Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1922-09-29
CHAPTER XIV
Wilton Rides Alone.

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The horses, released during the fire,
were grazing along the edge; they
were wary, however, and would not
let themselves be approached. For
some minutes the men made frultlesS
efforts to surround them.
However, Wilton managed to catch
the name of a 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 a tolerable action.
But hardly had he made sure Of 1t
by a grasp on the name and upper lip
than the remainder, s%norting n
f1ourishing their heels, dashed through
the Gordon and galloped full speed to-
ward the lake.
"WelI be with you In a minute, Mr..
Carruthers!" shouted n 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
iy's abduction and, if the trail led up
to Bowyer, as he was sure it 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 a fruitless half-hour trying to
catch horses. At length, after q con-
sultation, they hurried back to the
camp, collected a few more Canadians
and Americans, and started out after
Wilton, leaving a h%alf-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 tink kill dat Teller, chr he
demanded after a 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 10
come here an tell de men dere's money
in de safe, an dey're fools to be
worked like dogs and den be laid off
because de company's busted. OATS
all 1 know. l tole dem to get der pay
what was coming to DEM"
"Pos-seebly," said Andersen. "You
was a fool to do 1t, though. That
story's for the police; 1t amt for me
You can tell the inspector when he
gets here"
"See here! You let me go!" yelled
Tonguay. II didn't do noting. What
for you arrest me?"
"Boss's ORDERS" said Andersen,
Rruffly. "Thatll be enough. Set down
like a good Teller, now"
"You lieI l tell you I didn't do dat y
screamed Tonguay, sinking back into
his chair and shudderlng.
They watched each other for SOM
time. 1t was beginning to grea7 light
Suddenly the trample of horses was
heard outside. Then Inspector Qualr
appeared at the door Of the shack, &C
companied by four mounted consta
bles.
Had considerable trouble, chi" hi
said, d|ismounting and casting a glance
about him at the burned-out building!
and the still burning sheds.
"That fire was set by enemies O
the Missatibi," shouted n Of the en-
;oouo HAnd u,o'ya Ont ono of thI
men in there p He pointed toward tn
shack.
Quain turned to his men, who wer
awaiting the order to dismoun
"Round up those men in their bunk
houses and keep the lot of 'em unde
guard" he said, pointing toward tn
groups of laborers that had gathere
about the horses.
The constables drove the Hunkle
back toward their quarters. 1.-TWO Q
you'll be enough! !" shouted Quain afte
them. "The other two-Beckctt an
James-will dismount and rest thei
horses. I'll want you chapsV"
you've had some trouble" sal
Quain to Andersen.
"Why, this amt trouble, inspector,
answered the Swede. "You yust loo
inside that room. l guess 1t AIM tn
worst, what l told you already"
Quain strobe to the door of Wilton
bedroom, uttered a sharp exclamatio
and bent over the body Of Jules. d
came back quickly.
"Who killed that IndianT' he aske
"Lee Chambers, l guess"
"Tell me what you know
"Why, all l know Is he done son
crooked work on the trestllng ar
beat it out Of camp before Mr.. Ca
ruthers had time to fire him. La
night he came back after the FIR
which l guess that Teller there know
something about"
II tell you l don know noting
yelled Tonguay, who seemed In the e
tremity of panic.
"Mr. Carruthers said Mr.. Chambe
killed Jules there and got into t
safe. 1 dunno no more than thi
But"
Suddenly, with a frenzled screa
rong,ov loaned from his chair for [