Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1923-03-31
CHAPTER Ii-continued.

3
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 ard followed one that ran
for nearly a 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 l had begun TO
wonder If 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 whtest white l
have ever seen. 1t was a cheery-look-
ing house. one made to live in, with
a great piazza stretching across the
front, and gay-coyered chairs that
gave to it a tropical atmosphere. Even
as I was thinking how much | liked
It. a man came running down the
stems, three at a time, whooping like
a Wild Indian and waving his arms
ct Us.
Truth compeIs me to say that Currie
was, to put it mildly, stout, nor could
anyone call him good looking. His
big red face, now almost purple from
exercise, was a kindly tolerant one,
filed 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 laugh, hartley made a 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 Bartleys shoulder
and his red face beaming; but all he
sad was, Wen, wen. Johnw
Bartley's answer was just as short
and had the same deep friendliness.
Then Cuuie 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. It
stretched almost the entire length of
The building and had two freplaces,
both of which were large enough for
man TO stand upright in. Currie led
Us Up a fight of stairs to the second
story where, pushing open door, he
showed Us into our suite Of rooms
Five minutes later, at Curries sug-
gestion, the three of us were sitting
oa the stone edge of his swimming
pool It was forty feet long and open
To sun and air. For thirty minutes
We swan and Owed. Then we climbed
OH 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 he had
NA'saed and then, rubbing his chin
e.aE.y with his hand, replied, "Do you
know, John, there are a good many
people around here that doubt if those
we men had anything to do with the
'o35eEy. There was nothing stolen,
70 aiyke said. lie said also that there
vas nothing in the house that anyone
you'd want to steal. After the trial
ioiEs began to talk. and since those
otAer attempts to break into his place
vel, they have talked more 2"
What are they saying?" asked Bart
les.
don't know such a devil Of a lot
scout II myself" replied Currie, Il
@as away at the time Of the burglary
asa Of the trial. But l do know that
people doubt if there ever was a
gary. Others say the state police
Tie local cops got mixed up in q
+" and framed the men. Sull others
s >-yEe knew who the men were,
'aa strong reasons for not want
~ 10 Identify them. what his req
could be. God alone knows
eostoned much to Slyke any.
de is Grabbed sort Of chap.
aee.ted, one wb0 is always right
- lae rest Of US, Of course. always
But Il you want to see him,
are not too tired. We can g over
19|. have 10 see him myself
strip II land ! just bought
alia- His estate joins mine. yse
Tt.ey expressed himself IS f-r
'fss and very wiling O. -