The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1920-11-11

given the exaggeration Of saying it
was horrifying-to consider that the
diary was being handled by a con-
stable, q sheriff or a coroner or even
by any idler or resort-keeper in the
village of Norwich.
If the automobile accident had dis
posed of one ingenious enemy only to
make a half-dozen equally 'lnscrupu-
lous ones, or 10 apprise q was tempted
to think this was worse) one incor-
ruptible officer of the condition of
Hartley house-in either event, we
were the worse for the change in Cir
cumstance.
One of the stablemen knew how to
drive a car, and asked him to bring
out the automobile which used when
I went to town. The chauffeur, when
he returned, would have been up most
of the night. did not want to impose
on him. I>might be gone most of the
day. In half-hour we were away
toward Norwich. 1 never had been
over the road, which ran by old farms
with stone fences and was little trav-
eled except by the people who lived
along it.
Originally the place had respect,
able tavern. 1t was called the White
Owl. 1t was still respectable, but odd
ly enough, it was the success Of the
White Owl which had attracted the
other places.
/ inquired for the constable and was
told that / should likely find Jim at,
the White Owl; he being frequenter.
of that place and now having case.
which needed great deal of drinking.
and talking over.
I went to the White Owl and on en-
tering the barroom, which really had
an attractive rather than a disreputa-
Bile appearance, saw group of men
about a short, broad, square-shoul-
dered fellow who was talking to the
interest of half dozen or more fell
lows.
NV entrance made no diversion, and
Judging, from what | had been told,
that the squat, talkative fellow was
the constable and that he was telling
the story wanted to know, I decided
TO remain unidentified. have a bottle
of beer-from the bartender, who
came half-heartedly from the con-
stables narration-and thus as an
eavesdropper get what ! came to get
in direct conversation.
had my bottle of beer, and the bar
tender went back to the group, domi-
mated by the squat, talkative fellow.
He was not the comic type of con-
| stable. He showed intelligence and
decision, but evidently he was fond of
a story when he had it to tell. He was
saying:
.I was up late because there was a
bad set at the Half Day, and Bill
Daley thought he might have trouble
| with them before he got them on their
way. About one o'clock they had a
quarrel, without anything but talk,
divided into two sets and went away
| in two cars toward the city. Bill and
/ split bottle of beer, and Bill said
he'd be going himself. It was nearly
one-thirty then, and thought I'd wait
up for Number Eleven at two O'clock
and see If anyone got off.
"Bill gave me the keys and told me
| to shut the place up. | had another
bottle of beer and was playing soil
taire on the bar when Number Eleven
stopped.
II went to the front door OF the bar
and looked over toward the station. A
man had got off, and he was headed
toward the Half Day. which was the
| only place showing light. I waited
in the doorway, and when he came
mo. / saw he was foreigner. He had
gold rings in his ears.
"He made as If he wanted to come
| in. He didn't speak enough English
/ for me to make out what he was say
! ing. let him in. and he went up to
the bar put down quarter and point
| ed toward the whisky. / gave him the
/ bottle and he pointed to me and
smiled. So said ! didn't mind If
] did, and we had q drink together.