Middletown transcript., 1922-09-16

"They can't open the safe," said
Wilton. "At least, there's only one
man can, and he's been at 1t already.
No, never mind what meant l 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.
mo, I'll stay here" said Wilton.
"Hurry!"
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 out 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, curs-
ing them.
Speak upw shouted Wilton. "What
is it you men want?"
The shouts died away to a mutter
ing. A spokesman stepped forward.
I'VE want the money in the safe,
and we'll have it! he shouted. "We
all know you set the fire because the
lines busted, and you've got the safe
chock- full 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
it over"
Evidently somebody had been telling
the men that tale.
"Theres 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 we'll. looked at
: one another uncertainty. They were
. as docie as lambs without leadership.
, But they had leader; the outlaw
r Tonguay stepped forward out of the
crowd.
e "Come along, boys, he's fooing you 7"
J. he yelled. "Smash his head for him !
4 Give them what's coming to them!'
: But he SUNK back into their midst
/ as the believing mob rushed forward.
i Wilton noticed that he was lingering
a revolver in his coat pocket. He wait
d ed till the mob was close upon the
d shack. He had calculated that an in
n stunt's hesitation would follow. seized
r il and sprang into their midst, strk-
ing out right and left and telling a
J. drunken laborer at every blow. AS
Tcnguay fumbled desperately with the
trigger of the weapon in his pocket
Wilton dealt him smashing blow
that knocked him senseess. He
o stooped, took the revolver and turned
j. and faced his assailants.
le "Now, men," he said crisply. "Pve
le told you that you shall examine the
ct safe, and I'll keep my word. Three OF
YOU enter. The rest will wait out
s. side"
After pause three of the workmer
Ia came forward uncertainty. WiitoI
RS took them inside the shack, opened th,
I'd safe door and took out the contents
IL package by package.
Satisfied there's no money!" HI
ie asked.
" 81 guess that's so," admitted tn,
&c leader of the men, reluctantly.
- - "Then get out" said Wilton, driving
,a them toward the door.
nj The three rejoined their companion
I'd and, with sullen mutterings, the work
men lurched away aimlessly, and tC
nc tally unable to unite on any furthe
nv plan for aggression now that thei
N. leader was gone. Andersen and on
of the engineers picked up Tongua
and brought him into the shack. Th
man was still unconscious. However
"Jules is Dead" said Wilton quietl,
Jules dead?" shouted Andersen.
IN Murdered. 1t was Lee Chamber
He must have been hanging round til
HI camp. He got into the safe, too, BIT
IL was scared away before he took an.
JM thing. Come inside"
I8D At the sight of the dead man on I'll
|W bed Andersen swore softly.
IN "He must have been with those tN
IN liquor peddlers," said Andersen.
Nm guess they set the fire, all right"
Il guess they did," said Wilto
I'll And want you to go on to the ne,
IN camp and telephone in to Clayton al
get the police up here right away
II done it, Mr.. Carruthers," said A
dersen. you see, sir, just as soon
! the fire began l seen that gasoline {
the engine sheds. And I'd heard Il
men talking, because picked up Il
tie of their language. l knew the
was trouble coming, and 'phoned NJ
NJ Quain. He said he'd get an engil
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES