Phoenix tribune., 1923-10-13
CHAPTER XIX

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her posture. clambered upon his back,
her arms about his neck. Fairchild
found himself wishing that he could
carry her forever, and that the road to
the sherifrs once were twenty miles
away instead Of two. But her voice
cut in on his wishes.
II can walk now. We can get along
so much fasterI" came her plea. "rIl
hold on to yOu-and you can help me
along"
Fairchlld released her and she seized
his arm. Onco, as they foundered
through knee-high mass, Fairchild's
arm went quickly about her waist
and he lifted her against him as he
literally carried her through. When
they reached the other side, the arm
still held its place and she did not
resist Some way, after that, the
stretch Of road faded swiftly. Almost
before he realized II, they were at the
outskirts Of the city.
Grudgingly he gave up his hold up
on her, as they hurried for the side
walks and for the sherif's Office. There
Fairchild did mot attempt to talk-he
left 1t all to Anita, and Bardwell, the
sheriff, listened. Taylor Bill had con-
fessed to the robbery at the Old Times
dance and to his attempt to so ar
range the evidence that the blame
would fall ON Harry. Taylor Bill and
Blindeye Bozeman had been caught at
work In a crose-cut tunnel which led
to the property Of the Blue Poppy
mine, and one oe them, at least, had
admitted that the sole output Of the
Silver Queen had come from this thiev-
ing encroachment. Then Anita COM
pleted the recital-of the plans Of the
Rodaines to leave and of their depart
ure for Center City. At last, Fairchild
spoke, and told the happenings fhich
he had encountered in the ramshackle
house occupied By Crazy Laura. 1t
was sufficient. The sheriff reached
for the telephone.
mo need for harry" he announced.
young Rodaine can't possibly make
that trip In less than two hours. We've
got plenty Of time-hello-C Central?
Long distance, please. What's thati
Yeh-Long Distance. Want to put In
a call for Center City," A long wait,
while a metallic voice streamed over
the wire into the sheriffs ear. He
hung up the receiver. Blocked" he
said shortly. 'aThe wires down."
but there's the telegraph"
IT'D take half an hour to get the
operator out Of bed-ofice is closed
Nope. Wen take the short cut. And
we'll beat him there by a half-hourl" 7"
Anita started,
YES. Call up there and tell them
to get a motor ready for US to shoot
straight through. We can make 1t at
thirty miles an hour, and the skip in
the Reunion mine will get us to the
surface In five minutes. The tunnel
ends sixteen hundred feet under
ground, about q thousand feet from
Center City" he explained, as he noted
Fairchild's wondering gaze. "You stay
here. I'll be getting my car warmed
up TO take US to the tunnel"
A humping sound came from with
out. Harry entered with his two
charges. followed shortly by BardweTl,
the sheriff, while just beneath the Of
nce window q motor roared in the
process of warming up"
A moment more and a steel door
Changed upon the two men, while the
of1cer led the way to his motor car,
There he looked Quizzically at Anita
Richmond, piling without hesitation
into the front seat.
"YOu going toor
II certainly am" and she covered
her intensity with a laugh, "there
are a number Of things that / want
to say to Mr.. Maurice Rodaine-and
I haven't the patience to waitl"
Bardwell chuckled. The doors of
the car slammed and the engine roared
louder than ever. Soon they were
churning along through the driving
snow toward the great buildings of
the Argonaut Tunnel company, far at
the other end Of town. There men
awaited them, and a tram motor, to-