The Holbrook news., 1922-12-08
CHAPTER XVI

naQ come 10 lire again, 10 repeat ID the Twentieth century happening of the Nineteenth. There was only one difference-no form of a dead man now lay against the foot wall, to rest til 1t should come to light, a pile of bones in time-shredded clothing. And as he thought of 1t, Fairchild remem- bered that the earthly remains of "Sissie" Larsen had lain within almost a few feet of the spot where he had drilled the prospect hole into the foot wall, there to discover the ore that promised bonanza.
 But this time there was nothing and no clue to the mystery of Harry's disappearance. Fairchild suddenly strengthened with an idea. Perhaps, after all, he had been on the other side of the cave-in and had hurried on out of the mine. But in that event, would be not have waited for his re- turn, to tell him of the accident? How took 1t. Once more he crawled through the hole that he had made in the cave in and sought the outward world. Then he hurried down Kentucky gulch and to the Sampler. But Harry had not been there. He went through town. asking questions. striving his best to shield his anxiety, cloaking his queries under the cover of cursory re- marks. Harry had not been seSn. At last, with the coming of night, he turned toward the boarding house. and on his arrival. Mother Howard. sight, ing his white face, hurried to him.
 Have you seen Harry?" he asked.
 "No-he hasn't been here"
 It was the last chance Clutching fear at his heart, he told Mother How ard of the happenings at the mine. quickly, as plainly as possible. Then once more he went forth, to retrace his steps to the Blue Poppy, to buck the wind and the fine snow and the high, piled drifts. and to go below. But the surroundings were the same: still the cave-in, with its small hole where he had torn through 1t, still the rag ged hanging wall where Harry had fired the last shots of dynamite in his investigations, still the trampled bit of fuse with its cap attached. Noth- ing more.
 Back Into the black night, with the winds whistling through the pines. Back to wandering about through the hills, hurrying forward at the sight of every faint, dark object against the snow. in the hope that Harry, crippled by the cave-in, might have some way gotten out of the shaft. But they were only boulders or logs or stumps of treej. At midnight, Fairchild turned once more toward town and to the boarding house. But Harry had not appeared. There was only one thing left to do.
 This time, when Fairchild left Mother Towards, his steps did not lead him toward Kentucky gulch. h. stead he kept straight on up the street. past the little line of store buildings and to the courthouse. where he sought out the sole remaining light In the bleak, black building-Sheriff Bardwell's office. That parsonage was nodding in his chair, but removed his feet from the desk and turned drow- silly as Fairchild entered.
 "Well?" he questioned, whats up?"
 My partner has disappeared. I want to report to you-and see if can get some help"
 Disappeared? Who?"
 Harry Harkins. He's a big Cor nishman, with large mustache, very red face. about sixty years old, I should judge"
 "Wait a minute" BardwelPs eyes narrowed. "Ain't he the fellow I ar- rested in the Blue Poppy mine the night of the Old Times danceT
 "Yes."
 And you say he's disappeared? When does his trial come up?"
 "A week from tomorrow"
 "And he's disappeared" A slow smile came over the other mans lips. q don't think 1t will help much to start any relief expedition for him. The thing to do is to get a picture and a general description and send it around to the police in the various parts of the country! That'n be the best way to find him."
 Fairchild's teeth gritted, but he could not escape the force of the ar gument, rom the Cheriff's standpoint. For a moment there was silence, then the miner came closer to the desk.