The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1921-04-28
CHAPTER xI-contInued.


ITS all quite easy" Gardiner con-
dnued- And II it should fail there
are dozen other ways Just as easy.
But we won't let 1t fail. We mustn't
let 1t fail, on your account"
~On my account1 What more &C
count mine than yoursP"
We'll, you see. Harris, no doubt.
has your letter slowed away some
where, and It would make bad evil
dence for you don't think 1t men,
lions me at all Besides, know a way
through pass In these mountains.
and II II doesn't turn out right-why.
I'm glad know the way. You see.
I've nothing 10 lose, and nobody TO
worry over me- But it's different
with you, Hiram You have a wife and
a fine farm down In Manitoba, and it
would be inconvenient for you to slip
away without notice. So l say that
on your account we mustn't let il fail. :"
You didn't say nOthIn' about that
before. 1 notice." said Riles.
"You mustn't expect me to do your
private thinking as we'll as that of the
firm" Gardiner retOrted. You had
the facts-why didn't you patch them
together for yourself? You're in a
mess now If things don't go right
But, as l said, I'm going to stick with
you and see that they do go right"
They rode along In silence in the
gathering darkness. Had they been
able to read each others minds they
would have been astOnished at the CO.
Incidence Of thought. Gardiner was
planning to make away with the mon
ey when he got out of the building.
Why should he divide with Rifles
Riles, who would only hoard II up.
and who had plenty Of money already :?
Not at all. Riles might sue him for
his share, II he wanted to-and could
ind him, to serve noticei On the 9TH
er hand, Riles' slow wits had quick
ened to the point OF perceiving that
there lay before him a chance of max
Ing $4,000 instead of $4,000, If he
only had the nerve to strike at the
strategic moment. When he got the
HAIRLESS out of the shack, by hook or
crook he would leave them and follow
Gardiner. He was much more than
Gardeners match in strength and he
had little fear of the revolver, prOvid-
ed he could take his adversary una
wares If the worst came to the worst
md he could not give the Harrises the
slip, he would take them with him, and
they would all come upon Gardiner
red-handed with the loot. Then he
would explain to Harris how he had
discovered Gardeners plot and frus-
trated II. The idea grew upon
Rifles, and he rode along in a frame OF
mind bordering upon cheerfulness.
II was now quite dark, and the
horses picked their steps carefully
along the hill side trails. At last Gar
diner drew up and pointed TO a heavy
clump Of trees. A faint glimmer Of
light shOne through II.
That's the shack" he whispered.
They have a lantern there. We bet
ter get on the road and tether our
horses In this cOulee."
Z They turned down a narrow ravine
with scarce room TO walk single file
between the branching trees. They
tied the horses where the woods closed
all about them, and there seemed no
chance OF discovery.
Quietly, now" said Gardiner. as
they stole toward the old building.
Things seem to be working out as we
planned. but we must make sure of
every detail, so that we can change
the attack If necessary"
The two men stole up the rough
road leading TO the hut. The glow of
the lantern came from the building.
shining in a long. fading wedge from