Middletown transcript., 1922-09-23
CHAPTER XIV
Wilton Rides Alone.

NSic Wdiys however, anu WOuiu noe
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 1t
by grasp on the name and upper lip
than the remainder, snorting and
flourishing their heels, dashed through
the Gordon and galloped full speed to-
ward the lake.
We'll be with you in a minute, MIR.
Carruthers!" 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, IL the trail led up
to Bowyer, as he was sure 1t 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 fruitless half-hour trying to
catch horses. At length, after con-
sultation, they hurried back to the
camp, collected 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 l kill dat feller, eh?" ht
demanded after while.
II dunno, my friend" answered An
dersen. IF you did, l guess you'll
swing for it. all right"
"See here! Jim Hackett tole me t.
come here an tell de men dere's none.
in de safe, an dey're fools to b
worked like dogs and den be laid OF
because de company's busted. Dat
all l know. tole dem to get der pa
what was coming to dem."
"Pos-seebly," said Andersen. "Yo
was q fool to do 1t, though. Tha
story's for the police; it amt for mi
You can tell the Inspector when h
gets here"
See here! You let me got" yelle
Tonguay. Il didn't do noting Whi
for you arrest meF
"Bosss orders" said Anderse
gruffly. "Thatll be enough. Set dow
like good feller, now"
"You lie tell you didn't do dat
screamed Tonguay, sinking back In
his chair and shuddering.
They watched each other for son
time 1t was beginning to grow ligl
Suddenly the trample of horses W
heard outside. Then Inspector Qua
appeared at the door of the shack, 6
companied by four mounted cons'
bles.
Had considerable trouble, ehF"
said, dismounting and casting CLAN
about him at the burned-out buildin
and the. still burning sheds.
..That fire was set by enemies
the Missatibi," shouted one of the
gineers. "And we've got one of
raen in there!" He pointed toward
shack.
Ouain turned to his men, who WI
awaiting the order to dismou
.Round up those men in their bu
houses and keep the lot OF 'em un
guard! he said, pointing toward
groups of laborers that had gathe
about the horses.
The constables drove the Hunl
back toward their quarters. 1.-TWO
You'll be enough" shouted Quain al
them. ",rhe other two--Beckett
James-will dismount and rest Il
horses. III want you chaps p
"You'ye had some trouble"
Ouain to Andersen.
..Why, this amt trouble, inspect
answered the Swede. "You yust
inside that room. l guess 1t amt
worst, what told you already
Ouain strobe to the door of Wilt
bedroom, uttered a sharp eNclama
and bent over the body of jules.
came back quickly.
"Who killed that Indian?" he as
Lee Chambers, l guess"
"Ten me what you know"
"Why. all l know is he done
crooked work on the trestling
beat it out of camp before MIR.
ruthers had time to fire him.
niyht he came back after the
which I guess that feller there kl
something about
II tell you l dom know not
yelled Tonguay, who seemed IN IN
tremity of panic.
"Mr' Carruthers said Mr.. Chan
killed Jules there and got into
safe. l dunno no more than
But"
suddenly, with a frenzied SC
Tonguay leaped from his chair fo
door again. Andersen was just
enough. He caught him on the
sill. and the two men struggled
ously. Tonguay snatched Ande
revolver out of his hand. Ande
hand closed on the outlaws wri
Ouain ran to grasp Tonguay's s
hut before he could hold it the
gle ended. For Tonguay had g
finger on the trigger and was try
bring the weapon in line with
sens head. Andersen swung tn
laws arm around, and the oulie
charged too late, passed through
guay's left arm.
The spectators, who mad ga
outside the shack, had come n