Mountain Home Republican. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1915-1946, 1922-09-29

lie VlthSA TIE sure Which ne nat
shut and went through the papers
very deliberately He was astonishec
to find that everything appeared In
tact and just as he had left It,
Wilton could not understand 1t. he
tried to figure II out. He had already
come to the conclusion that the fire
had been started with the purpose OF
drawing himself and those In the vicin,
ity away from the office, while the
burglary was being committed But
why had 1t failed2 And what had
Chambers been after7
He must have known that there was
no money In the safe. The mems pay
came up monthly by special messen-
ger, and was handed out the same eve
ming. 1t would arrive on the Monday.
Chambers could not have been after
spoil of that kind.
Wilton looked through Joe's papers
again. Everything seemed intact, and
nothing had even been tempered with,
1t must have been that Chambers took
fright after the murder.
Suddenly Andersen came running
across the smoking ground, followed
by some half-dozen of the engineers.
The foreman came painting up to the
door Of the shack.
"The men are crazy drunk, Mr. Car
ruthers, and they're planning to attack
the officel" he gasped. Somebody's
been telling them the safes full Of
money and that they're going to be
laid off because of the fire."
Wilton reflected a moment, while
the engineers gathered anxiously about
him.
"They can't open the SAFE" said
Wilton. "At least, there's only one
man can, and he's been at 1t already.
No, never mind what l mean / don't
want bloodshed. I'll open 1t and show
1t to them" He turned to one of the
engineers. "Take four men with you
and hurry to the store and see that no
harm comes to Miss Mcdonald and
her father" he ordered "And take
this" he added, picking the revolver
out of the drawer and handing it to
him.
you'd better come too, Mr.. Carruth-
ers," the man suggested.
mo, I'll stay here" said Wilton.
"Hurryp
The engineer picked four men and
they hurried down the road. Andersen
and two others remained with Wilton.
Hardly had the party left when the
mob came streaming out of the bunk
houses toward the office, shouting and
yelling.
Seeing the four men standing in the
doorway, however, they hesltated to
rush them, probably in the belief that
they were armed, and stood off, ours
ing them.
speak upl" shouted Wilton. "What
is 1t you men want?'
The shouts died away to a mutter-
ing. A spokesman stepped forward.
"We want the money In the safe,
and Wen have itp he shouted. 1--WE
all know you set the fire because the
lines busted, and you've got the safe
chock-full of money. You've worked
us like dogs all summer, and now
you're going to lay us off because the
companys busted. You'd better hand
1t over"
Evidently somebody had been telling
the men that tale. Wilton was anx-
lous to try peaceful methods.
There's no money in the safe" he J
answered. "Send a deputation of three |
men and you can examine It,"
The Hunkies, who for the most part
him very well, looked at
one another uncertainty. They were
as docile as lambs without leadership. |
But they had a leader; the outlaw
Tonguay stepped forward out of the
crowd.
"Come along, boys, he's fooling your
he yelled. smash his head for him
Give them what's coming to them"
But he skunk back into their midst
is the believing mob rushed forward.
Wilton noticed thar he was lingering
/ revolver in his coat pocket. He wait
I'd till the mob was close upon the
shack. He had calculated that an In
;tant's hesitation would follow, seized
t and sprang into their midst. strik-
ng out right and left and telling a
drunken laborer at every blow. As
fumbled desperately with the
rigger of the weapon in his pocket,
Wilton dealt him a smashing blow
hat knocked him senseless. He
tooped, took the revolver and turned
md faced his assailants.
"Now, men," he said crisply. tive
old you that you shall examine the
afe, and I'll keep my word. Three of
,ou enter. The rest will wait out
ide."
After pause three Of the workmen
anne forward uncertainty. Wilton
ook them inside the shack, opened the
afe door and took out the contents,
ackage by package.
Satisfied there's no money!" he
sked
II guess that's So" admitted the I
eader of the men, reluctantly.
"Then get out" said Wilton, driving :
hem toward the door. /
The three rejoined their companions
nd, with sullen mutterings, the work