The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1921-04-21


IN his eyes and his muscles hardened
with excited tension. He knew the
shanty TO which Gardiner referred, as
they had once been there together,
and he resolved that if there were go
ing TO be any ''dOingS" in that locali-
~ tonight he would furnish a share Of
the excitement. Unfortunately, the
ford was on a crOss-rOad little used.
and it was two miles back TO the
ranch. By the time Travers reached
the ranch buildings, caught and sad
died his horse, made a fruitless search
for his revolver, substituted a rifle
which lay at hand. and at length
found himself upon the trail, darkness
was setting in, and Gardiner and Rifles
had many miles start of him.
When the two plotters stopped to let
their horses drink at the ford Gardiner
suddenly broke off from their CONVEX
satiOn to make a few remarks about
Travers and Harris. Riles had lis
tened indifferently until his eye caught
sight of Travers, half concealed
among the cOttOn-wOOds that fringed
the stream. He clutched Gardeners
arm.
"S-s-sh," he cautioned. "Jim's just
behind the bank. I'm sure 1 saw him,
an he heard you, too"
Good" said Gardiner, quite undis-
turbed. "Now we can go on" They
refined up their horses and plunged into
the swiftly-running water. "You see,"
said Gardiner, as the horses took the
opposite bank with great strides, their
wet hoOfs slipping on the round boul-
ders that fringed the stream-"You
see, knew Jim was there all the time.
Those remarks were intended for his
benefit
"It's all quite simple. Jim will hurry
back to the ranch, saddle his horse,
and follow US. By the way, didn't
tell him I borrowed his revolver. That
may delay him some. But he should
arrive at the shack in time to be TAX
ing a few stealthy observations just
about the moment the Harrises are
hunting for their money bag. l hope
Allan doesn't use that shotgun on him.
A shotgun makes an awful hole In
man, Riles'
Rifles experienced an uncanny feel
ing up his spine.
'Well," continued Gardiner 81 prom
ised to lay the whole plan before you,
when we were safe on the road with
no possibility Of any strange ears
cooked for what a man might happen
to say. It's all easy sailing now. The
big thing was TO get them on the road
with the coin. That's what l needed
you for, Rifles. And you didn't do too
bad. had to prod you along bit, but
you'll thank me for it when it's all
over.
Now this is how it will work out,
TO T. The two Harrises will get up
to the shanty about dark. They'll pitch
camp there and begin to wonder when
we'll be along. Well, we won't be
along until it's good and dark, even if
we have to kill time on the road. If
Travers catches up on us We'll just let
him make one of the party, which will
be sort of embarrassing for Jim. But
he won't catch up. Well when it's
good and dark-there'n be no moon till
after midnight-and they're both
sleepy with their long drive in the high
altitude, we will arrive near by. You
will go up to the door and take look
dow and do the same. There's no
glass in the window, and there's no
door on, either, as I remember. Wen
size up things inside, particularly the
location of the coin. Then you show
yourself. Tell 'em have the owner of
the mine out there in the trees, but the
old fellow won't come in until he has
a talk with them. Tell 'em they better
not show the money until they chat
with him few minutes. Likely they'll
fall for that, as they don't seem to
have the slightest suspicion. But If
they balk at leaving the money let
them bring it along. Once out in the
dark the rest will be easy. But fig
ure they'll leave the money In the
shack-it's just for few minutes, you
knOw-and they'll reason that it's safe
enough with no one but ourselves With
in miles. Well, you lead then of
down through the bush. AS soon as
you do that I'll slip in through the
window. gather up the long green and
cache it somewhere in the scrub. You
won't be able to find me at first, but
when you do I'll say that the old fell
low wanted to go up to the shack him
self TO meet them, and let him go.
Then We'll all go back to the shack,
and find both the money and the old
mantle mine owner, you know
missing. Then Wen start a hue and
cry and all hit into the bush. You and
will gather up the spoil and make a
quiet getaway for the night. OF course,
We'll have TO turn up in the morning
to avert suspicion. but we can tell them
we got on the robbers trail and fol-
lowed it until we lost ourselves in the
BUSH In the meantime the HAIRLESS
will be tearing around in great excite
ment, and they're almost sure to run
on to Travers. Harris recently fired
Travers. and Allan had fight with
him, if you told me right, so it's not
likely they'll listen to any explana-
lions. They'll turn him over to the
police, and as it's the business of the
police to get convictions. they'll have
to frame up a case against him or be
made to look stupid-and that's the
last thing policeman likes. Then
you and l will quietly divide the pro-
ceeds Of our investment. and you can
go back to your farm. If you like, and
live to a ripe old age and get write