The Filer record. (Filer, Idaho) 1919-1930, 1923-03-01
CHAPTER il-contInued.


AT the foot OF the hill. the road ran
beside the lake for a little way. then
assembled another hill. Just before
this ascent began. BARLEY left the
main road and followed one that ran
for nearly mile between leafy trees.
At length he turned his car down a
long driveway that wound its crooked
way in and out through a grove Of
great trees. When / had begun TO
wonder II we should ever escape from
them. we came out upon green lawn
that stretched for several acres, hav-
ing in its midst a large rambling
house. painted the whitest white /
have ever seen. II was a cheery-look-
ing house, one made 10 live In, with
great piazza stretching across the
front, and gay-covered chairs that
gave TO Il tropical atmosphere. Even
as was thinking how much l liked
Il, a man came running down the
steps. three at a time. whooping like
a wild Indian and waving his arms
at us.
Truth compels me TO say that Currie
was, TO put II mildly, stout. nor could
anyone call him good looking. His
big red face. now almost purple from
exercise. was a kindly. tolerant one.
filled 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 lawn !"
with a laugh. BARLEY made wide
circle across the grass before he
stopped. Currie was beside us and on
the step Of the car in a second. one
arm thrown around Bartley's shoulder
and his red face beaming; but all he
said was. well. well. joint"
Bartley's answer was Just as short
and had the same deep friendliness-
Then Currie turned and greeted me.
A second later, a servant came to
take charge Of our things, and we fol-
lowed Currie 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 freplaces.
both of which were large enough for
q man to stand upright in Currie led
us up a flight Of stairs to the second
rtory where. pushing open door. he
showed us into our suite Of rooms
Five minutes later. at Currie's sug-
xestion, the three Of us were sitting
on the stone edge of his swimming
pool. II was forty feet long and open
to sun and air. For thirty minutes
we swan and Owed Then We climbed
out and dried ourselves In the warm
sun.
Then BARLEY lighted a cigarette and
told his friend what had brought Us TO
Circle Lake
Currie said nothing until be had
finished. and then, rubbing his chin
slowly with his hand. replied. do you
know, John, there are a good many
people around here that doubt II those
two men had anything to do with the
robbery. There was nothing stolen,
90 Slyke said He said also that there
was nothing In the house that anyone
would want to steal After the trial
folks began to talk. and since those
other attempts to break into his place
well they have talked morei
what are they sayingT ssked Bart
lag.
Il dour know such a devil Of lot
about II myself replied Currie. j
was away at the time Of the burglary
and OF the trial But do know that
some people doubt II there ever was
burglary. Others say the state police
and the local cops got mixed up 10
row and framed the men Sun others
think Slyke knew who the men were
bot had strong reasons for not want
ing 20 "a nifty them. What his res
sons could be. God alone knows :
Never cottoned mnch 10 Slyke any
way. He is a grabbed sort Of chap.
hit conce.ted. one who Is always right
and the rest Of as. Of course. always
wrong. But II you want 10 see him.
and are rot too tired We can 60 over
there no,-. have 20 see him myself
sbout q strip Of land ! just bought
from him His estate Joins mine. you
know
BARLEY EXPRESSED himself as tar
from tIrec snc very willing 10 60 TO