Carroll County democrat. (Huntingdon, Tenn.) 188?-1971, 1921-03-04
CHAPTER xI--continued.

ION my account? What more ae-
count mine than yOursf
"Well, you see Harris, no doubt
has your letter slowed away some
where. and 1t would make bad evil
dence for you. don't think 1t men
lions me at all. Besides, know way
through pass in these mountains,
and If It doesn't turn out right-why,
I'm glad / know the way. You see,
rye nothing to lose, and nobody to
worry over me. But it's different
with you, Hiram. You have wife and
fine farm down in Manitoba, and It
would be inconvenient for you to slip
away without notice. So | say that
on your account we mustn't let It fail"
"You didn't say nothin' about that
before. / notice" said Rifles.
"YoN mustn't expect me to do your
private thinking as well as that Of the
firm," Gardiner retorted. "You had
the facts-why didn't you patch them
together for yourself? You're in
mess now If things don't go right.
But, as / 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 astOnlshed 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
Rifles, who would only hoard 1t up,
and who had plenty of money already?
Not at all. Rifles might sue him for
his share, if he wanted to-and could
find him, to serve notice! On the 9th
err hand, Riles' slow wits had quick
ened to the point Of perceiving that
there lay before him 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
Harrises 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,
and 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 1t. = The idea grew upon
Riles, and he rode along in a frame Of
mind bordering upon cheerfulness.
1t 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 heavy
clump of trees. A faint glimmer OF
light shone through it.
THAT'S the shack he whispered
"They have a lantern there. We bet
ter get off the road and tether our
horses in this coulee."
They turned down narrow raylne
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 nc
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 o.
the lantern came from the building
shining in a long, fading wedge from
the sashless window, but seemed
strangely obscure about the door. Al
they approached this mystery was re
vealed; blanket was seen to hant
over the doorway.
That's a good sign," whispered
Gardner. "0ne, or both Of them, ar
sleeping. That's why they feel tn
cold. If they had stayed awake the!
would have built a fire and perhap
walked about outside"
They paused for moment to listen
The night was moonless and starry
except where bank of clouds cam
drifting up from the southwest.
moist breeze, smelling Of soft, noun
tain snow, gently stirred the tree
about them. But from the shanty n
sound could be discerned. They ar
} preached nearer, and still nearer.
''Now, you 60 TO the door, and II
take the window" Gardiner ordered
"Shove the blanket aside a little an
size Up the situation before you speal
We must make sure they're there, an
there alone"
Gardiner waited until he saw Rile
fumbling carefully with the blanke
that hung in the doorway. Then b
darted quickly to the window.
While Allan sat in the little cabin b
gradually became oppressed with
sense of great loneliness. From tim
70 time he looked at the face of HI
sleeping father, and. suddenly th
| knowledge struck him like a knife tbs
It was the face of an old man. ALA
I could see plainly the deepening fu
rows In his strong, still handsome fac
! As ne looked vast tenderness mil
Rled with hIs loneliness: be wOul