The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1922-11-09


ity away from the office. while the
burglary was being committed. But
why had II failed? And what had
Chambers been after? 3
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 ever been tempered with.
1t must have been that Chambers tool
fright after the murder.
Suddenly Andersen came running
across the smoking ground, followed
by some half-dozen of the engineers.
Tbs 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 office! !" 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 | mean! | don't
want bloodshed. I'll open it and show
il 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 1t to
him.
You'd better come too, Mr.. Carruth-
ers," the man suggested.
mo, I'll stay here" said Wilton.
Hurry! !"
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 he bunk.
houses toward the office, shouting and
yelling.
Seeing the four men standing In the
doorway, however, they hesitated to
rush them, probably in the belief thai
they were armed, and stood off, ours.
ing them.
Speak upt" shouted Wilton. "What
is II you men want?"
The shouts died away to a mutter.
ing. A spokesman stepped forward.
I'VE want the money In the safe.
and we'll have 1t |" he shouted. I'VE
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
company's busted. You'd better hand
Ii over"
Evidently somebody had been telling
the men that tale.
There's no money in the safe" he
answered. "Send a deputation of three
men and you can examine it,"
IhC IlulhItS, WIZ lOI lht UlpSt part
understood him very well, looked at
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 themI"
But he skunk back into their midst
us the believing mob rushed forward.
Wilton noticed that he was lingering
a revolver In his coat pocket. He wait
ed till the mob was close upon the
shack. He had calculated that an In
stant's hesitation would follow, seized
ii and sprang into their midst. strik-
ing out right and left and telling q
drunken laborer at every blow. As
Tonguay fumbled desperately with the
trigger of the weapon In his pocket.
Wilton dealt him a smashing blow
that knocked hsK, senseless. He
stopped, took the revolver and turned
and faced Ills assailants.
Now, men,, he said criSply. 1--we
told you that you shall examine the
safe, and I'll keep my word. Three Of
you enter. The rest will wait out
side"
After a pause three Of the workmen
came forward uncertainty. Wilton
took them inside the shack. opened the
safe dt or and took out the contents
package by package.
Satisfied there's no money!" he
asked.
Il guess that's So" admitted the
leader of the men, reluctantly.
Then ger out" said Wilton, driving
them toward the door.
The three rejoined their companions
and. with sullen mutterings. the work
men lurched away aimlessly. and to-
tally unable to unite ON any further
plan for aggression now that their
leader was gone. Andersen and n
of the engineers picked up Tonguay
and brought him into the shack. The
man was still unconscious. However.
he showed signs OF coming to shortly.
Jules Is dead" said Wilton quietly.
Jules dead?' shouted Andersen
Murdered. II was Lee Chambers.
He must have been hanging round the
amp. lie got inta the safe, too, but
was scared away before he took any
thing. came Inside Z"