The Bossier banner., 1922-07-06

erable sums in bank notes to be han
died among SPECTATORS and land buy
ers. but the amount withdrawn BY
Harris was so great that It had left
him somewhat Ill at ease, and as Ser
geant Grey had happened his way he
had mentioned the matter to him.
During the hearing of the various
witnesses Gardiner had attempted an
air of impersonal interest. but with no
great success. His demeanor. studied
though 1t was. betrayed certain
anxiety and impotence. He was
dressed just as he had dislnounted
from. his horse, having removed only
his hat. But he smiled confidently
when asked for his evidence, and told
his story calmly and collectedly.
1t Is quite true that he was asso-
ciated with Riles and Mr.. Harris In
the coal mine Investment. He was
acting for the owner Of the property,
but had seen that large profit was
to be I,ade from the turnover and
had been glad to place the opportunity
In the way Of two old friends.
II feel grave responsibility In this
whole matter" Gardiner protested.
with some emotion. Il feel that am.
at least Indirectly. responsible for the
serious loss that has befallen Mr.. Har-
ris. and for the injury to his son.
But when you have heard the whole
circumstances you will agree that the
situation was one could not possibly
have foreseen. Let me give them to
you in some detail.
''The day before yesterday, in COM
pany with Rifles, met Mr.. Harris and
his son, and found that their money
had arrived. The remittance was not
as large as they expected. but | be-
lieved that could raise some money
privately. and that We would still be
able to put the deal through. ! ad-
vised against losing any time. as l
knew that if the owner should meet
anyone else interested In proposition
of similar nature we would find 1t
much harder to make bargain with
him. 1t was arranged that the two
Mr.. Harrises were to drive ahead. TAX
ing the money with them, and that
Riles and would follow. We were
to overtake them at the old building
where this unfortunate tragedy oc-
CURED. As it happened, l had a sick
horse at the ranch. and, as was de-
layed in getting some medicine for
him. Rifles suggested that he would
ride out to the ranch-that Is, where
| live--and wait for me there. Up to
that time had no suspicious, and !
agreed to that
"Well, when / reached the ranch,
could find nothing of Riles, and. on
further search. could find nothing Of
Travers, who was, working for me.
Their riding horses were gone. ard so
were their saddles and brides.
found that Travers had taken his re-
yolver out Of the house. confess my
suspicious were then somewhat
aroused, but found myself with the
sick horse on my hands, and could
not very well leave the place. OF
course. never thought Of anything so
bad as has happened, or would not
have considered the horse, but ! adj
NIT was at a loss to understand their
conduct. But when heard. early this
morning. what had happened, it was
all clear to me-"
During the latter part Of this evil
| dence Travers had fixed his eyes on
Gardiner, but the witness had steadi-
ly avoided him. Jim was now con-
| vinced that he was the victim, not Of
q coincidence, but plot. OF course.
he could give his evidence, which
would be directly contradictory to that
Of Gardiner. but he was already under
suspicion, and anything he might say
would be unconsciously discounted by
the jurors. But he began calmly. a
quiet smile still playing about his thin
lips and clean teeth.
/ Il am sorry cannot corrOborate all
the last witness has said," he com.
menced. Il did not leave the ranch
with Riles; on the contrary, ] was fish.
ing down by the river when saw
Riies and Gardiner ride by. Gardiner
was talking and heard him mention
Mr.. Harris name. worked for Mr..
Harris not long ago. but l did not
know he was in this part Of the coun.
try. l heard Gardiner say" Jim
colored little, and stopped,
"Well, what did you hear him say?
said the coroner. "That Is what we
are anxious to know
II heard him say something abou,
Mr., Harris losing all his money that
night. In the old shanty up the river
road. Strange things have happened
up there, Riles,' he said That made
lne suspicious. and hurried back te
the ranch, determined to follow them
found that my revolver had beer
taken. armed myself as best could
and set ont. When ! came near the
building which Gardiner had men
toned dismounted and approached
1t carefully. It was very dark. Sud
denly was attacked from behind. A
sack was thrown over my head. and
was overpowered, and bound. dom