Graham guardian., 1922-09-12
The foreman came panting up to the
door nf fbo yhank

been telling them the safes full Of
money and that they're going to be
laid off because of the fire."
Wilton reflected moment, while
the engineers gathered anxiously about
him.
"They can't open the safe" said
Wilton. AT least, there's only one
man can, and he's been at it already.
No, never mind what I mean! / don't
want bloodshed. I'll open 1t and show
1t to them" He turned to one of the
engineers. "Take four men with you
and hurry to the store and see that no
harm comes to Miss Mcdonald and
her father" he ordered. "And take
this he added, picking the revolver
out of the drawer and handing 1t to
him.
YOU'D better come too, Mr.. Carruth-
ers,' the man suggested.
"No. I'll stay here" said Wilton.
Hurry r.
The engineer picked four men and
they hurried down the road. Andersen
and two others remained with Wilton.
Hardly had the party left when the
mob came streaming cut of the bunk
houses toward the office, shouting and
yelling.
Seeing the four men standing In the
doorway, however, they hesitated TO
rush them, probably In the belief that
they were armed, and stood off, ours
ing them.
Speak up" shouted Wilton, "What
is 1t you. men wantf"
The shouts died away to a mutter-
Ing. A spokesman stepped forward.
I'VE want the money in the safe,
and well have It J" he shouted. I'VE
all know you set the fire because the
lines busted, and you've got the safe
choek-fuil Of money. You've worked
Us like dogs all summer, and now
you're going to lay us off because the
company's busted. You'd better hand
II over"
Evidently somebody had been telling
the men that tale. Wilton was anx-i
ious to try peaceful methods. I
There's no money In the SAFE" he
answered. "Send deputation of three
men and you can examine it,"
The Hunkies. who for the most part
understood him very well, looked at
one another uncertainty. They were
as docile as lambs without leadership.
But they had a leader; the outlaw
Tonguay stepped forward out Of the
crowd
"Come along, boys, he's fooling you"
he yelled. smash his head for him F.!
Give them what's coming to theml"
But he skunk back into their midst
as the believing mob rushed forward.
Wilton noticed that he was lingering
a revolver in his coat pocket. He walt
ed till the mob was close upon the
shack. He had calculated that an In
stants hesitation would follow, seized
1t and sprang into their midst, strik-
Ing out right and left and telling
drunken laborer at every blow. AS
Tonguay fumbled desperately with the
trigger of the weapon In his pocket,
Wilton dealt him a smashing blow
that knocked him senseless. He
stopped, took the revolver and turned
and faced his assailants.
"Now, men," he said crisply "Pte
told you that you shall examine the
safe, and I'll keep my word. Three of
You enter. The rest will wait out
side"
After a pause three of the workmen
came forward uncertainty. Wilton
took them inside the shack, opened the
safe door and took out the contents,
package by package.
Satisfied there's no money! he
asked.
~ guess that's so," admitted the
leader of the men, reluctantly.
"Then get OUT said Wilton, driving
them toward the door.
The three rejoined their companions
and, with sullen mutterings, the work
men lurched away aimlessly, and to-
tally unable to unite. on any further
plan for aggression now that their
leader was gone. Andersen and one
Of the engineers picked up Tonguay
and brought him into the shack. The
man was still Unconscious. However.
he showed signs Of coming to shortly.
, "Jules Is dead" said Wilton quietly.
"Jules deadr shouted Andersen.
"Murdered. It was Lee Chambers,
He must have been hanging round the
camp. He got into the safe, too, but
was scared away before he took any.
thing. Come insIdel"
At the sight of the dead man on the
bed Andersen swore softly.
HE must have been with those two
liquor peddlers." said Andersen. Il
guess they set the fire, all right"
II guess they did," said Wilton.
"And I want you to so on to the next
camp and telephone In to Clayton and
get the police up here right away
81 done 1t, Mr.. Carruthers," said An
dersen. 'You see. sir. just as soon as
the fire began ! seen that gasoline on
the engine sheds. And I'd heard the
men talking, because picked up lit
tie OF their language. l knew there
was trouble coming, and 'phoned Mr.
Quain. He said he'd get. an engine
and come right up with some Of bis
men"
swell done 7" said Wilton, "WeIl