The Meeker herald., 1923-01-13
CHAPTER Xxx

CuAp En- m
-te-
ietly, As though nothing had hap
the three men went down the
passed the sleeping night clerk.
headed back to the sheriff's office.
waited Anita and Harry, who
completed his last duties in re-
to the chalky-faced Maurice Ro-
The telephone tangled. 1t was
ver. Mason talked a moment over
wire, then turned to his fellow
e.
They've got Barnham. What's more.
had close to a million dollars In
ency strapped around him. Guess
better stir mp some horses now
chase slong. hadn't wef"
ter, and get 4 gentle one for me"
loned Harry.
That goes for me, too" laughed
rchild.
knd mel like automobiles bet
Anita was twisting her long hair
q braid. to be once more showed
er her cap. The start was made.
detour, then the tracks led the
to the Ohadi road. and behind
m came the pursuers. heads down
Inst the wind, horses snorting and
lghing- - they forced their way
Jpugh ti.e big drifts, each following
another for the protection 1t af-
he'd. A long, silent, cold-Gripped
hourstthen finally the lights Of
adj.
hut even then the trail was not difh-
J. The little town was asleep;
|dly a track showed In the streets
|ond the footprints of q horse lead
up the principal thoroughfare and
out to the Georgeville road. On
'rd until before them was the bleak.
ridden old roadhouse which formed
bras home. and 4 light was gleam-
! within.
silently the pursuers dismounted
IL started forward. only to stop
|brt. A scream had come to them.
int in the bluster Of the storm, the
liking scream Of woman In a tenn
BIT of anger. Suddenly the light
kmed to bob about In the old house
showed hrst at one wlndow-then
|other-as though some one were
rning from room to room. Once two
(unt shadows stood forth-of q
buching man and q woman. one
Ind extended In the air. IS she
hirled the lamp before her for an
slant and brought herself between
rays and those who watched. &C.
again the chase and then the
feam, louder than ever, accompa-
bd BY streaking red flame which
read across the top door like wind
pw spray. Shadows weaved before
= windows, while the flames seemed
reach out and enwrap every por-
bn Of the upper floor. The stagEer-
y figure Of q man with the blaze all
|out him was visible: then a woman
ho rushed past him. Cropping a.
sugh blinded. the burning form Of
. man weavsd q moment before the
lndow. clawins In q futile attempt
, open 1t. the flames. which seemed
leap from every portion Of his body.
wrapping him. Slowly. q torch-like.
Elcken thing, he sank out Of sight.
I'd a. the pursuers outside rushed
rward. the figure Of q woman ap-
'pred ON the old veranda, half naked.
'rieking, carrying something tightly
cked in her arms. and plunged down
g steps Into the snow..
Fairchild, circlinE far to one side.
ught her. and with all his strength
sisted her squIrming efforts until
AIRY and Bardwell had come to his
sIstance. 1t was Grassy Laura. the
ptents Of her arms now showing In
: light Of the flames As they licked
cry window Of the upper portion Of
e house-hve heavy, sheepskin-
sind books Of the ledger type.
raped tight In a grasp that not asei'
AIRY could loosen.
Don't take them from mel" the
sane woman screamed. He tried
didn't her And where's he now
there burningl He hit me-and
threw the lamp at him! He wanted
y books-he wanted to take the'n
say from me-but wouldn't let
IN. And you can't have them-hear
.let 20 Of my arm-let gol"
She bit at them. She twisted and
ltted them with her gray head. She
and squirmed-at last to
eaken. Slowly Harry forced her
ms aside and took from them the
'ecious contents-whatever they
ight be. Grimly old Sheriff Mason
raped her In his cost and led her
horse. there to force her to mount
I'd ride with him into town. The house
with Squint Rodaine-was gone.
Back in the once of Sheriff Bard