Iron County record. [volume] (Cedar City, Utah) 1893-1982, 1922-11-10
CHAPTER Xxx

pened, the three men went down the
stairs. passed the sleeping night clerk,
and headed back to the sheriff's office,
had completed his last duties In re-
gard to the chalky.faced Maurice Ro-
dame. The telephone tangled. II was
Denver. Mason talked moment over
the wire, then turned to his fellow
officer.
They've got Barnham. What's more,
he had close to million dollars in
currency strapped around him. Guess
we'd better stir up some horses now
and chase along, hadn't WEI"
ayes. and get a gentle one for me-"
cautioned Harry.
"That goes for me, too" laughed
Fairchild.
"And mel like automobiles bet
ter" Anita was twisting her long hair
into a braid, to be once more showed
under her cap. The start was made
A detour, then the tracks led the
way to the Ohadi road, and behind
them came the pursuers, heads down
against the wind, horses snorting and
coughing as they forced their way
through the big drifts, each following
one another for the protection 1t af-
ferded. A long. silent, cold-gripped
two hours--then finally the lights Of
| Ohadi
But even then the trail was not diff
cult. The little town was asleep;
hardly track showed In the streets
beyond the footprints Of horse lead
Ing up the principal thoroughfare and
| on out to the Georgeville road. On
ward until before them was the bleak,
rat-ridden old roadhouse which formed
Laura's home, and n light was gleam-
fng within.
| Silently the pursuers dlsmounted
and started forward, only to stop
short. A scream had come to them.
faint IN the buster of the storm. the
racking scream Of woman In a tenn
pest of anger. Suddenly the light
seemed to hob about In the old house |;
1t showed FIRST at one wndow--then
nnother-as though some one were
running from room to room. Once two
gaunt shadows stood fOrth-Of
crouching man and woman. one
hand extended In the air, as she
whirled the lamp before her for an
instant and brought herself between
It's rays and those who watched.
Again the chase and then the
scream, louder than ever, accompa-
MED by streaking. red flame which
spread across the top floor like wind.
blow spray. Shadows weaved before
the windows, while the flames seemed
to reach out and enwrap every por-
ton of the upper. floor The stagger-
ing figure OF man with the blaze all
about him was visible; then woman
who rushed past him. Cropping as
though blinded, the burning form of
the man weaved a moment before the
window, clawing In futile attempt
TO open Ii, the flames, which seemed
to leap from every portion OF his body.
enwrapping him. Slowly. torch-like,
stricken thing. he sank out of sight,
md as the pursuers outside rushed
forward. the 1gu re Of woman APP
peared on the old veranda, half naked,
shrieking, carrying something tightly
| iOthtu III tti uhfl uONi
the steps into the snow.
Falrchlld, circiing far to one side,
caught her. and with all his strength
resisted her squrming efforts until
Harry and Bardwell had come to his
assistance. IL was Crazy Laura, the
contents OF her arms now showing In
the light Of the flames as they licked
| ~ IN ~
the house--five heavy, sheepskin-
bound books OF the ledger type,
wrapped tight In grasp that not even
Harry could Loosen.
"DOn't take them from mel" the
insane woman screamed. "Iie tried
IT, didRt her And where's he now
up there burning! He hit me-and
threw the lamp at himl He wanted
my books--he wanted to take then
away from me--but wouldn't let
him. And you can't have them-hear
me-iet go or my arm-let go!"
She bit at them She twisted and
butted them with her gray head. She
screamed and squIrmed-at last to
weaken. slowly Harry forced heT
uiDAh uoiAht lbOh iIOiI lANlL INV
precious Observation-Disclosures they
might be. Grlmly old Sheriff Masur
wrapped her In his coat. and led hel
to horse. there to force her to noun;
and ride with him into town. The house
with SNuint ROduine--was gone.
Back In tle Office of Sheriff Bard
web the books were opened, and Fair
child uttered an exclamation.
Harry Didn't she talk about he
books ut the coroner's inquest? Sc,
IL there's ang entry along early II
July--about the time OF the inquest.
Bardwell turned the closely writes
pages Al last he stopped
"'resttfled today at the inquest,
he read I lied. Ready made me IL
It. | never saw anybody quarreling
Besides, | did 1t myself"
whats she me0n--did II herselff
, the siIerin looked up. Guess wei
have 10 Ga way back for that"
'lctrst l-t,s see how accurate tn
thing Is" Fnirchiid interrupted. "Se
II there's Ell hem under November
Of this ytat."
The sheriff searched, then read: