The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1921-04-30
Copyright. All Right, ReselVec
CHAPTER xI-Continued.

"It's all quite easy" Gardiner con
tinued. "And if it should fail Their,
are dozen other ways just as easy
But we won't let it fail. We mustn'
let it fail, on your account"
ION my account? What more &C
count mine than yours?"
swell, you see, Harris, no doubt
has your letter slowed away some
where, and ii would make bad evi
dence for you. l don't think it men
lions me at all. Besides, know a way
through a pass in these mountains
and If it doesn't turn out right-why
I'm glad l know the way. You see
I've nothing TO 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 II
would be inconvenient for you to slip
away without notice. So l say that
on your account we mustn't let it fail"
you didn't say nothin' about that
| before, / notice." said Rifles.
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 Riles-
Riles. who would only hoard it 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
er 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
Rifles, 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 a 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 c0ulee."
They turned down a narrow ravine
With scarce room to walk single file
between the branching trees. They
led the horses where the woods closed
Ill about them, and there seemed no
'hance Of discovery.
Quietly, now" said Gardiner, as
hey stole toward the old building.
Things seem to be working out as we
but we must make sure of
very detail, so that we can change
he attack If necessary"
The two men stole up the rough
Dad leading to the hut. The glow Of
he lantern came from the building,
inning In long. fading wedge from