these men. Beyond all question those
| had hoped TO serve were already
aware of their pOsition-sOmeone had
reached them before me-and two at
least were already in hiding. Why
the third, the one most deeply in
voIved, had failed to accompany the
others, could not be cOmprehended.
The mystery only made my present
task more difficult. Why should Della.
the slave, disappear in company with
Eloise, the free. and leave her own
daughter Rene behind to face stu
alton more terrible than death? I
could not answer these questions; but
whatever the cause the result had
been the complete overthrow of the
gamblers carefully prepared plans.
Not that believed he would hesitate
for long, law or no law; but Donald
son, the sheriff, refused to be party
TO any openly Illegal act, and this
hands. Not until Miss Eloise was
found and duly served with the evic-
ton papers would Donaldson consent |
to take possession of a single slave. |
This might still give me time for ac-
ton.
/ Slipped along in the shadow OF |
the house, without definite plan Of ac- |
ton but with firm purpose to act. I
The side door 1 knew to be securely |
locked, yet first of all it was essen
tial that / attain to the interior. But |
one means to this end occurred to /
unshaded window through |
which the glow of light continued to
stream. found could reach the
edge of the, balcony with extended fin
gers, and drew myself slowly up I'M
til / chung to the railing, with feet
finding precarious support on the
outer rim. This was accomplished
and from the vantage
point thus obtained / was enabled to
survey a large portion of the room.
/ clambered over the rail. assured
by the first glance that the room was
empty, and succeeded in lifting the
heavy sash a few inches without any
noise. Then it stuck, and
even as / ventured to exert my
strength to greater extent to force it
upward, the single door directly oppo-
site, evidently leading into the hall,
was flung violently open and | sank
back out of view, yet instantly aware
hat the first party to enter was Joe
Kirby. He STROBE forward to the table,
striking the wooden top angrily with
lis fist and knocking something crash
ng to the floor.
"You know where she is, don't your
,e asked. in the same threatening
one he had used without.
"Of course / do; didn't help put
Ter there2" II was Carver who re-
lied. standing in the open doorway
"Then bring the hussy in here.
will make the wench talk If /
ave to choke it out of her; she'll
earn what 1T means to be a niger"
had but moment In which to :
bserve the man. for almost immedi-
Itely Carver flung the door of the
DOM open and Kirby swung impa-
iently about to face the entrance. Ex-
ept for possibility Of thus attract
ng the attention Of the newcomer I
vas in no special danger Of being de-
ected by those Within Carver thrust
er forward but remained himself
locking the doorway. use the word
hrust, for noted the grip Of his hand
n her arm, yet in truth she instantly
topped forward herself, her bearing
4 no way devoid Of pride and dignity,
er lead held erect, her ewes fearless