The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1922-09-22

but noise from without cut or the
conversation. Stamping feet sounded
On the steps, the knob turned, and
Sheriff Bardwell, snow-white, entered.
shaking himself like a great dog, as
he sought to rid himself of the effects
Of the blizzard.
Hello, Bardwell, what'd you fnd?''
The sheriff Of Clear Greek county
glanced toward Anita Richmond.
mo matter how much a person dis
likes another one-it's, it's-always q
shock"
Anita came closer you mean that
he's deadf" The sheriff nodded. "He
must have rushed his horse too hard.
When we got to him he was just about
gone-tried to stagger to his feet when
we came up, but couldn't make it. Kind
Of acted like he'd lost his senses
through fear Or exposure or something.
Asked me who was, and I said Bard
well. Seemed to be tickled to hear
my name-but he called 1t Barnham.
Then he got up on his hands and knees
and clutched at me and asked me If
I'd drawn out all the money and had
1t safe. Just to humor him, I said I
had. He tried to say something after
that, but 1t wasn't much use. The first
thing we knew he'd passed out. That's
where Harry Is now-took him over
to the mortuary. There isn't anybody
named Barnham, is therer'
"Barnhamr The name had awak-
ened recollections for Fairchild; "why
he's the fellow that"
But Anita cut In.
Hes a lawyer in Denver. They've
been sending all the income from stock
sales to him for deposit. If Maurice
asked if he'd gotten the money out,
1t must mean that they meant to run
with all the proceeds. Well have to
telephone Denver"
The message went through. Then
the two sheriffs rose and looked at
their revolvers.
"Now for the tough one" Bardwell
made the remark, and Mason smiled
grimly. Fairchild rose and went to
them.
MAY go along2"
"Yes, but not the girl. Not this
time"
Anita did not demur. Fairchild
walked to her side.
"You won't run away" he begged.
''I'll be right here" she answered,
and with that assurance, he followed
the other two men out into the night.
Far down the street, where the
rather bleak outlines of the hotel
showed bleaker than ever In the frigid
night, light was cleaning in a Sec
ond-story window. Mason turned to
his fellow sheriff
He usually stays there. That must
be him-waiting for the kid"
The three entered. ffptoeing, they
went to the door and knocked. A high
pitched voice came from within.
''That you, MauriceT
Fairchild answered In the best imi-
tation he could give
"Yes. I've got Anita with me-"
Steps, then the door opened. For
just a second Squint Rodaine stared
at them In CHASTITY, sickly fashion.
Then he moved back into the room,
still facing them.
"What's the idea of thisT came his
forced query. Fairchild stepped for
ward
Simply to tell you that every
things blown up as far as you're
concerned. Mr.. ROdaine''
''You needn't be so dramatic about
it. You act like I'd committed muir
der! What We I done that you
should"
Just a minute. / wouldn't try to
act innocent. For one thing, I hap
pened to be in the same house with
you one night when you showed Crazy
Laura, your wife, how to make people
immortal. And We'll probably learn a
few more things about your character
when we've gotten back there and
interviewed"
He stopped his accusations to leap
forward, clutching wildly. But In
vain With a lunge, Squint Rodaine
had turned then, springing high from
the floor had seemed to double in the