The Bingham County news. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1918-1930, 1923-02-23

ply. but Will you please understand,
Billy that I'm not going to drag you
into this. The best thing you can do
is to get away out Of 1t all. shall
manage all right. don't want to"
"Cut that out" said Billy very quiz
city. ut don't CO." There was q
pause. Il did think, for a while, 1t
might be best-for you. But that's
wrong. I've got to be right on hand,
for I'll be wanted. Now hold on while
tell you what we've got to do"
"YesT said Aimee eagerly.
Billy stretched out a long arm,
plucked a leaf from the bramble that
screened the cave, and chewed 1t pen
sively.
There's just gamblers chance"
he said at last. ''It's pretty thin
like drawing to three-card flush.
But it's wonderful how they come Off
sometimes, If you back your luck,
good an full"
He flashed the torch round the walls
Of the cave.
"What d'you think Of this placer"
"It's-snug."
Snug" echoed Billy admiringly.
That's you! 1t would give some
women fits. But you've sand. DO you
think" he added diff1dently, "that you
could make out here for bit? Could
you sleep here"
Certainly 1 could. Why, they'll
never find me-"
Come up here" said Billy, leading
the way along the cave, which turned
in long curve, narrowing to very
small space. At the end stood the
Sphinx.
She'll have to stay here, too.
There's a bit of risk to that-but very
little. We can't help It, In the pam
increase you'll find iron rations,
can-opener, biscuits, an chocolate.
always carry those. Down the pit
yOnder, just by the alder bush, Is a
spring of water. That settles sup
plies.
"Now, the first deal Is to keep you
right out Of the way. For a few
hours, perhaps for day or more
1 can't say how long. But we've got
to put up bluff And you'n be at
least as safe here as anywhere In the
British isles.
sour best chance Is that the police
may get the bracelets onto the real
thieves right away. FIN not much
stuck on that chance. Police, wher-
ever you strike 'em, are-well, they're |
Uyn,r IL, rn6
ger from them than that dead-beat |
who broke into Jervaulx, and the fe- !
male rattresnake he had along The |
police mustn't get you, at any price.
And-they mustn't get me either.
Only there's more to 1t than that.
mighty tangled deal In front Of me-.
"Now, Pm going to sail right in. All
you've got to do is lie here in this I
cache till about seven or eight o'clock.
ri be back here by then. If I'm not"
said Billy quietly, it'll be because
we fallen through. You bet your life t
won't. Buff don't get here by I
hen, you must throw your hand In,
ust get straight to your father, best
way you can. Do you promise thatP'
"Y-yesl But tell me what you're
,oing to do, Billy" she said breath
essly.
II can't tell you anything. FIJI have
o play the hand as it's dealt me; 1t
ust depends how the cards fall And
lon't you worry anyr' he said ear
testify. "If yeu get doubtful or scary,
ust wash 1T right out Of your mind,
IN say this: 'Billy's running the thing
or me, an he'll see me through I'm
If. Shaker
With a sudden gesture Aimee. put
10Th her hands In his. He gave them
crushing grip, and broke into the
funniest smile.
1--WE sure are seem life, partner"
lie chuckled.
Aimee replied with a rather tremu-
Gus laugh. The next moment Billy
lad dropped her hands, and was gone.
Once clear Of the crag-pits, Billy |
made for the road by another route.
While climbing a gate he glanced at
he luminous dial of his wrist watch, ,
nd emitted whistle of consterna-
lon Aimee's account of herself was .
bsorbing, but he did not realize till
ow what an uncomfortable time
hey had spent IN the cave. The night j.,
vas nearing Its close.
Billy avoided the roads. He struck
light across country and reached Ivy
ottage with as little loss Of time as
ossibEe. But the eastern sky was
apidly tightening when he arrived
lnterfng the garden with extreme eau
on, Billy found everything quiet. He
imbed the trellis deity, and heaved
Imself through Aimse's window.
With a certain sense Of embarrass-
ent Billy swept the walls with his !
,rch, unlocked the blue dust-cloak
lat hung on the door, folded 1t small,
nd packed 1t inside his jacket. That
as the main object Of the expedition. U
He also annexed q cake Of soap, q
wei and q brush and comb-these
tier he had himself bought for Aimee 8
Syderford on the first morning.