The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1922-09-21
CHAPTER XIX

found himself wishing that he could
carry her forever. and that the road to
the sheriff's office were twenty miles
away instead of two. But her voice
cut in ON his wishes.
81 can walk now. We can get along
so much fasterl' came her plea. 'rll
hold on to yOu-and you can help me
along"
Fairchild released her and she seized
his arm. Once, as they flOundered
through a knee-high mass, Fairchild's
arm went quickly about her waist
and he lifted her against him as he
literally carried her through. When
they reached the other side, the arm
still held its place-and she did not
resist. Some way, after that, the
stretch of road faded swiftly. Almost
before he realized it, they were at the
outskirts of the city.
Grudgingly he gave up his hold up
on her, as they hurried for the side
walks and for the sheriff's Office. There
Fairchild did not attempt to talk-he
left it all to Anita, and Bardwel, the
sheriff, listened. Taylor Bill had con-
fessed to the robbery at the Old Times
dance and to his attempt to so ar
range the evidence that the blame
would fall on Harry. Taylor Bill and
Blindeye BOzeman had been caught at
work in a cross-cut tunnel which led
to the property of the Blue Poppy
mine, and one of them. at least, had
admitted that the sole output of the
Silver Queen had come from this thiev-
ing encrOachment. Then Anita COM
pleted the recital-of the plans of the
Rodaines to leave and Of their depart
ure for Center City. At last, Fairchild
spoke, and told the happenings finch
he had encountered in the ramShackle
house occupied by Crazy Laura. 1t
was sufficient. The sheriff reached
for the telephone.
mo need for hurry" he announced
Young Rodaine can't possibly make
that trip in less than two hours. We've
got plenty of time-hellO-Centrali
Long distance, please. What's thati
Yeh-Long Distance. Want to put in
a call for Center City" A long wait,
while a metallic voice streamed over
the wire into the sheriff's ear. He
hung up the receiver. Blocked" he
said shortly 1.-The wires down"
But there's the telegraph
IT'D take half an hour to get the
operator out Of bed-office is closed
Nope Well take the short cut. And
We'll beat him there by half-hOur y
Anita started.
"You mean the Argonaut tunnelT
Eyes. Call up there and tell them
to get a motor ready for us TO shoot
straight through. We can make it al
thirty miles an hour, and the skip il
the Reunion mine will get US to the
surface in five minutes. The TUNE
| ends sixteen hundred feet under
ground. about a thousand feet from
! Center City," he explained, as he noted
Fairchild's wondering gaze. you sta!
here. I'll be getting my car warmed
up to take US to the tunnel"
A humping sound came from with
out Harry entered with his TIVE
charges, followed shortly by Bardwe1
| the sheriff. while just beneath the of
! fee window motor roared in TIL
| process of warming up"
A moment more and steel doc
| changed upOn the two men. while tn
officer led the way to his motor can
There he looked quizzically at Anti
Richmond. piling without hesitation
into the front seat.
You going too"
4 certainly am" and she covere
| her intensity with a laugh "ther
are number of things that l wan
to say to Mr.. Maurice Rodaine-an
I haven't the patience TO wait ~
Bardwell chuckled The doors Q
the car slammed and the engine roare
louder than ever. Soon they wer
churning along through the drivin
snow toward the great buildings c
the Arg0naut Tunnel company. far
the other end of town. There me
awaited them. and a tram motor, L
gether with its operator. The lou
pursuers took their places on tn
benches of the car behind the motor
The trolley was attached. Then cla1
tering over the frogs, green llgn'
flashing from the trolley wire, tn
speeding journey was begun.
Three miles. four. five, while AMT
Richmond held close to Fairchild a
the speed became greater and tn
sparks from the wire above threw the
green. vicious light over the yawnln
stretch before them. 4 last spur
slightly down-grade, with the mot(
pushing the wheels at their creates
velocity: then the cracking Of ele
tricity suddenly ceased, the mote
slowed in its progress, finally TO sto
\ greasy being faced them and Bar
we'll. the sheriff, shouted his missio
Got To rac"h some people that a
making Il getaway through Cent