The Filer record. (Filer, Idaho) 1919-1930, 1924-04-10
CHAPTER xv-censlnusa.


keep II. with probably nobody evel
the wiser.
/ II was too late 10 take II back 10 the
red-roofed cottage that night. and toe
bulky to carry In his pockets. Decid-
ing at last 10 hide II until next day
gave him a chance 10 take Texie Into
his confidence, he wrapped the bundles
In towel; raised the rug; very care
fully loosened board OF the floor; hid
the package under H.; replaced the
board and rolled the rug back into
place with studied exactness.
Then he blew out the candle; raised
the blinds OF the two small windows
and slipped out into the yard.
Twilight had long faded into dark.
Only an occasional candle picked out
the ragged outline Of the village. A
dog fox back In the hills was trying 10
tell the rest of the foxes how lonesome
he WAS. Over along Eagle run the frogs
croaked-without interruption. He
listened to make sure.
CHANGING back at the cabin door to
make certain he had closed II, he
slipped across the corner OF the or
chard; along the path at the base Of
Black rock; into the little park and
stole In under n dense clump OF syringa
bushes barely three steps from the rus
tic seat at Whispering spring.
For those who know how to listen.
nature has a thousand voices-and the
woods never sound a false note.
gooS length of the night was gone
when the frogs along Eagle run gave
him the coe he was expecting. He
could trace the progress OF the rene
gade down the stream-dOubtles fresh
from his task Of making old money
out Of new at the deserted cabin-as
well as II he had his eyes upon him.
Presently there came the very faint
cresk Of a rail where the path crossed
the fence out of the fallow pasture lot
into the little park. A moment later
a hulking form bulked huge In the
gloom; Black Bogus stole out OF the
shadows and crouched down among
the gnarled maple roots at the end OF
the rustic seat.
The woodsman lay so close that he
could hear him breathe. After listen
Ing intently for some minutes, the
hulking renegade raised his hands to
bis mouth and gave the call OF the
screech owl Jack found out what he
wanted TO know-Hopkins had not had
the chance TO communicate with his
Again and again Black Bogus repeat
I'd his call. at intervals OF a few min
1tes, until he had given II dozen or
fifteen times. each time growing more
restless and disturbed. At last he ba- |
ran TO swear. and the call began 10 re- |
'emble less and less the plalntive wall /
" the bird he Knocked. Finally he rose.
listened a moment and. with no very |
,reat effort at concealment, stslked I'D /
he path.
The woodsman rose and softly fol-
owed Swallowed him up the branch
nd into the mouth OF the hollow. AT
he squalid howell OF dead Henry Spen-
er he vsuited the fence. staiked up
he yard and pushed open the sagging
DOR.
Stepping noiselessly around through
he bushes. the woodsman crepf I'D TO
he chink between the logs under the
estoon Of wild cucumber vines. He
ras Just In time to see Black Bogus
ght the lamp. 20 TO the ruined fire
lace. lift up the slab Of stone on the
earth and feel Under II. Nothing
lere-he slammed the stone back,
licked II with his ragged boot. snatched
ut bis pipe, III II viciously. smoked
ard for a minute or more. blew out
he lamp. stormed out of the door and
own the yard.
All the way up Eagle Hollow road
I'd TO Loge Belden's cabin the woods
an Swallowed him; watched him 20
found to the back; heard him enter
I'd slam the door after him: slipped
, to the small east window and lay !
stening The window was open a :
ant inch or so az the bottom; he :
lardedly raised himself even with the [
lrrow opening and cautiously peeped I
thin. Z
matcn scrapeos was idld 10 can
e on a shelf over the crumbiing fire !
ace: Black Bogus whipped OF the {
AIRED end Of the wick: II Jared 70 .
n strength and the interior OF the c
bin came out Of the dark. {
The watchers eyes lifted In amaze 1
mt The cabin was almost totally 5
re Of furniture Of any kind-no
ds: no table or chairs-merely some $
Is and pans by the empty fireplace. y
d two pallets on the floor. =
On one q these pallets. almost under q
: window. lay Belden's sister: on v
E other lay Loge. He raised up on p
elbow as the candle fzred ailght; e
ticed the srllen glover on the face q
his associate
-Wellg~ p
He didn't come OUT b
Hill an y'u had { bring II 10
ckT-
What elseT~ nj
There came a voice from the pallet
der the window voice soft and
ID. shaken and half afraid. the lis k'