The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1921-05-26

10 be met by Riles and Gardiner, and
also, as they expected, by the owner
OF the mine, with whom they would
open direct negotiations, producing
the money as proof Of their desire and
ability to carry out their undertaking;
of how they hoped the owner would
be induced TO accept a deposit and ac-
company them back to town, where an
option would he secured from him for
a period sufficient to enable them 10
turn the property over 10 the New
York investors at a handsome profit;
of how he-Harris- by the
long ride in the bright, thin air, had
gone Ia sleep confidently with Allan
ar his side. and of how he had sudden
ly been awakened by q shot and heard
Allan spring TO his feet and rush
across the floor of the old building.
Then there had been another shOt-a
revolver shot this time-and every
thing was darkness, and he could hear
only something struggling at the door.
Then he told of his own fight; OF how
they had fallen and rolled about on
the rotten floor, and how, in despera-
ton, he had not hesitated TO use his
teeth on the hand of his assailant, who
had finally broken away and disap-
peared in the darkness. Then he told
the rest of his story; of his vigil with
Allan. of the loss of the money, of
the capture OF Travers, and finally of
the arrival OF the policeman on he
scene.
Didn't IT seem to you a foolish
thing 10 go into the hills with all that
money to meet a man you had never
seen, and buy property you had new
er examined?" asked the coroner.
ut wasn't foolishness; it was stark.
raving madness, as 1 see it now" Har-
ris admitted. But l didn't see it
that way then. 1t looked like lot OF
easy money. 1 didn't care what the
coal mine was LIKE didn't care
whether there was a coal mine at all
or not, so long as we made our turn
over to the New York people"
But did it not occur to you that
the whole thing-coal mine and mine
owner and New Workers and all-was
simply scheme Matched up to induce
you away into the Businesses Of the
foothills with a lot of money in your
possession
A half-bewildered look came over
Harris. as of a man gripped by a new
and paralyZed thought. But he shook
his head. No, it couldn't have been
that" he said. You see, Rifles was an
old neighbor of mine, and Mr.. Gardi-
ner, too, knew for a good many
years. 1t wasn't like as if had been
dealing with strangers"
I'VE will go deeper into that matter
after a little" said the coroner. It's
very fortunate Mr.. Gardiner is here
to add what light he can to the mys-
terry. We will now adjourn to the room
where the younger Mr.. Harris lies
and hear his evidence. 1t would be
unwise to move him for some days
yet"
II can't tell you how it happened.
Doctor" he said, turning his eyes,
larger now in his pale face. upon the
coroner, but think I got very home
sick-I guess 1 was pretty tired, too
and 1 began thinking of things that
had happened long ago, back when 1
was little child, in little sod shan
~ that the old shack in the valley
some way seemed to bring to mind.
And then 1 guess fell asleep, too, but
suddenly 1 sat up in a great fright.
I'm not a coward" he said, with a
faint smile. when I'm feeling myself
it takes more than a notion or a dark
night TO send the creeps up the back
of my neck. But own 1 sat up there
so frightened my teeth chartered. 1
had a feeling that 1 was going TO be
Attacked didn't know by what
maybe by a wild beast-but something
was going to rush in through that old
blanket hanging in the door and
pOunce on me-"
The sweat was standing on Allan's
face. and he sank back weakly into
the pillows. Beulah placed a glass to
his lips, and the doctor told him to
take his time with his story.
"As the minutes went by" Allan
continued, after an interval. that ter
rible dread grew upon me, and my
sense of danger changed from fear to
certainty. Something was going to at
tack me through that door, 1 raised
my gun and took careful aim. 1 saw
the blanket swing a little; then I saw
the fingers of mans hand. Then 1
fired.
. Perhaps 1 am a murderer" he con-
tinued. simply, but before God
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