Phoenix tribune., 1923-11-24


It's rays and those who watched.
Again the chase and then the
scream, louder than ever, accompa-
MED by streaking red flame which
spread across the top floor like wind
blow spray Shadows weaved before
the windows while the flames seemed
to reach out and enwrap every por-
ton of the upper floor. The stagger-
ing figure of a man with the blaze all
about him was visible; then a woman
who rushed past him. Cropping as
though blinded, the burning form of
the man weaved a moment before the
window, clawing in a futile attempt
to open it, the flames. which seemed
to leap from every portion of his body.
enwrapping him. Slowly, tOrch-like,
and as the pursuers outside rushed
forward, the figure of woman ap-
peared on the old veranda, half naked,
shrieking, carrying something tightly
locked in her arms, and plunged down
the steps into the snow.
Fairchild, circling far to one side,
caught her, and with all his strength
resisted her squirming efforts until
Harry and Bardwell had come to his
assistance. 1t was Crazy Laura, the
contents of her arms now showing in
the light of the flames as they licked
every window of the upper portion Of
the house-five heavy, sheepskin-
bound books of the ledger type,
wrapped tight in grasp that not even
Harry could loosen.
Don't take them from mel" the
insane woman screamed. HE tried
it, didn't he? And where's he now
up there burning! He hit me-and
threw the lamp at him! He wanted
my books-he wanted to take thefn
away from me-but l wouldn't let
him. .And you can't have them-hear
me-let go of my arm-let got"
She bit at them. She twisted and
Dutted them with her gray head. She
screamed and squirmed-at last to
weaken. Slowly Harry forced her
arms aside and took from them the
precious contents-whatever they
might be- Grimly old Sheriff Mason
wrapped her in his coat and led her
to horse, there to force her to mount
and ride with him into The house
with Squint Rodaine-was gone
Back in the Office of Sheriff Bard
well the books were opened, and Fair
child uttered an exclamation.
Harry! Didn't she talk about her
books at the coroner's inquest? Sef
If there's any entry along early in
July-about the time of the inquest.
Bardwell turned the closely writteu
pages. AT last he stopped.
Testified today at the inquest.
he read. lied. ROady made me dc
it. l never saw anybody quarreling
Besides, did 1t myself
whats she mean-did it herself?'
the sheriff looked up. 'Guess wei
have to go way back for that"
First let's see how accurate the
thing is," Fairchild interrupted. "Set
If there's an item under November
of this year."
The sheriff searched, then read:
81 dug a grave tonight. 1t was
not filed. The immortal thing lef
me. knew it would. Roady had come
and told me to dig grave and put
it in there l did. We filled it will
quicklime. Then we went upstair:
and 1t was gone. / do not understand
it. If Roady wanted me to kill him
why didn't he say so? l will kill L
Roady will be good to me. I've killet
before for him."
"Still referring to somebody she's
killed." cut In Anita. Il wonder i
it could be possible"
I've just thought of the date 2
Harry broke in excitedly. st was alonl
about June Z, 1892. I'm sure it wa
around there"
The old books We're mulled over
one after the other. At last Bardwel
leaned forward and pointed to Ger
| tain page.
Here's an item under May 28 l
says: 'Roady has been at me again
He wants me to fix things so that tn
| three men in the Blue Poppy min
will get caught in there by a cave-in.'
The sheriff looked up This seem
to read little better than the othe
stuff. It's not so Jagged. Don't CUES
she was as much Off her nut then a
she is now. Let's see. Where's tn
place? Oh. yes: If I'll help him,
can have half and well live togethe
again. and he'll be good to me and
can have the boy. | know what it.
all about He wants to get the min
without Sissie Larsen having anythin
to do with It, Sissie has cemented u
the hole he drilled into the pay or
! and hasn't told Fairchild about 1t, be
cause he thinks Roady will 90 partner
ships with him and help him buy il
But Roady won't do it. He want
that extra money for me. He told m
so. Roady is good to me sometime,
But that's when he wants me to d
something. If he'll keep his promis
I'll fix the mine so they won't ge
out"
'The poor old SOUL" there was acl
ing sympathy in Anita Richmond
voice. Il can't help 1t If she wa
willing to kill people. The poor oil
thing was crazy
'Yes, and she's 'ad us bloody nea
crazy too. Maybe there's anothe
entry"
I'm coming to it. It's along |