The Filer record. (Filer, Idaho) 1919-1930, 1923-01-18
CHAPTER XVII.

30 tn1s tApihlntus hIttf inShioh'
Harry's disappearance. This re-
yealed why the search through the
mountains had failed. This
But Fairchild suddenly realized that
now was not a time for -conjecturing
upon the past The man on the bed
was unconscious. incapable OF helping
himself. Far below, a white-haired
woman. her toothless jaws uttering
one weird chant after another. was
digging for him a quIckllme grave. In
the insane belief that she was aiding
In accomplishing some miracle OF I'M
mortality. In time-aDd Fairchild did
not know how long-an ill-visaged,
scar.faced man would return TO help
her carry the inert frame Of the I'M
conscious man below and bury II. Nor
could Fnirchild tell from the CONVEX
sation whether he even intended TO
perform the merciful act OF killing the
poor, broken being before he covered
II with acids and quick eating lime in
grave that soon would remove all
yestige OF human identity forever.
Certainly now was not time for
thought; II was one for action
And for caution. Instinct told Fair.
child that for the present, at least,
Rodalne must believe that Harry had
escaped unaided. There were too
many other things I'm which Robert
felt sure Rodalne had played q part,
too many other mysterious happenings
which must be met and COPIED with,
before the man OF the blue-white scar
could know that finally the underllng
was beginning to show fight, that at
last the crushed had begun to rise.
Fairchild bent and unlaced his shoes,
taking or also the heavy wooden
socks which protected his feet from
the biting cold. Steellng himself to
the ordeal which he must undergo, he
tied the laces together and slung the
footgear over a shoulder. Then he
went to the bed.
AS carefully as possible, ne wrapped
Harry In the blankets. seeking TO pro-
tect him In every way against the
cold. With great effort. he lifted
him. the sick mans frame huddled in
his arms like some gigantic baby, and
started out of the eerie. darkened
house.
The stairs-the landlng-the hall
Then a query from below:
us that you. Roady7"
The breath pulled sharp into Fair
,hild's lungs. He answered In the
pest imitation he could give Of the
solce OF s1uint Rodaine:
yea 90 ON with your digging.
Honey. I'll be there soon."
"And you'll kiss mel"
yes Just like kissed you the
light our boy was born"
II was sufficient. The chanting be-
lan again. accompanied by the swish
II the spade as II sank into the earth
md the Guiding roll Of the clods as
hey were thrown to one side. Fair
hid gained the door. A moment more
md he staggered with his burden into
he protecting darkness Of the night.
The snow crept about his ankles,
eeming to freeze them az every
ouch. but Fsirchild did not desist. Ills
'r!ginal purpose must be carried out
Rodalne were not TO know-the ap-
'earance that Harry had aroused him
elf sufficiently to wrap the blankets
bout him and wander OF by himself.
md this could be accomplished only
y the pain and cold and torture OF a
arefoot trip.
Some way. by shifting the big frame
{ his unconscious partner now and
hen. Fairchild made the trip TO the
naln road and veered toward the
Of the Diamond j. mine.
INNING as II often did without Mt.
while the engineer made n
rip with the electric motor into the
III Cautiously he peered through
he windows No'one wns there. De-
ond lay warmth and comfort-and n
telephone. Falrchild went within an,,-
laced Harry on the floor. Then he
cached for the phone and called the
ospitnl
-ffelioi" he announced In a husky.
lsvuised voice. This Is Jeb Gresham
{ Georrsville. I've just found a man
ring by the side Of the Diamond ]
unconscious. with big |
at In his head I've brought him in
Idle. You'll find him thsre: I've got
D 30 on. Looks IKE he's liahie to de
Mess you can send the ambulance for
Inn
Wen make Il rush trip came
,e answer. and Fairchild hung an the
hone. TO rub hts halffroxen. aching
eet a moment. then to rvclofhe them
, the socks and shoes. watching the
nfrance Of the Diamond . tunnel rs
e I'D 50 A long mirute-then he lief,
he rumrhouse. made few tracks IN
he snow around the entrance. and
'alked swiftly down the rad. rifreen
'iuufe- later. trsm hiding piaer M
10 side ~ the Clear creek bridge. ne
nv the lights % the ambulance as ~
Nerved % the pumphouse out came
le stretcher. The attendants went in
rorch Of the Injured man. When they