The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1923-03-14
CHAPTER II-continucd.


At the foot of the hill, the road raj
beside the lake for little way, ther
assembled another hill. Just before
this ascent began. BARLEY left the
main road and followed one that rar
Tor nearly mile between leafy trees
At length he turned his car down O
long driveway that wound its crooked
way in and out through a grove OF
great trees. When l had begun to
wonder II we should ever escape from
them. we came out upon a green lawn
that stretched for several acres. hav-
Ing in Its midst large rambling
house. painted the whltest white |
have ever seen. 1t was cheery-look-
ing house, one made to live in. with
4 great piazza stretching across the
front, and gay-covered chairs that
gave to 1t tropical atmosphere. Even
as I was thinking how much liked
1t. a man came running down the
steps. three Mt a time. whooping like
4 wild Indian and waving his arms
at us.
Truth compels me to say that Currie
was. to put 1t mildly. stout, nor could
anyone call him good looking. His
big red face, now almost purple from
exercise. was a kindly. tolerant one,
6lIed with humor; his blue eyes warm
with kindness. Down the steps .he
came and across the lawn, yelling all
the time:
"John BARLEY. you old sleuth, don't
you dare drive on my new Iawn!"
With q laugh. BARLEY made wide
circle across the grass before he
stopped. Currie was beside us and on
the step Of the cur In second. one
arm thrown around Bartley's shoulder
and his red face beaming: but uTl he |
said was. -Well. well, John!'
Bartley's answer was just rs short !
and Ind the same deep friendliness.
Then CurrIe turneI and greeted me.
A second later. servant came to
take charge Of our things, and we fol-
lowed Currle to the house.
We entered by one OF the largest
living rooms that have ever seen. II
stretched almost the entire length OF
the building and had two fireplaces.
both Of which were large enough for
4 man to stand upright In. Currie led
rs up flight OF stairs to the second
story where, pushing open a door. he
showed us into our suite Of rooms.
Five minutes Inter at Currie's sug.
Iestion. the three OF US were sitting
,n the stone edge of his swimming
oool. 1t was forty feet long and open
o sun and air. For thirty minutes
ve swan and dlved. Thea we climbed
nut aud dried ourselves in the warm
un.
Then BARLEY lighted a cigarette and
old his friend what had brought us to
,lrcle Luke.
Currie said nothing until he had
nished, and then. rubbing his chin
lowiy with his hand. replied. DO you =
now. John, there are n good many =
eopIe around here that doubt IL those ;,
vo- men had anything to do w, h the y
,pbery. There was nothing stolen. "
, Slyke said. He said also that there
ould want to steal. After The trial u
'lks began to talk. and since those III
her attempts to break into his place ~
well. they have talked nore!" u
what are they saying?" asked Bart %
y. ~
Il don't know such devil of Dt
bout 1t myself" replied Currie. 81 re
as away at the time of the burglary Ia
I'D OF the trial. But do know that NJ
me people doubt If there ever was yf
irgary. Others say the stale police NJ
nd the local cops got mixed up in w
w and framed the men, Still others co
Ink Slyke knew who the men were.
1t had itrong reasons for not want co
& to id.ntify them. What his real nj
ms could be. God alone knows an
ever cottoned mich to Slyke any, 20
ay. He is grabbed sort of chap. in
t coneeited. one who is always right
I'd the rest of us, of course. always ua
rong. But If you want to see him. tn
ID are nor too tired we can 60 over an
ere no}.. | have TO see him myself so
out strip of land | Just bought
I'M him. His estate joins mine. you hi.
ow." TIL
BARLEY expressed himself as tar We
M tired and very willing to so to 20