Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1922-10-19
CHAPTER XIV
Wilton Rides Alone.

LIE Horses, released during the nre,
were grazing along the edge; they
were wary, however, and would not
let themselves be approached. For
some minutes the men made fruitlesS
efforts to surround them.
However, Wilton managed to catch
the name of big draught-beast
which had been in the front row of
the grading yokes and, despite its
clumsy appearance, had taken the sad
die and had tOlerable action.
But hardly had he made sure of it
by grasp on the name and upper lip
than the remainder, snOrting and
tlourishing their heels, dashed through
the Gordon and gallOped full speed to-
ward the lake.
We'll be with you in a minute, Mr..
Carruthersw shouted one of the men
as they went in pursuit.
But Wilton, without answering, had
sprung on the beasts back and, lean
ing forward, caught the broken halter
and guided it across the swamp. He
had no doubt that the outlaws who had
set the fire were responsible for Mol
ly's abduction and, if the trail led up
to Bowyer, as he was sure it would,
God help Bowyer!
In a couple Of minutes he had put
on the saddle and tautened the girth
bridled the animal and was riding hard
along the southwark trail, unarmed.
Meanwhile the rest of the party
spent a fruitless half-hour trying to
catch horses. At length, after a con-
sultation, they hurried back to the
camp, collected a few more Canadians
and Americans, and started out after
Wilton, leaving a half-dozen to keep
the workmen in check
In the shack Tonguay stared apa-
thetically at Andersen, who sat with
the revolver in his hand, keeping
watch over his captive.
You t'ink I kill dat teller, eh?" he
demanded after while.
81 dunno, my FRIEND" answered An
dersen. 'If you did, guess you'll
swing for it. all right"
"See here! Jim Hackett tole me to
come here an tell de men deres money
in de safe, an dey're fools to be
worked like dogs and den be laid off
because de company's busted. OATS
all l know. tole dem to get der pay
what was coming to DEM"
"POs-seebly," said Andersen. "You
was fool to do it, though. That
story's for the police; it amt for me.
You can tell the inspector when he
gets here"
''See here! You let me go!" yelled
Tonguay. 81 didn't do noting. What
for you arrest me-"
"Boss's ORDERS" said Andersen,
gruffly. "That'll be enough. Set down
like good Teller, now"
"You lie l tell you / didn't do dat !"
screamed Tonguay, sinking back into
his chair and shuddering.
They watched each other for some
time. 1t was beginning to grow light.
Suddenly the trample Of horses was
heard outside. Then Inspector Quain
appeared at the door Of the shack, ac-
companied by four mounted consta-
bles.
Had considerable trouble, eh?" he
said, dismouhting and casting glance
about him at the burned-out buildings
and the still burning sheds.
THAT fire was set by enemies of
the Missatibi," shouted one of the en-
gineers. And we've got one of the
men in there!" He pointed toward the
shack.
Quain turned to his men, who were
awaiting the order to dismount.
Round up those men in their bunk
houses and keep the lot of 'em under
guard!" he said, pointing toward the
groups of laborers that had gathered
about the horses.
The constables drove the Hunkies
back toward their quarters. 1.-TWO Of
you'll be enough ~ shouted Quain after
them. "The other two-Beckett and
GAINESVILLE dismount and rest their
horses. I'll want you chapsw
you've had some trouble" said
Quain to Andersen.
"Why, this amt trouble inspector"
answered the Swede. "You yust look
Inside that room. l guess it amt the
worst, what told you already"
Quain strobe to the door of WiIton's
bedroom, uttered sharp exclamation
Ind bent over the body of Jules. He
tame back quickly.
"Who killed that Indian?' he asked.
lee Chambers, l guess"
"TelI me what you know'
"Why, all / know is he done some
rooked work on the trestling and
heat it out Of camp before Mr.. Car
ruthers had time to fire him. Last
night he came back after the fire,
which | guess that Teller there knows
something about"
ri tell you l don know noting"
YELLED Tonguay, who seemed in the ex.
ttenity Of panic.
s"AIr Carruthers said Mr.. Chambers
lgaed Jules there and got into the
lie. dunno no more than that
lfye-" ...
Suddenly, with a frenzled scream