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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/363-0.txt b/363-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..5fd1769 --- /dev/null +++ b/363-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,4928 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Oakdale Affair, by Edgar Rice Burroughs + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Oakdale Affair + +Author: Edgar Rice Burroughs + +Release Date: July 8, 2008 [EBook #363] +Last Updated: March 14, 2018 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE OAKDALE AFFAIR *** + + + + +Produced by Judith Boss + + + + + +THE OAKDALE AFFAIR + + +By Edgar Rice Burroughs + + + + + +Chapter One [And only chapter ED.] + + +The house on the hill showed lights only upon the first floor--in +the spacious reception hall, the dining room, and those more or less +mysterious purlieus thereof from which emanate disagreeable odors and +agreeable foods. + +From behind a low bush across the wide lawn a pair of eyes transferred +to an alert brain these simple perceptions from which the brain deduced +with Sherlockian accuracy and Raffleian purpose that the family of the +president of The First National Bank of--Oh, let's call it Oakdale--was +at dinner, that the servants were below stairs and the second floor +deserted. + +The owner of the eyes had but recently descended from the quarters of +the chauffeur above the garage which he had entered as a thief in +the night and quitted apparelled in a perfectly good suit of clothes +belonging to the gentlemanly chauffeur and a soft, checked cap which was +now pulled well down over a pair of large brown eyes in which a rather +strained expression might have suggested to an alienist a certain +neophytism which even the stern set of well shaped lips could not +effectually belie. + +Apparently this was a youth steeling himself against a natural +repugnance to the dangerous profession he had espoused; and when, a +moment later, he stepped out into the moonlight and crossed the lawn +toward the house, the slender, graceful lines which the ill-fitting +clothes could not entirely conceal carried the conviction of youth if +not of innocence. + +The brazen assurance with which the lad crossed the lawn and mounted +the steps to the verandah suggested a familiarity with the habits and +customs of the inmates of the house upon the hill which bespoke long and +careful study of the contemplated job. An old timer could not have moved +with greater confidence. No detail seemed to have escaped his cunning +calculation. Though the door leading from the verandah into the +reception hall swung wide to the balmy airs of late Spring the prowler +passed this blatant invitation to the hospitality of the House of Prim. +It was as though he knew that from his place at the head of the table, +with his back toward the great fire place which is the pride of the +Prim dining hall, Jonas Prim commands a view of the major portion of the +reception hall. + +Stooping low the youth passed along the verandah to a window of the +darkened library--a French window which swung open without noise to his +light touch. Stepping within he crossed the room to a door which opened +at the foot of a narrow stairway--a convenient little stairway which +had often let the Hon. Jonas Prim pass from his library to his second +floor bed-room unnoticed when Mrs. Prim chanced to be entertaining the +feminine elite of Oakdale across the hall. A convenient little stairway +for retiring husbands and diffident burglars--yes, indeed! + +The darkness of the upper hallway offered no obstacle to this familiar +housebreaker. He passed the tempting luxury of Mrs. Prim's boudoir, the +chaste elegance of Jonas Prim's bed-room with all the possibilities of +forgotten wallets and negotiable papers, setting his course straight +for the apartments of Abigail Prim, the spinster daughter of the First +National Bank of Oakdale. Or should we utilize a more charitable and at +the same time more truthful word than spinster? I think we should, since +Abigail was but nineteen and quite human, despite her name. + +Upon the dressing table of Abigail reposed much silver and gold and +ivory, wrought by clever artisans into articles of great beauty and some +utility; but with scarce a glance the burglar passed them by, directing +his course straight across the room to a small wall safe cleverly hidden +by a bit of tapestry. + +How, Oh how, this suggestive familiarity with the innermost secrets of a +virgin's sacred apartments upon the part of one so obviously of the +male persuasion and, by his all too apparent calling, a denizen of that +underworld of which no Abigail should have intimate knowledge? Yet, +truly and with scarce a faint indication of groping, though the room was +dark, the marauder walked directly to the hidden safe, swung back the +tapestry in its frame, turned the knob of the combination and in a +moment opened the circular door of the strong box. + +A fat roll of bills and a handful of jewelry he transferred to the +pockets of his coat. Some papers which his hand brushed within the safe +he pushed aside as though preadvised of their inutility to one of his +calling. Then he closed the safe door, closed the tapestry upon it and +turned toward a dainty dressing table. From a drawer in this exquisite +bit of Sheraton the burglar took a small, nickel plated automatic, which +he slipped into an inside breast pocket of his coat, nor did he touch +another article therein or thereon, nor hesitate an instant in the +selection of the drawer to be rifled. His knowledge of the apartment of +the daughter of the house of Prim was little short of uncanny. Doubtless +the fellow was some plumber's apprentice who had made good use of an +opportunity to study the lay of the land against a contemplated invasion +of these holy precincts. + +But even the most expert of second story men nod and now that all seemed +as though running on greased rails a careless elbow raked a silver +candle-stick from the dressing table to the floor where it crashed +with a resounding din that sent cold shivers up the youth's spine and +conjured in his mind a sudden onslaught of investigators from the floor +below. + +The noise of the falling candlestick sounded to the taut nerved +house-breaker as might the explosion of a stick of dynamite during +prayer in a meeting house. That all Oakdale had heard it seemed quite +possible, while that those below stairs were already turning questioning +ears, and probably inquisitive footsteps, upward was almost a foregone +conclusion. + +Adjoining Miss Prim's boudoir was her bath and before the door leading +from the one to the other was a cretonne covered screen behind which +the burglar now concealed himself the while he listened in rigid +apprehension for the approach of the enemy; but the only sound that came +to him from the floor below was the deep laugh of Jonas Prim. A profound +sigh of relief escaped the beardless lips; for that laugh assured the +youth that, after all, the noise of the fallen candlestick had not +alarmed the household. + +With knees that still trembled a bit he crossed the room and passed out +into the hallway, descended the stairs, and stood again in the library. +Here he paused a moment listening to the voices which came from the +dining room. Mrs. Prim was speaking. “I feel quite relieved about +Abigail,” she was saying. “I believe that at last she sees the wisdom +and the advantages of an alliance with Mr. Benham, and it was almost +with enthusiasm that she left this morning to visit his sister. I am +positive that a week or two of companionship with him will impress upon +her the fine qualities of his nature. We are to be congratulated, Jonas, +upon settling our daughter so advantageously both in the matter of +family and wealth.” + +Jonas Prim grunted. “Sam Benham is old enough to be the girl's father,” + he growled. “If she wants him, all right; but I can't imagine Abbie +wanting a bald-headed husband with rheumatism. I wish you'd let her +alone, Pudgy, to find her own mate in her own way--someone nearer her +own age.” + +“The child is not old enough to judge wisely for herself,” replied Mrs. +Prim. “It was my duty to arrange a proper alliance; and, Jonas, I will +thank you not to call me Pudgy--it is perfectly ridiculous for a woman +of my age--and position.” + +The burglar did not hear Mr. Prim's reply for he had moved across the +library and passed out onto the verandah. Once again he crossed the +lawn, taking advantage of the several trees and shrubs which dotted it, +scaled the low stone wall at the side and was in the concealing shadows +of the unlighted side street which bounds the Prim estate upon the +south. The streets of Oakdale are flanked by imposing battalions of elm +and maple which over-arch and meet above the thoroughfares; and now, +following an early Spring, their foliage eclipsed the infrequent +arclights to the eminent satisfaction of those nocturnal wayfarers +who prefer neither publicity nor the spot light. Of such there are few +within the well ordered precincts of law abiding Oakdale; but to-night +there was at least one and this one was deeply grateful for the gloomy +walks along which he hurried toward the limits of the city. + +At last he found himself upon a country road with the odors of Spring +in his nostrils and the world before him. The night noises of the open +country fell strangely upon his ears accentuating rather than relieving +the myriad noted silence of Nature. Familiar sounds became unreal +and weird, the deep bass of innumerable bull frogs took on an uncanny +humanness which sent a half shudder through the slender frame. The +burglar felt a sad loneliness creeping over him. He tried whistling in +an effort to shake off the depressing effects of this seeming +solitude through which he moved; but there remained with him still the +hallucination that he moved alone through a strange, new world peopled +by invisible and unfamiliar forms--menacing shapes which lurked in +waiting behind each tree and shrub. + +He ceased his whistling and went warily upon the balls of his feet, lest +he unnecessarily call attention to his presence. If the truth were to +be told it would chronicle the fact that a very nervous and frightened +burglar sneaked along the quiet and peaceful country road outside of +Oakdale. A lonesome burglar, this, who so craved the companionship of +man that he would almost have welcomed joyously the detaining hand of +the law had it fallen upon him in the guise of a flesh and blood police +officer from Oakdale. + +In leaving the city the youth had given little thought to the +practicalities of the open road. He had thought, rather vaguely, of +sleeping in a bed of new clover in some hospitable fence corner; but +the fence corners looked very dark and the wide expanse of fields beyond +suggested a mysterious country which might be peopled by almost anything +but human beings. + +At a farm house the youth hesitated and was almost upon the verge of +entering and asking for a night's lodging when a savage voiced dog +shattered the peace of the universe and sent the burglar along the road +at a rapid run. + +A half mile further on a straw stack loomed large within a fenced +enclosure. The youth wormed his way between the barbed wires determined +at last to let nothing prevent him from making a cozy bed in the deep +straw beside the stack. With courage radiating from every pore he strode +toward the stack. His walk was almost a swagger, for thus does youth +dissemble the bravery it yearns for but does not possess. He almost +whistled again; but not quite, since it seemed an unnecessary +provocation to disaster to call particular attention to himself at this +time. An instant later he was extremely glad that he had refrained, for +as he approached the stack a huge bulk slowly loomed from behind it; +and silhouetted against the moonlit sky he saw the vast proportions of a +great, shaggy bull. The burglar tore the inside of one trousers' leg and +the back of his coat in his haste to pass through the barbed wire fence +onto the open road. There he paused to mop the perspiration from his +forehead, though the night was now far from warm. + +For another mile the now tired and discouraged house-breaker plodded, +heavy footed, the unending road. Did vain compunction stir his +youthful breast? Did he regret the safe respectability of the plumber's +apprentice? Or, if he had not been a plumber's apprentice did he yearn +to once again assume the unharried peace of whatever legitimate calling +had been his before he bent his steps upon the broad boulevard of sin? +We think he did. + +And then he saw through the chinks and apertures in the half ruined wall +of what had once been a hay barn the rosy flare of a genial light which +appeared to announce in all but human terms that man, red blooded and +hospitable, forgathered within. No growling dogs, no bulking bulls +contested the short stretch of weed grown ground between the road and +the disintegrating structure; and presently two wide, brown eyes were +peering through a crack in the wall of the abandoned building. What they +saw was a small fire built upon the earth floor in the center of the +building and around the warming blaze the figures of six men. Some +reclined at length upon old straw; others squatted, Turk fashion. All +were smoking either disreputable pipes or rolled cigarets. Blear-eyed +and foxy-eyed, bearded and stubbled cheeked, young and old, were the men +the youth looked upon. All were more or less dishevelled and filthy; but +they were human. They were not dogs, or bulls, or croaking frogs. The +boy's heart went out to them. Something that was almost a sob rose in +his throat, and then he turned the corner of the building and stood in +the doorway, the light from the fire playing upon his lithe young figure +clothed in its torn and ill fitting suit and upon his oval face and his +laughing brown eyes. For several seconds he stood there looking at the +men around the fire. None of them had noticed him. + +“Tramps!” thought the youth. “Regular tramps.” He wondered that they had +not seen him, and then, clearing his throat, he said: “Hello, tramps!” + +Six heads snapped up or around. Six pairs of eyes, blear or foxy, +were riveted upon the boyish figure of the housebreaker. “Wotinel!” + ejaculated a frowzy gentleman in a frock coat and golf cap. “Wheredju +blow from?” inquired another. “'Hello, tramps'!” mimicked a third. + +The youth came slowly toward the fire. “I saw your fire,” he said, “and +I thought I'd stop. I'm a tramp, too, you know.” + +“Oh,” sighed the elderly person in the frock coat. “He's a tramp, he is. +An' does he think gents like us has any time for tramps? An' where might +he be trampin', sonny, without his maw?” + +The youth flushed. “Oh say!” he cried; “you needn't kid me just because +I'm new at it. You all had to start sometime. I've always longed for +the free life of a tramp; and if you'll let me go along with you for a +little while, and teach me, I'll not bother you; and I'll do whatever +you say.” + +The elderly person frowned. “Beat it, kid!” he commanded. “We ain't +runnin' no day nursery. These you see here is all the real thing. Maybe +we asks fer a handout now and then; but that ain't our reg'lar way. You +ain't swift enough to travel with this bunch, kid, so you'd better duck. +Why we gents, here, if we was added up is wanted in about twenty-seven +cities fer about everything from rollin' a souse to crackin' a box and +croakin' a bull. You gotta do something before you can train wid gents +like us, see?” The speaker projected a stubbled jaw, scowled horridly +and swept a flattened palm downward and backward at a right angle to a +hairy arm in eloquent gesture of finality. + +The boy had stood with his straight, black eyebrows puckered into a +studious frown, drinking in every word. Now he straightened up. “I guess +I made a mistake,” he said, apologetically. “You ain't tramps at all. +You're thieves and murderers and things like that.” His eyes opened a +bit wider and his voice sank to a whisper as the words passed his lips. +“But you haven't so much on me, at that,” he went on, “for I'm a regular +burglar, too,” and from the bulging pockets of his coat he drew two +handfuls of greenbacks and jewelry. The eyes of the six registered +astonishment, mixed with craft and greed. “I just robbed a house in +Oakdale,” explained the boy. “I usually rob one every night.” + +For a moment his auditors were too surprised to voice a single emotion; +but presently one murmured, soulfully: “Pipe de swag!” He of the frock +coat, golf cap, and years waved a conciliatory hand. He tried to look at +the boy's face; but for the life of him he couldn't raise his eyes above +the dazzling wealth clutched in the fingers of those two small, +slim hands. From one dangled a pearl necklace which alone might have +ransomed, if not a king, at least a lesser member of a royal family, +while diamonds, rubies, sapphires, and emeralds scintillated in the +flaring light of the fire. Nor was the fistful of currency in the other +hand to be sneezed at. There were greenbacks, it is true; but there were +also yellowbacks with the reddish gold of large denominations. The Sky +Pilot sighed a sigh that was more than half gasp. + +“Can't yuh take a kid?” he inquired. “I knew youse all along. Yuh can't +fool an old bird like The Sky Pilot--eh, boys?” and he turned to his +comrades for confirmation. + +“He's The Oskaloosa Kid,” exclaimed one of the company. “I'd know 'im +anywheres.” + +“Pull up and set down,” invited another. + +The boy stuffed his loot back into his pockets and came closer to the +fire. Its warmth felt most comfortable, for the Spring night was growing +chill. He looked about him at the motley company, some half-spruce in +clothing that suggested a Kuppenmarx label and a not too far association +with a tailor's goose, others in rags, all but one unshaven and all +more or less dirty--for the open road is close to Nature, which is +principally dirt. + +“Shake hands with Dopey Charlie,” said The Sky Pilot, whose age and +corpulency appeared to stamp him with the hall mark of authority. The +youth did as he was bid, smiling into the sullen, chalk-white face and +taking the clammy hand extended toward him. Was it a shudder that +passed through the lithe, young figure or was it merely a subconscious +recognition of the final passing of the bodily cold before the glowing +warmth of the blaze? “And Soup Face,” continued The Sky Pilot. A battered +wreck half rose and extended a pudgy hand. Red whiskers, matted in +little tangled wisps which suggested the dried ingredients of an +infinite procession of semi-liquid refreshments, rioted promiscuously +over a scarlet countenance. + +“Pleased to meetcha,” sprayed Soup Face. It was a strained smile +which twisted the rather too perfect mouth of The Oskaloosa Kid, an +appellation which we must, perforce, accept since the youth did not deny +it. + +Columbus Blackie, The General, and Dirty Eddie were formally presented. +As Dirty Eddie was, physically, the cleanest member of the band the +youth wondered how he had come by his sobriquet--that is, he wondered +until he heard Dirty Eddie speak, after which he was no longer in doubt. +The Oskaloosa Kid, self-confessed 'tramp' and burglar, flushed at the +lurid obscenity of Dirty Eddie's remarks. + +“Sit down, bo,” invited Soup Face. “I guess you're a regular all right. +Here, have a snifter?” and he pulled a flask from his side pocket, +holding it toward The Oskaloosa Kid. + +“Thank you, but;--er--I'm on the wagon, you know,” declined the youth. + +“Have a smoke?” suggested Columbus Blackie. “Here's the makin's.” + +The change in the attitude of the men toward him pleased The Oskaloosa +Kid immensely. They were treating him as one of them, and after the +lonely walk through the dark and desolate farm lands human companionship +of any kind was to him as the proverbial straw to the man who rocked the +boat once too often. + +Dopey Charlie and The General, alone of all the company, waxed not +enthusiastic over the advent of The Oskaloosa Kid and his priceless +loot. These two sat scowling and whispering in the back-ground. “Dat's +a wrong guy,” muttered the former to the latter. “He's a stool pigeon or +one of dese amatoor mugs.” + +“It's the pullin' of that punk graft that got my goat,” replied The +General. “I never seen a punk yet that didn't try to make you think he +was a wise guy an' dis stiff don't belong enough even to pull a spiel +that would fool a old ladies' sewin' circle. I don't see wot The Sky +Pilot's cozyin' up to him fer.” + +“You don't?” scoffed Dopey Charlie. “Didn't you lamp de oyster harness? +To say nothin' of de mitful of rocks and kale.” + +“That 'ud be all right, too,” replied the other, “if we could put the +guy to sleep; but The Sky Pilot won't never stand for croakin' nobody. +He's too scared of his neck. We'll look like a bunch o' wise ones, won't +we? lettin' a stranger sit in now--after last night. Hell!” he suddenly +exploded. “Don't you know that you an' me stand to swing if any of de +bunch gets gabby in front of dis phoney punk?” + +The two sat silent for a while, The General puffing on a short briar, +Dopey Charlie inhaling deep draughts from a cigarette, and both glaring +through narrowed lids at the boy warming himself beside the fire +where the others were attempting to draw him out the while they strove +desperately but unavailingly to keep their eyes from the two bulging +sidepockets of their guest's coat. + +Soup Face, who had been assiduously communing with a pint flask, leaned +close to Columbus Blackie, placing his whiskers within an inch or so +of the other's nose as was his habit when addressing another, and +whispered, relative to the pearl necklace: “Not a cent less 'n fifty +thou, bo!” + +“Fertheluvomike!” ejaculated Blackie, drawing back and wiping a palm +quickly across his lips. “Get a plumber first if you want to kiss +me--you leak.” + +“He thinks you need a shower bath,” said Dirty Eddie, laughing. + +“The trouble with Soup Face,” explained The Sky Pilot, “is that he's got +a idea he's a human atomizer an' that the rest of us has colds.” + +“Well, I don't want no atomizer loaded with rot-gut and garlic shot +in my mug,” growled Blackie. “What Soup Face needs is to be learned +ettyket, an' if he comes that on me again I'm goin' to push his mush +through the back of his bean.” + +An ugly light came into the blear eyes of Soup Face. Once again he +leaned close to Columbus Blackie. “Not a cent less 'n fifty thou, you +tinhorn!” he bellowed, belligerent and sprayful. + +Blackie leaped to his feet, with an oath--a frightful, hideous oath--and +as he rose he swung a heavy fist to Soup Face's purple nose. The latter +rolled over backward; but was upon his feet again much quicker than one +would have expected in so gross a bulk, and as he came to his feet a +knife flashed in his hand. With a sound that was more bestial than human +he ran toward Blackie; but there was another there who had anticipated +his intentions. As the blow was struck The Sky Pilot had risen; and +now he sprang forward, for all his age and bulk as nimble as a cat, and +seized Soup Face by the wrist. A quick wrench brought a howl of pain to +the would-be assassin, and the knife fell to the floor. + +“You gotta cut that if you travel with this bunch,” said The Sky Pilot +in a voice that was new to The Oskaloosa Kid; “and you, too, Blackie,” + he continued. “The rough stuff don't go with me, see?” He hurled Soup +Face to the floor and resumed his seat by the fire. + +The youth was astonished at the physical strength of this old man, +seemingly so softened by dissipation; but it showed him the source of +The Sky Pilot's authority and its scope, for Columbus Blackie and Soup +Face quitted their quarrel immediately. + +Dirty Eddie rose, yawned and stretched. “Me fer the hay,” he announced, +and lay down again with his feet toward the fire. Some of the others +followed his example. “You'll find some hay in the loft there,” said The +Sky Pilot to The Oskaloosa Kid. “Bring it down an' make your bed here by +me, there's plenty room.” + +A half hour later all were stretched out upon the hard dirt floor upon +improvised beds of rotted hay; but not all slept. The Oskaloosa Kid, +though tired, found himself wider awake than he ever before had been. +Apparently sleep could never again come to those heavy eyes. There +passed before his mental vision a panorama of the events of the night. +He smiled as he inaudibly voiced the name they had given him, the right +to which he had not seen fit to deny. “The Oskaloosa Kid.” The boy +smiled again as he felt the 'swag' hard and lumpy in his pockets. It +had given him prestige here that he could not have gained by any other +means; but he mistook the nature of the interest which his display of +stolen wealth had aroused. He thought that the men now looked upon +him as a fellow criminal to be accepted into the fraternity through +achievement; whereas they suffered him to remain solely in the hope of +transferring his loot to their own pockets. + +It is true that he puzzled them. Even The Sky Pilot, the most astute +and intelligent of them all, was at a loss to fathom The Oskaloosa Kid. +Innocence and unsophistication flaunted their banners in almost every +act and speech of The Oskaloosa Kid. The youth reminded him in some ways +of members of a Sunday school which had flourished in the dim vistas of +his past when, as an ordained minister of the Gospel, he had earned the +sobriquet which now identified him. But the concrete evidence of the +valuable loot comported not with The Sky Pilot's idea of a Sunday school +boy's lark. The young fellow was, unquestionably, a thief; but that he +had ever before consorted with thieves his speech and manners belied. + +“He's got me,” murmured The Sky Pilot; “but he's got the stuff on him, +too; and all I want is to get it off of him without a painful operation. +Tomorrow'll do,” and he shifted his position and fell asleep. + +Dopey Charlie and The General did not, however, follow the example of +their chief. They remained very wide awake, a little apart from the +others, where their low whispers could not be overheard. + +“You better do it,” urged The General, in a soft, insinuating voice. +“You're pretty slick with the toad stabber, an' any way one more or less +won't count.” + +“We can go to Sout' America on dat stuff an' live like gents,” muttered +Dopey Charlie. “I'm goin' to cut out de Hop an' buy a farm an' a +ottymobeel and--” + +“Come out of it,” admonished The General. “If we're lucky we'll get as +far as Cincinnati, get a stew on and get pinched. Den one of us'll hang +an' de other get stir fer life.” + +The General was a weasel faced person of almost any age between +thirty-five and sixty. Sometimes he could have passed for a hundred +and ten. He had won his military title as a boy in the famous march of +Coxey's army on Washington, or, rather, the title had been conferred +upon him in later years as a merited reward of service. The General, +profiting by the precepts of his erstwhile companions in arms, had never +soiled his military escutcheon by labor, nor had he ever risen to the +higher planes of criminality. Rather as a mediocre pickpocket and +a timorous confidence man had he eked out a meager existence, amply +punctuated by seasons of straight bumming and intervals spent as the +guest of various inhospitably hospitable states. Now, for the first time +in his life, The General faced the possibility of a serious charge; and +his terror made him what he never before had been, a dangerous criminal. + +“You're a cheerful guy,” commented Dopey Charlie; “but you may be right +at dat. Dey can't hang a guy any higher fer two 'an they can fer one +an' dat's no pipe; so wots de use. Wait till I take a shot--it'll be +easier,” and he drew a small, worn case from an inside pocket, bared +his arm to the elbow and injected enough morphine to have killed a dozen +normal men. + +From a pile of mouldy hay across the barn the youth, heavy eyed but +sleepless, watched the two through half closed lids. A qualm of disgust +sent a sudden shudder through his slight frame. For the first time he +almost regretted having embarked upon a life of crime. He had seen +that the two men were conversing together earnestly, though he could +over-hear nothing they said, and that he had been the subject of their +nocturnal colloquy, for several times a glance or a nod in his direction +assured him of this. And so he lay watching them--not that he was +afraid, he kept reassuring himself, but through curiosity. Why should +he be afraid? Was it not a well known truth that there was honor among +thieves? + +But the longer he watched the heavier grew his lids. Several times they +closed to be dragged open again only by painful effort. Finally came a +time that they remained closed and the young chest rose and fell in the +regular breathing of slumber. + +The two ragged, rat-hearted creatures rose silently and picked their +way, half-crouched, among the sleepers sprawled between them and The +Oskaloosa Kid. In the hand of Dopey Charlie gleamed a bit of shiny steel +and in his heart were fear and greed. The fear was engendered by the +belief that the youth might be an amateur detective. Dopey Charlie had +had one experience of such and he knew that it was easily possible for +them to blunder upon evidence which the most experienced of operatives +might pass over unnoticed, and the loot bulging pockets furnished a +sufficient greed motive in themselves. + +Beside the boy kneeled the man with the knife. He did not raise his +hand and strike a sudden, haphazard blow. Instead he placed the point +carefully, though lightly, above the victim's heart, and then, suddenly, +bore his weight upon the blade. + +Abigail Prim always had been a thorn in the flesh of her stepmother--a +well-meaning, unimaginative, ambitious, and rather common woman. Coming +into the Prim home as house-keeper shortly after the death of Abigail's +mother, the second Mrs. Prim had from the first looked upon Abigail +principally as an obstacle to be overcome. She had tried to 'do right by +her'; but she had never given the child what a child most needs and most +craves--love and understanding. Not loving Abigail, the house-keeper +could, naturally, not give her love; and as for understanding her one +might as reasonably have expected an adding machine to understand higher +mathematics. + +Jonas Prim loved his daughter. There was nothing, within reason, that +money could buy which he would not have given her for the asking; but +Jonas Prim's love, as his life, was expressed in dollar signs, while the +love which Abigail craved is better expressed by any other means at the +command of man. + +Being misunderstood and, to all outward appearances of sentiment and +affection, unloved had not in any way embittered Abigail's remarkably +joyous temperament. She made up for it in some measure by getting all the +fun and excitement out of life which she could discover therein, or +invent through the medium of her own resourceful imagination. + +But recently the first real sorrow had been thrust into her young life +since the half-forgotten mother had been taken from her. The second +Mrs. Prim had decided that it was her 'duty' to see that Abigail, having +finished school and college, was properly married. As a matchmaker +the second Mrs. Prim was as a Texas steer in a ten cent store. It was +nothing to her that Abigail did not wish to marry anyone, or that the +man of Mrs. Prim's choice, had he been the sole surviving male in the +Universe, would have still been as far from Abigail's choice as though +he had been an inhabitant of one of Orion's most distant planets. + +As a matter of fact Abigail Prim detested Samuel Benham because he +represented to her everything in life which she shrank from--age, +avoirdupois, infirmity, baldness, stupidity, and matrimony. He was a +prosaic old bachelor who had amassed a fortune by the simple means of +inheriting three farms upon which an industrial city subsequently had +been built. Necessity rather than foresight had compelled him to hold on +to his property; and six weeks of typhoid, arriving and departing, had +saved him from selling out at a low figure. The first time he found +himself able to be out and attend to business he likewise found himself +a wealthy man, and ever since he had been growing wealthier without +personal effort. + +All of which is to render evident just how impossible a matrimonial +proposition was Samuel Benham to a bright, a beautiful, a gay, an +imaginative, young, and a witty girl such as Abigail Prim, who cared +less for money than for almost any other desirable thing in the world. + +Nagged, scolded, reproached, pestered, threatened, Abigail had at last +given a seeming assent to her stepmother's ambition; and had forthwith +been packed off on a two weeks visit to the sister of the bride-groom +elect. After which Mr. Benham was to visit Oakdale as a guest of the +Prims, and at a dinner for which cards already had been issued--so sure +was Mrs. Jonas Prim of her position of dictator of the Prim menage--the +engagement was to be announced. + +It was some time after dinner on the night of Abigail's departure that +Mrs. Prim, following a habit achieved by years of housekeeping, set +forth upon her rounds to see that doors and windows were properly +secured for the night. A French window and its screen opening upon the +verandah from the library she found open. “The house will be full of +mosquitoes!” she ejaculated mentally as she closed them both with a bang +and made them fast. “I should just like to know who left them open. Upon +my word, I don't know what would become of this place if it wasn't for +me. Of all the shiftlessness!” and she turned and flounced upstairs. In +Abigail's room she flashed on the center dome light from force of habit, +although she knew that the room had been left in proper condition after +the girl's departure earlier in the day. The first thing amiss that +her eagle eye noted was the candlestick lying on the floor beside the +dressing table. As she stooped to pick it up she saw the open drawer +from which the small automatic had been removed, and then, suspicions, +suddenly aroused, as suddenly became fear; and Mrs. Prim almost dove +across the room to the hidden wall safe. A moment's investigation +revealed the startling fact that the safe was unlocked and practically +empty. It was then that Mrs. Jonas Prim screamed. + +Her scream brought Jonas and several servants upon the scene. A careful +inspection of the room disclosed the fact that while much of value had +been ignored the burglar had taken the easily concealed contents of the +wall safe which represented fully ninety percentum of the value of the +personal property in Abigail Prim's apartments. + +Mrs. Prim scowled suspiciously upon the servants. Who else, indeed, +could have possessed the intimate knowledge which the thief had +displayed. Mrs. Prim saw it all. The open library window had been but a +clever blind to hide the fact that the thief had worked from the inside +and was now doubtless in the house at that very moment. + +“Jonas,” she directed, “call the police at once, and see that no one, +absolutely no one, leaves this house until they have been here and made +a full investigation.” + +“Shucks, Pudgy!” exclaimed Mr. Prim. “You don't think the thief is +waiting around here for the police, do you?” + +“I think that if you get the police here at once, Jonas, we shall find +both the thief and the loot under our very roof,” she replied, not +without asperity. + +“You don't mean--” he hesitated. “Why, Pudgy, you don't mean you suspect +one of the servants?” + +“Who else could have known?” asked Mrs. Prim. The servants present +looked uncomfortable and cast sheepish eyes of suspicion at one another. + +“It's all tommy rot!” ejaculated Mr. Prim; “but I'll call the police, +because I got to report the theft. It's some slick outsider, that's +who it is,” and he started down stairs toward the telephone. Before he +reached it the bell rang, and when he had hung up the receiver after the +conversation the theft seemed a trivial matter. In fact he had almost +forgotten it, for the message had been from the local telegraph office +relaying a wire they had just received from Mr. Samuel Benham. + +“I say, Pudgy,” he cried, as he took the steps two at a time for the +second floor, “here's a wire from Benham saying Gail didn't come on that +train and asking when he's to expect her.” + +“Impossible!” ejaculated Mrs. Prim. “I certainly saw her aboard the +train myself. Impossible!” + +Jonas Prim was a man of action. Within half an hour he had set in motion +such wheels as money and influence may cause to revolve in search of +some clew to the whereabouts of the missing Abigail, and at the same +time had reported the theft of jewels and money from his home; but in +doing this he had learned that other happenings no less remarkable in +their way had taken place in Oakdale that very night. + +The following morning all Oakdale was thrilled as its fascinated eyes +devoured the front page of Oakdale's ordinarily dull daily. Never had +Oakdale experienced a plethora of home-grown thrills; but it came as +near to it that morning, doubtless, as it ever had or ever will. Not +since the cashier of The Merchants and Farmers Bank committed suicide +three years past had Oakdale been so wrought up, and now that historic +and classical event paled into insignificance in the glaring brilliancy +of a series of crimes and mysteries of a single night such as not even +the most sanguine of Oakdale's thrill lovers could have hoped for. + +There was, first, the mysterious disappearance of Abigail Prim, the +only daughter of Oakdale's wealthiest citizen; there was the equally +mysterious robbery of the Prim home. Either one of these would have been +sufficient to have set Oakdale's multitudinous tongues wagging for days; +but they were not all. Old John Baggs, the city's best known miser, had +suffered a murderous assault in his little cottage upon the outskirts +of town, and was even now lying at the point of death in The Samaritan +Hospital. That robbery had been the motive was amply indicated by the +topsy-turvy condition of the contents of the three rooms which Baggs +called home. As the victim still was unconscious no details of the crime +were obtainable. Yet even this atrocious deed had been capped by one yet +more hideous. + +Reginald Paynter had for years been looked upon half askance and yet +with a certain secret pride by Oakdale. He was her sole bon vivant in +the true sense of the word, whatever that may be. He was always +spoken of in the columns of The Oakdale Tribune as 'that well known +man-about-town,' or 'one of Oakdale's most prominent clubmen.' Reginald +Paynter had been, if not the only, at all events the best dressed man +in town. His clothes were made in New York. This in itself had been +sufficient to have set him apart from all the other males of Oakdale. +He was widely travelled, had an independent fortune, and was far from +unhandsome. For years he had been the hope and despair of every Oakdale +mother with marriageable daughters. The Oakdale fathers, however, had +not been so keen about Reginald. Men usually know more about the morals +of men than do women. There were those who, if pressed, would have +conceded that Reginald had no morals. + +But what place has an obituary in a truthful tale of adventure and +mystery! Reginald Paynter was dead. His body had been found beside +the road just outside the city limits at mid-night by a party of +automobilists returning from a fishing trip. The skull was crushed back +of the left ear. The position of the body as well as the marks in the +road beside it indicated that the man had been hurled from a rapidly +moving automobile. The fact that his pockets had been rifled led to the +assumption that he had been killed and robbed before being dumped upon +the road. + +Now there were those in Oakdale, and they were many, who endeavored to +connect in some way these several events of horror, mystery, and crime. +In the first place it seemed quite evident that the robbery at the Prim +home, the assault upon Old Baggs, and the murder of Paynter had been +the work of the same man; but how could such a series of frightful +happenings be in any way connected with the disappearance of Abigail +Prim? Of course there were many who knew that Abigail and Reginald were +old friends; and that the former had, on frequent occasions, ridden +abroad in Reginald's French roadster, that he had escorted her to +parties and been, at various times, a caller at her home; but no less +had been true of a dozen other perfectly respectable young ladies +of Oakdale. Possibly it was only Abigail's added misfortune to have +disappeared upon the eve of the night of Reginald's murder. + +But later in the day when word came from a nearby town that Reginald had +been seen in a strange touring car with two unknown men and a girl, +the gossips commenced to wag their heads. It was mentioned, casually of +course, that this town was a few stations along the very road upon which +Abigail had departed the previous afternoon for that destination which +she had not reached. It was likewise remarked that Reginald, the two +strange men and the GIRL had been first noticed after the time of +arrival of the Oakdale train! What more was needed? Absolutely +nothing more. The tongues ceased wagging in order that they might turn +hand-springs. + +Find Abigail Prim, whispered some, and the mystery will be solved. There +were others charitable enough to assume that Abigail had been kidnapped +by the same men who had murdered Paynter and wrought the other lesser +deeds of crime in peaceful Oakdale. The Oakdale Tribune got out an extra +that afternoon giving a resume of such evidence as had appeared in the +regular edition and hinting at all the numerous possibilities suggested +by such matter as had come to hand since. Even fear of old Jonas Prim +and his millions had not been enough to entirely squelch the newspaper +instinct of the Tribune's editor. Never before had he had such an +opportunity and he made the best of it, even repeating the vague +surmises which had linked the name of Abigail to the murder of Reginald +Paynter. + +Jonas Prim was too busy and too worried to pay any attention to the +Tribune or its editor. He already had the best operative that the best +detective agency in the nearest metropolis could furnish. The man had +come to Oakdale, learned all that was to be learned there, and forthwith +departed. + +This, then, will be about all concerning Oakdale for the present. We +must leave her to bury her own dead. + +The sudden pressure of the knife point against the breast of the +Oskaloosa Kid awakened the youth with a startling suddenness which +brought him to his feet before a second vicious thrust reached him. For +a time he did not realize how close he had been to death or that he had +been saved by the chance location of the automatic pistol in his breast +pocket--the very pistol he had taken from the dressing table of Abigail +Prim's boudoir. + +The commotion of the attack and escape brought the other sleepers to +heavy-eyed wakefulness. They saw Dopey Charlie advancing upon the Kid, +a knife in his hand. Behind him slunk The General, urging the other on. +The youth was backing toward the doorway. The tableau persisted but for +an instant. Then the would-be murderer rushed madly upon his victim, the +latter's hand leaped from beneath the breast of his torn coat--there was +a flash of flame, a staccato report and Dopey Charlie crumpled to the +ground, screaming. In the same instant The Oskaloosa Kid wheeled and +vanished into the night. + +It had all happened so quickly that the other members of the gang, +awakened from deep slumber, had only time to stumble to their feet +before it was over. The Sky Pilot, ignoring the screaming Charlie, +thought only of the loot which had vanished with the Oskaloosa Kid. + +“Come on! We gotta get him,” he cried, as he ran from the barn after +the fugitive. The others, all but Dopey Charlie, followed in the wake of +their leader. The wounded man, his audience departed, ceased screaming +and, sitting up, fell to examining himself. To his surprise he +discovered that he was not dead. A further and more minute examination +disclosed the additional fact that he was not even badly wounded. The +bullet of The Kid had merely creased the flesh over the ribs beneath his +right arm. With a grunt that might have been either disgust or relief he +stumbled to his feet and joined in the pursuit. + +Down the road toward the south ran The Oskaloosa Kid with all the +fleetness of youth spurred on by terror. In five minutes he had so far +outdistanced his pursuers that The Sky Pilot leaped to the conclusion +that the quarry had left the road to hide in an adjoining field. The +resultant halt and search upon either side of the road delayed the chase +to a sufficient extent to award the fugitive a mile lead by the time the +band resumed the hunt along the main highway. The men were determined +to overhaul the youth not alone because of the loot upon his person but +through an abiding suspicion that he might indeed be what some of them +feared he was--an amateur detective--and there were at least two among +them who had reason to be especially fearful of any sort of detective +from Oakdale. + +They no longer ran; but puffed arduously along the smooth road, +searching with troubled and angry eyes to right and left and ahead of +them as they went. + +The Oskaloosa Kid puffed, too; but he puffed a mile away from the +searchers and he walked more rapidly than they, for his muscles were +younger and his wind unimpaired by dissipation. For a time he carried +the small automatic in his hand; but later, hearing no evidence of +pursuit, he returned it to the pocket in his coat where it had lain when +it had saved him from death beneath the blade of the degenerate Charlie. + +For an hour he continued walking rapidly along the winding country road. +He was very tired; but he dared not pause to rest. Always behind him he +expected the sudden onslaught of the bearded, blear-eyed followers +of The Sky Pilot. Terror goaded him to supreme physical effort. +Recollection of the screaming man sinking to the earthen floor of the +hay barn haunted him. He was a murderer! He had slain a fellow man. +He winced and shuddered, increasing his gait until again he almost ran +--ran from the ghost pursuing him through the black night in greater +terror than he felt for the flesh and blood pursuers upon his heels. + +And Nature drew upon her sinister forces to add to the fear which the +youth already felt. Black clouds obscured the moon blotting out the soft +kindliness of the greening fields and transforming the budding branches +of the trees to menacing and gloomy arms which appeared to hover with +clawlike talons above the dark and forbidding road. The wind soughed +with gloomy and increasing menace, a sudden light flared across the +southern sky followed by the reverberation of distant thunder. + +Presently a great rain drop was blown against the youth's face; the +vividness of the lightning had increased; the rumbling of the thunder +had grown to the proportions of a titanic bombardment; but he dared not +pause to seek shelter. + +Another flash of lightning revealed a fork in the road immediately +ahead--to the left ran the broad, smooth highway, to the right a dirt +road, overarched by trees, led away into the impenetrable dark. + +The fugitive paused, undecided. Which way should he turn? The better +travelled highway seemed less mysterious and awesome, yet would his +pursuers not naturally assume that he had followed it? Then, of course, +the right hand road was the road for him. Yet still he hesitated, for +the right hand road was black and forbidding; suggesting the entrance to +a pit of unknown horrors. + +As he stood there with the rain and the wind, the thunder and the +lightning, horror of the past and terror of the future his only +companions there broke suddenly through the storm the voice of a man +just ahead and evidently approaching along the highway. + +The youth turned to flee; but the thought of the men tracking him from +that direction brought him to a sudden halt. There was only the road to +the right, then, after all. Cautiously he moved toward it, and at the +same time the words of the voice came clearly through the night: + + “'... as, swinging heel and toe, + + 'We tramped the road to Anywhere, the magic road + + to Anywhere, + + 'The tragic road to Anywhere, such dear, dim years + + ago.'” + +The voice seemed reassuring--its quality and the annunciation of the +words bespoke for its owner considerable claim to refinement. The youth +had halted again, but he now crouched to one side fearing to reveal his +presence because of the bloody crime he thought he had committed; yet +how he yearned to throw himself upon the compassion of this fine voiced +stranger! How his every fibre cried out for companionship in this night +of his greatest terror; but he would have let the invisible minstrel +pass had not Fate ordained to light the scene at that particular instant +with a prolonged flare of sheet lightning, revealing the two wayfarers +to one another. + +The youth saw a slight though well built man in ragged clothes and +disreputable soft hat. The image was photographed upon his brain for +life--the honest, laughing eyes, the well moulded features harmonizing +so well with the voice, and the impossible garments which marked the man +hobo and bum as plainly as though he wore a placard suspended from his +neck. + +The stranger halted. Once more darkness enveloped them. “Lovely evening +for a stroll,” remarked the man. “Running out to your country place? +Isn't there danger of skidding on these wet roads at night? I told +James, just before we started, to be sure to see that the chains were on +all around; but he forgot them. James is very trying sometimes. Now he +never showed up this evening and I had to start out alone, and he knows +perfectly well that I detest driving after dark in the rain.” + +The youth found himself smiling. His fear had suddenly vanished. No one +could harbor suspicion of the owner of that cheerful voice. + +“I didn't know which road to take,” he ventured, in explanation of his +presence at the cross road. + +“Oh,” exclaimed the man, “are there two roads here? I was looking for +this fork and came near passing it in the dark. It was a year ago since +I came this way; but I recall a deserted house about a mile up the dirt +road. It will shelter us from the inclemencies of the weather.” + +“Oh!” cried the youth. “Now I know where I am. In the dark and the storm +and after all that has happened to me tonight nothing seemed natural. +It was just as though I was in some strange land; but I know now. Yes, +there is a deserted house a little less than a mile from here; but you +wouldn't want to stop there at night. They tell some frightful stories +about it. It hasn't been occupied for over twenty years--not since the +Squibbs were found murdered there--the father, mother, three sons, and +a daughter. They never discovered the murderer, and the house has stood +vacant and the farm unworked almost continuously since. A couple of men +tried working it; but they didn't stay long. A night or so was enough +for them and their families. I remember hearing as a little--er--child +stories of the frightful things that happened there in the house where +the Squibbs were murdered--things that happened after dark when the +lights were out. Oh, I wouldn't even pass that place on a night like +this.” + +The man smiled. “I slept there alone one rainy night about a year +ago,” he said. “I didn't see or hear anything unusual. Such stories are +ridiculous; and even if there was a little truth in them, noises can't +harm you as much as sleeping out in the storm. I'm going to encroach +once more upon the ghostly hospitality of the Squibbs. Better come with +me.” + +The youth shuddered and drew back. From far behind came faintly the +shout of a man. + +“Yes, I'll go,” exclaimed the boy. “Let's hurry,” and he started off at +a half-run toward the dirt road. + +The man followed more slowly. The darkness hid the quizzical expression +of his eyes. He, too, had heard the faint shout far to the rear. He +recalled the boy's “after all that has happened to me tonight,” and he +shrewdly guessed that the latter's sudden determination to brave the +horrors of the haunted house was closely connected with the hoarse voice +out of the distance. + +When he had finally come abreast of the youth after the latter, his +first panic of flight subsided, had reduced his speed, he spoke to him +in his kindly tones. + +“What was it that happened to you to-night?” he asked. “Is someone +following you? You needn't be afraid of me. I'll help you if you've been +on the square. If you haven't, you still needn't fear me, for I won't +peach on you. What is it? Tell me.” + +The youth was on the point of unburdening his soul to this stranger +with the kindly voice and the honest eyes; but a sudden fear stayed his +tongue. If he told all it would be necessary to reveal certain details +that he could not bring himself to reveal to anyone, and so he commenced +with his introduction to the wayfarers in the deserted hay barn. Briefly +he told of the attack upon him, of his shooting of Dopey Charlie, of the +flight and pursuit. “And now,” he said in conclusion, “that you know I'm +a murderer I suppose you won't have any more to do with me, unless you +turn me over to the authorities to hang.” There was almost a sob in his +voice, so real was his terror. + +The man threw an arm across his companion's shoulder. “Don't worry, +kid,” he said. “You're not a murderer even if you did kill Dopey +Charlie, which I hope you did. You're a benefactor of the human race. +I have known Charles for years. He should have been killed long since. +Furthermore, as you shot in self defence no jury would convict you. +I fear, however, that you didn't kill him. You say you could hear his +screams as long as you were within earshot of the barn--dead men don't +scream, you know.” + +“How did you know my name?” asked the youth. + +“I don't,” replied the man. + +“But you called me 'Kid' and that's my name--I'm The Oskaloosa Kid.” + +The man was glad that the darkness hid his smile of amusement. He knew +The Oskaloosa Kid well, and he knew him as an ex-pug with a pock marked +face, a bullet head, and a tin ear. The flash of lightning had revealed, +upon the contrary, a slender boy with smooth skin, an oval face, and +large dark eyes. + +“Ah,” he said, “so you are The Oskaloosa Kid! I am delighted, sir, +to make your acquaintance. Permit me to introduce myself: my name is +Bridge. If James were here I should ask him to mix one of his famous +cocktails that we might drink to our mutual happiness and the longevity +of our friendship.” + +“I am glad to know you, Mr. Bridge,” said the youth. “Oh, I can't tell +you how glad I am to know you. I was so lonely and so afraid,” and he +pressed closer to the older man whose arm still encircled his shoulder, +though at first he had been inclined to draw away in some confusion. + +Talking together the two moved on along the dark road. The storm had +settled now into a steady rain with infrequent flashes of lightning and +peals of thunder. There had been no further indications of pursuit; but +Bridge argued that The Sky Pilot, being wise with the wisdom of the owl +and cunning with the cunning of the fox, would doubtless surmise that a +fugitive would take to the first road leading away from the main artery, +and that even though they heard nothing it would be safe to assume that +the gang was still upon the boy's trail. “And it's a bad bunch, too,” + he continued. “I've known them all for years. The Sky Pilot has the +reputation of never countenancing a murder; but that is because he is a +sly one. His gang kills; but when they kill under The Sky Pilot they +do it so cleverly that no trace of the crime remains. Their victim +disappears--that is all.” + +The boy trembled. “You won't let them get me?” he pleaded, pressing +closer to the man. The only response was a pressure of the arm about the +shoulders of The Oskaloosa Kid. + +Over a low hill they followed the muddy road and down into a dark and +gloomy ravine. In a little open space to the right of the road a flash +of lightning revealed the outlines of a building a hundred yards from +the rickety and decaying fence which bordered the Squibbs' farm and +separated it from the road. + +“Here we are!” cried Bridge, “and spooks or no spooks we'll find a +dry spot in that old ruin. There was a stove there last year and it's +doubtless there yet. A good fire to dry our clothes and warm us up +will fit us for a bully good sleep, and I'll wager a silk hat that The +Oskaloosa Kid is a mighty sleepy kid, eh?” + +The boy admitted the allegation and the two turned in through the +gateway, stepping over the fallen gate and moving through knee high +weeds toward the forbidding structure in the distance. A clump of trees +surrounded the house, their shade adding to the almost utter blackness +of the night. + +The two had reached the verandah when Bridge, turning, saw a brilliant +light flaring through the night above the crest of the hill they had +just topped in their descent into the ravine, or, to be more explicit, +the small valley, where stood the crumbling house of Squibbs. The purr +of a rapidly moving motor rose above the rain, the light rose, fell, +swerved to the right and to the left. + +“Someone must be in a hurry,” commented Bridge. + +“I suppose it is James, anxious to find you and explain his absence,” + suggested The Oskaloosa Kid. They both laughed. + +“Gad!” cried Bridge, as the car topped the hill and plunged downward +toward them, “I'd hate to ride behind that fellow on a night like this, +and over a dirt road at that!” + +As the car swung onto the straight road before the house a flash of +lightning revealed dimly the outlines of a rapidly moving touring car +with lowered top. Just as the machine came opposite the Squibbs' gate a +woman's scream mingled with the report of a pistol from the tonneau +and the watchers upon the verandah saw a dark bulk hurled from the +car, which sped on with undiminished speed, climbed the hill beyond and +disappeared from view. + +Bridge started on a run toward the gateway, followed by the frightened +Kid. In the ditch beside the road they found in a dishevelled heap the +body of a young woman. The man lifted the still form in his arms. The +youth wondered at the great strength of the slight figure. “Let me help +you carry her,” he volunteered; but Bridge needed no assistance. “Run +ahead and open the door for me,” he said, as he bore his burden toward +the house. + +Forgetful, in the excitement of the moment, of his terror of the horror +ridden ruin, The Oskaloosa Kid hastened ahead, mounted the few steps to +the verandah, crossed it and pushed open the sagging door. Behind him +came Bridge as the youth entered the dark interior. A half dozen +steps he took when his foot struck against a soft and yielding mass. +Stumbling, he tried to regain his equilibrium only to drop full upon the +thing beneath him. One open palm, extended to ease his fall, fell upon +the upturned features of a cold and clammy face. With a shriek of horror +The Kid leaped to his feet and shrank, trembling, back. + +“What is it? What's the matter?” cried Bridge, with whom The Kid had +collided in his precipitate retreat. + +“O-o-o!” groaned The Kid, shuddering. “It's dead! It's dead!” + +“What's dead?” demanded Bridge. + +“There's a dead man on the floor, right ahead of us,” moaned The Kid. + +“You'll find a flash lamp in the right hand pocket of my coat,” directed +Bridge. “Take it and make a light.” + +With trembling fingers the Kid did as he was bid, and when after much +fumbling he found the button a slim shaft of white light fell downward +upon the upturned face of a man cold in death--a little man, strangely +garbed, with gold rings in his ears, and long black hair matted in the +death sweat of his brow. His eyes were wide and, even in death, terror +filled, his features were distorted with fear and horror. His fingers, +clenched in the rigidity of death, clutched wisps of dark brown hair. +There were no indications of a wound or other violence upon his body, +that either the Kid or Bridge could see, except the dried remains of +bloody froth which flecked his lips. + +Bridge still stood holding the quiet form of the girl in his arms, while +The Kid, pressed close to the man's side, clutched one arm with a fierce +intensity which bespoke at once the nervous terror which filled him and +the reliance he placed upon his new found friend. + +To their right, in the faint light of the flash lamp, a narrow stairway +was revealed leading to the second story. Straight ahead was a door +opening upon the blackness of a rear apartment. Beside the foot of the +stairway was another door leading to the cellar steps. + +Bridge nodded toward the rear room. “The stove is in there,” he said. +“We'd better go on and make a fire. Draw your pistol--whoever did this +has probably beat it; but it's just as well to be on the safe side.” + +“I'm afraid,” said The Oskaloosa Kid. “Let's leave this frightful place. +It's just as I told you it was; just as I always heard.” + +“We can't leave this woman, my boy,” replied Bridge. “She isn't dead. +We can't leave her, and we can't take her out into the storm in her +condition. We must stay. Come! buck up. There's nothing to fear from a +dead man, and--” + +He never finished the sentence. From the depths of the cellar came the +sound of a clanking chain. Something scratched heavily upon the wooden +steps. Whatever it was it was evidently ascending, while behind it +clanked the heavy links of a dragged chain. + +The Oskaloosa Kid cast a wide eyed glance of terror at Bridge. His +lips moved in an attempt to speak; but fear rendered him inarticulate. +Slowly, ponderously the THING ascended the dark stairs from the gloom +ridden cellar of the deserted ruin. Even Bridge paled a trifle. The man +upon the floor appeared to have met an unnatural death--the frightful +expression frozen upon the dead face might even indicate something +verging upon the supernatural. The sound of the THING climbing out of +the cellar was indeed uncanny--so uncanny that Bridge discovered himself +looking about for some means of escape. His eyes fell upon the stairway +leading to the second floor. + +“Quick!” he whispered. “Up the stairs! You go first; I'll follow.” + +The Kid needed no second invitation. With a bound he was half way up +the rickety staircase; but a glance ahead at the darkness above gave +him pause while he waited for Bridge to catch up with him. Coming more +slowly with his burden the man followed the boy, while from below the +clanking of the chain warned them that the THING was already at the top +of the cellar stairs. + +“Flash the lamp down there,” directed Bridge. “Let's have a look at it, +whatever it is.” + +With trembling hands The Oskaloosa Kid directed the lens over the +edge of the swaying and rotting bannister. His finger slipped from the +lighting button plunging them all into darkness. In his frantic effort +to find the button and relight the lamp the worst occurred--he fumbled +the button and the lamp slipped through his fingers, falling over the +bannister to the floor below. Instantly the sound of the dragging chain +ceased; but the silence was even more horrible than the noise which had +preceded it. + +For a long minute the two at the head of the stairs stood in tense +silence listening for a repetition of the gruesome sounds from below. +The youth was frankly terrified; he made no effort to conceal the fact; +but pressed close to his companion, again clutching his arm tightly. +Bridge could feel the trembling of the slight figure, the spasmodic +gripping of the slender fingers and hear the quick, short, irregular +breathing. A sudden impulse to throw a protecting arm about the boy +seized him--an impulse which he could not quite fathom, and one to which +he could not respond because of the body of the girl he carried. + +He bent toward the youth. “There are matches in my coat pocket,” he +whispered, “--the same pocket in which you found the flash lamp. Strike +one and we'll look for a room here where we can lay the girl.” + +The boy fumbled gropingly in search of the matches. It was evident to +the man that it was only with the greatest exertion of will power that +he controlled his muscles at all; but at last he succeeded in finding +and striking one. At the flare of the light there was a sound from +below--a scratching sound and the creaking of boards as beneath a heavy +body; then came the clanking of the chain once more, and the bannister +against which they leaned shook as though a hand had been laid upon it +below them. The youth stifled a shriek and simultaneously the match went +out; but not before Bridge had seen in the momentary flare of light a +partially open door at the far end of the hall in which they stood. + +Beneath them the stairs creaked now and the chain thumped slowly from +one to another as it was dragged upward toward them. + +“Quick!” called Bridge. “Straight down the hall and into the room at +the end.” The man was puzzled. He could not have been said to have been +actually afraid, and yet the terror of the boy was so intense, so real, +that it could scarce but have had its suggestive effect upon the other; +and, too, there was an uncanny element of the supernatural in what they +had seen and heard in the deserted house--the dead man on the floor +below, the inexplicable clanking of a chain by some unseen THING from +the depth of the cellar upward toward them; and, to heighten the effect +of these, there were the grim stories of unsolved tragedy and crime. All +in all Bridge could not have denied that he was glad of the room at the +end of the hall with its suggestion of safety in the door which might +be closed against the horrors of the hall and the Stygian gloom below +stairs. + +The Oskaloosa Kid was staggering ahead of him, scarce able to hold his +body erect upon his shaking knees--his gait seemed pitifully slow to +the unarmed man carrying the unconscious girl and listening to the chain +dragging ever nearer and nearer behind; but at last they reached the +doorway and passed through it into the room. + +“Close the door,” directed Bridge as he crossed toward the center of the +room to lay his burden upon the floor, but there was no response to +his instructions--only a gasp and the sound of a body slumping to the +rotting boards. With an exclamation of chagrin the man dropped the girl +and swung quickly toward the door. Halfway down the hall he could hear +the chain rattling over loose planking, the THING, whatever it might +be, was close upon them. Bridge slammed-to the door and with a shoulder +against it drew a match from his pocket and lighted it. Although his +clothing was soggy with rain he knew that his matches would still +be dry, for this pocket and its flap he had ingeniously lined with +waterproof material from a discarded slicker he had found--years of +tramping having taught him the discomforts of a fireless camp. + +In the resultant light the man saw with a quick glance a large room +furnished with an old walnut bed, dresser, and commode; two lightless +windows opened at the far end toward the road, Bridge assumed; and there +was no door other than that against which he leaned. In the last flicker +of the match the man scanned the door itself for a lock and, to his +relief, discovered a bolt--old and rusty it was, but it still moved +in its sleeve. An instant later it was shot--just as the sound of the +dragging chain ceased outside. Near the door was the great bed, and +this Bridge dragged before it as an additional barricade; then, bearing +nothing more from the hallway, he turned his attention to the two +unconscious forms upon the floor. Unhesitatingly he went to the boy +first though had he questioned himself he could not have told why; for +the youth, undoubtedly, had only swooned, while the girl had been the +victim of a murderous assault and might even be at the point of death. + +What was the appeal to the man in the pseudo Oskaloosa Kid? He had +scarce seen the boy's face, yet the terrified figure had aroused within +him, strongly, the protective instinct. Doubtless it was the call of +youth and weakness which find, always, an answering assurance in the +strength of a strong man. + +As Bridge groped toward the spot where the boy had fallen his eyes, now +become accustomed to the darkness of the room, saw that the youth was +sitting up. “Well?” he asked. “Feeling better?” + +“Where is it? Oh, God! Where is it?” cried the boy. “It will come in +here and kill us as it killed that--that--down stairs.” + +“It can't get in,” Bridge assured him. “I've locked the door and pushed +the bed in front of it. Gad! I feel like an old maid looking under the +bed for burglars.” + +From the hall came a sudden clanking of the chain accompanied by a loud +pounding upon the bare floor. With a scream the youth leaped to his +feet and almost threw himself upon Bridge. His arms were about the man's +neck, his face buried in his shoulder. + +“Oh, don't--don't let it get me!” he cried. + +“Brace up, son,” Bridge admonished him. “Didn't I tell you that it can't +get in?” + +“How do you know it can't get in?” whimpered the youth. “It's the thing +that murdered the man down stairs--it's the thing that murdered the +Squibbs--right here in this room. It got in to them--what is to prevent +its getting in to us. What are doors to such a THING?” + +“Come! come! now,” Bridge tried to soothe him. “You have a case of +nerves. Lie down here on this bed and try to sleep. Nothing shall harm +you, and when you wake up it will be morning and you'll laugh at your +fears.” + +“Lie on THAT bed!” The voice was almost a shriek. “That is the bed the +Squibbs were murdered in--the old man and his wife. No one would have +it, and so it has remained here all these years. I would rather die than +touch the thing. Their blood is still upon it.” + +“I wish,” said Bridge a trifle sternly, “that you would try to control +yourself a bit. Hysteria won't help us any. Here we are, and we've to +make the best of it. Besides we must look after this young woman--she +may be dying, and we haven't done a thing to help her.” + +The boy, evidently shamed, released his hold upon Bridge and moved +away. “I am sorry,” he said. “I'll try to do better; but, Oh! I was so +frightened. You cannot imagine how frightened I was.” + +“I had imagined,” said Bridge, “from what I had heard of him that it +would be a rather difficult thing to frighten The Oskaloosa Kid--you +have, you know, rather a reputation for fearlessness.” + +The darkness hid the scarlet flush which mantled The Kid's face. There +was a moment's silence as Bridge crossed to where the young woman still +lay upon the floor where he had deposited her. Then The Kid spoke. “I'm +sorry,” he said, “that I made a fool of myself. You have been so brave, +and I have not helped at all. I shall do better now.” + +“Good,” said Bridge, and stooped to raise the young woman in his arms +and deposit her upon the bed. Then he struck another match and leaned +close to examine her. The flare of the sulphur illuminated the room +and shot two rectangles of light against the outer blackness where the +unglazed windows stared vacantly upon the road beyond, bringing to a +sudden halt a little company of muddy and bedraggled men who slipped, +cursing, along the slimy way. + +Bridge felt the youth close beside him as he bent above the girl upon +the bed. + +“Is she dead?” the lad whispered. + +“No,” replied Bridge, “and I doubt if she's badly hurt.” His hands ran +quickly over her limbs, bending and twisting them gently; he unbuttoned +her waist, getting the boy to strike and hold another match while he +examined the victim for signs of a bullet wound. + +“I can't find a scratch on her,” he said at last. “She's suffering from +shock alone, as far as I can judge. Say, she's pretty, isn't she?” + +The youth drew himself rather stiffly erect. “Her features are rather +coarse, I think,” he replied. There was a peculiar quality to the tone +which caused Bridge to turn a quick look at the boy's face, just as +the match flickered and went out. The darkness hid the expression +upon Bridge's face, but his conviction that the girl was pretty was +unaltered. The light of the match had revealed an oval face surrounded +by dark, dishevelled tresses, red, full lips, and large, dark eyes. + +Further discussion of the young woman was discouraged by a repetition of +the clanking of the chain without. Now it was receding along the hallway +toward the stairs and presently, to the infinite relief of The Oskaloosa +Kid, the two heard it descending to the lower floor. + +“What was it, do you think?” asked the boy, his voice still trembling +upon the verge of hysteria. + +“I don't know,” replied Bridge. “I've never been a believer in ghosts +and I'm not now; but I'll admit that it takes a whole lot of--” + +He did not finish the sentence for a moan from the bed diverted his +attention to the injured girl, toward whom he now turned. As they +listened for a repetition of the sound there came another--that of +the creaking of the old bed slats as the girl moved upon the mildewed +mattress. Dimly, through the darkness, Bridge saw that the victim of the +recent murderous assault was attempting to sit up. He moved closer and +leaned above her. + +“I wouldn't exert myself,” he said. “You've just suffered an accident, +and it's better that you remain quiet.” + +“Who are you?” asked the girl, a note of suppressed terror in her voice. +“You are not--?” + +“I am no one you know,” replied Bridge. “My friend and I chanced to be +near when you fell from the car--” with that innate refinement which +always belied his vocation and his rags Bridge chose not to embarrass +the girl by a too intimate knowledge of the thing which had befallen +her, preferring to leave to her own volition the making of any +explanation she saw fit, or of none--“and we carried you in here out of +the storm.” + +The girl was silent for a moment. “Where is 'here'?” she asked +presently. “They drove so fast and it was so dark that I had no idea +where we were, though I know that we left the turnpike.” + +“We are at the old Squibbs place,” replied the man. He could see that +the girl was running one hand gingerly over her head and face, so that +her next question did not surprise him. + +“Am I badly wounded?” she asked. “Do you think that I am going to die?” + The tremor in her voice was pathetic--it was the voice of a frightened +and wondering child. Bridge heard the boy behind him move impulsively +forward and saw him kneel on the bed beside the girl. + +“You are not badly hurt,” volunteered The Oskaloosa Kid. “Bridge +couldn't find a mark on you--the bullet must have missed you.” + +“He was holding me over the edge of the car when he fired.” The girl's +voice reflected the physical shudder which ran through her frame at the +recollection. “Then he threw me out almost simultaneously. I suppose he +thought that he could not miss at such close range.” For a time she was +silent again, sitting stiffly erect. Bridge could feel rather than see +wide, tense eyes staring out through the darkness upon scenes, horrible +perhaps, that were invisible to him and the Kid. + +Suddenly the girl turned and threw herself face downward upon the bed. +“O, God!” she moaned. “Father! Father! It will kill you--no one will +believe me--they will think that I am bad. I didn't do it! I didn't +do it! I've been a silly little fool; but I have never been a bad +girl--and---and--I had nothing to do with that awful thing that happened +to-night.” + +Bridge and the boy realized that she was not talking to them--that for +the moment she had lost sight of their presence--she was talking to that +father whose heart would be breaking with the breaking of the new day, +trying to convince him that his little girl had done no wrong. + +Again she sat up, and when she spoke there was no tremor in her voice. + +“I may die,” she said. “I want to die. I do not see how I can go on +living after last night; but if I do die I want my father to know that +I had nothing to do with it and that they tried to kill me because +I wouldn't promise to keep still. It was the little one who murdered +him--the one they called 'Jimmie' and 'The Oskaloosa Kid.' The big one +drove the car--his name was 'Terry.' After they killed him I tried to +jump out--I had been sitting in front with Terry--and then they dragged +me over into the tonneau and later--the Oskaloosa Kid tried to kill me +too, and threw me out.” + +Bridge heard the boy at his side gulp. The girl went on. + +“To-morrow you will know about the murder--everyone will know about it; +and I will be missed; and there will be people who saw me in the car +with them, for someone must have seen me. Oh, I can't face it! I want to +die. I will die! I come of a good family. My father is a prominent man. +I can't go back and stand the disgrace and see him suffer, as he will +suffer, for I was all he had--his only child. I can't bear to tell you +my name--you will know it soon enough--but please find some way to +let my father know all that I have told you--I swear that it is the +truth--by the memory of my dead mother, I swear it!” + +Bridge laid a hand upon the girl's shoulder. “If you are telling us the +truth,” he said, “you have only a silly escapade with strange men upon +your conscience. You must not talk of dying now--your duty is to your +father. If you take your own life it will be a tacit admission of guilt +and will only serve to double the burden of sorrow and ignominy which +your father is bound to feel when this thing becomes public, as it +certainly must if a murder has been done. The only way in which you +can atone for your error is to go back and face the consequences with +him--do not throw it all upon him; that would be cowardly.” + +The girl did not reply; but that the man's words had impressed her +seemed evident. For a while each was occupied with his own thoughts; +which were presently disturbed by the sound of footsteps upon the floor +below--the muffled scraping of many feet followed a moment later by an +exclamation and an oath, the words coming distinctly through the loose +and splintered flooring. + +“Pipe the stiff,” exclaimed a voice which The Oskaloosa Kid recognized +immediately as that of Soup Face. + +“The Kid musta croaked him,” said another. + +A laugh followed this evidently witty sally. + +“The guy probably lamped the swag an' died of heart failure,” suggested +another. + +The men were still laughing when the sound of a clanking chain echoed +dismally from the cellar. Instantly silence fell upon the newcomers upon +the first floor, followed by a--“Wotinel's that?” Two of the men had +approached the staircase and started to ascend it. Slowly the uncanny +clanking drew closer to the first floor. The girl on the bed turned +toward Bridge. + +“What is it?” she gasped. + +“We don't know,” replied the man. “It followed us up here, or rather +it chased us up; and then went down again just before you regained +consciousness. I imagine we shall hear some interesting developments +from below.” + +“It's The Sky Pilot and his gang,” whispered The Oskaloosa Kid. + +“It's The Oskaloosa Kid,” came a voice from below. + +“But wot was that light upstairs then?” queried another. + +“An' wot croaked this guy here?” asked a third. “It wasn't nothin' +nice--did you get the expression on his mug an' the red foam on his +lips? I tell youse there's something in this house beside human bein's. +I know the joint--it's hanted--they's spooks in it. Gawd! there it is +now,” as the clanking rose to the head of the cellar stairs; and those +above heard a sudden rush of footsteps as the men broke for the open +air--all but the two upon the stairway. They had remained too long and +now, their retreat cut off, they scrambled, cursing and screaming, to +the second floor. + +Along the hallway they rushed to the closed door at the end--the door +of the room in which the three listened breathlessly--hurling themselves +against it in violent effort to gain admission. + +“Who are you and what do you want?” cried Bridge. + +“Let us in! Let us in!” screamed two voices. “Fer God's sake let us in. +Can't you hear IT? It'll be comin' up here in a minute.” + +The sound of the dragging chain could be heard at intervals upon the +floor below. It seemed to the tense listeners above to pause beside the +dead man as though hovering in gloating exultation above its gruesome +prey and then it moved again, this time toward the stairway where +they all heard it ascending with a creepy slowness which wrought more +terribly upon tense nerves than would a sudden rush. + +“The mills of the Gods grind slowly,” quoted Bridge. + +“Oh, don't!” pleaded The Oskaloosa Kid. + +“Let us in,” screamed the men without. “Fer the luv o' Mike have a +heart! Don't leave us out here! IT's comin'! IT's comin'!” + +“Oh, let the poor things in,” pleaded the girl on the bed. She was, +herself, trembling with terror. + +“No funny business, now, if I let you in,” commanded Bridge. + +“On the square,” came the quick and earnest reply. + +The THING had reached the head of the stairs when Bridge dragged the bed +aside and drew the bolt. Instantly two figures hurled themselves into +the room but turned immediately to help Bridge resecure the doorway. + +Just as it had done before, when Bridge and The Oskaloosa Kid had taken +refuge there with the girl, the THING moved down the hallway to the +closed door. The dragging chain marked each foot of its advance. If it +made other sounds they were drowned by the clanking of the links over +the time roughened flooring. + +Within the room the five were frozen into utter silence, and beyond the +door an equal quiet prevailed for a long minute; then a great force +made the door creak and a weird scratching sounded high up upon the old +fashioned panelling. Bridge heard a smothered gasp from the boy beside +him, followed instantly by a flash of flame and the crack of a small +caliber automatic; The Oskaloosa Kid had fired through the door. + +Bridge seized the boy's arm and wrenched the weapon from him. “Be +careful!” he cried. “You'll hurt someone. You didn't miss the girl much +that time--she's on the bed right in front of the door.” + +The Oskaloosa Kid pressed closer to the man as though he sought +protection from the unknown menace without. The girl sprang from the +bed and crossed to the opposite side of the room. A flash of lightning +illuminated the chamber for an instant and the roof of the verandah +without. The girl noted the latter and the open window. + +“Look!” she cried. “Suppose it went out of another window upon this +porch. It could get us so easily that way!” + +“Shut up, you fool!” whispered one of the two newcomers. “It might hear +you.” The girl subsided into silence. + +There was no sound from the hallway. + +“I reckon you croaked IT,” suggested the second newcomer, hopefully; +but, as though the THING without had heard and understood, the clanking +of the chain recommenced at once; but now it was retreating along the +hallway, and soon they heard it descending the stairs. + +Sighs of relief escaped more than a single pair of lips. “IT didn't hear +me,” whispered the girl. + +Bridge laughed. “We're a nice lot of babies seeing things at night,” he +scoffed. + +“If you're so nervy why don't you go down an' see wot it is?” asked one +of the late arrivals. + +“I believe I shall,” replied Bridge and pulled the bed away from the +door. + +Instantly a chorus of protests arose, the girl and The Oskaloosa Kid +being most insistent. What was the use? What good could he accomplish? +It might be nothing; yet on the other hand what had brought death +so horribly to the cold clay on the floor below? At last their pleas +prevailed and Bridge replaced the bed before the door. + +For two hours the five sat about the room waiting for daylight. There +could be no sleep for any of them. Occasionally they spoke, usually +advancing and refuting suggestions as to the identity of the nocturnal +prowler below-stairs. The THING seemed to have retreated again to the +cellar, leaving the upper floor to the five strangely assorted prisoners +and the first floor to the dead man. + +During the brief intervals of conversation the girl repeated snatches +of her story and once she mentioned The Oskaloosa Kid as the murderer of +the unnamed victim. The two men who had come last pricked up their ears +at this and Bridge felt the boy's hand just touch his arm as though in +mute appeal for belief and protection. The man half smiled. + +“We seen The Oskaloosa Kid this evenin',” volunteered one of the +newcomers. + +“You did?” exclaimed the girl. “Where?” + +“He'd just pulled off a job in Oakdale an' had his pockets bulgin' wid +sparklers an' kale. We was follerin' him an' when we seen your light up +here we t'ought it was him.” + +The Oskaloosa Kid shrank closer to Bridge. At last he recognized the +voice of the speaker. While he had known that the two were of The Sky +Pilot's band he had not been sure of the identity of either; but now it +was borne in upon him that at least one of them was the last person on +earth he cared to be cooped up in a small, unlighted room with, and a +moment later when one of the two rolled a 'smoke' and lighted it he saw +in the flare of the flame the features of both Dopey Charlie and The +General. The Oskaloosa Kid gasped once more for the thousandth time that +night. + +It had been Dopey Charlie who lighted the cigaret and in the brief +illumination his friend The General had grasped the opportunity to scan +the features of the other members of the party. Schooled by long years +of repression he betrayed none of the surprise or elation he felt when +he recognized the features of The Oskaloosa Kid. + +If The General was elated The Oskaloosa Kid was at once relieved and +terrified. Relieved by ocular proof that he was not a murderer and +terrified by the immediate presence of the two who had sought his life. + +His cigaret drawing well Dopey Charlie resumed: “This Oskaloosa Kid's a +bad actor,” he volunteered. “The little shrimp tried to croak me; but +he only creased my ribs. I'd like to lay my mits on him. I'll bet there +won't be no more Oskaloosa Kid when I get done wit him.” + +The boy drew Bridge's ear down toward his own lips. “Let's go,” he said. +“I don't hear anything more downstairs, or maybe we could get out on +this roof and slide down the porch pillars.” + +Bridge laid a strong, warm hand on the small, cold one of his new +friend. + +“Don't worry, Kid,” he said. “I'm for you.” + +The two other men turned quickly in the direction of the speaker. + +“Is de Kid here?” asked Dopey Charlie. + +“He is, my degenerate friend,” replied Bridge; “and furthermore he's +going to stay here and be perfectly safe. Do you grasp me?” + +“Who are you?” asked The General. + +“That is a long story,” replied Bridge; “but if you chance to recall +Dink and Crumb you may also be able to visualize one Billy Burke and +Billy Byrne and his side partner, Bridge. Yes? Well, I am the side +partner.” + +Before the yeggman could make reply the girl spoke up quickly. “This man +cannot be The Oskaloosa Kid,” she said. “It was The Oskaloosa Kid who +threw me from the car.” + +“How do you know he ain't?” queried The General. “Youse was knocked +out when these guys picks you up. It's so dark in here you couldn't +reco'nize no one. How do you know this here bird ain't The Oskaloosa +Kid, eh?” + +“I have heard both these men speak,” replied the girl; “their voices +were not those of any men I have known. If one of them is The Oskaloosa +Kid then there must be two men called that. Strike a match and you will +see that you are mistaken.” + +The General fumbled in an inside pocket for a package of matches +carefully wrapped against possible damage by rain. Presently he struck +one and held the light in the direction of The Kid's face while he and +the girl and Dopey Charlie leaned forward to scrutinize the youth's +features. + +“It's him all right,” said Dopey Charlie. + +“You bet it is,” seconded The General. + +“Why he's only a boy,” ejaculated the girl. “The one who threw me from +the machine was a man.” + +“Well, this one said he was The Oskaloosa Kid,” persisted The General. + +“An' he shot me up,” growled Dopey Charlie. + +“It's too bad he didn't kill you,” remarked Bridge pleasantly. “You're +a thief and probably a murderer into the bargain--you tried to kill this +boy just before he shot you.” + +“Well wot's he?” demanded Dopey Charlie. “He's a thief--he said he +was--look in his pockets--they're crammed wid swag, an' he's a gun-man, +too, or he wouldn't be packin' a gat. I guess he ain't got nothin' on +me.” + +The darkness hid the scarlet flush which mounted to the boy's cheeks--so +hot that he thought it must surely glow redly through the night. He +waited in dumb misery for Bridge to demand the proof of his guilt. +Earlier in the evening he had flaunted the evidence of his crime in the +faces of the six hobos; but now he suddenly felt a great shame that his +new found friend should believe him a house-breaker. + +But Bridge did not ask for any substantiation of Charlie's charges, +he merely warned the two yeggmen that they would have to leave the boy +alone and in the morning, when the storm had passed and daylight had +lessened the unknown danger which lurked below-stairs, betake themselves +upon their way. + +“And while we're here together in this room you two must sit over near +the window,” he concluded. “You've tried to kill the boy once to-night; +but you're not going to try it again--I'm taking care of him now.” + +“You gotta crust, bo,” observed Dopey Charlie, belligerently. “I guess +me an' The General'll sit where we damn please, an' youse can take it +from me on the side that we're goin' to have ours out of The Kid's haul. +If you tink you're goin' to cop the whole cheese you got another tink +comin'.” + +“You are banking,” replied Bridge, “on the well known fact that I never +carry a gun; but you fail to perceive, owing to the Stygian gloom which +surrounds us, that I have the Kid's automatic in my gun hand and that +the business end of it is carefully aiming in your direction.” + +“Cheese it,” The General advised his companion; and the two removed +themselves to the opposite side of the apartment, where they whispered, +grumblingly, to one another. + +The girl, the boy, and Bridge waited as patiently as they could for +the coming of the dawn, talking of the events of the night and planning +against the future. Bridge advised the girl to return at once to her +father; but this she resolutely refused to do, admitting with utmost +candor that she lacked the courage to face her friends even though her +father might still believe in her. + +The youth begged that he might accompany Bridge upon the road, pleading +that his mother was dead and that he could not return home after his +escapade. And Bridge could not find it in his heart to refuse him, for +the man realized that the boyish waif possessed a subtile attraction, as +forceful as it was inexplicable. Not since he had followed the open road +in company with Billy Byrne had Bridge met one with whom he might care +to 'Pal' before The Kid crossed his path on the dark and storm swept +pike south of Oakdale. + +In Byrne, mucker, pugilist, and MAN, Bridge had found a physical and +moral counterpart of himself, for the slender Bridge was muscled as +a Greek god, while the stocky Byrne, metamorphosed by the fire of a +woman's love, possessed all the chivalry of the care free tramp whose +vagabondage had never succeeded in submerging the evidences of his +cultural birthright. + +In the youth Bridge found an intellectual equal with the added charm +of a physical dependent. The man did not attempt to fathom the evident +appeal of the other's tacitly acknowledged cowardice; he merely knew +that he would not have had the youth otherwise if he could have +changed him. Ordinarily he accepted male cowardice with the resignation +of surfeited disgust; but in the case of The Oskaloosa Kid he realized a +certain artless charm which but tended to strengthen his liking for the +youth, so brazen and unaffected was the boy's admission of his terror of +both the real and the unreal menaces of this night of horror. + +That the girl also was well bred was quite evident to Bridge, while both +the girl and the youth realized the refinement of the strange companion +and protector which Fate had ordered for them, while they also saw +in one another social counterparts of themselves. Thus, as the night +dragged its slow course, the three came to trust each other more +entirely and to speculate upon the strange train of circumstances which +had brought them thus remarkably together--the thief, the murderer's +accomplice, and the vagabond. + +It was during a period of thoughtful silence when the night was darkest +just before the dawn and the rain had settled to a dismal drizzle +unrelieved by lightning or by thunder that the five occupants of the +room were suddenly startled by a strange pattering sound from the +floor below. It was as the questioning fall of a child's feet upon the +uncarpeted boards in the room beneath them. Frozen to silent rigidity, +the five sat straining every faculty to catch the minutest sound from +the black void where the dead man lay, and as they listened there +came up to them, mingled with the inexplicable footsteps, the hollow +reverberation from the dank cellar--the hideous dragging of the +chain behind the nameless horror which had haunted them through the +interminable eons of the ghastly night. + +Up, up, up it came toward the first floor. The pattering of the feet +ceased. The clanking rose until the five heard the scraping of the chain +against the door frame at the head of the cellar stairs. They heard it +pass across the floor toward the center of the room and then, loud +and piercing, there rang out against the silence of the awful night a +woman's shriek. + +Instantly Bridge leaped to his feet. Without a word he tore the bed from +before the door. + +“What are you doing?” cried the girl in a muffled scream. + +“I am going down to that woman,” said Bridge, and he drew the bolt, +rusty and complaining, from its corroded seat. + +“No!” screamed the girl, and seconding her the youth sprang to his feet +and threw his arms about Bridge. + +“Please! Please!” he cried. “Oh, please don't leave me.” + +The girl also ran to the man's side and clutched him by the sleeve. + +“Don't go!” she begged. “Oh, for God's sake, don't leave us here alone!” + +“You heard a woman scream, didn't you?” asked Bridge. “Do you suppose I +can stay in up here when a woman may be facing death a few feet below +me?” + +For answer the girl but held more tightly to his arm while the youth +slipped to the floor and embraced the man's knees in a vice-like hold +which he could not break without hurting his detainer. + +“Come! Come!” expostulated Bridge. “Let me go.” + +“Wait!” begged the girl. “Wait until you know that it is a human voice +that screams through this horrible place.” + +The youth only strained his hold tighter about the man's legs. Bridge +felt a soft cheek pressed to his knee; and, for some unaccountable +reason, the appeal was stronger than the pleading of the girl. Slowly +Bridge realized that he could not leave this defenseless youth alone +even though a dozen women might be menaced by the uncanny death below. +With a firm hand he shot the bolt. “Leave go of me,” he said; “I shan't +leave you unless she calls for help in articulate words.” + +The boy rose and, trembling, pressed close to the man who, +involuntarily, threw a protecting arm about the slim figure. The girl, +too, drew nearer, while the two yeggmen rose and stood in rigid silence +by the window. From below came an occasional rattle of the chain, +followed after a few minutes by the now familiar clanking as the iron +links scraped across the flooring. Mingled with the sound of the chain +there rose to them what might have been the slow and ponderous footsteps +of a heavy man, dragging painfully across the floor. For a few moments +they heard it, and then all was silent. + +For a dozen tense minutes the five listened; but there was no repetition +of any sound from below. Suddenly the girl breathed a deep sigh, and +the spell of terror was broken. Bridge felt rather than heard the youth +sobbing softly against his breast, while across the room The General +gave a quick, nervous laugh which he as immediately suppressed as though +fearful unnecessarily of calling attention to their presence. The other +vagabond fumbled with his hypodermic needle and the narcotic which would +quickly give his fluttering nerves the quiet they craved. + +Bridge, the boy, and the girl shivered together in their soggy clothing +upon the edge of the bed, feeling now in the cold dawn the chill +discomfort of which the excitement of the earlier hours of the night had +rendered them unconscious. The youth coughed. + +“You've caught cold,” said Bridge, his tone almost self-reproachful, as +though he were entirely responsible for the boy's condition. “We're a +nice aggregation of mollycoddles--five of us sitting half frozen up here +with a stove on the floor below, and just because we heard a noise which +we couldn't explain and hadn't the nerve to investigate.” He rose. “I'm +going down, rustle some wood and build a fire in that stove--you two +kids have got to dry those clothes of yours and get warmed up or we'll +have a couple of hospital cases on our hands.” + +Once again rose a chorus of pleas and objections. Oh, wouldn't he wait +until daylight? See! the dawn was even then commencing to break. They +didn't dare go down and they begged him not to leave them up there +alone. + +At this Dopey Charlie spoke up. The 'hop' had commenced to assert its +dominion over his shattered nervous system instilling within him a new +courage and a feeling of utter well-being. “Go on down,” said he to +Bridge. “The General an' I'll look after the kids--won't we bo?” + +“Sure,” assented The General; “we'll take care of 'em.” + +“I'll tell you what we'll do,” said Bridge; “we'll leave the kids up +here and we three'll go down. They won't go, and I wouldn't leave them +up here with you two morons on a bet.” + +The General and Dopey Charlie didn't know what a moron was but they felt +quite certain from Bridge's tone of voice that a moron was not a nice +thing, and anyway no one could have bribed them to descend into the +darkness of the lower floor with the dead man and the grisly THING that +prowled through the haunted chambers; so they flatly refused to budge an +inch. + +Bridge saw in the gradually lighting sky the near approach of full +daylight; so he contented himself with making the girl and the youth +walk briskly to and fro in the hope that stimulated circulation might at +least partially overcome the menace of the damp clothing and the chill +air, and thus they occupied the remaining hour of the night. + +From below came no repetition of the inexplicable noises of that night +of terror and at last, with every object plainly discernible in the +light of the new day, Bridge would delay no longer; but voiced his final +determination to descend and make a fire in the old kitchen stove. Both +the boy and the girl insisted upon accompanying him. For the first time +each had an opportunity to study the features of his companions of +the night. Bridge found in the girl and the youth two dark eyed, +good-looking young people. In the girl's face was, perhaps, just a trace +of weakness; but it was not the face of one who consorts habitually with +criminals. The man appraised her as a pretty, small-town girl who had +been led into a temporary escapade by the monotony of village life, and +he would have staked his soul that she was not a bad girl. + +The boy, too, looked anything other than the role he had been playing. +Bridge smiled as he looked at the clear eyes, the oval face, and the +fine, sensitive mouth and thought of the youth's claim to the crime +battered sobriquet of The Oskaloosa Kid. The man wondered if the mystery +of the clanking chain would prove as harmlessly infantile as these two +whom some accident of hilarious fate had cast in the roles of debauchery +and crime. + +Aloud, he said: “I'll go first, and if the spook materializes you two +can beat it back into the room.” And to the two tramps: “Come on, boes, +we'll all take a look at the lower floor together, and then we'll get a +good fire going in the kitchen and warm up a bit.” + +Down the hall they went, Bridge leading with the boy and girl close +at his heels while the two yeggs brought up the rear. Their footsteps +echoed through the deserted house; but brought forth no answering +clanking from the cellar. The stairs creaked beneath the unaccustomed +weight of so many bodies as they descended toward the lower floor. +Near the bottom Bridge came to a questioning halt. The front room lay +entirely within his range of vision, and as his eyes swept it he gave +voice to a short exclamation of surprise. + +The youth and the girl, shivering with cold and nervous excitement, +craned their necks above the man's shoulder. + +“O-h-h!” gasped The Oskaloosa Kid. “He's gone,” and, sure enough, the +dead man had vanished. + +Bridge stepped quickly down the remaining steps, entered the rear room +which had served as dining room and kitchen, inspected the two small +bedrooms off this room, and the summer kitchen beyond. All were empty; +then he turned and re-entering the front room bent his steps toward the +cellar stairs. At the foot of the stairway leading to the second floor +lay the flash lamp that the boy had dropped the night before. Bridge +stooped, picked it up and examined it. It was uninjured and with it in +his hand he continued toward the cellar door. + +“Where are you going?” asked The Oskaloosa Kid. + +“I'm going to solve the mystery of that infernal clanking,” he replied. + +“You are not going down into that dark cellar!” It was an appeal, a +question, and a command; and it quivered gaspingly upon the verge of +hysteria. + +Bridge turned and looked into the youth's face. The man did not like +cowardice and his eyes were stern as he turned them on the lad from +whom during the few hours of their acquaintance he had received so many +evidences of cowardice; but as the clear brown eyes of the boy met his +the man's softened and he shook his head perplexedly. What was there +about this slender stripling which so disarmed criticism? + +“Yes,” he replied, “I am going down. I doubt if I shall find anything +there; but if I do it is better to come upon it when I am looking for it +than to have it come upon us when we are not expecting it. If there is +to be any hunting I prefer to be hunter rather than hunted.” + +He wheeled and placed a foot upon the cellar stairs. The youth followed +him. + +“What are you going to do?” asked the man. + +“I am going with you,” said the boy. “You think I am a coward because I +am afraid; but there is a vast difference between cowardice and fear.” + +The man made no reply as he resumed the descent of the stairs, flashing +the rays of the lamp ahead of him; but he pondered the boy's words and +smiled as he admitted mentally that it undoubtedly took more courage +to do a thing in the face of fear than to do it if fear were absent. +He felt a strange elation that this youth should choose voluntarily to +share his danger with him, for in his roaming life Bridge had known few +associates for whom he cared. + +The beams of the little electric lamp, moving from side to side, +revealed a small cellar littered with refuse and festooned with +cob-webs. At one side tottered the remains of a series of wooden racks +upon which pans of milk had doubtless stood to cool in a long gone, +happier day. Some of the uprights had rotted away so that a part of the +frail structure had collapsed to the earthen floor. A table with one leg +missing and a crippled chair constituted the balance of the contents of +the cellar and there was no living creature and no chain nor any other +visible evidence of the presence which had clanked so lugubriously +out of the dark depths during the vanished night. The boy breathed +a heartfelt sigh of relief and Bridge laughed, not without a note of +relief either. + +“You see there is nothing,” he said--“nothing except some firewood which +we can use to advantage. I regret that James is not here to attend me; +but since he is not you and I will have to carry some of this stuff +upstairs,” and together they returned to the floor above, their arms +laden with pieces of the dilapidated milk rack. The girl was awaiting +them at the head of the stairs while the two tramps whispered together +at the opposite side of the room. + +It took Bridge but a moment to have a roaring fire started in the old +stove in the kitchen, and as the warmth rolled in comforting waves about +them the five felt for the first time in hours something akin to relief +and well being. With the physical relaxation which the heat induced came +a like relaxation of their tongues and temporary forgetfulness of their +antagonisms and individual apprehensions. Bridge was the only member +of the group whose conscience was entirely free. He was not 'wanted' +anywhere, he had no unexpiated crimes to harry his mind, and with the +responsibilities of the night removed he fell naturally into his old, +carefree manner. He hazarded foolish explanations of the uncanny noises +of the night and suggested various theories to account for the presence +and the mysterious disappearance of the dead man. + +The General, on the contrary, seriously maintained that the weird sounds +had emanated from the ghost of the murdered man who was, unquestionably, +none other than the long dead Squibb returned to haunt his former home, +and that the scream had sprung from the ghostly lungs of his slain wife +or daughter. + +“I wouldn't spend anudder night in this dump,” he concluded, “for both +them pockets full of swag The Oskaloosa Kid's packin' around.” + +Immediately all eyes turned upon the flushing youth. The girl and Bridge +could not prevent their own gazes from wandering to the bulging coat +pockets, the owner of which moved uneasily, at last shooting a look of +defiance, not unmixed with pleading, at Bridge. + +“He's a bad one,” interjected Dopey Charlie, a glint of cunning in his +ordinarily glassy eyes. “He flashes a couple o' mitsful of sparklers, +chesty-like, and allows as how he's a regular burglar. Then he pulls +a gun on me, as wasn't doin' nothin' to him, and 'most croaks me. It's +even money that if anyone's been croaked in Oakdale last night they +won't have to look far for the guy that done it. Least-wise they won't +have to look far if he doesn't come across,” and Dopey Charlie looked +meaningly and steadily at the side pockets of The Oskaloosa Kid. + +“I think,” said Bridge, after a moment of general silence, “that you +two crooks had better beat it. Do you get me?” and he looked from Dopey +Charlie to The General and back again. + +“We don't go,” said Dopey Charlie, belligerently, “until we gets half +the Kid's swag.” + +“You go now,” said Bridge, “without anybody's swag,” and he drew the +boy's automatic from his side pocket. “You go now and you go quick--beat +it!” + +The two rose and shuffled toward the door. “We'll get you, you colledge +Lizzy,” threatened Dopey Charlie, “an' we'll get that phoney punk, too.” + +“'And speed the parting guest,'” quoted Bridge, firing a shot that +splintered the floor at the crook's feet. When the two hoboes had +departed the others huddled again close to the stove until Bridge +suggested that he and The Oskaloosa Kid retire to another room while the +girl removed and dried her clothing; but she insisted that it was +not wet enough to matter since she had been covered by a robe in the +automobile until just a moment before she had been hurled out. + +“Then, after you are warmed up,” said Bridge, “you can step into this +other room while the kid and I strip and dry our things, for there's no +question but that we are wet enough.” + +At the suggestion the kid started for the door. “Oh, no,” he insisted; +“it isn't worth while. I am almost dry now, and as soon as we get out on +the road I'll be all right. I--I--I like wet clothes,” he ended, lamely. + +Bridge looked at him questioningly; but did not urge the matter. “Very +well,” he said; “you probably know what you like; but as for me, I'm +going to pull off every rag and get good and dry.” + +The girl had already quitted the room and now The Kid turned and +followed her. Bridge shook his head. “I'll bet the little beggar never +was away from his mother before in his life,” he mused; “why the mere +thought of undressing in front of a strange man made him turn red--and +posing as The Oskaloosa Kid! Bless my soul; but he's a humorist--a +regular, natural born one.” + +Bridge found that his clothing had dried to some extent during the +night; so, after a brisk rub, he put on the warmed garments and though +some were still a trifle damp he felt infinitely more comfortable than +he had for many hours. + +Outside the house he came upon the girl and the youth standing in the +sunshine of a bright, new day. They were talking together in a most +animated manner, and as he approached wondering what the two had found +of so great common interest he discovered that the discussion hinged +upon the relative merits of ham and bacon as a breakfast dish. + +“Oh, my heart it is just achin',” quoted Bridge, + + “For a little bite of bacon, + + “A hunk of bread, a little mug of brew; + + “I'm tired of seein' scenery, + + “Just lead me to a beanery + + “Where there's something more than only air to + + chew.” + +The two looked up, smiling. “You're a funny kind of tramp, to be quoting +poetry,” said The Oskaloosa Kid, “even if it is Knibbs'.” + +“Almost as funny,” replied Bridge, “as a burglar who recognizes Knibbs +when he hears him.” + +The Oskaloosa Kid flushed. “He wrote for us of the open road,” he +replied quickly. “I don't know of any other class of men who should +enjoy him more.” + +“Or any other class that is less familiar with him,” retorted Bridge; +“but the burning question just now is pots, not poetry--flesh pots. I'm +hungry. I could eat a cow.” + +The girl pointed to an adjacent field. “Help yourself,” she said. + +“That happens to be a bull,” said Bridge. “I was particular to mention +cow, which, in this instance, is proverbially less dangerous than the +male, and much better eating. + +“'We kept a-rambling all the time. I rustled grub, he rustled rhyme-- + +“'Blind baggage, hoof it, ride or climb--we always put it through.' +Who's going to rustle the grub?” + +The girl looked at The Oskaloosa Kid. “You don't seem like a tramp at +all, to talk to,” she said; “but I suppose you are used to asking for +food. I couldn't do it--I should die if I had to.” + +The Oskaloosa Kid looked uncomfortable. “So should--” he commenced, and +then suddenly subsided. “Of course I'd just as soon,” he said. “You two +stay here--I'll be back in a minute.” + +They watched him as he walked down to the road and until he disappeared +over the crest of the hill a short distance from the Squibbs' house. + +“I like him,” said the girl, turning toward Bridge. + +“So do I,” replied the man. + +“There must be some good in him,” she continued, “even if he is such +a desperate character; but I know he's not The Oskaloosa Kid. Do you +really suppose he robbed a house last night and then tried to kill that +Dopey person?” + +Bridge shook his head. “I don't know,” he said; “but I am inclined to +believe that he is more imaginative than criminal. He certainly shot up +the Dopey person; but I doubt if he ever robbed a house.” + +While they waited, The Oskaloosa Kid trudged along the muddy road to the +nearest farm house, which lay a full mile beyond the Squibbs' home. +As he approached the door a lank, sallow man confronted him with a +suspicious eye. + +“Good morning,” greeted The Oskaloosa Kid. + +The man grunted. + +“I want to get something to eat,” explained the youth. + +If the boy had hurled a dynamite bomb at him the result could have +been no more surprising. The lank, sallow man went up into the air, +figuratively. He went up a mile or more, and on the way down he reached +his hand inside the kitchen door and brought it forth enveloping the +barrel of a shot gun. + +“Durn ye!” he cried. “I'll lam ye! Get offen here. I knows ye. Yer one +o' that gang o' bums that come here last night, an' now you got the gall +to come back beggin' for food, eh? I'll lam ye!” and he raised the gun +to his shoulder. + +The Oskaloosa Kid quailed but he held his ground. “I wasn't here last +night,” he cried, “and I'm not begging for food--I want to buy some. +I've got plenty of money,” in proof of which assertion he dug into a +side pocket and brought forth a large roll of bills. The man lowered his +gun. + +“Wy didn't ye say so in the first place then?” he growled. “How'd I know +you wanted to buy it, eh? Where'd ye come from anyhow, this early in +the mornin'? What's yer name, eh? What's yer business, that's what Jeb +Case'd like to know, eh?” He snapped his words out with the rapidity of +a machine gun, nor waited for a reply to one query before launching +the next. “What do ye want to buy, eh? How much money ye got? Looks +suspicious. That's a sight o' money yew got there, eh? Where'dje get +it?” + +“It's mine,” said The Oskaloosa Kid, “and I want to buy some eggs and +milk and ham and bacon and flour and onions and sugar and cream and +strawberries and tea and coffee and a frying pan and a little oil stove, +if you have one to spare, and--” + +Jeb Case's jaw dropped and his eyes widened. “You're in the wrong +pasture, bub,” he remarked feelingly. “What yer lookin' fer is Sears, +Roebuck & Company.” + +The Oskaloosa Kid flushed up to the tips of his ears. “But can't you +sell me something?” he begged. + +“I might let ye have some milk an' eggs an' butter an' a leetle bacon +an' mebby my ol' woman's got a loaf left from her last bakin'; but we +ain't been figgerin' on supplyin' grub fer the United States army ef +that's what yew be buyin' fer.” + +A frowsy, rat-faced woman and a gawky youth of fourteen stuck their +heads out the doorway at either side of the man. “I ain't got nothin' +to sell,” snapped the woman; but as she spoke her eyes fell upon the fat +bank roll in the youth's hand. “Or, leastwise,” she amended, “I ain't +got much more'n we need an' the price o' stuff's gone up so lately that +I'll hev to ask ye more'n I would of last fall. 'Bout what did ye figger +on wantin'?” + +“Anything you can spare,” said the youth. “There are three of us and +we're awful hungry.” + +“Where yew stoppin'?” asked the woman. + +“We're at the old Squibbs' place,” replied The Kid. “We got caught by +the storm last night and had to put up there.” + +“The Squibbs' place!” ejaculated the woman. “Yew didn't stop there over +night?” + +“Yes we did,” replied the youth. + +“See anything funny?” asked Mrs. Case. + +“We didn't SEE anything,” replied The Oskaloosa Kid; “but we heard +things. At least we didn't see what we heard; but we saw a dead man on +the floor when we went in and this morning he was gone.” + +The Cases shuddered. “A dead man!” ejaculated Jeb Case. “Yew seen him?” + +The Kid nodded. + +“I never tuk much stock in them stories,” said Jeb, with a shake of his +head; “but ef you SEEN it! Gosh! Thet beats me. Come on M'randy, les see +what we got to spare,” and he turned into the kitchen with his wife. + +The lanky boy stepped out, and planting himself in front of The +Oskaloosa Kid proceeded to stare at him. “Yew seen it?” he asked in +awestruck tone. + +“Yes,” said the Kid in a low voice, and bending close toward the other; +“it had bloody froth on its lips!” + +The Case boy shrank back. “An' what did yew hear?” he asked, a glutton +for thrills. + +“Something that dragged a chain behind it and came up out of the cellar +and tried to get in our room on the second floor,” explained the youth. +“It almost got us, too,” he added, “and it did it all night.” + +“Whew,” whistled the Case boy. “Gosh!” Then he scratched his head and +looked admiringly at the youth. “What mought yer name be?” he asked. + +“I'm The Oskaloosa Kid,” replied the youth, unable to resist the +admiration of the other's fond gaze. “Look here!” and he fished a +handful of jewelry from one of his side pockets; “this is some of the +swag I stole last night when I robbed a house.” + +Case Jr. opened his mouth and eyes so wide that there was little left +of his face. “But that's nothing,” bragged The Kid. “I shot a man, too.” + +“Last night?” whispered the boy. + +“Yep,” replied the bad man, tersely. + +“Gosh!” said the young Mr. Case, but there was that in his facial +expression which brought to The Oskaloosa Kid a sudden regret that he +had thus rashly confided in a stranger. + +“Say,” said The Kid, after a moment's strained silence. “Don't tell +anyone, will you? If you'll promise I'll give you a dollar,” and he +hunted through his roll of bills for one of that lowly denomination. + +“All right,” agreed the Case boy. “I won't say a word--where's the +dollar?” + +The youth drew a bill from his roll and handed it to the other. “If you +tell,” he whispered, and he bent close toward the other's ear and spoke +in a menacing tone; “If you tell, I'll kill you!” + +“Gosh!” said Willie Case. + +At this moment Case pere and mere emerged from the kitchen loaded with +provender. “Here's enough an' more'n enough, I reckon,” said Jeb Case. +“We got eggs, butter, bread, bacon, milk, an' a mite o' garden sass.” + +“But we ain't goin' to charge you nothin' fer the garden sass,” + interjected Mrs. Case. + +“That's awfully nice of you,” replied The Kid. “How much do I owe you +for the rest of it?” + +“Oh,” said Jeb Case, rubbing his chin, eyeing the big roll of bills and +wondering just the limit he might raise to, “I reckon 'bout four dollars +an' six bits.” + +The Oskaloosa Kid peeled a five dollar bill from his roll and proffered +it to the farmer. “I'm ever so much obliged,” he said, “and you needn't +mind about any change. I thank you so much.” With which he took the +several packages and pails and turned toward the road. + +“Yew gotta return them pails!” shouted Mrs. Case after him. + +“Oh, of course,” replied The Kid. + +“Gosh!” exclaimed Mr. Case, feelingly. “I wisht I'd asked six bits +more--I mought jest as well o' got it as not. Gosh, eh?” + +“Gosh!” murmured Willie Case, fervently. + +Back down the sticky road plodded The Oskaloosa Kid, his arms heavy and +his heart light, for, was he not 'bringing home the bacon,' literally as +well as figuratively. As he entered the Squibbs' gateway he saw the +girl and Bridge standing upon the verandah waiting his coming, and as +he approached them and they caught a nearer view of his great burden of +provisions they hailed him with loud acclaim. + +“Some artist!” cried the man. “And to think that I doubted your ability +to make a successful touch! Forgive me! You are the ne plus ultra, non +est cumquidibus, in hoc signo vinces, only and original kind of hand-out +compellers.” + +“How in the world did you do it?” asked the girl, rapturously. + +“Oh, it's easy when you know how,” replied The Oskaloosa Kid carelessly, +as, with the help of the others, he carried the fruits of his expedition +into the kitchen. Here Bridge busied himself about the stove, adding +more wood to the fire and scrubbing a portion of the top plate as clean +as he could get it with such crude means as he could discover about the +place. + +The youth he sent to the nearby brook for water after selecting the +least dirty of the several empty tin cans lying about the floor of the +summer kitchen. He warned against the use of the water from the old +well and while the boy was away cut a generous portion of the bacon into +long, thin strips. + +Shortly after, the water coming to the boil, Bridge lowered three eggs +into it, glanced at his watch, greased one of the new cleaned stove lids +with a piece of bacon rind and laid out as many strips of bacon as the +lid would accommodate. Instantly the room was filled with the delicious +odor of frying bacon. + +“M-m-m-m!” gloated The Oskaloosa Kid. “I wish I had bo--asked for more. +My! but I never smelled anything so good as that in all my life. Are you +going to boil only three eggs? I could eat a dozen.” + +“The can'll only hold three at a time,” explained Bridge. “We'll have +some more boiling while we are eating these.” He borrowed his knife from +the girl, who was slicing and buttering bread with it, and turned the +bacon swiftly and deftly with the point, then he glanced at his watch. +“The three minutes are up,” he announced and, with a couple of small, +flat sticks saved for the purpose from the kindling wood, withdrew the +eggs one at a time from the can. + +“But we have no cups!” exclaimed The Oskaloosa Kid, in sudden despair. + +Bridge laughed. “Knock an end off your egg and the shell will answer in +place of a cup. Got a knife?” + +The Kid didn't. Bridge eyed him quizzically. “You must have done most of +your burgling near home,” he commented. + +“I'm not a burglar!” cried the youth indignantly. Somehow it was very +different when this nice voiced man called him a burglar from bragging +of the fact himself to such as The Sky Pilot's villainous company, or +the awestruck, open-mouthed Willie Case whose very expression invited +heroics. + +Bridge made no reply, but his eyes wandered to the right hand side +pocket of the boy's coat. Instantly the latter glanced guiltily +downward to flush redly at the sight of several inches of pearl necklace +protruding accusingly therefrom. The girl, a silent witness of the +occurrence, was brought suddenly and painfully to a realization of her +present position and recollection of the happenings of the preceding +night. For the time she had forgotten that she was alone in the company +of a tramp and a burglar--how much worse either might be she could only +guess. + +The breakfast, commenced so auspiciously, continued in gloomy silence. +At least the girl and The Oskaloosa Kid were silent and gloom +steeped. Bridge was thoughtful but far from morose. His spirits were +unquenchable. + +“I am afraid,” he said, “that I shall have to replace James. His +defection is unforgivable, and he has misplaced the finger-bowls.” + +The youth and the girl forced wan smiles; but neither spoke. Bridge drew +a pouch of tobacco and some papers from an inside pocket. + + “'I had the makings and I smoked + + “'And wondered over different things, + + “'Thinkin' as how this old world joked + + “'In callin' only some men kings + + “'While I sat there a-blowin' rings.'” + +He paused to kindle a sliver of wood at the stove. “In these parlous +times,” he spoke as though to himself, “one must economize. They are +taking a quarter of an ounce out of each five cents worth of chewing, I +am told; so doubtless each box must be five or six matches short of full +count. Even these papers seem thinner than of yore and they will only +sell one book to a customer at that. Indeed Sherman was right.” + +The youth and the girl remained occupied with their own thoughts, and +after a moment's silence the vagabond resumed: + + “'Me? I was king of anywhere, + + “'Peggin' away at nothing, hard. + + “'Havin' no pet, particular care; + + “'Havin' no trouble, or no pard; + +“'“Just me,” filled up my callin' card.' “Say, do you know I've learned +to love this Knibbs person. I used to think of him as a poor attic +prune grinding away in his New York sky parlor, writing his verse of the +things he longed for but had never known; until, one day, I met a fellow +between Victorville and Cajon pass who knew His Knibbs, and come to find +out this Knibbs is a regular fellow. His attic covers all God's country +that is out of doors and he knows the road from La Bajada hill to +Barstow a darned sight better than he knows Broadway.” + +There was no answering sympathy awakened in either of his +listeners--they remained mute. Bridge rose and stretched. He picked +up his knife, wiped off the blade, closed it and slipped it into a +trousers' pocket. Then he walked toward the door. At the threshold he +paused and turned. “'Good-bye girls! I'm through,'” he quoted and passed +out into the sunlight. + +Instantly the two within were on their feet and following him. + +“Where are you going?” cried The Oskaloosa Kid. “You're not going to +leave us, are you?” + +“Oh, please don't!” pleaded the girl. + +“I don't know,” said Bridge, solemnly, “whether I'm safe in remaining in +your society or not. This Oskaloosa Kid is a bad proposition; and as for +you, young lady, I rather imagine that the town constable is looking for +you right now.” + +The girl winced. “Please don't,” she begged. “I haven't done anything +wicked, honestly! But I want to get away so that they can't question me. +I was in the car when they killed him; but I had nothing to do with it. +It is just because of my father that I don't want them to find me. It +would break his heart.” + +As the three stood back of the Squibbs' summer kitchen Fate, in the +guise of a rural free delivery carrier and a Ford, passed by the front +gate. A mile beyond he stopped at the Case mail box where Jeb and +his son Willie were, as usual, waiting his coming, for the rural free +delivery man often carries more news than is contained in his mail +sacks. + +“Mornin' Jeb,” he called, as he swerved his light car from the road and +drew up in front of the Case gate. + +“Mornin', Jim!” returned Mr. Case. “Nice rain we had last night. What's +the news?” + +“Plenty! Plenty!” exclaimed the carrier. “Lived here nigh onto forty +year, man an' boy, an' never seen such work before in all my life.” + +“How's that?” questioned the farmer, scenting something interesting. + +“Ol' man Baggs's murdered last night,” announced the carrier, watching +eagerly for the effect of his announcement. + +“Gosh!” gasped Willie Case. “Was he shot?” It was almost a scream. + +“I dunno,” replied Jim. “He's up to the horspital now, an' the doc says +he haint one chance in a thousand.” + +“Gosh!” exclaimed Mr. Case. + +“But thet ain't all,” continued Jim. “Reggie Paynter was murdered last +night, too; right on the pike south of town. They threw his corpse outen +a ottymobile.” + +“By gol!” cried Jeb Case; “I hearn them devils go by last night 'bout +midnight er after. 'T woke me up. They must o' ben goin' sixty mile an +hour. Er say,” he stopped to scratch his head. “Mebby it was tramps. +They must a ben a score on 'em round here yesterday and las' night an' +agin this mornin'. I never seed so dum many bums in my life.” + +“An' thet ain't all,” went on the carrier, ignoring the other's comments. +“Oakdale's all tore up. Abbie Prim's disappeared and Jonas Prim's house +was robbed jest about the same time Ol' man Baggs 'uz murdered, er most +murdered--chances is he's dead by this time anyhow. Doc said he hadn't +no chance.” + +“Gosh!” It was a pater-filius duet. + +“But thet ain't all,” gloated Jim. “Two of the persons in the car with +Reggie Paynter were recognized, an' who do you think one of 'em was, eh? +Why one of 'em was Abbie Prim an' tother was a slick crook from Toledo +er Noo York that's called The Oskaloosie Kid. By gum, I'll bet they get +'em in no time. Why already Jonas Prim's got a regular dee-dectiff down +from Chicago, an' the board o' select-men's offered a re-ward o' fifty +dollars fer the arrest an' conviction of the perpetrators of these +dastardly crimes!” + +“Gosh!” cried Willie Case. “I know--“; but then he paused. If he told +all he knew he saw plainly that either the carrier or his father would +profit by it and collect the reward. Fifty dollars!! Willie gasped. + +“Well,” said Jim, “I gotta be on my way. Here's the Tribune--there ain't +nothin' more fer ye. So long! Giddap!” and he was gone. + +“I don' see why he don't carry a whip,” mused Jeb Case. “A-gidappin' to +that there tin lizzie,” he muttered disgustedly, “jes' like it was as +good as a hoss. But I mind the time, the fust day he got the dinged +thing, he gets out an' tries to lead it by Lem Smith's threshin' +machine.” + +Jeb Case preferred an audience worthy his mettle; but Willie was better +than no one, yet when he turned to note the effect of his remarks on his +son, Willie was no where to be seen. If Jeb had but known it his young +hopeless was already in the loft of the hay barn deep in a small, +red-covered book entitled: “HOW TO BE A DETECTIVE.” + +Bridge, who had had no intention of deserting his helpless companions, +appeared at last to yield reluctantly to their pleas. That indefinable +something about the youth which appealed strongly to the protective +instinct in the man, also assured him that the other's mask of +criminality was for the most part assumed even though the stories of the +two yeggmen and the loot bulging pockets argued to the contrary. There +was the chance, however, that the boy had really taken the first step +upon the road toward a criminal career, and if such were the case Bridge +felt morally obligated to protect his new found friend from arrest, +secure in the reflection that his own precept and example would do +more to lead him back into the path of rectitude than would any police +magistrate or penal institute. + +For the girl he felt a deep pity. In the past he had had knowledge of +more than one other small-town girl led into wrong doing through the +deadly monotony and flagrant hypocrisy of her environment. Himself +highly imaginative and keenly sensitive, he realized with what depth of +horror the girl anticipated a return to her home and friends after the +childish escapade which had culminated, even through no fault of hers, +in criminal tragedy of the most sordid sort. + +As the three held a council of war at the rear of the deserted house +they were startled by the loud squeaking of brake bands on the road in +front. Bridge ran quickly into the kitchen and through to the front +room where he saw three men alighting from a large touring car which +had drawn up before the sagging gate. As the foremost man, big and +broad shouldered, raised his eyes to the building Bridge smothered an +exclamation of surprise and chagrin, nor did he linger to inspect the +other members of the party; but turned and ran quickly back to his +companions. + +“We've got to beat it!” he whispered; “they've brought Burton himself +down here.” + +“Who's Burton?” demanded the youth. + +“He's the best operative west of New York City,” replied Bridge, as he +moved rapidly toward an outhouse directly in rear of the main building. + +Once behind the small, dilapidated structure which had once probably +housed farm implements, Bridge paused and looked about. “They'll search +here,” he prophesied, and then; “Those woods look good to me.” + +The Squibbs' woods, growing rank in the damp ravine at the bottom of the +little valley, ran to within a hundred feet of the out-building. Dense +undergrowth choked the ground to a height of eight or ten feet around +the boles of the close set trees. If they could gain the seclusion +of that tangled jungle there was little likelihood of their being +discovered, provided they were not seen as they passed across the open +space between their hiding place and the wood. + +“We'd better make a break for it,” advised Bridge, and a moment later +the three moved cautiously toward the wood, keeping the out-house +between themselves and the farm house. Almost in front of them as they +neared the wood they saw a well defined path leading into the thicket. +Single-file they entered, to be almost instantly hidden from view, not +only from the house but from any other point more than a dozen paces +away, for the path was winding, narrow and closely walled by the budding +verdure of the new Spring. Birds sang or twittered about them, the mat +of dead leaves oozed spongily beneath their feet, giving forth no sound +as they passed, save a faint sucking noise as a foot was lifted from +each watery seat. + +Bridge was in the lead, moving steadily forward that they might put as +much distance as possible between themselves and the detective should +the latter chance to explore the wood. They had advanced a few hundred +yards when the path crossed through a small clearing the center of which +was destitute of fallen leaves. Here the path was beaten into soft mud +and as Bridge came to it he stopped and bent his gaze incredulously upon +the ground. The girl and the youth, halting upon either side, followed +the direction of his eyes with theirs. The girl gave a little, +involuntary gasp, and the boy grasped Bridge's hand as though fearful +of losing him. The man turned a quizzical glance at each of them and +smiled, though a bit ruefully. + +“It beats me,” he said. + +“What can it be?” whispered the boy. + +“Oh, let's go back,” begged the girl. + +“And go along to father with Burton?” asked Bridge. + +The girl trembled and shook her head. “I would rather die,” she said, +firmly. “Come, let's go on.” + +The cause of their perturbation was imprinted deeply in the mud of the +pathway--the irregular outlines of an enormous, naked, human foot--a +great, uncouth foot that bespoke a monster of another world. While, +still more uncanny, in view of what they had heard in the farm house +during the previous night, there lay, sometimes partially obliterated +by the footprints of the THING, the impress of a small, bare foot--a +woman's or a child's--and over both an irregular scoring that might +have been wrought by a dragging chain! + +In the loft of his father's hay barn Willie Case delved deep into the +small red-covered volume, HOW TO BE A DETECTIVE; but though he turned +many pages and flitted to and fro from preface to conclusion he met only +with disappointment. The pictures of noted bank burglars and confidence +men aided him not one whit, for in none of them could he descry the +slightest resemblance to the smooth faced youth of the early morning. In +fact, so totally different were the types shown in the little book that +Willie was forced to scratch his head and exclaim “Gosh!” many times +in an effort to reconcile the appearance of the innocent boy to the +hardened, criminal faces he found portrayed upon the printed pages. + +“But, by gol!” he exclaimed mentally, “he said he was The Oskaloosie +Kid, 'n' that he shot a man last night; but what I'd like to know is +how I'm goin' to shadder him from this here book. Here it says: 'If the +criminal gets on a street car and then jumps off at the next corner +the good detective will know that his man is aware that he is being +shadowed, and will stay on the car and telephone his office at the first +opportunity.' 'N'ere it sez: 'If your man gets into a carriage don't +run up an' jump on the back of it; but simply hire another carriage and +follow.' How in hek kin I foller this book?” wailed Willie. “They ain't +no street cars 'round here. I ain't never seen a street car, 'n'as fer a +carriage, I reckon he means bus, they's only one on 'em in Oakdale 'n'if +they waz forty I'd like to know how in hek I'd hire one when I ain't got +no money. I reckon I threw away my four-bits on this book--it don't tell +a feller nothin' 'bout false whiskers, wigs 'n' the like,” and he tossed +the book disgustedly into a corner, rose and descended to the barnyard. +Here he busied himself about some task that should have been attended to +a week before, and which even now was not destined to be completed that +day, since Willie had no more than set himself to it than his attention +was distracted by the sudden appearance of a touring car being brought +to a stop in front of the gate. + +Instantly Willie dropped his irksome labor and slouched lazily toward +the machine, the occupants of which were descending and heading for the +Case front door. Jeb Case met them before they reached the porch and +Willie lolled against a pillar listening eagerly to all that was said. + +The most imposing figure among the strangers was the same whom Bridge +had seen approaching the Squibbs' house a short time before. It was he +who acted as spokesman for the newcomers. + +“As you may know,” he said, after introducing himself, “a number of +crimes were committed in and around Oakdale last night. We are searching +for clews to the perpetrators, some of whom must still be in the +neighborhood. Have you seen any strange or suspicious characters around +lately?” + +“I should say we hed,” exclaimed Jeb emphatically. + +“I seen the wo'st lookin' gang o' bums come outen my hay barn this +mornin' thet I ever seed in my life. They must o' ben upward of a dozen +on 'em. They waz makin' fer the house when I steps in an' grabs my ol' +shot gun. I hollered at 'em not to come a step nigher 'n' I guess they +seed it wa'n't safe monkeyin' with me; so they skidaddled.” + +“Which way did they go?” asked Burton. + +“Off down the road yonder; but I don't know which way they turned at the +crossin's, er ef they kept straight on toward Millsville.” + +Burton asked a number of questions in an effort to fix the identity of +some of the gang, warned Jeb to telephone him at Jonas Prim's if he saw +anything further of the strangers, and then retraced his steps toward +the car. Not once had Jeb mentioned the youth who had purchased supplies +from him that morning, and the reason was that Jeb had not considered +the young man of sufficient importance, having cataloged him mentally as +an unusually early specimen of the summer camper with which he was more +or less familiar. + +Willie, on the contrary, realized the importance of their morning +customer, yet just how he was to cash in on his knowledge was not yet +entirely clear. He was already convinced that HOW TO BE A DETECTIVE +would help him not at all, and with the natural suspicion of ignorance +he feared to divulge his knowledge to the city detective for fear that +the latter would find the means to cheat him out of the princely reward +offered by the Oakdale village board. He thought of going at once to the +Squibbs' house and placing the desperate criminals under arrest; but +as fear throttled the idea in its infancy he cast about for some other +plan. + +Even as he stood there thinking the great detective and his companions +were entering the automobile to drive away. In a moment they would be +gone. Were they not, after all, the very men, the only men, in fact, to +assist him in his dilemma? At least he could test them out. If necessary +he would divide the reward with them! Running toward the road Willie +shouted to the departing sleuth. The car, moving slowly forward in low, +came again to rest. Willie leaped to the running board. + +“If I tell you where the murderer is,” he whispered hoarsely, “do I git +the $50.00?” + +Detective Burton was too old a hand to ignore even the most seemingly +impossible of aids. He laid a kindly hand on Willie's shoulder. “You bet +you do,” he replied heartily, “and what's more I'll add another fifty to +it. What do you know?” + +“I seen the murderer this mornin',” Willie was gasping with excitement +and elation. Already the one hundred dollars was as good as his. One +hundred dollars! Willie “Goshed!” mentally even as he told his tale. “He +come to our house an' bought some vittles an' stuff. Paw didn't know who +he wuz; but when Paw went inside he told me he was The Oskaloosie Kid +'n' thet he robbed a house last night and killed a man, 'n' he had a +whole pocket full o' money, 'n' he said he'd kill me ef I told.” + +Detective Burton could scarce restrain a smile as he listened to this +wildly improbable tale, yet his professional instinct was too keen to +permit him to cast aside as worthless the faintest evidence until he had +proven it to be worthless. He stepped from the car again and motioning +to Willie to follow him returned to the Case yard where Jeb was already +coming toward the gate, having noted the interest which his son +was arousing among the occupants of the car. Willie pulled at the +detective's sleeve. “Don't tell Paw about the reward,” he begged; “he'll +keep it all hisself.” + +Burton reassured the boy with a smile and a nod, and then as he neared +Jeb he asked him if a young man had been at his place that morning +asking for food. + +“Sure,” replied Jeb; “but he didn't 'mount to nothin'. One o' these here +summer camper pests. He paid fer all he got. Had a roll o' bills 's big +as ye fist. Little feller he were, not much older 'n' Willie.” + +“Did you know that he told your son that he was The Oskaloosa Kid and +that he had robbed a house and killed a man last night?” + +“Huh?” exclaimed Jeb. Then he turned and cast one awful look at +Willie--a look large with menace. + +“Honest, Paw,” pleaded the boy. “I was a-scairt to tell you, 'cause he +said he'd kill me ef I told.” + +Jeb scratched his head. “Yew know what you'll get ef you're lyin' to +me,” he threatened. + +“I believe he's telling the truth,” said detective Burton. “Where is the +man now?” he asked Willie. + +“Down to the Squibbs' place,” and Willie jerked a dirty thumb toward the +east. + +“Not now,” said Burton; “we just came from there; but there has been +someone there this morning, for there is still a fire in the kitchen +range. Does anyone live there?” + +“I should say not,” said Willie emphatically; “the place is haunted.” + +“Thet's right,” interjected Jeb. “Thet's what they do say, an' this here +Oskaloosie Kid said they heered things las' night an' seed a dead man on +the floor, didn't he M'randy?” M'randy nodded her head. + +“But I don't take no stock in what Willie's ben tellin' ye,” she +continued, “'n' ef his paw don't lick him I will. I told him tell I'm +good an' tired o' talkin' thet one liar 'round a place wuz all I could +stand,” and she cast a meaning glance at her husband. + +“Honest, Maw, I ain't a-lyin',” insisted Willie. “Wot do you suppose +he give me this fer, if it wasn't to keep me from talkin',” and the boy +drew a crumpled one dollar bill from his pocket. It was worth the dollar +to escape a thrashing. + +“He give you thet?” asked his mother. Willie nodded assent. + +“'N' thet ain't all he had neither,” he said. “Beside all them bills he +showed me a whole pocket full o' jewlry, 'n' he had a string o' things +thet I don't know jest what you call 'em; but they looked like they +was made outen the inside o' clam shells only they was all round like +marbles.” + +Detective Burton raised his eyebrows. “Miss Prim's pearl necklace,” he +commented to the man at his side. The other nodded. “Don't punish your +son, Mrs. Case,” he said to the woman. “I believe he has discovered a +great deal that will help us in locating the man we want. Of course I am +interested principally in finding Miss Prim--her father has engaged me +for that purpose; but I think the arrest of the perpetrators of any of +last night's crimes will put us well along on the trail of the missing +young lady, as it is almost a foregone conclusion that there is a +connection between her disappearance and some of the occurrences which +have so excited Oakdale. I do not mean that she was a party to any +criminal act; but it is more than possible that she was abducted by the +same men who later committed the other crimes.” + +The Cases hung open-mouthed upon his words, while his companions +wondered at the loquaciousness of this ordinarily close-mouthed man, +who, as a matter of fact, was but attempting to win the confidence of +the boy on the chance that even now he had not told all that he knew; +but Willie had told all. + +Finding, after a few minutes further conversation, that he could glean +no additional information the detective returned to his car and drove +west toward Millsville on the assumption that the fugitives would seek +escape by the railway running through that village. Only thus could he +account for their turning off the main pike. The latter was now well +guarded all the way to Payson; while the Millsville road was still open. + +No sooner had he departed than Willie Case disappeared, nor did he +answer at noon to the repeated ringing of the big, farm dinner bell. + +Half way between the Case farm and Millsville detective Burton saw, far +ahead along the road, two figures scale a fence and disappear behind +the fringing blackberry bushes which grew in tangled profusion on either +side. When they came abreast of the spot he ordered the driver to stop; +but though he scanned the open field carefully he saw no sign of living +thing. + +“There are two men hiding behind those bushes,” he said to his +companions in a low whisper. “One of you walk ahead about fifty yards +and the other go back the same distance and then climb the fence. When +I see you getting over I'll climb it here. They can't get away from us.” + To the driver he said: “You have a gun. If they make a break go after +'em. You can shoot if they don't stop when you tell 'em to.” + +The two men walked in opposite directions along the road, and when +Burton saw them turn in and start to climb the fence he vaulted over the +panel directly opposite the car. He had scarcely alighted upon the other +side when his eyes fell upon the disreputable figures of two tramps +stretched out upon their backs and snoring audibly. Burton grinned. + +“You two sure can go to sleep in a hurry,” he said. One of the men +opened his eyes and sat up. When he saw who it was that stood over him +he grinned sheepishly. + +“Can't a guy lie down fer a minute in de bushes widout bein' pinched?” + he asked. The other man now sat up and viewed the newcomer, while from +either side Burton's companions closed in on the three. + +“Wot's de noise?” inquired the second tramp, looking from one to another +of the intruders. “We ain't done nothin'.” + +“Of course not, Charlie,” Burton assured him gaily. “Who would ever +suspect that you or The General would do anything; but somebody did +something in Oakdale last night and I want to take you back there and +have a nice, long talk with you. Put your hands up!” + +“We--.” + +“Put 'em up!” snapped Burton, and when the four grimy fists had been +elevated he signalled to his companions to search the two men. + +Nothing more formidable than knives, dope, and a needle were found upon +them. + +“Say,” drawled Dopey Charlie. “We knows wot we knows; but hones' to gawd +we didn't have nothin' to do wid it. We knows the guy that pulled it +off--we spent las' night wid him an' his pal an' a skoit. He creased +me, here,” and Charlie unbuttoned his clothing and exposed to view the +bloody scratch of The Oskaloosa Kid's bullet. “On de level, Burton, we +wern't in on it. Dis guy was at dat Squibbs' place wen we pulls in dere +outen de rain. He has a pocket full o' kale an' sparklers an' tings, and +he goes fer to shoot me up wen I tries to get away.” + +“Who was he?” asked Burton. + +“He called hisself de Oskaloosa Kid,” replied Charlie. “A guy called +Bridge was wid him. You know him?” + +“I've heard of him; but he's straight,” replied Burton. “Who was the +skirt?” + +“I dunno,” said Charlie; “but she was gassin' 'bout her pals croakin' a +guy an' turnin' 'im outten a gas wagon, an' dis Oskaloosa Kid he croaks +some old guy in Oakdale las' night. Mebby he ain't a bad 'un though!” + +“Where are they now?” asked Burton. + +“We got away from 'em at the Squibbs' place this mornin',” said Charlie. + +“Well,” said Burton, “you boes come along with me. If you ain't done +nothing the worst you'll get'll be three squares and a place to sleep +for a few days. I want you where I can lay my hands on you when I need +a couple of witnesses,” and he herded them over the fence and into the +machine. As he himself was about to step in he felt suddenly of his +breast pocket. + +“What's the matter?” asked one of his companions. + +“I've lost my note book,” replied Burton; “it must have dropped out of +my pocket when I jumped the fence. Just wait a minute while I go look +for it,” and he returned to the fence, vaulted it and disappeared behind +the bushes. + +It was fully five minutes before he returned but when he did there was a +look of satisfaction on his face. + +“Find it?” asked his principal lieutenant. + +“Yep,” replied Burton. “I wouldn't have lost it for anything.” + +Bridge and his companions had made their way along the wooded path for +perhaps a quarter of a mile when the man halted and drew back behind the +foliage of a flowering bush. With raised finger he motioned the others +to silence and then pointed through the branches ahead. The boy and +the girl, tense with excitement, peered past the man into a clearing in +which stood a log shack, mud plastered; but it was not the hovel which +held their mute attention--it was rather the figure of a girl, bare +headed and bare footed, who toiled stubbornly with an old spade at a +long, narrow excavation. + +All too suggestive in itself was the shape of the hole the girl was +digging; there was no need of the silent proof of its purpose which lay +beside her to tell the watchers that she worked alone in the midst of +the forest solitude upon a human grave. The thing wrapped in an old +quilt lay silently waiting for the making of its last bed. + +And as the three watched her other eyes watched them and the digging +girl--wide, awestruck eyes, filled with a great terror, yet now and +again half closing in the shrewd expression of cunning that is a hall +mark of crafty ignorance. + +And as they watched, their over-wrought nerves suddenly shuddered to the +grewsome clanking of a chain from the dark interior of the hovel. + +The youth, holding tight to Bridge's sleeve, strove to pull him away. + +“Let's go back,” he whispered in a voice that trembled so that he could +scarce control it. + +“Yes, please,” urged the girl. “Here is another path leading toward the +north. We must be close to a road. Let's get away from here.” + +The digger paused and raised her head, listening, as though she had +caught the faint, whispered note of human voices. She was a black haired +girl of nineteen or twenty, dressed in a motley of flowered calico and +silk, with strings of gold and silver coins looped around her olive +neck. Her bare arms were encircled by bracelets--some cheap and gaudy, +others well wrought from gold and silver. From her ears depended +ornaments fashioned from gold coins. Her whole appearance was barbaric, +her occupation cast a sinister haze about her; and yet her eyes seemed +fashioned for laughter and her lips for kissing. + +The watchers remained motionless as the girl peered first in one +direction and then in another, seeking an explanation of the sounds +which had disturbed her. Her brows were contracted into a scowl of +apprehension which remained even after she returned to her labors, and +that she was ill at ease was further evidenced by the frequent pauses +she made to cast quick glances toward the dense tanglewood surrounding +the clearing. + +At last the grave was dug. The girl climbed out and stood looking down +upon the quilt wrapped thing at her feet. For a moment she stood there +as silent and motionless as the dead. Only the twittering of birds +disturbed the quiet of the wood. Bridge felt a soft hand slipped into +his and slender fingers grip his own. He turned his eyes to see the +boy at his side gazing with wide eyes and trembling lips at the tableau +within the clearing. Involuntarily the man's hand closed tightly upon +the youth's. + +And as they stood thus the silence was shattered by a loud and human +sneeze from the thicket not fifty feet from where they stood. Instantly +the girl in the clearing was electrified into action. Like a tigress +charging those who stalked her she leaped swiftly across the clearing +toward the point from which the disturbance had come. There was an +answering commotion in the underbrush as the girl crashed through, a +slender knife gleaming in her hand. + +Bridge and his companions heard the sounds of a swift and short pursuit +followed by voices, one masterful, the other frightened and whimpering; +and a moment afterward the girl reappeared dragging a boy with her--a +wide-eyed, terrified, country boy who begged and blubbered to no avail. + +Beside the dead man the girl halted and then turned on her captive. In +her right hand she still held the menacing blade. + +“What you do there watching me for?” she demanded. “Tell me the truth, +or I kill you,” and she half raised the knife that he might profit in +his decision by this most potent of arguments. + +The boy cowered. “I didn't come fer to watch you,” he whimpered. “I'm +lookin' for somebody else. I'm goin' to be a dee-tectiff, an' I'm +shadderin' a murderer;” and he gasped and stammered: “But not you. I'm +lookin' for another murderer.” + +For the first time the watchers saw a faint smile touch the girl's lips. + +“What other murderer?” she asked. “Who has been murdered?” + +“Two an' mebby three in Oakdale last night,” said Willie Case more +glibly now that a chance for disseminating gossip momentarily outweighed +his own fears. “Reginald Paynter was murdered an' ol' man Baggs an' +Abigail Prim's missin'. Like es not she's been murdered too, though +they do say as she had a hand in it, bein' seen with Paynter an' The +Oskaloosie Kid jest afore the murder.” + +As the boy's tale reached the ears of the three hidden in the +underbrush Bridge glanced quickly at his companions. He saw the boy's +horror-stricken expression follow the announcement of the name of the +murdered Paynter, and he saw the girl flush crimson. + +Without urging, Willie Case proceeded with his story. He told of the +coming of The Oskaloosa Kid to his father's farm that morning and +of seeing some of the loot and hearing the confession of robbery and +killing in Oakdale the night before. Bridge looked down at the youth +beside him; but the other's face was averted and his eyes upon the +ground. Then Willie told of the arrival of the great detective, of the +reward that had been offered and of his decision to win it and become +rich and famous in a single stroke. As he reached the end of his +narrative he leaned close to the girl, whispering in her ear the while +his furtive gaze wandered toward the spot where the three lay concealed. + +Bridge shrugged his shoulders as the palpable inference of that cunning +glance was borne in upon him. The boy's voice had risen despite his +efforts to hold it to a low whisper for what with the excitement of the +adventure and his terror of the girl with the knife he had little or +no control of himself, yet it was evident that he did not realize that +practically every word he had spoken had reached the ears of the three +in hiding and that his final precaution as he divulged the information +to the girl was prompted by an excess of timidity and secretiveness. + +The eyes of the girl widened in surprise and fear as she learned that +three watchers lay concealed at the verge of the clearing. She bent +a long, searching look in the direction indicated by the boy and then +turned her eyes quickly toward the hut as though to summon aid. At the +same moment Bridge stepped from hiding into the clearing. His pleasant +'Good morning!' brought the girl around, facing him. + +“What you want?” she snapped. + +“I want you and this young man,” said Bridge, his voice now suddenly +stern. “We have been watching you and followed you from the Squibbs +house. We found the dead man there last night;” Bridge nodded toward the +quilt enveloped thing upon the ground; “and we suspect that you had +an accomplice.” Here he frowned meaningly upon Willie Case. The youth +trembled and stammered. + +“I never seen her afore,” he cried. “I don' know nothin' about it. +Honest I don't.” But the girl did not quail. + +“You get out,” she commanded. “You a bad man. Kill, steal. He know; he +tell me. You get out or I call Beppo. He keel you. He eat you.” + +“Come, come, now, my dear,” urged Bridge, “be calm. Let us get at the +root of this thing. Your young friend accuses me of being a murderer, +does he? And he tells about murders in Oakdale that I have not even +heard of. It seems to me that he must have some guilty knowledge himself +of these affairs. Look at him and look at me. Notice his ears, his chin, +his forehead, or rather the places where his chin and forehead should +be, and then look once more at me. Which of us might be a murderer and +which a detective? I ask you. + +“And as for yourself. I find you here in the depths of the wood digging +a lonely grave for a human corpse. I ask myself: was this man murdered? +but I do not say that he was murdered. I wait for an explanation from +you, for you do not look a murderer, though I cannot say as much for +your desperate companion.” + +The girl looked straight into Bridge's eyes for a full minute before she +replied as though endeavoring to read his inmost soul. + +“I do not know this boy,” she said. “That is the truth. He was spying +on me, and when I found him he told me that you and your companions were +thieves and murderers and that you were hiding there watching me. You +tell me the truth, all the truth, and I will tell you the truth. I have +nothing to fear. If you do not tell me the truth I shall know it. Will +you?” + +“I will,” replied Bridge, and then turning toward the brush he called: +“Come here!” and presently a boy and a girl, dishevelled and fearful, +crawled forth into sight. Willie Case's eyes went wide as they fell upon +the Oskaloosa Kid. + +Quickly and simply Bridge told the girl the story of the past night, for +he saw that by enlisting her sympathy he might find an avenue of escape +for his companions, or at least a haven of refuge where they might hide +until escape was possible. “And then,” he said in conclusion, “when the +searchers arrived we followed the foot prints of yourself and the bear +until we came upon you digging this grave.” + +Bridge's companions and Willie Case looked their surprise at his +mention of a bear; but the gypsy girl only nodded her head as she had +occasionally during his narrative. + +“I believe you,” said the girl. “It is not easy to deceive Giova. Now I +tell you. This here,” she pointed toward the dead man, “he my father. He +bad man. Steal; kill; drink; fight; but always good to Giova. Good to no +one else but Beppo. He afraid Beppo. Even our people drive us out he, my +father, so bad man. We wander 'round country mak leetle money when Beppo +dance; mak lot money when HE steal. Two days he no come home. I go las' +night look for him. Sometimes he too drunk come home he sleep Squeebs. +I go there. I find heem dead. He have fits, six, seven year. He die fit. +Beppo stay guard heem. I carry heem home. Giova strong, he no very large +man. Beppo come too. I bury heem. No one know we leeve here. Pretty soon +I go way with Beppo. Why tell people he dead. Who care? Mak lot trouble +for Giova whose heart already ache plenty. No one love heem, only Beppo +and Giova. No one love Giova, only Beppo; but some day Beppo he +keel Giova now HE is dead, for Beppo vera large, strong bear--fierce +bear--ogly bear. Even Giova who love Beppo is afraid Beppo. Beppo devil +bear! Beppo got evil eye. + +“Well,” said Bridge, “I guess, Giova, that you and we are in the same +boat. We haven't any of us done anything so very bad but it would be +embarrassing to have to explain to the police what we have done,” here +he glanced at The Oskaloosa Kid and the girl standing beside the youth. +“Suppose we form a defensive alliance, eh? We'll help you and you help +us. What do you say?” + +“All right,” acquiesced Giova; “but what we do with this?” and she +jerked her thumb toward Willie Case. + +“If he don't behave we'll feed him to Beppo,” suggested Bridge. + +Willie shook in his boots, figuratively speaking, for in reality he +shook upon his bare feet. “Lemme go,” he wailed, “an' I won't tell +nobody nothin'.” + +“No,” said Bridge, “you don't go until we're safely out of here. I +wouldn't trust that vanishing chin of yours as far as I could throw +Beppo by the tail.” + +“Wait!” exclaimed The Oskaloosa Kid. “I have it!” + +“What have you?” asked Bridge. + +“Listen!” cried the boy excitedly. “This boy has been offered a hundred +dollars for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the men +who robbed and murdered in Oakdale last night. I'll give him a hundred +dollars if he'll go away and say nothing about us.” + +“Look here, son,” said Bridge, “every time you open your mouth you put +your foot in it. The less you advertise the fact that you have a hundred +dollars the better off you'll be. I don't know how you come by so much +wealth; but in view of several things which occurred last night I should +not be crazy, were I you, to have to make a true income tax return. +Somehow I have faith in you; but I doubt if any minion of the law would +be similarly impressed.” + +The Oskaloosa Kid appeared hurt and crestfallen. Giova shot a suspicious +glance at him. The other girl involuntarily drew away. Bridge noted the +act and shook his head. “No,” he said, “we mustn't judge one another +hastily, Miss Prim, and I take it you are Miss Prim?” The girl made a +half gesture of denial, started to speak, hesitated and then resumed. “I +would rather not say who I am, please,” she said. + +“Well,” said the man, “let's take one another at face value for a while, +without digging too deep into the past; and now for our plans. This wood +will be searched; but I don't see how we are to get out of it before +dark as the roads are doubtless pretty well patrolled, or at least every +farmer is on the lookout for suspicious strangers. So we might as +well make the best of it here for the rest of the day. I think we're +reasonably safe for the time being--if we keep Willie with us.” + +Willie had been an interested auditor of all that passed between his +captors. He was obviously terrified; but his terror did not prevent him +from absorbing all that he heard, nor from planning how he might utilize +the information. He saw not only one reward but several and a glorious +publicity which far transcended the most sanguine of his former dreams. +He saw his picture not only in the Oakdale Tribune but in the newspapers +of every city of the country. Assuming a stern and arrogant expression, +or rather what he thought to be such, he posed, mentally, for the +newspaper cameramen; and such is the power of association of ideas +that he was presently strolling nonchalantly before a battery of motion +picture machines. “Gee!” he murmured, “won't the other fellers be sore! +I s'ppose Pinkerton'll send for me 'bout the first thing 'n' offer me +twenty fi' dollars a week, er mebbie more 'n thet. Gol durn, ef I don't +hold out fer thirty! Gee!” Words, thoughts even, failed him. + +As the others planned they rather neglected Willie and when they came to +assisting Giova in lowering her father into the grave and covering him +over with earth they quite forgot Willie entirely. It was The Oskaloosa +Kid who first thought of him. “Where's the boy?” he cried suddenly. The +others looked quickly about the clearing, but no Willie was to be seen. + +Bridge shook his head ruefully. “We'll have to get out of this in +a hurry now,” he said. “That little defective will have the whole +neighborhood on us in an hour.” + +“Oh, what can we do?” cried the girl. “They mustn't find us! I should +rather die than be found here with--” She stopped abruptly, flushed +scarlet as the other three looked at her in silence, and then: “I am +sorry,” she said. “I didn't know what I was saying. I am so frightened. +You have all been good to me.” + +“I tell you what we do.” It was Giova speaking in the masterful voice of +one who has perfect confidence in his own powers. “I know fine way out. +This wood circle back south through swamp mile, mile an' a half. The +road past Squeebs an' Case's go right through it. I know path there I +fin' myself. We on'y have to cross road, that only danger. Then we reach +leetle stream south of woods, stream wind down through Payson. We all +go Gypsies. I got lot clothing in house. We all go Gypsies, an' when we +reach Payson we no try hide--jus' come out on street with Beppo. Mak' +Beppo dance. No one think we try hide. Then come night we go 'way. Find +more wood an' leetle lake other side Payson. I know place. We hide there +long time. No one ever fin' us there. We tell two, three, four people +in Payson we go Oakdale. They look Oakdale for us if they wan' fin' us. +They no think look where we go. See?” + +“Oh, I can't go to Payson,” exclaimed the other girl. “Someone would be +sure to recognize me.” + +“You come in house with me,” Giova assured her, “I feex you so your own +mother no know you. You mens come too. I geeve you what to wear like +Gypsy mens. We got lots things. My father, him he steal many things from +our people after they drive us out. He go back by nights an' steal.” + +The three followed her toward the little hovel since there seemed no +better plan than that which she had offered. Giova and the other girl +were in the lead, followed by Bridge and the boy. The latter turned to +the man and placed a hand upon his arm. “Why don't you leave us,” he +asked. “You have done nothing. No one is looking for you. Why don't you +go your way and save yourself from suspicion.” + +Bridge did not reply. + +“I believe,” the youth went on, “that you are doing it for me; but why I +can't guess.” + +“Maybe I am,” Bridge half acknowledged. “You're a good little kid, but +you need someone to look after you. It would be easier though if you'd +tell me the truth about yourself, which you certainly haven't up to +now.” + +“Please don't ask me,” begged the boy. “I can't; honestly I can't.” + +“Is it as bad as that?” asked the man. + +“Oh, it's worse,” cried The Oskaloosa Kid. “It's a thousand times worse. +Don't make me tell you, for if I do tell I shall have to leave you, +and--and, oh, Bridge, I don't want to leave you--ever!” + +They had reached the door of the cabin now and were looking in past the +girl who had halted there as Giova entered. Before them was a small room +in which a large, vicious looking brown bear was chained. + +“Behold our ghost of last night!” exclaimed Bridge. “By George! though, +I'd as soon have hunted a real ghost in the dark as to have run into +this fellow.” + +“Did you know last night that it was a bear?” asked the Kid. “You told +Giova that you followed the footprints of herself and her bear; but you +had not said anything about a bear to us.” + +“I had an idea last night,” explained Bridge, “that the sounds were +produced by some animal dragging a chain; but I couldn't prove it and so +I said nothing, and then this morning while we were following the trail +I made up my mind that it was a bear. There were two facts which argued +that such was the case. The first is that I don't believe in ghosts and +that even if I did I would not expect a ghost to leave footprints in +the mud, and the other is that I knew that the footprints of a bear are +strangely similar to those of the naked feet of man. Then when I saw the +Gypsy girl I was sure that what we had heard last night was nothing more +nor less than a trained bear. The dress and appearance of the dead man +lent themselves to a furtherance of my belief and the wisp of brown hair +clutched in his fingers added still further proof.” + +Within the room the bear was now straining at his collar and growling +ferociously at the strangers. Giova crossed the room, scolding him +and at the same time attempting to assure him that the newcomers +were friends; but the wicked expression upon the beast's face gave no +indication that he would ever accept them as aught but enemies. + +It was a breathless Willie who broke into his mother's kitchen wide eyed +and gasping from the effects of excitement and a long, hard run. + +“Fer lan' sakes!” exclaimed Mrs. Case. “Whatever in the world ails you?” + +“I got 'em; I got 'em!” cried Willie, dashing for the telephone. + +“Fer lan' sakes! I should think you did hev 'em,” retorted his mother as +she trailed after him in the direction of the front hall. “'N' whatever +you got, you got 'em bad. Now you stop right where you air 'n' tell me +whatever you got. 'Taint likely it's measles, fer you've hed them three +times, 'n' whoopin' cough ain't 'them,' it's 'it,' 'n'--.” Mrs. Case +paused and gasped--horrified. “Fer lan' sakes, Willie Case, you come +right out o' this house this minute ef you got anything in your head.” + She made a grab for Willie's arm; but the boy dodged and reached the +telephone. + +“Shucks!” he cried. “I ain't got nothin' in my head,” nor did either +sense the unconscious humor of the statement. “What I got is a gang o' +thieves an' murderers, an' I'm callin' up thet big city deetectiff to +come arter 'em.” + +Mrs. Case sank into a chair, prostrated by the weight of her emotions, +while Willie took down the receiver after ringing the bell to attract +central. Finally he obtained his connection, which was with Jonas Prim's +bank where detective Burton was making his headquarters. Here he learned +that Burton had not returned; but finally gave his message reluctantly +to Jonas Prim after exacting a promise from that gentleman that he would +be personally responsible for the payment of the reward. What Willie +Case told Jonas Prim had the latter in a machine, with half a dozen +deputy sheriffs and speeding southward from Oakdale inside of ten +minutes. + +A short distance out from town they met detective Burton with his two +prisoners. After a hurried consultation Dopey Charlie and The General +were unloaded and started on the remainder of their journey afoot under +guard of two of the deputies, while Burton's companions turned and +followed the other car, Burton taking a seat beside Prim. + +“He said that he could take us right to where Abigail is,” Mr. Prim +was explaining to Burton, “and that this Oskaloosa Kid is with her, +and another man and a foreign looking girl. He told a wild story about +seeing them burying a dead man in the woods back of Squibbs' place. I +don't know how much to believe, or whether to believe any of it; but +we can't afford not to run down every clew. I can't believe that my +daughter is wilfully consorting with such men. She always has been full +of life and spirit; but she's got a clean mind, and her little escapades +have always been entirely harmless--at worst some sort of boyish prank. +I simply won't believe it until I see it with my own eyes. If she's with +them she's being held by force.” + +Burton made no reply. He was not a man to jump to conclusions. His +success was largely due to the fact that he assumed nothing; but merely +ran down each clew quickly yet painstakingly until he had a foundation +of fact upon which to operate. His theory was that the simplest way is +always the best way and so he never befogged the main issue with any +elaborate system of deductive reasoning based on guesswork. Burton never +guessed. He assumed that it was his business to KNOW, nor was he on any +case long before he did know. He was employed now to find Abigail Prim. +Each of the several crimes committed the previous night might or might +not prove a clew to her whereabouts; but each must be run down in the +process of elimination before Burton could feel safe in abandoning it. + +Already he had solved one of them to his satisfaction; and Dopey Charlie +and The General were, all unknown to themselves, on the way to the +gallows for the murder of Old John Baggs. When Burton had found them +simulating sleep behind the bushes beside the road his observant eyes +had noticed something that resembled a hurried cache. The excuse of a +lost note book had taken him back to investigate and to find the loot +of the Baggs's crime wrapped in a bloody rag and hastily buried in a +shallow hole. + +When Burton and Jonas Prim arrived at the Case farm they were met by a +new Willie. A puffed and important young man swaggered before them as +he retold his tale and led them through the woods toward the spot where +they were to bag their prey. The last hundred yards was made on hands +and knees; but when the party arrived at the clearing there was no one +in sight, only the hovel stood mute and hollow-eyed before them. + +“They must be inside,” whispered Willie to the detective. + +Burton passed a whispered word to his followers. Stealthily they crept +through the underbrush until the cabin was surrounded; then, at a signal +from their leader they rose and advanced upon the structure. + +No evidence of life indicated their presence had been noted, and Burton +came to the very door of the cabin unchallenged. The others saw him +pause an instant upon the threshold and then pass in. They closed behind +him. Three minutes later he emerged, shaking his head. + +“There is no one here,” he announced. + +Willie Case was crestfallen. “But they must be,” he pleaded. “They must +be. I saw 'em here just a leetle while back.” + +Burton turned and eyed the boy sternly. Willie quailed. “I seen 'em,” he +cried. “Hones' I seen 'em. They was here just a few minutes ago. Here's +where they burrit the dead man,” and he pointed to the little mound of +earth near the center of the clearing. + +“We'll see,” commented Burton, tersely, and he sent two of his men back +to the Case farm for spades. When they returned a few minutes' labor +revealed that so much of Willie's story was true, for a quilt wrapped +corpse was presently unearthed and lying upon the ground beside its +violated grave. Willie's stock rose once more to par. + +In an improvised litter they carried the dead man back to Case's farm +where they left him after notifying the coroner by telephone. Half of +Burton's men were sent to the north side of the woods and half to the +road upon the south of the Squibbs' farm. There they separated and +formed a thin line of outposts about the entire area north of the road. +If the quarry was within it could not escape without being seen. In the +mean time Burton telephoned to Oakdale for reinforcements, as it would +require fifty men at least to properly beat the tangled underbrush of +the wood. + + ***** + + +In a clump of willows beside the little stream which winds through the +town of Payson a party of four halted on the outskirts of the town. +There were two men, two young women and a huge brown bear. The men and +women were, obviously, Gypsies. Their clothing, their head-dress, their +barbaric ornamentation proclaimed the fact to whoever might pass; but no +one passed. + +“I think,” said Bridge, “that we will just stay where we are until after +dark. We haven't passed or seen a human being since we left the cabin. +No one can know that we are here and if we stay here until late to-night +we should be able to pass around Payson unseen and reach the wood to the +south of town. If we do meet anyone to-night we'll stop them and inquire +the way to Oakdale--that'll throw them off the track.” + +The others acquiesced in his suggestion; but there were queries about +food to be answered. It seemed that all were hungry and that the bear +was ravenous. + +“What does he eat?” Bridge asked of Giova. + +“Mos' anything,” replied the girl. “He like garbage fine. Often I take +him into towns late, ver' late at night an' he eat swill. I do that +to-night. Beppo, he got to be fed or he eat Giova. I go feed Beppo, you +go get food for us; then we all meet at edge of wood just other side +town near old mill.” + +During the remainder of the afternoon and well after dark the party +remained hidden in the willows. Then Giova started out with Beppo in +search of garbage cans, Bridge bent his steps toward a small store upon +the outskirts of town where food could be purchased, The Oskaloosa Kid +having donated a ten dollar bill for the stocking of the commissariat, +and the youth and the girl made their way around the south end of the +town toward the meeting place beside the old mill. + +As Bridge moved through the quiet road at the outskirts of the little +town he let his mind revert to the events of the past twenty four hours +and as he pondered each happening since he met the youth in the dark of +the storm the preceding night he asked himself why he had cast his +lot with these strangers. In his years of vagabondage Bridge had never +crossed that invisible line which separates honest men from thieves and +murderers and which, once crossed, may never be recrossed. Chance and +necessity had thrown him often among such men and women; but never had +he been of them. The police of more than one city knew Bridge--they knew +him, though, as a character and not as a criminal. A dozen times he had +been arraigned upon suspicion; but as many times had he been released +with a clean bill of morals until of late Bridge had become almost +immune from arrest. The police who knew him knew that he was straight +and they knew, too, that he would give no information against another +man. For this they admired him as did the majority of the criminals with +whom he had come in contact during his rovings. + +The present crisis, however, appeared most unpromising to Bridge. Grave +crimes had been committed in Oakdale, and here was Bridge conniving +in the escape of at least two people who might readily be under police +suspicion. It was difficult for the man to bring himself to believe that +either the youth or the girl was in any way actually responsible for +either of the murders; yet it appeared that the latter had been present +when a murder was committed and now by attempting to elude the police +had become an accessory after the fact, since she possessed knowledge +of the identity of the actual murderer; while the boy, by his own +admission, had committed a burglary. + +Bridge shook his head wearily. Was he not himself an accessory after the +fact in the matter of two crimes at least? These new friends, it seemed, +were about to topple him into the abyss which he had studiously avoided +for so long a time. But why should he permit it? What were they to him? + +A freight train was puffing into the siding at the Payson station. +Bridge could hear the complaining brakes a mile away. It would be easy +to leave the town and his dangerous companions far behind him; but even +as the thought forced its way into his mind another obtruded itself to +shoulder aside the first. It was recollection of the boy's words: “Oh, +Bridge, I don't want to leave you--ever.” + +“I couldn't do it,” mused Bridge. “I don't know just why; but I +couldn't. That kid has certainly got me. The first thing someone knows +I'll be starting a foundlings' home. There is no question but that I am +the soft mark, and I wonder why it is--why a kid I never saw before +last night has a strangle hold on my heart that I can't shake loose--and +don't want to. Now if it was a girl I could understand it.” Bridge +stopped suddenly in the middle of the road. From his attitude he might +have been startled either by a surprising noise or by a surprising +thought. For a minute he stood motionless; then he shook his head again +and proceeded along his way toward the little store; evidently if he had +heard anything he was assured that it constituted no menace. + +As he entered the store to make his purchases a foxeyed man saw him and +stepped quickly behind the huge stove which had not as yet been taken +down for the summer. Bridge made his purchases, the volume of which +required a large gunny-sack for transportation, and while he was +thus occupied the fox-eyed man clung to his coign of vantage, himself +unnoticed by the purchaser. When Bridge departed the other followed him, +keeping in the shadow of the trees which bordered the street. Around +the edge of town and down a road which led southward the two went until +Bridge passed through a broken fence and halted beside an abandoned +mill. The watcher saw his quarry set down his burden, seat himself +beside it and proceed to roll a cigaret; then he faded away in the +darkness and Bridge was alone. + +Five or ten minutes later two slender figures appeared dimly out of the +north. They approached timidly, stopping often and looking first this +way and then that and always listening. When they arrived opposite the +mill Bridge saw them and gave a low whistle. Immediately the two passed +through the fence and approached him. + +“My!” exclaimed one. “I thought we never would get here; but we didn't +see a soul on the road. Where is Giova?” + +“She hasn't come yet,” replied Bridge, “and she may not. I don't see how +a girl can browse around a town like this with a big bear at night and +not be seen, and if she is seen she'll be followed--it would be too much +of a treat for the rubes ever to be passed up--and if she's followed she +won't come here. At least I hope she won't.” + +“What's that?” exclaimed The Oskaloosa Kid. Each stood in silence, +listening. + +The girl shuddered. “Even now that I know what it is it makes me creep,” + she whispered, as the faint clanking of a distant chain came to their +ears. + +“We ought to be used to it by this time, Miss Prim,” said Bridge. “We +heard it all last night and a good part of to-day.” + +The girl made no comment upon the use of the name which he had applied +to her, and in the darkness he could not see her features, nor did +he see the odd expression upon the boy's face as he heard the name +addressed to her. Was he thinking of the nocturnal raid he so recently +had made upon the boudoir of Miss Abigail Prim? Was he pondering the +fact that his pockets bulged to the stolen belongings of that young +lady? But whatever was passing in his mind he permitted none of it to +pass his lips. + +As the three stood waiting in silence Giova came presently among them, +the beast Beppo lumbering awkwardly at her side. + +“Did he find anything to eat?” asked the man. + +“Oh, yes,” exclaimed Giova. “He fill up now. That mak him better nature. +Beppo not so ugly now.” + +“Well, I'm glad of that,” said Bridge. “I haven't been looking forward +much to his company through the woods to-night--especially while he was +hungry!” + +Giova laughed a low, musical little laugh. “I don' think he no hurt you +anyway,” she said. “Now he know you my frien'.” + +“I hope you are quite correct in your surmise,” replied Bridge. “But +even so I'm not taking any chances.” + + ***** + + +Willie Case had been taken to Payson to testify before the coroner's +jury investigating the death of Giova's father, and with the dollar +which The Oskaloosa Kid had given him in the morning burning in his +pocket had proceeded to indulge in an orgy of dissipation the moment +that he had been freed from the inquest. Ice cream, red pop, peanuts, +candy, and soda water may have diminished his appetite but not his pride +and self-satisfaction as he sat alone and by night for the first time in +a public eating place. Willie was now a man of the world, a bon vivant, +as he ordered ham and eggs from the pretty waitress of The Elite +Restaurant on Broadway; but at heart he was not happy for never before +had he realized what a great proportion of his anatomy was made up +of hands and feet. As he glanced fearfully at the former, silhouetted +against the white of the table cloth, he flushed scarlet, assured as he +was that the waitress who had just turned away toward the kitchen with +his order was convulsed with laughter and that every other eye in the +establishment was glued upon him. To assume an air of nonchalance and +thereby impress and disarm his critics Willie reached for a toothpick in +the little glass holder near the center of the table and upset the sugar +bowl. Immediately Willie snatched back the offending hand and glared +ferociously at the ceiling. He could feel the roots of his hair being +consumed in the heat of his skin. A quick side glance that required all +his will power to consummate showed him that no one appeared to have +noticed his faux pas and Willie was again slowly returning to normal +when the proprietor of the restaurant came up from behind and asked him +to remove his hat. + +Never had Willie Case spent so frightful a half hour as that within the +brilliant interior of The Elite Restaurant. Twenty-three minutes of this +eternity was consumed in waiting for his order to be served and seven +minutes in disposing of the meal and paying his check. Willie's method +of eating was in itself a sermon on efficiency--there was no lost +motion--no waste of time. He placed his mouth within two inches of his +plate after cutting his ham and eggs into pieces of a size that would +permit each mouthful to enter without wedging; then he mixed his mashed +potatoes in with the result and working his knife and fork alternately +with bewildering rapidity shot a continuous stream of food into his +gaping maw. + +In addition to the meat and potatoes there was one vegetable in a +side-dish and as dessert four prunes. The meat course gone Willie placed +the vegetable dish on the empty plate, seized a spoon in lieu of knife +and fork and--presto! the side-dish was empty. Whereupon the prune dish +was set in the empty side-dish--four deft motions and there were no +prunes--in the dish. The entire feat had been accomplished in 6:34 1/2, +setting a new world's record for red-headed farmer boys with one splay +foot. + +In the remaining twenty five and one half seconds Willie walked what +seemed to him a mile from his seat to the cashier's desk and at the +last instant bumped into a waitress with a trayful of dishes. Clutched +tightly in Willie's hand was thirty five cents and his check with a like +amount written upon it. Amid the crash of crockery which followed the +collision Willie slammed check and money upon the cashier's desk and +fled. Nor did he pause until in the reassuring seclusion of a dark +side street. There Willie sank upon the curb alternately cold with fear +and hot with shame, weak and panting, and into his heart entered the +iron of class hatred, searing it to the core. + +Fortunately for youth it recuperates rapidly from mortal blows, and +so it was that another half hour found Willie wandering up and down +Broadway but at the far end of the street from The Elite Restaurant. A +motion picture theater arrested his attention; and presently, parting +with one of his two remaining dimes, he entered. The feature of the bill +was a detective melodrama. Nothing in the world could have better suited +Willie's psychic needs. It recalled his earlier feats of the day, +in which he took pardonable pride, and raised him once again to a +self-confidence he had not felt since he entered the ever to be hated +Elite Restaurant. + +The show over Willie set forth afoot for home. A long walk lay ahead of +him. This in itself was bad enough; but what lay at the end of the long +walk was infinitely worse, as Willie's father had warned him to return +immediately after the inquest, in time for milking, preferably. Before +he had gone two blocks from the theater Willie had concocted at least +three tales to account for his tardiness, either one of which would +have done credit to the imaginative powers of a Rider Haggard or a +Jules Verne; but at the end of the third block he caught a glimpse of +something which drove all thoughts of home from his mind and came +but barely short of driving his mind out too. He was approaching the +entrance to an alley. Old trees grew in the parkway at his side. At the +street corner a half block away a high flung arc swung gently from its +supporting cables, casting a fair light upon the alley's mouth, and just +emerging from behind the nearer fence Willie Case saw the huge bulk of a +bear. Terrified, Willie jumped behind a tree; and then, fearful lest +the animal might have caught sight or scent of him he poked his head +cautiously around the side of the bole just in time to see the figure of +a girl come out of the alley behind the bear. Willie recognized her at +the first glance--she was the very girl he had seen burying the dead man +in the Squibbs woods. Instantly Willie Case was transformed again into +the shrewd and death defying sleuth. At a safe distance he followed the +girl and the bear through one alley after another until they came out +upon the road which leads south from Payson. He was across the road when +she joined Bridge and his companions. When they turned toward the old +mill he followed them, listening close to the rotting clapboards for +any chance remark which might indicate their future plans. He heard them +debating the wisdom of remaining where they were for the night or moving +on to another location which they had evidently decided upon but no clew +to which they dropped. + +“The objection to remaining here,” said Bridge, “is that we can't make a +fire to cook by--it would be too plainly visible from the road.” + +“But I can no fin' road by dark,” explained Giova. “It bad road by day, +ver' much worse by night. Beppo no come 'cross swamp by night. No, we +got stay here til morning.” + +“All right,” replied Bridge, “we can eat some of this canned stuff and +have our ham and coffee after we reach camp tomorrow morning, eh?” + +“And now that we've gotten through Payson safely,” suggested The +Oskaloosa Kid, “let's change back into our own clothes. This disguise +makes me feel too conspicuous.” + +Willie Case had heard enough. His quarry would remain where it was +over night, and a moment later Willie was racing toward Payson and a +telephone as fast as his legs would carry him. + +In an old brick structure a hundred yards below the mill where the +lighting machinery of Payson had been installed before the days of the +great central power plant a hundred miles away four men were smoking as +they lay stretched upon the floor. + +“I tell you I seen him,” asserted one of the party. “I follered this +Bridge guy from town to the mill. He was got up like a Gyp; but I knew +him all right, all right. This scenery of his made me tink there was +something phoney doin', or I wouldn't have trailed him, an' its a good +ting I done it, fer he hadn't ben there five minutes before along comes +The Kid an' a skirt and pretty soon a nudder chicken wid a calf on a +string, er mebbie it was a sheep--it was pretty husky lookin' fer a +sheep though. An' I sticks aroun' a minute until I hears this here +Bridge guy call the first skirt 'Miss Prim.'” + +He ceased speaking to note the effect of his words on his hearers. They +were electrical. The Sky Pilot sat up straight and slapped his thigh. +Soup Face opened his mouth, letting his pipe fall out into his lap, +setting fire to his ragged trousers. Dirty Eddie voiced a characteristic +obscenity. + +“So you sees,” went on Columbus Blackie, “we got a chanct to get both +the dame and The Kid. Two of us can take her to Oakdale an' claim +the reward her old man's offerin' an' de odder two can frisk de Kid, +an'--an'--.” + +“An' wot?” queried The Sky Pilot. + +“Dere's de swamp handy,” suggested Soup Face. + +“I was tinkin' of de swamp,” said Columbus Blackie. + +“Eddie and I will return Miss Prim to her bereaved parents,” interrupted +The Sky Pilot. “You, Blackie, and Soup Face can arrange matters with The +Oskaloosa Kid. I don't care for details. We will all meet in Toledo as +soon as possible and split the swag. We ought to make a cleaning on this +job, boes.” + +“You spit a mout'ful then,” said Columbus Blackie. + +They fell to discussing way and means. + +“We'd better wait until they're asleep,” counseled The Sky Pilot. “Two +of us can tackle this Bridge and hand him the k.o. quick. Eddie and Soup +Face had better attend to that. Blackie can nab The Kid an' I'll annex +Miss Abigail Prim. The lady with the calf we don't want. We'll tell her +we're officers of the law an' that she'd better duck with her live stock +an' keep her trap shut if she don't want to get mixed up with a murder +trial.” + + ***** + + +Detective Burton was at the county jail in Oakdale administering the +third degree to Dopey Charlie and The General when there came a long +distance telephone call for him. + +“Hello!” said the voice at the other end of the line; “I'm Willie Case, +an' I've found Miss Abigail Prim.” + +“Again?” queried Burton. + +“Really,” asserted Willie. “I know where she's goin' to be all night. I +heard 'em say so. The Oskaloosie Kid's with her an' annuder guy an' the +girl I seen with the dead man in Squibbs' woods an' they got a BEAR!” It +was almost a shriek. “You'd better come right away an' bring Mr. Prim. +I'll meet you on the ol' Toledo road right south of Payson, an' say, do +I get the whole reward?” + +“You'll get whatever's coming to you, son,” replied Burton. “You say +there are two men and two women--are you sure that is all?” + +“And the bear,” corrected Willie. + +“All right, keep quiet and wait for me,” cautioned Burton. “You'll know +me by the spot light on my car--I'll have it pointed straight up into +the air. When you see it coming get into the middle of the road and wave +your hands to stop us. Do you understand?” + +“Yes,” said Willie. + +“And don't talk to anyone,” Burton again cautioned him. + +A few minutes later Burton left Oakdale with his two lieutenants and a +couple of the local policemen, the car turning south toward Payson and +moving at ever accelerating speed as it left the town streets behind it +and swung smoothly onto the country road. + + ***** + + +It was after midnight when four men cautiously approached the old mill. +There was no light nor any sign of life within as they crept silently +through the doorless doorway. Columbus Blackie was in the lead. He +flashed a quick light around the interior revealing four forms stretched +upon the floor, deep in slumber. Into the blacker shadows of the far end +of the room the man failed to shine his light for the first flash had +shown him those whom he sought. Picking out their quarry the intruders +made a sudden rush upon the sleepers. + +Bridge awoke to find two men attempting to rain murderous blows upon +his head. Wiry, strong and full of the vigor of a clean life, he pitted +against their greater numbers and cowardly attack a defense which was +infinitely more strenuous than they had expected. + +Columbus Blackie leaped for The Oskaloosa Kid, while The Sky Pilot +seized upon Abigail Prim. No one paid any attention to Giova, nor, with +the noise and confusion, did the intruders note the sudden clanking of +a chain from out the black depths of the room's further end, or the +splintering of a half decayed studding. + +Soup Face entangling himself about Bridge's legs succeeded in throwing +the latter to the floor while Dirty Eddie kicked viciously at the +prostrate man's head. The Sky Pilot seized Abigail Prim about the waist +and dragged her toward the doorway and though the girl fought valiantly +to free herself her lesser muscles were unable to cope successfully +with those of the man. Columbus Blackie found his hands full with The +Oskaloosa Kid. Again and again the youth struck him in the face; but +the man persisted, beating down the slim hands and striking viciously +at body and head until, at last, the boy, half stunned though still +struggling, was dragged from the room. + +Simultaneously a series of frightful growls reverberated through the +deserted mill. A huge body catapulted into the midst of the fighters. +Abigail Prim screamed. “The bear!” she cried. “The bear is loose!” + +Dirty Eddie was the first to feel the weight of Beppo's wrath. His foot +drawn back to implant a vicious kick in Bridge's face he paused at the +girl's scream and at the same moment a huge thing reared up before him. +Just for an instant he sensed the terrifying presence of some frightful +creature, caught the reflected gleam of two savage eyes and felt the +hot breath from distended jaws upon his cheek, then Beppo swung a single +terrific blow which caught the man upon the side of the head to spin him +across the floor and drop him in a crumpled heap against the wall, with +a fractured skull. Dirty Eddie was out. Soup Face, giving voice to +a scream more bestial than human, rose to his feet and fled in the +opposite direction. + +Beppo paused and looked about. He discovered Bridge lying upon the floor +and sniffed at him. The man lay perfectly quiet. He had heard that often +times a bear will not molest a creature which it thinks dead. Be that as +it may Beppo chanced at that moment to glance toward the doorway. There, +silhouetted against the lesser darkness without, he saw the figures of +Columbus Blackie and The Oskaloosa Kid and with a growl he charged them. +The two were but a few paces outside the doorway when the full weight of +the great bear struck Columbus Blackie between the shoulders. Down +went the man and as he fell he released his hold upon the youth who +immediately turned and ran for the road. + +The momentum of the bear carried him past the body of his intended +victim who, frightened but uninjured, scrambled to his feet and dashed +toward the rear of the mill in the direction of the woods and distant +swamp. Beppo, recovering from his charge, wheeled in time to catch a +glimpse of his quarry after whom he made with all the awkwardness that +was his birthright and with the speed of a race horse. + +Columbus Blackie, casting a terrified glance rearward, saw his Nemesis +flashing toward him, and dodged around a large tree. Again Beppo shot +past the man while the latter, now shrieking for help, raced madly in a +new direction. + +Bridge had arisen and come out of the mill. He called aloud for The +Oskaloosa Kid. Giova answered him from a small tree. “Climb!” she cried. +“Climb a tree! Ever'one climb a small tree. Beppo he go mad. He keel +ever'one. Run! Climb! He keel me. Beppo he got evil-eye.” + +Along the road from the north came a large touring car, swinging from +side to side in its speed. Its brilliant headlights illuminated the road +far ahead. They picked out The Sky Pilot and Abigail Prim, they found +The Oskaloosa Kid climbing a barbed wire fence and then with complaining +brakes the car came to a sudden stop. Six men leaped from the machine +and rounded up the three they had seen. Another came running toward +them. It was Soup Face, so thoroughly terrified that he would gladly +have embraced a policeman in uniform, could the latter have offered him +protection. + +A boy accompanied the newcomers. “There he is!” he screamed, pointing at +The Oskaloosa Kid. “There he is! And you've got Miss Prim, too, and when +do I get the reward?” + +“Shut up!” said one of the men. + +“Watch this bunch,” said Burton to one of his lieutenants, “while we +go after the rest of them. There are some over by the mill. I can hear +them.” + +From the woods came a fear-filled scream mingled with the savage growls +of a beast. + +“It's the bear,” shrilled Willie Case, and ran toward the automobile. + +Bridge ran forward to meet Burton. “Get that girl and the kid into your +machine and beat it!” he cried. “There's a bear loose here, a regular +devil of a bear. You can't do a thing unless you have rifles. Have you?” + +“Who are you?” asked the detective. + +“He's one of the gang,” yelled Willie Case from the fancied security of +the tonneau. “Seize him!” He wanted to add: “My men”; but somehow his +nerve failed him at the last moment; however he had the satisfaction of +thinking it. + +Bridge was placed in the car with Abigail Prim, The Oskaloosa Kid, +Soup Face and The Sky Pilot. Burton sent the driver back to assist in +guarding them; then he with the remaining three, two of whom were armed +with rifles, advanced toward the mill. Beyond it they heard the growling +of the bear at a little distance in the wood; but the man no longer made +any outcry. From a tree Giova warned them back. + +“Come down!” commanded Burton, and sent her back to the car. + +The driver turned his spot light upon the wood beyond the mill and +presently there came slowly forward into its rays the lumbering bulk of +a large bear. The light bewildered him and he paused, growling. His left +shoulder was partially exposed. + +“Aim for his chest, on the left side,” whispered Burton. The two men +raised their rifles. There were two reports in close succession. Beppo +fell forward without a sound and then rolled over on his side. Giova +covered her face with her hands and sobbed. + +“He ver' bad, ugly bear,” she said brokenly; “but he all I have to +love.” + +Bridge extended a hand and patted her bowed head. In the eyes of The +Oskaloosa Kid there glistened something perilously similar to tears. + +In the woods back of the mill Burton and his men found the mangled +remains of Columbus Blackie, and when they searched the interior of the +structure they brought forth the unconscious Dirty Eddie. As the car +already was taxed to the limit of its carrying capacity Burton left two +of his men to march The Kid and Bridge to the Payson jail, taking the +others with him to Oakdale. He was also partially influenced in this +decision by the fear that mob violence would be done the principals by +Oakdale's outraged citizens. At Payson he stopped long enough at the +town jail to arrange for the reception of the two prisoners, to notify +the coroner of the death of Columbus Blackie and the whereabouts of his +body and to place Dirty Eddie in the hospital. He then telephoned Jonas +Prim that his daughter was safe and would be returned to him in less +than an hour. + +By the time Bridge and The Oskaloosa Kid reached Payson the town was +in an uproar. A threatening crowd met them a block from the jail; but +Burton's men were armed with rifles which they succeeded in convincing +the mob they would use if their prisoners were molested. The telephone, +however, had carried the word to Oakdale; so that before Burton arrived +there a dozen automobile loads of indignant citizens were racing south +toward Payson. + +Bridge and The Oskaloosa Kid were hustled into the single cell of the +Payson jail. A bench ran along two sides of the room. A single barred +window let out upon the yard behind the structure. The floor was +littered with papers, and a single electric light bulb relieved the +gloom of the unsavory place. + +The Oskaloosa Kid sank, trembling, upon one of the hard benches. Bridge +rolled a cigaret. At his feet lay a copy of that day's Oakdale Tribune. +A face looked up from the printed page into his eyes. He stooped and +took up the paper. The entire front page was devoted to the various +crimes which had turned peaceful Oakdale inside out in the past twenty +four hours. There were reproductions of photographs of John Baggs, +Reginald Paynter, Abigail Prim, Jonas Prim, and his wife, with a large +cut of the Prim mansion, a star marking the boudoir of the missing +daughter of the house. As Bridge examined the various pictures an +odd expression entered his eyes--it was a mixture of puzzlement, +incredulity, and relief. Tossing the paper aside he turned toward The +Oskaloosa Kid. They could hear the sullen murmur of the crowd in front +of the jail. + +“If they get any booze,” he said, “they'll take us out of here and +string us up. If you've got anything to say that would tend to convince +them that you did not kill Paynter I advise you to call the guard and +tell the truth, for if the mob gets us they might hang us first and +listen afterward--a mob is not a nice thing. Beppo was an angel of mercy +by comparison with one.” + +“Could you convince them that you had no part in any of these crimes?” + asked the boy. “I know that you didn't; but could you prove it to a +mob?” + +“No,” said Bridge. “A mob is not open to reason. If they get us I shall +hang, unless someone happens to think of the stake.” + +The boy shuddered. + +“Will you tell the truth?” asked the man. + +“I will go with you,” replied the boy, “and take whatever you get.” + +“Why?” asked Bridge. + +The youth flushed; but did not reply, for there came from without a +sudden augmentation of the murmurings of the mob. Automobile horns +screamed out upon the night. The two heard the chugging of motors, the +sound of brakes and the greetings of new arrivals. The reinforcements +had arrived from Oakdale. + +A guard came to the grating of the cell door. “The bunch from Oakdale +has come,” he said. “If I was you I'd say my prayers. Old man Baggs is +dead. No one never had no use for him while he was alive, but the whole +county's het up now over his death. They're bound to get you, an' +while I didn't count 'em all I seen about a score o' ropes. They mean +business.” + +Bridge turned toward the boy. “Tell the truth,” he said. “Tell this +man.” + +The youth shook his head. “I have killed no one,” said he. “That is the +truth. Neither have you; but if they are going to murder you they can +murder me too, for you stuck to me when you didn't have to; and I am +going to stick to you, and there is some excuse for me because I have a +reason--the best reason in the world.” + +“What is it?” asked Bridge. + +The Oskaloosa Kid shook his head, and once more he flushed. + +“Well,” said the guard, with a shrug of his shoulders, “it's up to you +guys. If you want to hang, why hang and be damned. We'll do the best we +can 'cause it's our duty to protect you; but I guess at that hangin's +too good fer you, an' we ain't a-goin' to get shot keepin' you from +gettin' it.” + +“Thanks,” said Bridge. + +The uproar in front of the jail had risen in volume until it was +difficult for those within to make themselves heard without shouting. +The Kid sat upon his bench and buried his face in his hands. Bridge +rolled another smoke. The sound of a shot came from the front room of +the jail, immediately followed by a roar of rage from the mob and a +deafening hammering upon the jail door. A moment later this turned to +the heavy booming of a battering ram and the splintering of wood. The +frail structure quivered beneath the onslaught. + +The prisoners could hear the voices of the guards and the jailer raised +in an attempt to reason with the unreasoning mob, and then came a final +crash and the stamping of many feet upon the floor of the outer room. + +Burton's car drew up before the doorway of the Prim home in Oakdale. The +great detective alighted and handed down the missing Abigail. Then he +directed that the other prisoners be taken to the county jail. + +Jonas Prim and his wife awaited Abigail's return in the spacious living +room at the left of the reception hall. The banker was nervous. He paced +to and fro the length of the room. Mrs. Prim fanned herself vigorously +although the heat was far from excessive. They heard the motor draw up +in front of the house; but they did not venture into the reception hall +or out upon the porch, though for different reasons. Mrs. Prim because +it would not have been PROPER; Jonas because he could not trust himself +to meet his daughter, whom he had thought lost, in the presence of a +possible crowd which might have accompanied her home. + +They heard the closing of an automobile door and the sound of foot steps +coming up the concrete walk. The Prim butler was already waiting at the +doorway with the doors swung wide to receive the prodigal daughter of +the house of Prim. A slender figure with bowed head ascended the +steps, guided and assisted by the detective. She did not look up at the +expectant butler waiting for the greeting he was sure Abigail would have +for him; but passed on into the reception hall. + +“Your father and Mrs. Prim are in the living room,” announced the +butler, stepping forward to draw aside the heavy hangings. + +The girl, followed by Burton, entered the brightly lighted room. + +“I am very glad, Mr. Prim,” said the latter, “to be able to return Miss +Prim to you so quickly and unharmed.” + +The girl looked up into the face of Jonas Prim. The man voiced an +exclamation of surprise and annoyance. Mrs. Prim gasped and sank upon +a sofa. The girl stood motionless, her eyes once again bent upon the +floor. + +“What's the matter?” asked Burton. “What's wrong?” + +“Everything is wrong, Mr. Burton,” Jonas Prim's voice was crisp and +cold. “This is not my daughter.” + +Burton looked his surprise and discomfiture. He turned upon the girl. + +“What do you mean--” he started; but she interrupted him. + +“You are going to ask what I mean by posing as Miss Prim,” she said. “I +have never said that I was Miss Prim. You took the word of an ignorant +little farmer's boy and I did not deny it when I found that you intended +bringing me to Mr. Prim, for I wanted to see him. I wanted to ask him to +help me. I have never met him, or his daughter either; but my father and +Mr. Prim have been friends for many years. + +“I am Hettie Penning,” she continued, addressing Jonas Prim. “My father +has always admired you and from what he has told me I knew that you +would listen to me and do what you could for me. I could not bear to +think of going to the jail in Payson, for Payson is my home. Everybody +would have known me. It would have killed my father. Then I wanted to +come myself and tell you, after reading the reports and insinuations in +the paper, that your daughter was not with Reginald Paynter when he was +killed. She had no knowledge of the crime and as far as I know may not +have yet. I have not seen her and do not know where she is; but I was +present when Mr. Paynter was killed. I have known him for years and have +often driven with him. He stopped me yesterday afternoon on the street +in Payson and talked with me. He was sitting in a car in front of the +bank. After we had talked a few minutes two men came out of the bank. +Mr. Paynter introduced them to me. He said they were driving out into +the country to look at a piece of property--a farm somewhere north +of Oakdale--and that on the way back they were going to stop at The +Crossroads Inn for dinner. He asked me if I wouldn't like to come +along--he kind of dared me to, because, as you know, The Crossroads has +rather a bad reputation. + +“Father had gone to Toledo on business, and very foolishly I took his +dare. Everything went all right until after we left The Inn, although +one of the men--his companion referred to him once or twice as The +Oskaloosa Kid--attempted to be too familiar with me. Mr. Paynter +prevented him on each occasion, and they had words over me; but after +we left the inn, where they had all drunk a great deal, this man renewed +his attentions and Mr. Paynter struck him. Both of them were drunk. +After that it all happened so quickly that I could scarcely follow it. +The man called Oskaloosa Kid drew a revolver but did not fire, instead +he seized Mr. Paynter by the coat and whirled him around and then he +struck him an awful blow behind the ear with the butt of the weapon. + +“After that the other two men seemed quite sobered. They discussed what +would be the best thing to do and at last decided to throw Mr. Paynter's +body out of the machine, for it was quite evident that he was dead. +First they rifled his pockets, and joked as they did it, one of them +saying that they weren't getting as much as they had planned on; but +that a little was better than nothing. They took his watch, jewelry, +and a large roll of bills. We passed around the east side of Oakdale and +came back into the Toledo road. A little way out of town they turned +the machine around and ran back for about half a mile; then they turned +about a second time. I don't know why they did this. They threw the body +out while the machine was moving rapidly; but I was so frightened that +I can't say whether it was before or after they turned about the second +time. + +“In front of the old Squibbs place they shot at me and threw me out; but +the bullet missed me. I have not seen them since and do not know where +they went. I am ready and willing to aid in their conviction; but, +please Mr. Prim, won't you keep me from being sent back to Payson or to +jail. I have done nothing criminal and I won't run away.” + +“How about the robbery of Miss Prim's room and the murder of Old Man +Baggs?” asked Burton. “Did they pull both of those off before they +killed Paynter or after?” + +“They had nothing to do with either unless they did them after they +threw me out of the car, which must have been long after midnight,” + replied the girl. + +“And the rest of the gang, those that were arrested with you,” continued +the detective, “how about them? All angels, I suppose.” + +“There was only Bridge and the boy they called The Oskaloosa Kid, though +he isn't the same one that murdered poor Mr. Paynter, and the Gypsy +girl, Giova, that were with me. The others were tramps who came into +the old mill and attacked us while we were asleep. I don't know who they +were. The girl could have had nothing to do with any of the crimes. We +came upon her this morning burying her father in the woods back of the +Squibbs' place. The man died of epilepsy last night. Bridge and the boy +were taking refuge from the storm at the Squibbs place when I was thrown +from the car. They heard the shot and came to my rescue. I am sure they +had nothing to do with--with--” she hesitated. + +“Tell the truth,” commanded Burton. “It will go hard with you if you +don't. What made you hesitate? You know something about those two--now +out with it.” + +“The boy robbed Mr. Prim's home--I saw some of the money and +jewelry--but Bridge was not with him. They just happened to meet by +accident during the storm and came to the Squibbs place together. They +were kind to me, and I hate to tell anything that would get the boy in +trouble. That is the reason I hesitated. He seemed such a nice boy! +It is hard to believe that he is a criminal, and Bridge was always +so considerate. He looks like a tramp; but he talks and acts like a +gentleman.” + +The telephone bell rang briskly, and a moment later the butler stepped +into the room to say that Mr. Burton was wanted on the wire. He returned +to the living room in two or three minutes. + +“That clears up some of it,” he said as he entered. “The sheriff just +had a message from the chief at Toledo saying that The Oskaloosa Kid is +dying in a hospital there following an automobile accident. He knew he +was done for and sent for the police. When they came he told them he had +killed a man by the name of Paynter at Oakdale last night and the chief +called up to ask what we knew about it. The Kid confessed to clear +his pal who was only slightly injured in the smash-up. His story +corroborates Miss Penning's in every detail, he also said that after +killing Paynter he had shot a girl witness and thrown her from the car +to prevent her squealing.” + +Once again the telephone bell rang, long and insistently. The butler +almost ran into the room. “Payson wants you, sir,” he cried to Burton, +“in a hurry, sir, it's a matter of life and death, sir!” + +Burton sprang to the phone. When he left it he only stopped at the +doorway of the living room long enough to call in: “A mob has the two +prisoners at Payson and are about to lynch them, and, my God, they're +innocent. We all know now who killed Paynter and I have known since +morning who murdered Baggs, and it wasn't either of those men; but +they've found Miss Prim's jewelry on the fellow called Bridge and +they've gone crazy--they say he murdered her and the young one did for +Paynter. I'm going to Payson,” and dashed from the house. + +“Wait,” cried Jonas Prim, “I'm going with you,” and without waiting to +find a hat he ran quickly after the detective. Once in the car he leaned +forward urging the driver to greater speed. + +“God in heaven!” he almost cried, “the fools are going to kill the only +man who can tell me anything about Abigail.” + + ***** + + +With oaths and threats the mob, brainless and heartless, cowardly, +bestial, filled with the lust for blood, pushed and jammed into the +narrow corridor before the cell door where the two prisoners awaited +their fate. The single guard was brushed away. A dozen men wielding +three railroad ties battered upon the grating of the door, swinging the +ties far back and then in unison bringing them heavily forward against +the puny iron. + +Bridge spoke to them once. “What are you going to do with us?” he asked. + +“We're goin' to hang you higher 'n' Haman, you damned kidnappers an' +murderers,” yelled a man in the crowd. + +“Why don't you give us a chance?” asked Bridge in an even tone, +unaltered by fear or excitement. “You've nothing on us. As a matter of +fact we are both innocent--” + +“Oh, shut your damned mouth,” interrupted another of the crowd. + +Bridge shrugged his shoulders and turned toward the youth who stood very +white but very straight in a far corner of the cell. The man noticed the +bulging pockets of the ill fitting coat; and, for the first time that +night, his heart stood still in the face of fear; but not for himself. + +He crossed to the youth's side and put his arm around the slender +figure. “There's no use arguing with them,” he said. “They've made +up their minds, or what they think are minds, that we're guilty; but +principally they're out for a sensation. They want to see something die, +and we're it. I doubt if anything could stop them now; they'd think we'd +cheated them if we suddenly proved beyond doubt that we were innocent.” + +The boy pressed close to the man. “God help me to be brave,” he said, +“as brave as you are. We'll go together, Bridge, and on the other side +you'll learn something that'll surprise you. I believe there is 'another +side,' don't you, Bridge?” + +“I've never thought much about it,” said Bridge; “but at a time like +this I rather hope so--I'd like to come back and haunt this bunch of rat +brained rubes.” + +His arm slipped down the other's coat and his hand passed quickly behind +the boy from one side to the other; then the door gave and the leaders +of the mob were upon them. A gawky farmer seized the boy and struck him +cruelly across the mouth. It was Jeb Case. + +“You beast!” cried Bridge. “Can't you see that that--that's--only a +child? If I don't live long enough to give you yours here, I'll come +back and haunt you to your grave.” + +“Eh?” ejaculated Jeb Case; but his sallow face turned white, and after +that he was less rough with his prisoner. + +The two were dragged roughly from the jail. The great crowd which had +now gathered fought to get a close view of them, to get hold of them, to +strike them, to revile them; but the leaders kept the others back lest +all be robbed of the treat which they had planned. Through town they +haled them and out along the road toward Oakdale. There was some talk of +taking them to the scene of Paynter's supposed murder; but wiser heads +counselled against it lest the sheriff come with a posse of deputies and +spoil their fun. + +Beneath a great tree they halted them, and two ropes were thrown over +a stout branch. One of the leaders started to search them; and when he +drew his hands out of Bridge's side pockets his eyes went wide, and he +gave a cry of elation which drew excited inquiries from all sides. + +“By gum!” he cried, “I reckon we ain't made no mistake here, boys. Look +ahere!” and he displayed two handsful of money and jewelry. + +“Thet's Abbie Prim's stuff,” cried one. + +The boy beside Bridge turned wide eyes upon the man. “Where did you get +it?” he cried. “Oh, Bridge, why did you do it? Now they will kill you,” + and he turned to the crowd. “Oh, please listen to me,” he begged. “He +didn't steal those things. Nobody stole them. They are mine. They have +always belonged to me. He took them out of my pocket at the jail because +he thought that I had stolen them and he wanted to take the guilt upon +himself; but they were not stolen, I tell you--they are mine! they are +mine! they are mine!” + +Another new expression came into Bridge's eyes as he listened to the +boy's words; but he only shook his head. It was too late, and Bridge +knew it. + +Men were adjusting ropes about their necks. “Before you hang us,” said +Bridge quietly, “would you mind explaining just what we're being hanged +for--it's sort of comforting to know, you see.” + +“Thet's right,” spoke up one of the crowd. “Thet's fair. We want to do +things fair and square. Tell 'em the charges, an' then ask 'em ef they +got anything to say afore they're hung.” + +This appealed to the crowd--the last statements of the doomed men might +add another thrill to the evening's entertainment. + +“Well,” said the man who had searched them. “There might o' been some +doubts about you before, but they aint none now. You're bein' hung fer +abductin' of an' most likely murderin' Miss Abigail Prim.” + +The boy screamed and tried to interrupt; but Jeb Case placed a heavy +and soiled hand over his mouth. The spokesman continued. “This slicker +admitted he was The Oskaloosa Kid, 'n' thet he robbed a house an' shot +a man las' night; 'n' they ain't no tellin' what more he's ben up to. He +tole Jeb Case's Willie 'bout it; an' bragged on it, by gum. 'Nenny way +we know Paynter and Abigail Prim was last seed with this here Oskaloosa +Kid, durn him.” + +“Thanks,” said Bridge politely, “and now may I make my final statement +before going to meet my maker?” + +“Go on,” growled the man. + +“You won't interrupt me?” + +“Naw, go on.” + +“All right! You damn fools have made up your minds to hang us. I doubt +if anything I can say to you will alter your determination for the +reason that if all the brains in this crowd were collected in one +individual he still wouldn't have enough with which to weigh the most +obvious evidence intelligently, but I shall present the evidence, and +you can tell some intelligent people about it tomorrow. + +“In the first place it is impossible that I murdered Abigail Prim, and +in the second place my companion is not The Oskaloosa Kid and was not +with Mr. Paynter last night. The reason I could not have murdered Miss +Prim is because Miss Prim is not dead. These jewels were not stolen from +Miss Prim, she took them herself from her own home. This boy whom you +are about to hang is not a boy at all--it is Miss Prim, herself. I +guessed her secret a few minutes ago and was convinced when she cried +that the jewels and money were her own. I don't know why she wishes to +conceal her identity; but I can't stand by and see her lynched without +trying to save her.” + +The crowd scoffed in incredulity. “There are some women here,” said +Bridge. “Turn her over to them. They'll tell you, at least that she is +not a man.” + +Some voices were raised in protest, saying that it was a ruse to escape, +while others urged that the women take the youth. Jeb Case stepped +toward the subject of dispute. “I'll settle it durned quick,” he +announced and reached forth to seize the slim figure. With a sudden +wrench Bridge tore himself loose from his captors and leaped toward the +farmer, his right flew straight out from the shoulder and Jeb Case went +down with a broken jaw. Almost simultaneously a car sped around a curve +from the north and stopped suddenly in rear of the mob. Two men leaped +out and shouldered their way through. One was the detective, Burton; the +other was Jonas Prim. + +“Where are they?” cried the latter. “God help you if you've killed +either of them, for one of them must know what became of Abigail.” + +He pushed his way up until he faced the prisoners. The Oskaloosa Kid +gave him a single look of surprise and then sprang toward him with +outstretched arms. + +“Oh, daddy, daddy!” she cried, “don't let them kill him.” + +The crowd melted away from the immediate vicinity of the prisoners. None +seemed anxious to appear in the forefront as a possible leader of a +mob that had so nearly lynched the only daughter of Jonas Prim. Burton +slipped the noose from about the girl's neck and then turned toward her +companion. In the light from the automobile lamps the man's face was +distinctly visible to the detective for the first time that night, +and as Burton looked upon it he stepped back with an exclamation of +surprise. + +“You?” he almost shouted. “Gad, man! where have you been? Your father's +spent twenty thousand dollars trying to find you.” + +Bridge shook his head. “I'm sorry, Dick,” he said, “but I'm afraid it's +too late. The open road's gotten into my blood, and there's only one +thing that--well--” he shook his head and smiled ruefully--“but there +ain't a chance.” His eyes travelled to the slim figure sitting so +straight in the rear seat of Jonas Prim's car. + +Suddenly the little head turned in his direction. “Hurry, Bridge,” + admonished The Oskaloosa Kid, “you're coming home with us.” + + +The man stepped toward the car, shaking his head. “Oh, no, Miss Prim,” + he said, “I can't do that. Here's your 'swag.'” And he smiled as he +passed over her jewels and money. + +Mr. Prim's eyes widened; he looked suspiciously at Bridge. Abigail +laughed merrily. “I stole them myself, Dad,” she explained, “and then +Mr. Bridge took them from me in the jail to make the mob think he had +stolen them and not I--he didn't know then that I was a girl, did you?” + +“It was in the jail that I first guessed; but I didn't quite realize +who you were until you said that the jewels were yours--then I knew. The +picture in the paper gave me the first inkling that you were a girl, for +you looked so much like the one of Miss Prim. Then I commenced to recall +little things, until I wondered that I hadn't known from the first that +you were a girl; but you made a bully boy!” and they both laughed. “And +now good-by, and may God bless you!” His voice trembled ever so little, +and he extended his hand. The girl drew back. + +“I want you to come with us,” she said. “I want Father to know you and +to know how you have cared for me. Won't you come--for me?” + +“I couldn't refuse, if you put it that way,” replied Bridge; and he +climbed into the car. As the machine started off a boy leaped to the +running-board. + +“Hey!” he yelled, “where's my reward? I want my reward. I'm Willie +Case.” + +“Oh!” exclaimed Bridge. “I gave your reward to your father--maybe he'll +split it with you. Go ask him.” And the car moved off. + +“You see,” said Burton, with a wry smile, “how simple is the detective's +job. Willie is a natural-born detective. He got everything wrong from A +to Izzard, yet if it hadn't been for Willie we might not have cleared up +the mystery so soon.” + +“It isn't all cleared up yet,” said Jonas Prim. “Who murdered Baggs?” + +“Two yeggs known as Dopey Charlie and the General,” replied Burton. +“They are in the jail at Oakdale; but they don't know yet that I know +they are guilty. They think they are being held merely as suspects in +the case of your daughter's disappearance, whereas I have known since +morning that they were implicated in the killing of Baggs; for after I +got them in the car I went behind the bushes where we discovered them +and dug up everything that was missing from Baggs' house, as nearly as +is known--currency, gold and bonds.” + +“Good!” exclaimed Mr. Prim. + +On the trip back to Oakdale, Abigail Prim cuddled in the back seat +beside her father, told him all that she could think to tell of Bridge +and his goodness to her. + +“But the man didn't know you were a girl,” suggested Mr. Prim. + +“There were two other girls with us, both very pretty,” replied Abigail, +“and he was as courteous and kindly to them as a man could be to a +woman. I don't care anything about his clothes, Daddy; Bridge is a +gentleman born and raised--anyone could tell it after half an hour with +him.” + +Bridge sat on the front seat with the driver and one of Burton's men, +while Burton, sitting in the back seat next to the girl, could not but +overhear her conversation. + +“You are right,” he said. “Bridge, as you call him, is a gentleman. +He comes of one of the finest families of Virginia and one of the +wealthiest. You need have no hesitancy, Mr. Prim, in inviting him into +your home.” + +For a while the three sat in silence; and then Jonas Prim turned to his +daughter. “Gail,” he said, “before we get home I wish you'd tell me why +you did this thing. I think you'd rather tell me before we see Mrs. P.” + +“It was Sam Benham, Daddy,” whispered the girl. “I couldn't marry him. +I'd rather die, and so I ran away. I was going to be a tramp; but I had +no idea a tramp's existence was so adventurous. You won't make me marry +him, Daddy, will you? I wouldn't be happy, Daddy.” + +“I should say not, Gail; you can be an old maid all your life if you +want to.” + +“But I don't want to--I only want to choose my own husband,” replied +Abigail. + +Mrs. Prim met them all in the living-room. At sight of Abigail in the +ill-fitting man's clothing she raised her hands in holy horror; but she +couldn't see Bridge at all, until Burton found an opportunity to draw +her to one side and whisper something in her ear, after which she was +graciousness personified to the dusky Bridge, insisting that he spend a +fortnight with them to recuperate. + +Between them, Burton and Jonas Prim fitted Bridge out as he had not been +dressed in years, and with the feel of fresh linen and pressed clothing, +even if ill fitting, a sensation of comfort and ease pervaded him which +the man would not have thought possible from such a source an hour +before. + +He smiled ruefully as Burton looked him over. “I venture to say,” he +drawled, “that there are other things in the world besides the open +road.” + +Burton smiled. + +It was midnight when the Prims and their guests arose from the table. +Hettie Penning was with them, and everyone present had been sworn to +secrecy about her share in the tragedy of the previous night. On the +morrow she would return to Payson and no one there the wiser; but first +she had Burton send to the jail for Giova, who was being held as a +witness, and Giova promised to come and work for the Pennings. + +At last Bridge stole a few minutes alone with Abigail, or, to be more +strictly a truthful historian, Abigail outgeneraled the others of the +company and drew Bridge out upon the veranda. + +“Tell me,” demanded the girl, “why you were so kind to me when you +thought me a worthless little scamp of a boy who had robbed some one's +home.” + +“I couldn't have told you a few hours ago,” said Bridge. “I used to +wonder myself why I should feel toward a boy as I felt toward you,--it +was inexplicable,--and then when I knew that you were a girl, I +understood, for I knew that I loved you and had loved you from the +moment that we met there in the dark and the rain beside the Road to +Anywhere.” + +“Isn't it wonderful?” murmured the girl, and she had other things in her +heart to murmur; but a man's lips smothered hers as Bridge gathered her +into his arms and strained her to him. + + +***** + + +Partial list of correctioins made in the previous reproofing: + + + PAGE PARA. LINE ORIGINAL CHANGED TO + 10 6 emminent eminent + 15 4 2 it's warmth its warmth + 15 5 13 promisculously promiscuously + 16 1 3 appelation appellation + 19 3 it's scope its scope + 21 6 by with seasons by seasons + 25 1 8 Prim manage Prim menage + 25 2 20 then, suspicious, then, suspicions, + 28 12 even his even this + 34 6 1 it's quality its quality + 37 3 10 have any- have any + 38 4 4 tin tear. tin ear. + 39 2 6 Squibbs farm Squibbs' farm + 40 2 2 his absence, his absence,” + 47 5 1 sudden, clanking sudden clanking + 47 8 3 its the thing it's the thing + 48 5 2 was moment's was a moment's + 59 9 4 bird aint bird ain't + 60 8 3 dum misery dumb misery + 71 2 dead Squibbs dead Squibb + 74 1 2 tend during tent during + 75 7 3 Squibbs house Squibbs' house + 76 1 6 Squibbs home. Squibbs' home. + 76 8 4 business, thats business, that's + 78 1 1 Squibbs place Squibbs' place + 78 2 1 Squibbs place!” Squibbs' place!” + 80 6 4 Squibbs gateway Squibbs' gateway + 84 6 1 Squibb's summer Squibbs' summer + 85 6 1 thet aint thet ain't + 85 7 5 on em on 'em + 85 8 1 An' thet aint An' thet ain't + 85 10 1 But thet aint But thet ain't + 85 10 3 of em of 'em + 85 10 3 of em of 'em + 86 2 2 there aint there ain't + 87 5 others' mask other's mask + 88 6 1 Squibbs woods Squibbs' woods + 91 2 “They aint “They ain't + 91 3 I aint I ain't + 91 2 3 Squibbs house Squibbs' house + 91 6 aint got ain't got + 92 6 it wa'nt safe it wa'n't safe + 92 4 10 Squibbs house Squibbs' house + 94 2 1 to nothin. to nothin'. + 94 8 1 Squibbs place,” Squibbs' place,” + 97 4 2 “We aint “We ain't + 98 1 8 Squibbs place Squibbs' place + 98 3 1 hiself de hisself de + 98 5 4 he aint he ain't + 98 7 1 Squibbs place Squibbs' place + 98 8 2 you aint you ain't + 107 4 3 wont tell won't tell + 113 3 5 its measles it's measles + 113 3 6 cough aint cough ain't + 113 3 6 its 'it,' it's 'it,' + 113 4 1 I aint I ain't + 114 2 6 Squibb's place Squibbs' place + 114 2 13 simply wont simply won't + 116 6 3 few minutes few minutes' + 116 7 5 Squibb's farm Squibbs' farm + 121 4 she wont she won't + 121 5 wont.” won't.” + 128 7 4 can knab can nab + 134 2 2 an upraor. an uproar. + 136 8 5 we aint we ain't + 139 2 8 had all drank had all drunk + 141 3 9 Squibb's place. Squibbs' place. + 146 1 its sort of it's sort of + 146 2 3 nings entertainment ning's entertainment + 146 4 5 aint no tellin' ain't no tellin' + 146 7 1 “You wont “You won't + 151 2 4 wont make won't make + 152 1 2 Nettie Penning Hettie Penning + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Oakdale Affair, by Edgar Rice Burroughs + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE OAKDALE AFFAIR *** + +***** This file should be named 363-0.txt or 363-0.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/6/363/ + +Produced by Judith Boss + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Oakdale Affair + +Author: Edgar Rice Burroughs + +Release Date: July 8, 2008 [EBook #363] +Last Updated: March 14, 2018 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE OAKDALE AFFAIR *** + + + + +Produced by Judith Boss, and David Widger + + + + + +</pre> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h1> + THE OAKDALE AFFAIR + </h1> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h2> + By Edgar Rice Burroughs + </h2> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h2> + Chapter One + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + [And only chapter ED.]</pre> + <p> + The house on the hill showed lights only upon the first floor—in the + spacious reception hall, the dining room, and those more or less + mysterious purlieus thereof from which emanate disagreeable odors and + agreeable foods. + </p> + <p> + From behind a low bush across the wide lawn a pair of eyes transferred to + an alert brain these simple perceptions from which the brain deduced with + Sherlockian accuracy and Raffleian purpose that the family of the + president of The First National Bank of—Oh, let's call it Oakdale—was + at dinner, that the servants were below stairs and the second floor + deserted. + </p> + <p> + The owner of the eyes had but recently descended from the quarters of the + chauffeur above the garage which he had entered as a thief in the night + and quitted apparelled in a perfectly good suit of clothes belonging to + the gentlemanly chauffeur and a soft, checked cap which was now pulled + well down over a pair of large brown eyes in which a rather strained + expression might have suggested to an alienist a certain neophytism which + even the stern set of well shaped lips could not effectually belie. + </p> + <p> + Apparently this was a youth steeling himself against a natural repugnance + to the dangerous profession he had espoused; and when, a moment later, he + stepped out into the moonlight and crossed the lawn toward the house, the + slender, graceful lines which the ill-fitting clothes could not entirely + conceal carried the conviction of youth if not of innocence. + </p> + <p> + The brazen assurance with which the lad crossed the lawn and mounted the + steps to the verandah suggested a familiarity with the habits and customs + of the inmates of the house upon the hill which bespoke long and careful + study of the contemplated job. An old timer could not have moved with + greater confidence. No detail seemed to have escaped his cunning + calculation. Though the door leading from the verandah into the reception + hall swung wide to the balmy airs of late Spring the prowler passed this + blatant invitation to the hospitality of the House of Prim. It was as + though he knew that from his place at the head of the table, with his back + toward the great fire place which is the pride of the Prim dining hall, + Jonas Prim commands a view of the major portion of the reception hall. + </p> + <p> + Stooping low the youth passed along the verandah to a window of the + darkened library—a French window which swung open without noise to + his light touch. Stepping within he crossed the room to a door which + opened at the foot of a narrow stairway—a convenient little stairway + which had often let the Hon. Jonas Prim pass from his library to his + second floor bed-room unnoticed when Mrs. Prim chanced to be entertaining + the feminine elite of Oakdale across the hall. A convenient little + stairway for retiring husbands and diffident burglars—yes, indeed! + </p> + <p> + The darkness of the upper hallway offered no obstacle to this familiar + housebreaker. He passed the tempting luxury of Mrs. Prim's boudoir, the + chaste elegance of Jonas Prim's bed-room with all the possibilities of + forgotten wallets and negotiable papers, setting his course straight for + the apartments of Abigail Prim, the spinster daughter of the First + National Bank of Oakdale. Or should we utilize a more charitable and at + the same time more truthful word than spinster? I think we should, since + Abigail was but nineteen and quite human, despite her name. + </p> + <p> + Upon the dressing table of Abigail reposed much silver and gold and ivory, + wrought by clever artisans into articles of great beauty and some utility; + but with scarce a glance the burglar passed them by, directing his course + straight across the room to a small wall safe cleverly hidden by a bit of + tapestry. + </p> + <p> + How, Oh how, this suggestive familiarity with the innermost secrets of a + virgin's sacred apartments upon the part of one so obviously of the male + persuasion and, by his all too apparent calling, a denizen of that + underworld of which no Abigail should have intimate knowledge? Yet, truly + and with scarce a faint indication of groping, though the room was dark, + the marauder walked directly to the hidden safe, swung back the tapestry + in its frame, turned the knob of the combination and in a moment opened + the circular door of the strong box. + </p> + <p> + A fat roll of bills and a handful of jewelry he transferred to the pockets + of his coat. Some papers which his hand brushed within the safe he pushed + aside as though preadvised of their inutility to one of his calling. Then + he closed the safe door, closed the tapestry upon it and turned toward a + dainty dressing table. From a drawer in this exquisite bit of Sheraton the + burglar took a small, nickel plated automatic, which he slipped into an + inside breast pocket of his coat, nor did he touch another article therein + or thereon, nor hesitate an instant in the selection of the drawer to be + rifled. His knowledge of the apartment of the daughter of the house of + Prim was little short of uncanny. Doubtless the fellow was some plumber's + apprentice who had made good use of an opportunity to study the lay of the + land against a contemplated invasion of these holy precincts. + </p> + <p> + But even the most expert of second story men nod and now that all seemed + as though running on greased rails a careless elbow raked a silver + candle-stick from the dressing table to the floor where it crashed with a + resounding din that sent cold shivers up the youth's spine and conjured in + his mind a sudden onslaught of investigators from the floor below. + </p> + <p> + The noise of the falling candlestick sounded to the taut nerved + house-breaker as might the explosion of a stick of dynamite during prayer + in a meeting house. That all Oakdale had heard it seemed quite possible, + while that those below stairs were already turning questioning ears, and + probably inquisitive footsteps, upward was almost a foregone conclusion. + </p> + <p> + Adjoining Miss Prim's boudoir was her bath and before the door leading + from the one to the other was a cretonne covered screen behind which the + burglar now concealed himself the while he listened in rigid apprehension + for the approach of the enemy; but the only sound that came to him from + the floor below was the deep laugh of Jonas Prim. A profound sigh of + relief escaped the beardless lips; for that laugh assured the youth that, + after all, the noise of the fallen candlestick had not alarmed the + household. + </p> + <p> + With knees that still trembled a bit he crossed the room and passed out + into the hallway, descended the stairs, and stood again in the library. + Here he paused a moment listening to the voices which came from the dining + room. Mrs. Prim was speaking. “I feel quite relieved about Abigail,” she + was saying. “I believe that at last she sees the wisdom and the advantages + of an alliance with Mr. Benham, and it was almost with enthusiasm that she + left this morning to visit his sister. I am positive that a week or two of + companionship with him will impress upon her the fine qualities of his + nature. We are to be congratulated, Jonas, upon settling our daughter so + advantageously both in the matter of family and wealth.” + </p> + <p> + Jonas Prim grunted. “Sam Benham is old enough to be the girl's father,” he + growled. “If she wants him, all right; but I can't imagine Abbie wanting a + bald-headed husband with rheumatism. I wish you'd let her alone, Pudgy, to + find her own mate in her own way—someone nearer her own age.” + </p> + <p> + “The child is not old enough to judge wisely for herself,” replied Mrs. + Prim. “It was my duty to arrange a proper alliance; and, Jonas, I will + thank you not to call me Pudgy—it is perfectly ridiculous for a + woman of my age—and position.” + </p> + <p> + The burglar did not hear Mr. Prim's reply for he had moved across the + library and passed out onto the verandah. Once again he crossed the lawn, + taking advantage of the several trees and shrubs which dotted it, scaled + the low stone wall at the side and was in the concealing shadows of the + unlighted side street which bounds the Prim estate upon the south. The + streets of Oakdale are flanked by imposing battalions of elm and maple + which over-arch and meet above the thoroughfares; and now, following an + early Spring, their foliage eclipsed the infrequent arclights to the + eminent satisfaction of those nocturnal wayfarers who prefer neither + publicity nor the spot light. Of such there are few within the well + ordered precincts of law abiding Oakdale; but to-night there was at least + one and this one was deeply grateful for the gloomy walks along which he + hurried toward the limits of the city. + </p> + <p> + At last he found himself upon a country road with the odors of Spring in + his nostrils and the world before him. The night noises of the open + country fell strangely upon his ears accentuating rather than relieving + the myriad noted silence of Nature. Familiar sounds became unreal and + weird, the deep bass of innumerable bull frogs took on an uncanny + humanness which sent a half shudder through the slender frame. The burglar + felt a sad loneliness creeping over him. He tried whistling in an effort + to shake off the depressing effects of this seeming solitude through which + he moved; but there remained with him still the hallucination that he + moved alone through a strange, new world peopled by invisible and + unfamiliar forms—menacing shapes which lurked in waiting behind each + tree and shrub. + </p> + <p> + He ceased his whistling and went warily upon the balls of his feet, lest + he unnecessarily call attention to his presence. If the truth were to be + told it would chronicle the fact that a very nervous and frightened + burglar sneaked along the quiet and peaceful country road outside of + Oakdale. A lonesome burglar, this, who so craved the companionship of man + that he would almost have welcomed joyously the detaining hand of the law + had it fallen upon him in the guise of a flesh and blood police officer + from Oakdale. + </p> + <p> + In leaving the city the youth had given little thought to the + practicalities of the open road. He had thought, rather vaguely, of + sleeping in a bed of new clover in some hospitable fence corner; but the + fence corners looked very dark and the wide expanse of fields beyond + suggested a mysterious country which might be peopled by almost anything + but human beings. + </p> + <p> + At a farm house the youth hesitated and was almost upon the verge of + entering and asking for a night's lodging when a savage voiced dog + shattered the peace of the universe and sent the burglar along the road at + a rapid run. + </p> + <p> + A half mile further on a straw stack loomed large within a fenced + enclosure. The youth wormed his way between the barbed wires determined at + last to let nothing prevent him from making a cozy bed in the deep straw + beside the stack. With courage radiating from every pore he strode toward + the stack. His walk was almost a swagger, for thus does youth dissemble + the bravery it yearns for but does not possess. He almost whistled again; + but not quite, since it seemed an unnecessary provocation to disaster to + call particular attention to himself at this time. An instant later he was + extremely glad that he had refrained, for as he approached the stack a + huge bulk slowly loomed from behind it; and silhouetted against the + moonlit sky he saw the vast proportions of a great, shaggy bull. The + burglar tore the inside of one trousers' leg and the back of his coat in + his haste to pass through the barbed wire fence onto the open road. There + he paused to mop the perspiration from his forehead, though the night was + now far from warm. + </p> + <p> + For another mile the now tired and discouraged house-breaker plodded, + heavy footed, the unending road. Did vain compunction stir his youthful + breast? Did he regret the safe respectability of the plumber's apprentice? + Or, if he had not been a plumber's apprentice did he yearn to once again + assume the unharried peace of whatever legitimate calling had been his + before he bent his steps upon the broad boulevard of sin? We think he did. + </p> + <p> + And then he saw through the chinks and apertures in the half ruined wall + of what had once been a hay barn the rosy flare of a genial light which + appeared to announce in all but human terms that man, red blooded and + hospitable, forgathered within. No growling dogs, no bulking bulls + contested the short stretch of weed grown ground between the road and the + disintegrating structure; and presently two wide, brown eyes were peering + through a crack in the wall of the abandoned building. What they saw was a + small fire built upon the earth floor in the center of the building and + around the warming blaze the figures of six men. Some reclined at length + upon old straw; others squatted, Turk fashion. All were smoking either + disreputable pipes or rolled cigarets. Blear-eyed and foxy-eyed, bearded + and stubbled cheeked, young and old, were the men the youth looked upon. + All were more or less dishevelled and filthy; but they were human. They + were not dogs, or bulls, or croaking frogs. The boy's heart went out to + them. Something that was almost a sob rose in his throat, and then he + turned the corner of the building and stood in the doorway, the light from + the fire playing upon his lithe young figure clothed in its torn and ill + fitting suit and upon his oval face and his laughing brown eyes. For + several seconds he stood there looking at the men around the fire. None of + them had noticed him. + </p> + <p> + “Tramps!” thought the youth. “Regular tramps.” He wondered that they had + not seen him, and then, clearing his throat, he said: “Hello, tramps!” + </p> + <p> + Six heads snapped up or around. Six pairs of eyes, blear or foxy, were + riveted upon the boyish figure of the housebreaker. “Wotinel!” ejaculated + a frowzy gentleman in a frock coat and golf cap. “Wheredju blow from?” + inquired another. “'Hello, tramps'!” mimicked a third. + </p> + <p> + The youth came slowly toward the fire. “I saw your fire,” he said, “and I + thought I'd stop. I'm a tramp, too, you know.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh,” sighed the elderly person in the frock coat. “He's a tramp, he is. + An' does he think gents like us has any time for tramps? An' where might + he be trampin', sonny, without his maw?” + </p> + <p> + The youth flushed. “Oh say!” he cried; “you needn't kid me just because + I'm new at it. You all had to start sometime. I've always longed for the + free life of a tramp; and if you'll let me go along with you for a little + while, and teach me, I'll not bother you; and I'll do whatever you say.” + </p> + <p> + The elderly person frowned. “Beat it, kid!” he commanded. “We ain't + runnin' no day nursery. These you see here is all the real thing. Maybe we + asks fer a handout now and then; but that ain't our reg'lar way. You ain't + swift enough to travel with this bunch, kid, so you'd better duck. Why we + gents, here, if we was added up is wanted in about twenty-seven cities fer + about everything from rollin' a souse to crackin' a box and croakin' a + bull. You gotta do something before you can train wid gents like us, see?” + The speaker projected a stubbled jaw, scowled horridly and swept a + flattened palm downward and backward at a right angle to a hairy arm in + eloquent gesture of finality. + </p> + <p> + The boy had stood with his straight, black eyebrows puckered into a + studious frown, drinking in every word. Now he straightened up. “I guess I + made a mistake,” he said, apologetically. “You ain't tramps at all. You're + thieves and murderers and things like that.” His eyes opened a bit wider + and his voice sank to a whisper as the words passed his lips. “But you + haven't so much on me, at that,” he went on, “for I'm a regular burglar, + too,” and from the bulging pockets of his coat he drew two handfuls of + greenbacks and jewelry. The eyes of the six registered astonishment, mixed + with craft and greed. “I just robbed a house in Oakdale,” explained the + boy. “I usually rob one every night.” + </p> + <p> + For a moment his auditors were too surprised to voice a single emotion; + but presently one murmured, soulfully: “Pipe de swag!” He of the frock + coat, golf cap, and years waved a conciliatory hand. He tried to look at + the boy's face; but for the life of him he couldn't raise his eyes above + the dazzling wealth clutched in the fingers of those two small, slim + hands. From one dangled a pearl necklace which alone might have ransomed, + if not a king, at least a lesser member of a royal family, while diamonds, + rubies, sapphires, and emeralds scintillated in the flaring light of the + fire. Nor was the fistful of currency in the other hand to be sneezed at. + There were greenbacks, it is true; but there were also yellowbacks with + the reddish gold of large denominations. The Sky Pilot sighed a sigh that + was more than half gasp. + </p> + <p> + “Can't yuh take a kid?” he inquired. “I knew youse all along. Yuh can't + fool an old bird like The Sky Pilot—eh, boys?” and he turned to his + comrades for confirmation. + </p> + <p> + “He's The Oskaloosa Kid,” exclaimed one of the company. “I'd know 'im + anywheres.” + </p> + <p> + “Pull up and set down,” invited another. + </p> + <p> + The boy stuffed his loot back into his pockets and came closer to the + fire. Its warmth felt most comfortable, for the Spring night was growing + chill. He looked about him at the motley company, some half-spruce in + clothing that suggested a Kuppenmarx label and a not too far association + with a tailor's goose, others in rags, all but one unshaven and all more + or less dirty—for the open road is close to Nature, which is + principally dirt. + </p> + <p> + “Shake hands with Dopey Charlie,” said The Sky Pilot, whose age and + corpulency appeared to stamp him with the hall mark of authority. The + youth did as he was bid, smiling into the sullen, chalk-white face and + taking the clammy hand extended toward him. Was it a shudder that passed + through the lithe, young figure or was it merely a subconscious + recognition of the final passing of the bodily cold before the glowing + warmth of the blaze? “And Soup Face,” continued The Sky Pilot. A battered + wreck half rose and extended a pudgy hand. Red whiskers, matted in little + tangled wisps which suggested the dried ingredients of an infinite + procession of semi-liquid refreshments, rioted promiscuously over a + scarlet countenance. + </p> + <p> + “Pleased to meetcha,” sprayed Soup Face. It was a strained smile which + twisted the rather too perfect mouth of The Oskaloosa Kid, an appellation + which we must, perforce, accept since the youth did not deny it. + </p> + <p> + Columbus Blackie, The General, and Dirty Eddie were formally presented. As + Dirty Eddie was, physically, the cleanest member of the band the youth + wondered how he had come by his sobriquet—that is, he wondered until + he heard Dirty Eddie speak, after which he was no longer in doubt. The + Oskaloosa Kid, self-confessed 'tramp' and burglar, flushed at the lurid + obscenity of Dirty Eddie's remarks. + </p> + <p> + “Sit down, bo,” invited Soup Face. “I guess you're a regular all right. + Here, have a snifter?” and he pulled a flask from his side pocket, holding + it toward The Oskaloosa Kid. + </p> + <p> + “Thank you, but;—er—I'm on the wagon, you know,” declined the + youth. + </p> + <p> + “Have a smoke?” suggested Columbus Blackie. “Here's the makin's.” + </p> + <p> + The change in the attitude of the men toward him pleased The Oskaloosa Kid + immensely. They were treating him as one of them, and after the lonely + walk through the dark and desolate farm lands human companionship of any + kind was to him as the proverbial straw to the man who rocked the boat + once too often. + </p> + <p> + Dopey Charlie and The General, alone of all the company, waxed not + enthusiastic over the advent of The Oskaloosa Kid and his priceless loot. + These two sat scowling and whispering in the back-ground. “Dat's a wrong + guy,” muttered the former to the latter. “He's a stool pigeon or one of + dese amatoor mugs.” + </p> + <p> + “It's the pullin' of that punk graft that got my goat,” replied The + General. “I never seen a punk yet that didn't try to make you think he was + a wise guy an' dis stiff don't belong enough even to pull a spiel that + would fool a old ladies' sewin' circle. I don't see wot The Sky Pilot's + cozyin' up to him fer.” + </p> + <p> + “You don't?” scoffed Dopey Charlie. “Didn't you lamp de oyster harness? To + say nothin' of de mitful of rocks and kale.” + </p> + <p> + “That 'ud be all right, too,” replied the other, “if we could put the guy + to sleep; but The Sky Pilot won't never stand for croakin' nobody. He's + too scared of his neck. We'll look like a bunch o' wise ones, won't we? + lettin' a stranger sit in now—after last night. Hell!” he suddenly + exploded. “Don't you know that you an' me stand to swing if any of de + bunch gets gabby in front of dis phoney punk?” + </p> + <p> + The two sat silent for a while, The General puffing on a short briar, + Dopey Charlie inhaling deep draughts from a cigarette, and both glaring + through narrowed lids at the boy warming himself beside the fire where the + others were attempting to draw him out the while they strove desperately + but unavailingly to keep their eyes from the two bulging sidepockets of + their guest's coat. + </p> + <p> + Soup Face, who had been assiduously communing with a pint flask, leaned + close to Columbus Blackie, placing his whiskers within an inch or so of + the other's nose as was his habit when addressing another, and whispered, + relative to the pearl necklace: “Not a cent less 'n fifty thou, bo!” + </p> + <p> + “Fertheluvomike!” ejaculated Blackie, drawing back and wiping a palm + quickly across his lips. “Get a plumber first if you want to kiss me—you + leak.” + </p> + <p> + “He thinks you need a shower bath,” said Dirty Eddie, laughing. + </p> + <p> + “The trouble with Soup Face,” explained The Sky Pilot, “is that he's got a + idea he's a human atomizer an' that the rest of us has colds.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I don't want no atomizer loaded with rot-gut and garlic shot in my + mug,” growled Blackie. “What Soup Face needs is to be learned ettyket, an' + if he comes that on me again I'm goin' to push his mush through the back + of his bean.” + </p> + <p> + An ugly light came into the blear eyes of Soup Face. Once again he leaned + close to Columbus Blackie. “Not a cent less 'n fifty thou, you tinhorn!” + he bellowed, belligerent and sprayful. + </p> + <p> + Blackie leaped to his feet, with an oath—a frightful, hideous oath—and + as he rose he swung a heavy fist to Soup Face's purple nose. The latter + rolled over backward; but was upon his feet again much quicker than one + would have expected in so gross a bulk, and as he came to his feet a knife + flashed in his hand. With a sound that was more bestial than human he ran + toward Blackie; but there was another there who had anticipated his + intentions. As the blow was struck The Sky Pilot had risen; and now he + sprang forward, for all his age and bulk as nimble as a cat, and seized + Soup Face by the wrist. A quick wrench brought a howl of pain to the + would-be assassin, and the knife fell to the floor. + </p> + <p> + “You gotta cut that if you travel with this bunch,” said The Sky Pilot in + a voice that was new to The Oskaloosa Kid; “and you, too, Blackie,” he + continued. “The rough stuff don't go with me, see?” He hurled Soup Face to + the floor and resumed his seat by the fire. + </p> + <p> + The youth was astonished at the physical strength of this old man, + seemingly so softened by dissipation; but it showed him the source of The + Sky Pilot's authority and its scope, for Columbus Blackie and Soup Face + quitted their quarrel immediately. + </p> + <p> + Dirty Eddie rose, yawned and stretched. “Me fer the hay,” he announced, + and lay down again with his feet toward the fire. Some of the others + followed his example. “You'll find some hay in the loft there,” said The + Sky Pilot to The Oskaloosa Kid. “Bring it down an' make your bed here by + me, there's plenty room.” + </p> + <p> + A half hour later all were stretched out upon the hard dirt floor upon + improvised beds of rotted hay; but not all slept. The Oskaloosa Kid, + though tired, found himself wider awake than he ever before had been. + Apparently sleep could never again come to those heavy eyes. There passed + before his mental vision a panorama of the events of the night. He smiled + as he inaudibly voiced the name they had given him, the right to which he + had not seen fit to deny. “The Oskaloosa Kid.” The boy smiled again as he + felt the 'swag' hard and lumpy in his pockets. It had given him prestige + here that he could not have gained by any other means; but he mistook the + nature of the interest which his display of stolen wealth had aroused. He + thought that the men now looked upon him as a fellow criminal to be + accepted into the fraternity through achievement; whereas they suffered + him to remain solely in the hope of transferring his loot to their own + pockets. + </p> + <p> + It is true that he puzzled them. Even The Sky Pilot, the most astute and + intelligent of them all, was at a loss to fathom The Oskaloosa Kid. + Innocence and unsophistication flaunted their banners in almost every act + and speech of The Oskaloosa Kid. The youth reminded him in some ways of + members of a Sunday school which had flourished in the dim vistas of his + past when, as an ordained minister of the Gospel, he had earned the + sobriquet which now identified him. But the concrete evidence of the + valuable loot comported not with The Sky Pilot's idea of a Sunday school + boy's lark. The young fellow was, unquestionably, a thief; but that he had + ever before consorted with thieves his speech and manners belied. + </p> + <p> + “He's got me,” murmured The Sky Pilot; “but he's got the stuff on him, + too; and all I want is to get it off of him without a painful operation. + Tomorrow'll do,” and he shifted his position and fell asleep. + </p> + <p> + Dopey Charlie and The General did not, however, follow the example of + their chief. They remained very wide awake, a little apart from the + others, where their low whispers could not be overheard. + </p> + <p> + “You better do it,” urged The General, in a soft, insinuating voice. + “You're pretty slick with the toad stabber, an' any way one more or less + won't count.” + </p> + <p> + “We can go to Sout' America on dat stuff an' live like gents,” muttered + Dopey Charlie. “I'm goin' to cut out de Hop an' buy a farm an' a + ottymobeel and—” + </p> + <p> + “Come out of it,” admonished The General. “If we're lucky we'll get as far + as Cincinnati, get a stew on and get pinched. Den one of us'll hang an' de + other get stir fer life.” + </p> + <p> + The General was a weasel faced person of almost any age between + thirty-five and sixty. Sometimes he could have passed for a hundred and + ten. He had won his military title as a boy in the famous march of Coxey's + army on Washington, or, rather, the title had been conferred upon him in + later years as a merited reward of service. The General, profiting by the + precepts of his erstwhile companions in arms, had never soiled his + military escutcheon by labor, nor had he ever risen to the higher planes + of criminality. Rather as a mediocre pickpocket and a timorous confidence + man had he eked out a meager existence, amply punctuated by seasons of + straight bumming and intervals spent as the guest of various inhospitably + hospitable states. Now, for the first time in his life, The General faced + the possibility of a serious charge; and his terror made him what he never + before had been, a dangerous criminal. + </p> + <p> + “You're a cheerful guy,” commented Dopey Charlie; “but you may be right at + dat. Dey can't hang a guy any higher fer two 'an they can fer one an' + dat's no pipe; so wots de use. Wait till I take a shot—it'll be + easier,” and he drew a small, worn case from an inside pocket, bared his + arm to the elbow and injected enough morphine to have killed a dozen + normal men. + </p> + <p> + From a pile of mouldy hay across the barn the youth, heavy eyed but + sleepless, watched the two through half closed lids. A qualm of disgust + sent a sudden shudder through his slight frame. For the first time he + almost regretted having embarked upon a life of crime. He had seen that + the two men were conversing together earnestly, though he could over-hear + nothing they said, and that he had been the subject of their nocturnal + colloquy, for several times a glance or a nod in his direction assured him + of this. And so he lay watching them—not that he was afraid, he kept + reassuring himself, but through curiosity. Why should he be afraid? Was it + not a well known truth that there was honor among thieves? + </p> + <p> + But the longer he watched the heavier grew his lids. Several times they + closed to be dragged open again only by painful effort. Finally came a + time that they remained closed and the young chest rose and fell in the + regular breathing of slumber. + </p> + <p> + The two ragged, rat-hearted creatures rose silently and picked their way, + half-crouched, among the sleepers sprawled between them and The Oskaloosa + Kid. In the hand of Dopey Charlie gleamed a bit of shiny steel and in his + heart were fear and greed. The fear was engendered by the belief that the + youth might be an amateur detective. Dopey Charlie had had one experience + of such and he knew that it was easily possible for them to blunder upon + evidence which the most experienced of operatives might pass over + unnoticed, and the loot bulging pockets furnished a sufficient greed + motive in themselves. + </p> + <p> + Beside the boy kneeled the man with the knife. He did not raise his hand + and strike a sudden, haphazard blow. Instead he placed the point + carefully, though lightly, above the victim's heart, and then, suddenly, + bore his weight upon the blade. + </p> + <p> + Abigail Prim always had been a thorn in the flesh of her stepmother—a + well-meaning, unimaginative, ambitious, and rather common woman. Coming + into the Prim home as house-keeper shortly after the death of Abigail's + mother, the second Mrs. Prim had from the first looked upon Abigail + principally as an obstacle to be overcome. She had tried to 'do right by + her'; but she had never given the child what a child most needs and most + craves—love and understanding. Not loving Abigail, the house-keeper + could, naturally, not give her love; and as for understanding her one + might as reasonably have expected an adding machine to understand higher + mathematics. + </p> + <p> + Jonas Prim loved his daughter. There was nothing, within reason, that + money could buy which he would not have given her for the asking; but + Jonas Prim's love, as his life, was expressed in dollar signs, while the + love which Abigail craved is better expressed by any other means at the + command of man. + </p> + <p> + Being misunderstood and, to all outward appearances of sentiment and + affection, unloved had not in any way embittered Abigail's remarkably + joyous temperament. She made up for it in some measure by getting all the + fun and excitement out of life which she could discover therein, or invent + through the medium of her own resourceful imagination. + </p> + <p> + But recently the first real sorrow had been thrust into her young life + since the half-forgotten mother had been taken from her. The second Mrs. + Prim had decided that it was her 'duty' to see that Abigail, having + finished school and college, was properly married. As a matchmaker the + second Mrs. Prim was as a Texas steer in a ten cent store. It was nothing + to her that Abigail did not wish to marry anyone, or that the man of Mrs. + Prim's choice, had he been the sole surviving male in the Universe, would + have still been as far from Abigail's choice as though he had been an + inhabitant of one of Orion's most distant planets. + </p> + <p> + As a matter of fact Abigail Prim detested Samuel Benham because he + represented to her everything in life which she shrank from—age, + avoirdupois, infirmity, baldness, stupidity, and matrimony. He was a + prosaic old bachelor who had amassed a fortune by the simple means of + inheriting three farms upon which an industrial city subsequently had been + built. Necessity rather than foresight had compelled him to hold on to his + property; and six weeks of typhoid, arriving and departing, had saved him + from selling out at a low figure. The first time he found himself able to + be out and attend to business he likewise found himself a wealthy man, and + ever since he had been growing wealthier without personal effort. + </p> + <p> + All of which is to render evident just how impossible a matrimonial + proposition was Samuel Benham to a bright, a beautiful, a gay, an + imaginative, young, and a witty girl such as Abigail Prim, who cared less + for money than for almost any other desirable thing in the world. + </p> + <p> + Nagged, scolded, reproached, pestered, threatened, Abigail had at last + given a seeming assent to her stepmother's ambition; and had forthwith + been packed off on a two weeks visit to the sister of the bride-groom + elect. After which Mr. Benham was to visit Oakdale as a guest of the + Prims, and at a dinner for which cards already had been issued—so + sure was Mrs. Jonas Prim of her position of dictator of the Prim menage—the + engagement was to be announced. + </p> + <p> + It was some time after dinner on the night of Abigail's departure that + Mrs. Prim, following a habit achieved by years of housekeeping, set forth + upon her rounds to see that doors and windows were properly secured for + the night. A French window and its screen opening upon the verandah from + the library she found open. “The house will be full of mosquitoes!” she + ejaculated mentally as she closed them both with a bang and made them + fast. “I should just like to know who left them open. Upon my word, I + don't know what would become of this place if it wasn't for me. Of all the + shiftlessness!” and she turned and flounced upstairs. In Abigail's room + she flashed on the center dome light from force of habit, although she + knew that the room had been left in proper condition after the girl's + departure earlier in the day. The first thing amiss that her eagle eye + noted was the candlestick lying on the floor beside the dressing table. As + she stooped to pick it up she saw the open drawer from which the small + automatic had been removed, and then, suspicions, suddenly aroused, as + suddenly became fear; and Mrs. Prim almost dove across the room to the + hidden wall safe. A moment's investigation revealed the startling fact + that the safe was unlocked and practically empty. It was then that Mrs. + Jonas Prim screamed. + </p> + <p> + Her scream brought Jonas and several servants upon the scene. A careful + inspection of the room disclosed the fact that while much of value had + been ignored the burglar had taken the easily concealed contents of the + wall safe which represented fully ninety percentum of the value of the + personal property in Abigail Prim's apartments. + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Prim scowled suspiciously upon the servants. Who else, indeed, could + have possessed the intimate knowledge which the thief had displayed. Mrs. + Prim saw it all. The open library window had been but a clever blind to + hide the fact that the thief had worked from the inside and was now + doubtless in the house at that very moment. + </p> + <p> + “Jonas,” she directed, “call the police at once, and see that no one, + absolutely no one, leaves this house until they have been here and made a + full investigation.” + </p> + <p> + “Shucks, Pudgy!” exclaimed Mr. Prim. “You don't think the thief is waiting + around here for the police, do you?” + </p> + <p> + “I think that if you get the police here at once, Jonas, we shall find + both the thief and the loot under our very roof,” she replied, not without + asperity. + </p> + <p> + “You don't mean—” he hesitated. “Why, Pudgy, you don't mean you + suspect one of the servants?” + </p> + <p> + “Who else could have known?” asked Mrs. Prim. The servants present looked + uncomfortable and cast sheepish eyes of suspicion at one another. + </p> + <p> + “It's all tommy rot!” ejaculated Mr. Prim; “but I'll call the police, + because I got to report the theft. It's some slick outsider, that's who it + is,” and he started down stairs toward the telephone. Before he reached it + the bell rang, and when he had hung up the receiver after the conversation + the theft seemed a trivial matter. In fact he had almost forgotten it, for + the message had been from the local telegraph office relaying a wire they + had just received from Mr. Samuel Benham. + </p> + <p> + “I say, Pudgy,” he cried, as he took the steps two at a time for the + second floor, “here's a wire from Benham saying Gail didn't come on that + train and asking when he's to expect her.” + </p> + <p> + “Impossible!” ejaculated Mrs. Prim. “I certainly saw her aboard the train + myself. Impossible!” + </p> + <p> + Jonas Prim was a man of action. Within half an hour he had set in motion + such wheels as money and influence may cause to revolve in search of some + clew to the whereabouts of the missing Abigail, and at the same time had + reported the theft of jewels and money from his home; but in doing this he + had learned that other happenings no less remarkable in their way had + taken place in Oakdale that very night. + </p> + <p> + The following morning all Oakdale was thrilled as its fascinated eyes + devoured the front page of Oakdale's ordinarily dull daily. Never had + Oakdale experienced a plethora of home-grown thrills; but it came as near + to it that morning, doubtless, as it ever had or ever will. Not since the + cashier of The Merchants and Farmers Bank committed suicide three years + past had Oakdale been so wrought up, and now that historic and classical + event paled into insignificance in the glaring brilliancy of a series of + crimes and mysteries of a single night such as not even the most sanguine + of Oakdale's thrill lovers could have hoped for. + </p> + <p> + There was, first, the mysterious disappearance of Abigail Prim, the only + daughter of Oakdale's wealthiest citizen; there was the equally mysterious + robbery of the Prim home. Either one of these would have been sufficient + to have set Oakdale's multitudinous tongues wagging for days; but they + were not all. Old John Baggs, the city's best known miser, had suffered a + murderous assault in his little cottage upon the outskirts of town, and + was even now lying at the point of death in The Samaritan Hospital. That + robbery had been the motive was amply indicated by the topsy-turvy + condition of the contents of the three rooms which Baggs called home. As + the victim still was unconscious no details of the crime were obtainable. + Yet even this atrocious deed had been capped by one yet more hideous. + </p> + <p> + Reginald Paynter had for years been looked upon half askance and yet with + a certain secret pride by Oakdale. He was her sole bon vivant in the true + sense of the word, whatever that may be. He was always spoken of in the + columns of The Oakdale Tribune as 'that well known man-about-town,' or + 'one of Oakdale's most prominent clubmen.' Reginald Paynter had been, if + not the only, at all events the best dressed man in town. His clothes were + made in New York. This in itself had been sufficient to have set him apart + from all the other males of Oakdale. He was widely travelled, had an + independent fortune, and was far from unhandsome. For years he had been + the hope and despair of every Oakdale mother with marriageable daughters. + The Oakdale fathers, however, had not been so keen about Reginald. Men + usually know more about the morals of men than do women. There were those + who, if pressed, would have conceded that Reginald had no morals. + </p> + <p> + But what place has an obituary in a truthful tale of adventure and + mystery! Reginald Paynter was dead. His body had been found beside the + road just outside the city limits at mid-night by a party of automobilists + returning from a fishing trip. The skull was crushed back of the left ear. + The position of the body as well as the marks in the road beside it + indicated that the man had been hurled from a rapidly moving automobile. + The fact that his pockets had been rifled led to the assumption that he + had been killed and robbed before being dumped upon the road. + </p> + <p> + Now there were those in Oakdale, and they were many, who endeavored to + connect in some way these several events of horror, mystery, and crime. In + the first place it seemed quite evident that the robbery at the Prim home, + the assault upon Old Baggs, and the murder of Paynter had been the work of + the same man; but how could such a series of frightful happenings be in + any way connected with the disappearance of Abigail Prim? Of course there + were many who knew that Abigail and Reginald were old friends; and that + the former had, on frequent occasions, ridden abroad in Reginald's French + roadster, that he had escorted her to parties and been, at various times, + a caller at her home; but no less had been true of a dozen other perfectly + respectable young ladies of Oakdale. Possibly it was only Abigail's added + misfortune to have disappeared upon the eve of the night of Reginald's + murder. + </p> + <p> + But later in the day when word came from a nearby town that Reginald had + been seen in a strange touring car with two unknown men and a girl, the + gossips commenced to wag their heads. It was mentioned, casually of + course, that this town was a few stations along the very road upon which + Abigail had departed the previous afternoon for that destination which she + had not reached. It was likewise remarked that Reginald, the two strange + men and the GIRL had been first noticed after the time of arrival of the + Oakdale train! What more was needed? Absolutely nothing more. The tongues + ceased wagging in order that they might turn hand-springs. + </p> + <p> + Find Abigail Prim, whispered some, and the mystery will be solved. There + were others charitable enough to assume that Abigail had been kidnapped by + the same men who had murdered Paynter and wrought the other lesser deeds + of crime in peaceful Oakdale. The Oakdale Tribune got out an extra that + afternoon giving a resume of such evidence as had appeared in the regular + edition and hinting at all the numerous possibilities suggested by such + matter as had come to hand since. Even fear of old Jonas Prim and his + millions had not been enough to entirely squelch the newspaper instinct of + the Tribune's editor. Never before had he had such an opportunity and he + made the best of it, even repeating the vague surmises which had linked + the name of Abigail to the murder of Reginald Paynter. + </p> + <p> + Jonas Prim was too busy and too worried to pay any attention to the + Tribune or its editor. He already had the best operative that the best + detective agency in the nearest metropolis could furnish. The man had come + to Oakdale, learned all that was to be learned there, and forthwith + departed. + </p> + <p> + This, then, will be about all concerning Oakdale for the present. We must + leave her to bury her own dead. + </p> + <p> + The sudden pressure of the knife point against the breast of the Oskaloosa + Kid awakened the youth with a startling suddenness which brought him to + his feet before a second vicious thrust reached him. For a time he did not + realize how close he had been to death or that he had been saved by the + chance location of the automatic pistol in his breast pocket—the + very pistol he had taken from the dressing table of Abigail Prim's + boudoir. + </p> + <p> + The commotion of the attack and escape brought the other sleepers to + heavy-eyed wakefulness. They saw Dopey Charlie advancing upon the Kid, a + knife in his hand. Behind him slunk The General, urging the other on. The + youth was backing toward the doorway. The tableau persisted but for an + instant. Then the would-be murderer rushed madly upon his victim, the + latter's hand leaped from beneath the breast of his torn coat—there + was a flash of flame, a staccato report and Dopey Charlie crumpled to the + ground, screaming. In the same instant The Oskaloosa Kid wheeled and + vanished into the night. + </p> + <p> + It had all happened so quickly that the other members of the gang, + awakened from deep slumber, had only time to stumble to their feet before + it was over. The Sky Pilot, ignoring the screaming Charlie, thought only + of the loot which had vanished with the Oskaloosa Kid. + </p> + <p> + “Come on! We gotta get him,” he cried, as he ran from the barn after the + fugitive. The others, all but Dopey Charlie, followed in the wake of their + leader. The wounded man, his audience departed, ceased screaming and, + sitting up, fell to examining himself. To his surprise he discovered that + he was not dead. A further and more minute examination disclosed the + additional fact that he was not even badly wounded. The bullet of The Kid + had merely creased the flesh over the ribs beneath his right arm. With a + grunt that might have been either disgust or relief he stumbled to his + feet and joined in the pursuit. + </p> + <p> + Down the road toward the south ran The Oskaloosa Kid with all the + fleetness of youth spurred on by terror. In five minutes he had so far + outdistanced his pursuers that The Sky Pilot leaped to the conclusion that + the quarry had left the road to hide in an adjoining field. The resultant + halt and search upon either side of the road delayed the chase to a + sufficient extent to award the fugitive a mile lead by the time the band + resumed the hunt along the main highway. The men were determined to + overhaul the youth not alone because of the loot upon his person but + through an abiding suspicion that he might indeed be what some of them + feared he was—an amateur detective—and there were at least two + among them who had reason to be especially fearful of any sort of + detective from Oakdale. + </p> + <p> + They no longer ran; but puffed arduously along the smooth road, searching + with troubled and angry eyes to right and left and ahead of them as they + went. + </p> + <p> + The Oskaloosa Kid puffed, too; but he puffed a mile away from the + searchers and he walked more rapidly than they, for his muscles were + younger and his wind unimpaired by dissipation. For a time he carried the + small automatic in his hand; but later, hearing no evidence of pursuit, he + returned it to the pocket in his coat where it had lain when it had saved + him from death beneath the blade of the degenerate Charlie. + </p> + <p> + For an hour he continued walking rapidly along the winding country road. + He was very tired; but he dared not pause to rest. Always behind him he + expected the sudden onslaught of the bearded, blear-eyed followers of The + Sky Pilot. Terror goaded him to supreme physical effort. Recollection of + the screaming man sinking to the earthen floor of the hay barn haunted + him. He was a murderer! He had slain a fellow man. He winced and + shuddered, increasing his gait until again he almost ran —ran from + the ghost pursuing him through the black night in greater terror than he + felt for the flesh and blood pursuers upon his heels. + </p> + <p> + And Nature drew upon her sinister forces to add to the fear which the + youth already felt. Black clouds obscured the moon blotting out the soft + kindliness of the greening fields and transforming the budding branches of + the trees to menacing and gloomy arms which appeared to hover with + clawlike talons above the dark and forbidding road. The wind soughed with + gloomy and increasing menace, a sudden light flared across the southern + sky followed by the reverberation of distant thunder. + </p> + <p> + Presently a great rain drop was blown against the youth's face; the + vividness of the lightning had increased; the rumbling of the thunder had + grown to the proportions of a titanic bombardment; but he dared not pause + to seek shelter. + </p> + <p> + Another flash of lightning revealed a fork in the road immediately ahead—to + the left ran the broad, smooth highway, to the right a dirt road, + overarched by trees, led away into the impenetrable dark. + </p> + <p> + The fugitive paused, undecided. Which way should he turn? The better + travelled highway seemed less mysterious and awesome, yet would his + pursuers not naturally assume that he had followed it? Then, of course, + the right hand road was the road for him. Yet still he hesitated, for the + right hand road was black and forbidding; suggesting the entrance to a pit + of unknown horrors. + </p> + <p> + As he stood there with the rain and the wind, the thunder and the + lightning, horror of the past and terror of the future his only companions + there broke suddenly through the storm the voice of a man just ahead and + evidently approaching along the highway. + </p> + <p> + The youth turned to flee; but the thought of the men tracking him from + that direction brought him to a sudden halt. There was only the road to + the right, then, after all. Cautiously he moved toward it, and at the same + time the words of the voice came clearly through the night: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “'... as, swinging heel and toe, + + 'We tramped the road to Anywhere, the magic road + + to Anywhere, + + 'The tragic road to Anywhere, such dear, dim years + + ago.'” + </pre> + <p> + The voice seemed reassuring—its quality and the annunciation of the + words bespoke for its owner considerable claim to refinement. The youth + had halted again, but he now crouched to one side fearing to reveal his + presence because of the bloody crime he thought he had committed; yet how + he yearned to throw himself upon the compassion of this fine voiced + stranger! How his every fibre cried out for companionship in this night of + his greatest terror; but he would have let the invisible minstrel pass had + not Fate ordained to light the scene at that particular instant with a + prolonged flare of sheet lightning, revealing the two wayfarers to one + another. + </p> + <p> + The youth saw a slight though well built man in ragged clothes and + disreputable soft hat. The image was photographed upon his brain for life—the + honest, laughing eyes, the well moulded features harmonizing so well with + the voice, and the impossible garments which marked the man hobo and bum + as plainly as though he wore a placard suspended from his neck. + </p> + <p> + The stranger halted. Once more darkness enveloped them. “Lovely evening + for a stroll,” remarked the man. “Running out to your country place? Isn't + there danger of skidding on these wet roads at night? I told James, just + before we started, to be sure to see that the chains were on all around; + but he forgot them. James is very trying sometimes. Now he never showed up + this evening and I had to start out alone, and he knows perfectly well + that I detest driving after dark in the rain.” + </p> + <p> + The youth found himself smiling. His fear had suddenly vanished. No one + could harbor suspicion of the owner of that cheerful voice. + </p> + <p> + “I didn't know which road to take,” he ventured, in explanation of his + presence at the cross road. + </p> + <p> + “Oh,” exclaimed the man, “are there two roads here? I was looking for this + fork and came near passing it in the dark. It was a year ago since I came + this way; but I recall a deserted house about a mile up the dirt road. It + will shelter us from the inclemencies of the weather.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh!” cried the youth. “Now I know where I am. In the dark and the storm + and after all that has happened to me tonight nothing seemed natural. It + was just as though I was in some strange land; but I know now. Yes, there + is a deserted house a little less than a mile from here; but you wouldn't + want to stop there at night. They tell some frightful stories about it. It + hasn't been occupied for over twenty years—not since the Squibbs + were found murdered there—the father, mother, three sons, and a + daughter. They never discovered the murderer, and the house has stood + vacant and the farm unworked almost continuously since. A couple of men + tried working it; but they didn't stay long. A night or so was enough for + them and their families. I remember hearing as a little—er—child + stories of the frightful things that happened there in the house where the + Squibbs were murdered—things that happened after dark when the + lights were out. Oh, I wouldn't even pass that place on a night like + this.” + </p> + <p> + The man smiled. “I slept there alone one rainy night about a year ago,” he + said. “I didn't see or hear anything unusual. Such stories are ridiculous; + and even if there was a little truth in them, noises can't harm you as + much as sleeping out in the storm. I'm going to encroach once more upon + the ghostly hospitality of the Squibbs. Better come with me.” + </p> + <p> + The youth shuddered and drew back. From far behind came faintly the shout + of a man. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I'll go,” exclaimed the boy. “Let's hurry,” and he started off at a + half-run toward the dirt road. + </p> + <p> + The man followed more slowly. The darkness hid the quizzical expression of + his eyes. He, too, had heard the faint shout far to the rear. He recalled + the boy's “after all that has happened to me tonight,” and he shrewdly + guessed that the latter's sudden determination to brave the horrors of the + haunted house was closely connected with the hoarse voice out of the + distance. + </p> + <p> + When he had finally come abreast of the youth after the latter, his first + panic of flight subsided, had reduced his speed, he spoke to him in his + kindly tones. + </p> + <p> + “What was it that happened to you to-night?” he asked. “Is someone + following you? You needn't be afraid of me. I'll help you if you've been + on the square. If you haven't, you still needn't fear me, for I won't + peach on you. What is it? Tell me.” + </p> + <p> + The youth was on the point of unburdening his soul to this stranger with + the kindly voice and the honest eyes; but a sudden fear stayed his tongue. + If he told all it would be necessary to reveal certain details that he + could not bring himself to reveal to anyone, and so he commenced with his + introduction to the wayfarers in the deserted hay barn. Briefly he told of + the attack upon him, of his shooting of Dopey Charlie, of the flight and + pursuit. “And now,” he said in conclusion, “that you know I'm a murderer I + suppose you won't have any more to do with me, unless you turn me over to + the authorities to hang.” There was almost a sob in his voice, so real was + his terror. + </p> + <p> + The man threw an arm across his companion's shoulder. “Don't worry, kid,” + he said. “You're not a murderer even if you did kill Dopey Charlie, which + I hope you did. You're a benefactor of the human race. I have known + Charles for years. He should have been killed long since. Furthermore, as + you shot in self defence no jury would convict you. I fear, however, that + you didn't kill him. You say you could hear his screams as long as you + were within earshot of the barn—dead men don't scream, you know.” + </p> + <p> + “How did you know my name?” asked the youth. + </p> + <p> + “I don't,” replied the man. + </p> + <p> + “But you called me 'Kid' and that's my name—I'm The Oskaloosa Kid.” + </p> + <p> + The man was glad that the darkness hid his smile of amusement. He knew The + Oskaloosa Kid well, and he knew him as an ex-pug with a pock marked face, + a bullet head, and a tin ear. The flash of lightning had revealed, upon + the contrary, a slender boy with smooth skin, an oval face, and large dark + eyes. + </p> + <p> + “Ah,” he said, “so you are The Oskaloosa Kid! I am delighted, sir, to make + your acquaintance. Permit me to introduce myself: my name is Bridge. If + James were here I should ask him to mix one of his famous cocktails that + we might drink to our mutual happiness and the longevity of our + friendship.” + </p> + <p> + “I am glad to know you, Mr. Bridge,” said the youth. “Oh, I can't tell you + how glad I am to know you. I was so lonely and so afraid,” and he pressed + closer to the older man whose arm still encircled his shoulder, though at + first he had been inclined to draw away in some confusion. + </p> + <p> + Talking together the two moved on along the dark road. The storm had + settled now into a steady rain with infrequent flashes of lightning and + peals of thunder. There had been no further indications of pursuit; but + Bridge argued that The Sky Pilot, being wise with the wisdom of the owl + and cunning with the cunning of the fox, would doubtless surmise that a + fugitive would take to the first road leading away from the main artery, + and that even though they heard nothing it would be safe to assume that + the gang was still upon the boy's trail. “And it's a bad bunch, too,” he + continued. “I've known them all for years. The Sky Pilot has the + reputation of never countenancing a murder; but that is because he is a + sly one. His gang kills; but when they kill under The Sky Pilot they do it + so cleverly that no trace of the crime remains. Their victim disappears—that + is all.” + </p> + <p> + The boy trembled. “You won't let them get me?” he pleaded, pressing closer + to the man. The only response was a pressure of the arm about the + shoulders of The Oskaloosa Kid. + </p> + <p> + Over a low hill they followed the muddy road and down into a dark and + gloomy ravine. In a little open space to the right of the road a flash of + lightning revealed the outlines of a building a hundred yards from the + rickety and decaying fence which bordered the Squibbs' farm and separated + it from the road. + </p> + <p> + “Here we are!” cried Bridge, “and spooks or no spooks we'll find a dry + spot in that old ruin. There was a stove there last year and it's + doubtless there yet. A good fire to dry our clothes and warm us up will + fit us for a bully good sleep, and I'll wager a silk hat that The + Oskaloosa Kid is a mighty sleepy kid, eh?” + </p> + <p> + The boy admitted the allegation and the two turned in through the gateway, + stepping over the fallen gate and moving through knee high weeds toward + the forbidding structure in the distance. A clump of trees surrounded the + house, their shade adding to the almost utter blackness of the night. + </p> + <p> + The two had reached the verandah when Bridge, turning, saw a brilliant + light flaring through the night above the crest of the hill they had just + topped in their descent into the ravine, or, to be more explicit, the + small valley, where stood the crumbling house of Squibbs. The purr of a + rapidly moving motor rose above the rain, the light rose, fell, swerved to + the right and to the left. + </p> + <p> + “Someone must be in a hurry,” commented Bridge. + </p> + <p> + “I suppose it is James, anxious to find you and explain his absence,” + suggested The Oskaloosa Kid. They both laughed. + </p> + <p> + “Gad!” cried Bridge, as the car topped the hill and plunged downward + toward them, “I'd hate to ride behind that fellow on a night like this, + and over a dirt road at that!” + </p> + <p> + As the car swung onto the straight road before the house a flash of + lightning revealed dimly the outlines of a rapidly moving touring car with + lowered top. Just as the machine came opposite the Squibbs' gate a woman's + scream mingled with the report of a pistol from the tonneau and the + watchers upon the verandah saw a dark bulk hurled from the car, which sped + on with undiminished speed, climbed the hill beyond and disappeared from + view. + </p> + <p> + Bridge started on a run toward the gateway, followed by the frightened + Kid. In the ditch beside the road they found in a dishevelled heap the + body of a young woman. The man lifted the still form in his arms. The + youth wondered at the great strength of the slight figure. “Let me help + you carry her,” he volunteered; but Bridge needed no assistance. “Run + ahead and open the door for me,” he said, as he bore his burden toward the + house. + </p> + <p> + Forgetful, in the excitement of the moment, of his terror of the horror + ridden ruin, The Oskaloosa Kid hastened ahead, mounted the few steps to + the verandah, crossed it and pushed open the sagging door. Behind him came + Bridge as the youth entered the dark interior. A half dozen steps he took + when his foot struck against a soft and yielding mass. Stumbling, he tried + to regain his equilibrium only to drop full upon the thing beneath him. + One open palm, extended to ease his fall, fell upon the upturned features + of a cold and clammy face. With a shriek of horror The Kid leaped to his + feet and shrank, trembling, back. + </p> + <p> + “What is it? What's the matter?” cried Bridge, with whom The Kid had + collided in his precipitate retreat. + </p> + <p> + “O-o-o!” groaned The Kid, shuddering. “It's dead! It's dead!” + </p> + <p> + “What's dead?” demanded Bridge. + </p> + <p> + “There's a dead man on the floor, right ahead of us,” moaned The Kid. + </p> + <p> + “You'll find a flash lamp in the right hand pocket of my coat,” directed + Bridge. “Take it and make a light.” + </p> + <p> + With trembling fingers the Kid did as he was bid, and when after much + fumbling he found the button a slim shaft of white light fell downward + upon the upturned face of a man cold in death—a little man, + strangely garbed, with gold rings in his ears, and long black hair matted + in the death sweat of his brow. His eyes were wide and, even in death, + terror filled, his features were distorted with fear and horror. His + fingers, clenched in the rigidity of death, clutched wisps of dark brown + hair. There were no indications of a wound or other violence upon his + body, that either the Kid or Bridge could see, except the dried remains of + bloody froth which flecked his lips. + </p> + <p> + Bridge still stood holding the quiet form of the girl in his arms, while + The Kid, pressed close to the man's side, clutched one arm with a fierce + intensity which bespoke at once the nervous terror which filled him and + the reliance he placed upon his new found friend. + </p> + <p> + To their right, in the faint light of the flash lamp, a narrow stairway + was revealed leading to the second story. Straight ahead was a door + opening upon the blackness of a rear apartment. Beside the foot of the + stairway was another door leading to the cellar steps. + </p> + <p> + Bridge nodded toward the rear room. “The stove is in there,” he said. + “We'd better go on and make a fire. Draw your pistol—whoever did + this has probably beat it; but it's just as well to be on the safe side.” + </p> + <p> + “I'm afraid,” said The Oskaloosa Kid. “Let's leave this frightful place. + It's just as I told you it was; just as I always heard.” + </p> + <p> + “We can't leave this woman, my boy,” replied Bridge. “She isn't dead. We + can't leave her, and we can't take her out into the storm in her + condition. We must stay. Come! buck up. There's nothing to fear from a + dead man, and—” + </p> + <p> + He never finished the sentence. From the depths of the cellar came the + sound of a clanking chain. Something scratched heavily upon the wooden + steps. Whatever it was it was evidently ascending, while behind it clanked + the heavy links of a dragged chain. + </p> + <p> + The Oskaloosa Kid cast a wide eyed glance of terror at Bridge. His lips + moved in an attempt to speak; but fear rendered him inarticulate. Slowly, + ponderously the THING ascended the dark stairs from the gloom ridden + cellar of the deserted ruin. Even Bridge paled a trifle. The man upon the + floor appeared to have met an unnatural death—the frightful + expression frozen upon the dead face might even indicate something verging + upon the supernatural. The sound of the THING climbing out of the cellar + was indeed uncanny—so uncanny that Bridge discovered himself looking + about for some means of escape. His eyes fell upon the stairway leading to + the second floor. + </p> + <p> + “Quick!” he whispered. “Up the stairs! You go first; I'll follow.” + </p> + <p> + The Kid needed no second invitation. With a bound he was half way up the + rickety staircase; but a glance ahead at the darkness above gave him pause + while he waited for Bridge to catch up with him. Coming more slowly with + his burden the man followed the boy, while from below the clanking of the + chain warned them that the THING was already at the top of the cellar + stairs. + </p> + <p> + “Flash the lamp down there,” directed Bridge. “Let's have a look at it, + whatever it is.” + </p> + <p> + With trembling hands The Oskaloosa Kid directed the lens over the edge of + the swaying and rotting bannister. His finger slipped from the lighting + button plunging them all into darkness. In his frantic effort to find the + button and relight the lamp the worst occurred—he fumbled the button + and the lamp slipped through his fingers, falling over the bannister to + the floor below. Instantly the sound of the dragging chain ceased; but the + silence was even more horrible than the noise which had preceded it. + </p> + <p> + For a long minute the two at the head of the stairs stood in tense silence + listening for a repetition of the gruesome sounds from below. The youth + was frankly terrified; he made no effort to conceal the fact; but pressed + close to his companion, again clutching his arm tightly. Bridge could feel + the trembling of the slight figure, the spasmodic gripping of the slender + fingers and hear the quick, short, irregular breathing. A sudden impulse + to throw a protecting arm about the boy seized him—an impulse which + he could not quite fathom, and one to which he could not respond because + of the body of the girl he carried. + </p> + <p> + He bent toward the youth. “There are matches in my coat pocket,” he + whispered, “—the same pocket in which you found the flash lamp. + Strike one and we'll look for a room here where we can lay the girl.” + </p> + <p> + The boy fumbled gropingly in search of the matches. It was evident to the + man that it was only with the greatest exertion of will power that he + controlled his muscles at all; but at last he succeeded in finding and + striking one. At the flare of the light there was a sound from below—a + scratching sound and the creaking of boards as beneath a heavy body; then + came the clanking of the chain once more, and the bannister against which + they leaned shook as though a hand had been laid upon it below them. The + youth stifled a shriek and simultaneously the match went out; but not + before Bridge had seen in the momentary flare of light a partially open + door at the far end of the hall in which they stood. + </p> + <p> + Beneath them the stairs creaked now and the chain thumped slowly from one + to another as it was dragged upward toward them. + </p> + <p> + “Quick!” called Bridge. “Straight down the hall and into the room at the + end.” The man was puzzled. He could not have been said to have been + actually afraid, and yet the terror of the boy was so intense, so real, + that it could scarce but have had its suggestive effect upon the other; + and, too, there was an uncanny element of the supernatural in what they + had seen and heard in the deserted house—the dead man on the floor + below, the inexplicable clanking of a chain by some unseen THING from the + depth of the cellar upward toward them; and, to heighten the effect of + these, there were the grim stories of unsolved tragedy and crime. All in + all Bridge could not have denied that he was glad of the room at the end + of the hall with its suggestion of safety in the door which might be + closed against the horrors of the hall and the Stygian gloom below stairs. + </p> + <p> + The Oskaloosa Kid was staggering ahead of him, scarce able to hold his + body erect upon his shaking knees—his gait seemed pitifully slow to + the unarmed man carrying the unconscious girl and listening to the chain + dragging ever nearer and nearer behind; but at last they reached the + doorway and passed through it into the room. + </p> + <p> + “Close the door,” directed Bridge as he crossed toward the center of the + room to lay his burden upon the floor, but there was no response to his + instructions—only a gasp and the sound of a body slumping to the + rotting boards. With an exclamation of chagrin the man dropped the girl + and swung quickly toward the door. Halfway down the hall he could hear the + chain rattling over loose planking, the THING, whatever it might be, was + close upon them. Bridge slammed-to the door and with a shoulder against it + drew a match from his pocket and lighted it. Although his clothing was + soggy with rain he knew that his matches would still be dry, for this + pocket and its flap he had ingeniously lined with waterproof material from + a discarded slicker he had found—years of tramping having taught him + the discomforts of a fireless camp. + </p> + <p> + In the resultant light the man saw with a quick glance a large room + furnished with an old walnut bed, dresser, and commode; two lightless + windows opened at the far end toward the road, Bridge assumed; and there + was no door other than that against which he leaned. In the last flicker + of the match the man scanned the door itself for a lock and, to his + relief, discovered a bolt—old and rusty it was, but it still moved + in its sleeve. An instant later it was shot—just as the sound of the + dragging chain ceased outside. Near the door was the great bed, and this + Bridge dragged before it as an additional barricade; then, bearing nothing + more from the hallway, he turned his attention to the two unconscious + forms upon the floor. Unhesitatingly he went to the boy first though had + he questioned himself he could not have told why; for the youth, + undoubtedly, had only swooned, while the girl had been the victim of a + murderous assault and might even be at the point of death. + </p> + <p> + What was the appeal to the man in the pseudo Oskaloosa Kid? He had scarce + seen the boy's face, yet the terrified figure had aroused within him, + strongly, the protective instinct. Doubtless it was the call of youth and + weakness which find, always, an answering assurance in the strength of a + strong man. + </p> + <p> + As Bridge groped toward the spot where the boy had fallen his eyes, now + become accustomed to the darkness of the room, saw that the youth was + sitting up. “Well?” he asked. “Feeling better?” + </p> + <p> + “Where is it? Oh, God! Where is it?” cried the boy. “It will come in here + and kill us as it killed that—that—down stairs.” + </p> + <p> + “It can't get in,” Bridge assured him. “I've locked the door and pushed + the bed in front of it. Gad! I feel like an old maid looking under the bed + for burglars.” + </p> + <p> + From the hall came a sudden clanking of the chain accompanied by a loud + pounding upon the bare floor. With a scream the youth leaped to his feet + and almost threw himself upon Bridge. His arms were about the man's neck, + his face buried in his shoulder. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, don't—don't let it get me!” he cried. + </p> + <p> + “Brace up, son,” Bridge admonished him. “Didn't I tell you that it can't + get in?” + </p> + <p> + “How do you know it can't get in?” whimpered the youth. “It's the thing + that murdered the man down stairs—it's the thing that murdered the + Squibbs—right here in this room. It got in to them—what is to + prevent its getting in to us. What are doors to such a THING?” + </p> + <p> + “Come! come! now,” Bridge tried to soothe him. “You have a case of nerves. + Lie down here on this bed and try to sleep. Nothing shall harm you, and + when you wake up it will be morning and you'll laugh at your fears.” + </p> + <p> + “Lie on THAT bed!” The voice was almost a shriek. “That is the bed the + Squibbs were murdered in—the old man and his wife. No one would have + it, and so it has remained here all these years. I would rather die than + touch the thing. Their blood is still upon it.” + </p> + <p> + “I wish,” said Bridge a trifle sternly, “that you would try to control + yourself a bit. Hysteria won't help us any. Here we are, and we've to make + the best of it. Besides we must look after this young woman—she may + be dying, and we haven't done a thing to help her.” + </p> + <p> + The boy, evidently shamed, released his hold upon Bridge and moved away. + “I am sorry,” he said. “I'll try to do better; but, Oh! I was so + frightened. You cannot imagine how frightened I was.” + </p> + <p> + “I had imagined,” said Bridge, “from what I had heard of him that it would + be a rather difficult thing to frighten The Oskaloosa Kid—you have, + you know, rather a reputation for fearlessness.” + </p> + <p> + The darkness hid the scarlet flush which mantled The Kid's face. There was + a moment's silence as Bridge crossed to where the young woman still lay + upon the floor where he had deposited her. Then The Kid spoke. “I'm + sorry,” he said, “that I made a fool of myself. You have been so brave, + and I have not helped at all. I shall do better now.” + </p> + <p> + “Good,” said Bridge, and stooped to raise the young woman in his arms and + deposit her upon the bed. Then he struck another match and leaned close to + examine her. The flare of the sulphur illuminated the room and shot two + rectangles of light against the outer blackness where the unglazed windows + stared vacantly upon the road beyond, bringing to a sudden halt a little + company of muddy and bedraggled men who slipped, cursing, along the slimy + way. + </p> + <p> + Bridge felt the youth close beside him as he bent above the girl upon the + bed. + </p> + <p> + “Is she dead?” the lad whispered. + </p> + <p> + “No,” replied Bridge, “and I doubt if she's badly hurt.” His hands ran + quickly over her limbs, bending and twisting them gently; he unbuttoned + her waist, getting the boy to strike and hold another match while he + examined the victim for signs of a bullet wound. + </p> + <p> + “I can't find a scratch on her,” he said at last. “She's suffering from + shock alone, as far as I can judge. Say, she's pretty, isn't she?” + </p> + <p> + The youth drew himself rather stiffly erect. “Her features are rather + coarse, I think,” he replied. There was a peculiar quality to the tone + which caused Bridge to turn a quick look at the boy's face, just as the + match flickered and went out. The darkness hid the expression upon + Bridge's face, but his conviction that the girl was pretty was unaltered. + The light of the match had revealed an oval face surrounded by dark, + dishevelled tresses, red, full lips, and large, dark eyes. + </p> + <p> + Further discussion of the young woman was discouraged by a repetition of + the clanking of the chain without. Now it was receding along the hallway + toward the stairs and presently, to the infinite relief of The Oskaloosa + Kid, the two heard it descending to the lower floor. + </p> + <p> + “What was it, do you think?” asked the boy, his voice still trembling upon + the verge of hysteria. + </p> + <p> + “I don't know,” replied Bridge. “I've never been a believer in ghosts and + I'm not now; but I'll admit that it takes a whole lot of—” + </p> + <p> + He did not finish the sentence for a moan from the bed diverted his + attention to the injured girl, toward whom he now turned. As they listened + for a repetition of the sound there came another—that of the + creaking of the old bed slats as the girl moved upon the mildewed + mattress. Dimly, through the darkness, Bridge saw that the victim of the + recent murderous assault was attempting to sit up. He moved closer and + leaned above her. + </p> + <p> + “I wouldn't exert myself,” he said. “You've just suffered an accident, and + it's better that you remain quiet.” + </p> + <p> + “Who are you?” asked the girl, a note of suppressed terror in her voice. + “You are not—?” + </p> + <p> + “I am no one you know,” replied Bridge. “My friend and I chanced to be + near when you fell from the car—” with that innate refinement which + always belied his vocation and his rags Bridge chose not to embarrass the + girl by a too intimate knowledge of the thing which had befallen her, + preferring to leave to her own volition the making of any explanation she + saw fit, or of none—“and we carried you in here out of the storm.” + </p> + <p> + The girl was silent for a moment. “Where is 'here'?” she asked presently. + “They drove so fast and it was so dark that I had no idea where we were, + though I know that we left the turnpike.” + </p> + <p> + “We are at the old Squibbs place,” replied the man. He could see that the + girl was running one hand gingerly over her head and face, so that her + next question did not surprise him. + </p> + <p> + “Am I badly wounded?” she asked. “Do you think that I am going to die?” + The tremor in her voice was pathetic—it was the voice of a + frightened and wondering child. Bridge heard the boy behind him move + impulsively forward and saw him kneel on the bed beside the girl. + </p> + <p> + “You are not badly hurt,” volunteered The Oskaloosa Kid. “Bridge couldn't + find a mark on you—the bullet must have missed you.” + </p> + <p> + “He was holding me over the edge of the car when he fired.” The girl's + voice reflected the physical shudder which ran through her frame at the + recollection. “Then he threw me out almost simultaneously. I suppose he + thought that he could not miss at such close range.” For a time she was + silent again, sitting stiffly erect. Bridge could feel rather than see + wide, tense eyes staring out through the darkness upon scenes, horrible + perhaps, that were invisible to him and the Kid. + </p> + <p> + Suddenly the girl turned and threw herself face downward upon the bed. “O, + God!” she moaned. “Father! Father! It will kill you—no one will + believe me—they will think that I am bad. I didn't do it! I didn't + do it! I've been a silly little fool; but I have never been a bad girl—and—-and—I + had nothing to do with that awful thing that happened to-night.” + </p> + <p> + Bridge and the boy realized that she was not talking to them—that + for the moment she had lost sight of their presence—she was talking + to that father whose heart would be breaking with the breaking of the new + day, trying to convince him that his little girl had done no wrong. + </p> + <p> + Again she sat up, and when she spoke there was no tremor in her voice. + </p> + <p> + “I may die,” she said. “I want to die. I do not see how I can go on living + after last night; but if I do die I want my father to know that I had + nothing to do with it and that they tried to kill me because I wouldn't + promise to keep still. It was the little one who murdered him—the + one they called 'Jimmie' and 'The Oskaloosa Kid.' The big one drove the + car—his name was 'Terry.' After they killed him I tried to jump out—I + had been sitting in front with Terry—and then they dragged me over + into the tonneau and later—the Oskaloosa Kid tried to kill me too, + and threw me out.” + </p> + <p> + Bridge heard the boy at his side gulp. The girl went on. + </p> + <p> + “To-morrow you will know about the murder—everyone will know about + it; and I will be missed; and there will be people who saw me in the car + with them, for someone must have seen me. Oh, I can't face it! I want to + die. I will die! I come of a good family. My father is a prominent man. I + can't go back and stand the disgrace and see him suffer, as he will + suffer, for I was all he had—his only child. I can't bear to tell + you my name—you will know it soon enough—but please find some + way to let my father know all that I have told you—I swear that it + is the truth—by the memory of my dead mother, I swear it!” + </p> + <p> + Bridge laid a hand upon the girl's shoulder. “If you are telling us the + truth,” he said, “you have only a silly escapade with strange men upon + your conscience. You must not talk of dying now—your duty is to your + father. If you take your own life it will be a tacit admission of guilt + and will only serve to double the burden of sorrow and ignominy which your + father is bound to feel when this thing becomes public, as it certainly + must if a murder has been done. The only way in which you can atone for + your error is to go back and face the consequences with him—do not + throw it all upon him; that would be cowardly.” + </p> + <p> + The girl did not reply; but that the man's words had impressed her seemed + evident. For a while each was occupied with his own thoughts; which were + presently disturbed by the sound of footsteps upon the floor below—the + muffled scraping of many feet followed a moment later by an exclamation + and an oath, the words coming distinctly through the loose and splintered + flooring. + </p> + <p> + “Pipe the stiff,” exclaimed a voice which The Oskaloosa Kid recognized + immediately as that of Soup Face. + </p> + <p> + “The Kid musta croaked him,” said another. + </p> + <p> + A laugh followed this evidently witty sally. + </p> + <p> + “The guy probably lamped the swag an' died of heart failure,” suggested + another. + </p> + <p> + The men were still laughing when the sound of a clanking chain echoed + dismally from the cellar. Instantly silence fell upon the newcomers upon + the first floor, followed by a—“Wotinel's that?” Two of the men had + approached the staircase and started to ascend it. Slowly the uncanny + clanking drew closer to the first floor. The girl on the bed turned toward + Bridge. + </p> + <p> + “What is it?” she gasped. + </p> + <p> + “We don't know,” replied the man. “It followed us up here, or rather it + chased us up; and then went down again just before you regained + consciousness. I imagine we shall hear some interesting developments from + below.” + </p> + <p> + “It's The Sky Pilot and his gang,” whispered The Oskaloosa Kid. + </p> + <p> + “It's The Oskaloosa Kid,” came a voice from below. + </p> + <p> + “But wot was that light upstairs then?” queried another. + </p> + <p> + “An' wot croaked this guy here?” asked a third. “It wasn't nothin' nice—did + you get the expression on his mug an' the red foam on his lips? I tell + youse there's something in this house beside human bein's. I know the + joint—it's hanted—they's spooks in it. Gawd! there it is now,” + as the clanking rose to the head of the cellar stairs; and those above + heard a sudden rush of footsteps as the men broke for the open air—all + but the two upon the stairway. They had remained too long and now, their + retreat cut off, they scrambled, cursing and screaming, to the second + floor. + </p> + <p> + Along the hallway they rushed to the closed door at the end—the door + of the room in which the three listened breathlessly—hurling + themselves against it in violent effort to gain admission. + </p> + <p> + “Who are you and what do you want?” cried Bridge. + </p> + <p> + “Let us in! Let us in!” screamed two voices. “Fer God's sake let us in. + Can't you hear IT? It'll be comin' up here in a minute.” + </p> + <p> + The sound of the dragging chain could be heard at intervals upon the floor + below. It seemed to the tense listeners above to pause beside the dead man + as though hovering in gloating exultation above its gruesome prey and then + it moved again, this time toward the stairway where they all heard it + ascending with a creepy slowness which wrought more terribly upon tense + nerves than would a sudden rush. + </p> + <p> + “The mills of the Gods grind slowly,” quoted Bridge. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, don't!” pleaded The Oskaloosa Kid. + </p> + <p> + “Let us in,” screamed the men without. “Fer the luv o' Mike have a heart! + Don't leave us out here! IT's comin'! IT's comin'!” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, let the poor things in,” pleaded the girl on the bed. She was, + herself, trembling with terror. + </p> + <p> + “No funny business, now, if I let you in,” commanded Bridge. + </p> + <p> + “On the square,” came the quick and earnest reply. + </p> + <p> + The THING had reached the head of the stairs when Bridge dragged the bed + aside and drew the bolt. Instantly two figures hurled themselves into the + room but turned immediately to help Bridge resecure the doorway. + </p> + <p> + Just as it had done before, when Bridge and The Oskaloosa Kid had taken + refuge there with the girl, the THING moved down the hallway to the closed + door. The dragging chain marked each foot of its advance. If it made other + sounds they were drowned by the clanking of the links over the time + roughened flooring. + </p> + <p> + Within the room the five were frozen into utter silence, and beyond the + door an equal quiet prevailed for a long minute; then a great force made + the door creak and a weird scratching sounded high up upon the old + fashioned panelling. Bridge heard a smothered gasp from the boy beside + him, followed instantly by a flash of flame and the crack of a small + caliber automatic; The Oskaloosa Kid had fired through the door. + </p> + <p> + Bridge seized the boy's arm and wrenched the weapon from him. “Be + careful!” he cried. “You'll hurt someone. You didn't miss the girl much + that time—she's on the bed right in front of the door.” + </p> + <p> + The Oskaloosa Kid pressed closer to the man as though he sought protection + from the unknown menace without. The girl sprang from the bed and crossed + to the opposite side of the room. A flash of lightning illuminated the + chamber for an instant and the roof of the verandah without. The girl + noted the latter and the open window. + </p> + <p> + “Look!” she cried. “Suppose it went out of another window upon this porch. + It could get us so easily that way!” + </p> + <p> + “Shut up, you fool!” whispered one of the two newcomers. “It might hear + you.” The girl subsided into silence. + </p> + <p> + There was no sound from the hallway. + </p> + <p> + “I reckon you croaked IT,” suggested the second newcomer, hopefully; but, + as though the THING without had heard and understood, the clanking of the + chain recommenced at once; but now it was retreating along the hallway, + and soon they heard it descending the stairs. + </p> + <p> + Sighs of relief escaped more than a single pair of lips. “IT didn't hear + me,” whispered the girl. + </p> + <p> + Bridge laughed. “We're a nice lot of babies seeing things at night,” he + scoffed. + </p> + <p> + “If you're so nervy why don't you go down an' see wot it is?” asked one of + the late arrivals. + </p> + <p> + “I believe I shall,” replied Bridge and pulled the bed away from the door. + </p> + <p> + Instantly a chorus of protests arose, the girl and The Oskaloosa Kid being + most insistent. What was the use? What good could he accomplish? It might + be nothing; yet on the other hand what had brought death so horribly to + the cold clay on the floor below? At last their pleas prevailed and Bridge + replaced the bed before the door. + </p> + <p> + For two hours the five sat about the room waiting for daylight. There + could be no sleep for any of them. Occasionally they spoke, usually + advancing and refuting suggestions as to the identity of the nocturnal + prowler below-stairs. The THING seemed to have retreated again to the + cellar, leaving the upper floor to the five strangely assorted prisoners + and the first floor to the dead man. + </p> + <p> + During the brief intervals of conversation the girl repeated snatches of + her story and once she mentioned The Oskaloosa Kid as the murderer of the + unnamed victim. The two men who had come last pricked up their ears at + this and Bridge felt the boy's hand just touch his arm as though in mute + appeal for belief and protection. The man half smiled. + </p> + <p> + “We seen The Oskaloosa Kid this evenin',” volunteered one of the + newcomers. + </p> + <p> + “You did?” exclaimed the girl. “Where?” + </p> + <p> + “He'd just pulled off a job in Oakdale an' had his pockets bulgin' wid + sparklers an' kale. We was follerin' him an' when we seen your light up + here we t'ought it was him.” + </p> + <p> + The Oskaloosa Kid shrank closer to Bridge. At last he recognized the voice + of the speaker. While he had known that the two were of The Sky Pilot's + band he had not been sure of the identity of either; but now it was borne + in upon him that at least one of them was the last person on earth he + cared to be cooped up in a small, unlighted room with, and a moment later + when one of the two rolled a 'smoke' and lighted it he saw in the flare of + the flame the features of both Dopey Charlie and The General. The + Oskaloosa Kid gasped once more for the thousandth time that night. + </p> + <p> + It had been Dopey Charlie who lighted the cigaret and in the brief + illumination his friend The General had grasped the opportunity to scan + the features of the other members of the party. Schooled by long years of + repression he betrayed none of the surprise or elation he felt when he + recognized the features of The Oskaloosa Kid. + </p> + <p> + If The General was elated The Oskaloosa Kid was at once relieved and + terrified. Relieved by ocular proof that he was not a murderer and + terrified by the immediate presence of the two who had sought his life. + </p> + <p> + His cigaret drawing well Dopey Charlie resumed: “This Oskaloosa Kid's a + bad actor,” he volunteered. “The little shrimp tried to croak me; but he + only creased my ribs. I'd like to lay my mits on him. I'll bet there won't + be no more Oskaloosa Kid when I get done wit him.” + </p> + <p> + The boy drew Bridge's ear down toward his own lips. “Let's go,” he said. + “I don't hear anything more downstairs, or maybe we could get out on this + roof and slide down the porch pillars.” + </p> + <p> + Bridge laid a strong, warm hand on the small, cold one of his new friend. + </p> + <p> + “Don't worry, Kid,” he said. “I'm for you.” + </p> + <p> + The two other men turned quickly in the direction of the speaker. + </p> + <p> + “Is de Kid here?” asked Dopey Charlie. + </p> + <p> + “He is, my degenerate friend,” replied Bridge; “and furthermore he's going + to stay here and be perfectly safe. Do you grasp me?” + </p> + <p> + “Who are you?” asked The General. + </p> + <p> + “That is a long story,” replied Bridge; “but if you chance to recall Dink + and Crumb you may also be able to visualize one Billy Burke and Billy + Byrne and his side partner, Bridge. Yes? Well, I am the side partner.” + </p> + <p> + Before the yeggman could make reply the girl spoke up quickly. “This man + cannot be The Oskaloosa Kid,” she said. “It was The Oskaloosa Kid who + threw me from the car.” + </p> + <p> + “How do you know he ain't?” queried The General. “Youse was knocked out + when these guys picks you up. It's so dark in here you couldn't reco'nize + no one. How do you know this here bird ain't The Oskaloosa Kid, eh?” + </p> + <p> + “I have heard both these men speak,” replied the girl; “their voices were + not those of any men I have known. If one of them is The Oskaloosa Kid + then there must be two men called that. Strike a match and you will see + that you are mistaken.” + </p> + <p> + The General fumbled in an inside pocket for a package of matches carefully + wrapped against possible damage by rain. Presently he struck one and held + the light in the direction of The Kid's face while he and the girl and + Dopey Charlie leaned forward to scrutinize the youth's features. + </p> + <p> + “It's him all right,” said Dopey Charlie. + </p> + <p> + “You bet it is,” seconded The General. + </p> + <p> + “Why he's only a boy,” ejaculated the girl. “The one who threw me from the + machine was a man.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, this one said he was The Oskaloosa Kid,” persisted The General. + </p> + <p> + “An' he shot me up,” growled Dopey Charlie. + </p> + <p> + “It's too bad he didn't kill you,” remarked Bridge pleasantly. “You're a + thief and probably a murderer into the bargain—you tried to kill + this boy just before he shot you.” + </p> + <p> + “Well wot's he?” demanded Dopey Charlie. “He's a thief—he said he + was—look in his pockets—they're crammed wid swag, an' he's a + gun-man, too, or he wouldn't be packin' a gat. I guess he ain't got + nothin' on me.” + </p> + <p> + The darkness hid the scarlet flush which mounted to the boy's cheeks—so + hot that he thought it must surely glow redly through the night. He waited + in dumb misery for Bridge to demand the proof of his guilt. Earlier in the + evening he had flaunted the evidence of his crime in the faces of the six + hobos; but now he suddenly felt a great shame that his new found friend + should believe him a house-breaker. + </p> + <p> + But Bridge did not ask for any substantiation of Charlie's charges, he + merely warned the two yeggmen that they would have to leave the boy alone + and in the morning, when the storm had passed and daylight had lessened + the unknown danger which lurked below-stairs, betake themselves upon their + way. + </p> + <p> + “And while we're here together in this room you two must sit over near the + window,” he concluded. “You've tried to kill the boy once to-night; but + you're not going to try it again—I'm taking care of him now.” + </p> + <p> + “You gotta crust, bo,” observed Dopey Charlie, belligerently. “I guess me + an' The General'll sit where we damn please, an' youse can take it from me + on the side that we're goin' to have ours out of The Kid's haul. If you + tink you're goin' to cop the whole cheese you got another tink comin'.” + </p> + <p> + “You are banking,” replied Bridge, “on the well known fact that I never + carry a gun; but you fail to perceive, owing to the Stygian gloom which + surrounds us, that I have the Kid's automatic in my gun hand and that the + business end of it is carefully aiming in your direction.” + </p> + <p> + “Cheese it,” The General advised his companion; and the two removed + themselves to the opposite side of the apartment, where they whispered, + grumblingly, to one another. + </p> + <p> + The girl, the boy, and Bridge waited as patiently as they could for the + coming of the dawn, talking of the events of the night and planning + against the future. Bridge advised the girl to return at once to her + father; but this she resolutely refused to do, admitting with utmost + candor that she lacked the courage to face her friends even though her + father might still believe in her. + </p> + <p> + The youth begged that he might accompany Bridge upon the road, pleading + that his mother was dead and that he could not return home after his + escapade. And Bridge could not find it in his heart to refuse him, for the + man realized that the boyish waif possessed a subtile attraction, as + forceful as it was inexplicable. Not since he had followed the open road + in company with Billy Byrne had Bridge met one with whom he might care to + 'Pal' before The Kid crossed his path on the dark and storm swept pike + south of Oakdale. + </p> + <p> + In Byrne, mucker, pugilist, and MAN, Bridge had found a physical and moral + counterpart of himself, for the slender Bridge was muscled as a Greek god, + while the stocky Byrne, metamorphosed by the fire of a woman's love, + possessed all the chivalry of the care free tramp whose vagabondage had + never succeeded in submerging the evidences of his cultural birthright. + </p> + <p> + In the youth Bridge found an intellectual equal with the added charm of a + physical dependent. The man did not attempt to fathom the evident appeal + of the other's tacitly acknowledged cowardice; he merely knew that he + would not have had the youth otherwise if he could have changed him. + Ordinarily he accepted male cowardice with the resignation of surfeited + disgust; but in the case of The Oskaloosa Kid he realized a certain + artless charm which but tended to strengthen his liking for the youth, so + brazen and unaffected was the boy's admission of his terror of both the + real and the unreal menaces of this night of horror. + </p> + <p> + That the girl also was well bred was quite evident to Bridge, while both + the girl and the youth realized the refinement of the strange companion + and protector which Fate had ordered for them, while they also saw in one + another social counterparts of themselves. Thus, as the night dragged its + slow course, the three came to trust each other more entirely and to + speculate upon the strange train of circumstances which had brought them + thus remarkably together—the thief, the murderer's accomplice, and + the vagabond. + </p> + <p> + It was during a period of thoughtful silence when the night was darkest + just before the dawn and the rain had settled to a dismal drizzle + unrelieved by lightning or by thunder that the five occupants of the room + were suddenly startled by a strange pattering sound from the floor below. + It was as the questioning fall of a child's feet upon the uncarpeted + boards in the room beneath them. Frozen to silent rigidity, the five sat + straining every faculty to catch the minutest sound from the black void + where the dead man lay, and as they listened there came up to them, + mingled with the inexplicable footsteps, the hollow reverberation from the + dank cellar—the hideous dragging of the chain behind the nameless + horror which had haunted them through the interminable eons of the ghastly + night. + </p> + <p> + Up, up, up it came toward the first floor. The pattering of the feet + ceased. The clanking rose until the five heard the scraping of the chain + against the door frame at the head of the cellar stairs. They heard it + pass across the floor toward the center of the room and then, loud and + piercing, there rang out against the silence of the awful night a woman's + shriek. + </p> + <p> + Instantly Bridge leaped to his feet. Without a word he tore the bed from + before the door. + </p> + <p> + “What are you doing?” cried the girl in a muffled scream. + </p> + <p> + “I am going down to that woman,” said Bridge, and he drew the bolt, rusty + and complaining, from its corroded seat. + </p> + <p> + “No!” screamed the girl, and seconding her the youth sprang to his feet + and threw his arms about Bridge. + </p> + <p> + “Please! Please!” he cried. “Oh, please don't leave me.” + </p> + <p> + The girl also ran to the man's side and clutched him by the sleeve. + </p> + <p> + “Don't go!” she begged. “Oh, for God's sake, don't leave us here alone!” + </p> + <p> + “You heard a woman scream, didn't you?” asked Bridge. “Do you suppose I + can stay in up here when a woman may be facing death a few feet below me?” + </p> + <p> + For answer the girl but held more tightly to his arm while the youth + slipped to the floor and embraced the man's knees in a vice-like hold + which he could not break without hurting his detainer. + </p> + <p> + “Come! Come!” expostulated Bridge. “Let me go.” + </p> + <p> + “Wait!” begged the girl. “Wait until you know that it is a human voice + that screams through this horrible place.” + </p> + <p> + The youth only strained his hold tighter about the man's legs. Bridge felt + a soft cheek pressed to his knee; and, for some unaccountable reason, the + appeal was stronger than the pleading of the girl. Slowly Bridge realized + that he could not leave this defenseless youth alone even though a dozen + women might be menaced by the uncanny death below. With a firm hand he + shot the bolt. “Leave go of me,” he said; “I shan't leave you unless she + calls for help in articulate words.” + </p> + <p> + The boy rose and, trembling, pressed close to the man who, involuntarily, + threw a protecting arm about the slim figure. The girl, too, drew nearer, + while the two yeggmen rose and stood in rigid silence by the window. From + below came an occasional rattle of the chain, followed after a few minutes + by the now familiar clanking as the iron links scraped across the + flooring. Mingled with the sound of the chain there rose to them what + might have been the slow and ponderous footsteps of a heavy man, dragging + painfully across the floor. For a few moments they heard it, and then all + was silent. + </p> + <p> + For a dozen tense minutes the five listened; but there was no repetition + of any sound from below. Suddenly the girl breathed a deep sigh, and the + spell of terror was broken. Bridge felt rather than heard the youth + sobbing softly against his breast, while across the room The General gave + a quick, nervous laugh which he as immediately suppressed as though + fearful unnecessarily of calling attention to their presence. The other + vagabond fumbled with his hypodermic needle and the narcotic which would + quickly give his fluttering nerves the quiet they craved. + </p> + <p> + Bridge, the boy, and the girl shivered together in their soggy clothing + upon the edge of the bed, feeling now in the cold dawn the chill + discomfort of which the excitement of the earlier hours of the night had + rendered them unconscious. The youth coughed. + </p> + <p> + “You've caught cold,” said Bridge, his tone almost self-reproachful, as + though he were entirely responsible for the boy's condition. “We're a nice + aggregation of mollycoddles—five of us sitting half frozen up here + with a stove on the floor below, and just because we heard a noise which + we couldn't explain and hadn't the nerve to investigate.” He rose. “I'm + going down, rustle some wood and build a fire in that stove—you two + kids have got to dry those clothes of yours and get warmed up or we'll + have a couple of hospital cases on our hands.” + </p> + <p> + Once again rose a chorus of pleas and objections. Oh, wouldn't he wait + until daylight? See! the dawn was even then commencing to break. They + didn't dare go down and they begged him not to leave them up there alone. + </p> + <p> + At this Dopey Charlie spoke up. The 'hop' had commenced to assert its + dominion over his shattered nervous system instilling within him a new + courage and a feeling of utter well-being. “Go on down,” said he to + Bridge. “The General an' I'll look after the kids—won't we bo?” + </p> + <p> + “Sure,” assented The General; “we'll take care of 'em.” + </p> + <p> + “I'll tell you what we'll do,” said Bridge; “we'll leave the kids up here + and we three'll go down. They won't go, and I wouldn't leave them up here + with you two morons on a bet.” + </p> + <p> + The General and Dopey Charlie didn't know what a moron was but they felt + quite certain from Bridge's tone of voice that a moron was not a nice + thing, and anyway no one could have bribed them to descend into the + darkness of the lower floor with the dead man and the grisly THING that + prowled through the haunted chambers; so they flatly refused to budge an + inch. + </p> + <p> + Bridge saw in the gradually lighting sky the near approach of full + daylight; so he contented himself with making the girl and the youth walk + briskly to and fro in the hope that stimulated circulation might at least + partially overcome the menace of the damp clothing and the chill air, and + thus they occupied the remaining hour of the night. + </p> + <p> + From below came no repetition of the inexplicable noises of that night of + terror and at last, with every object plainly discernible in the light of + the new day, Bridge would delay no longer; but voiced his final + determination to descend and make a fire in the old kitchen stove. Both + the boy and the girl insisted upon accompanying him. For the first time + each had an opportunity to study the features of his companions of the + night. Bridge found in the girl and the youth two dark eyed, good-looking + young people. In the girl's face was, perhaps, just a trace of weakness; + but it was not the face of one who consorts habitually with criminals. The + man appraised her as a pretty, small-town girl who had been led into a + temporary escapade by the monotony of village life, and he would have + staked his soul that she was not a bad girl. + </p> + <p> + The boy, too, looked anything other than the role he had been playing. + Bridge smiled as he looked at the clear eyes, the oval face, and the fine, + sensitive mouth and thought of the youth's claim to the crime battered + sobriquet of The Oskaloosa Kid. The man wondered if the mystery of the + clanking chain would prove as harmlessly infantile as these two whom some + accident of hilarious fate had cast in the roles of debauchery and crime. + </p> + <p> + Aloud, he said: “I'll go first, and if the spook materializes you two can + beat it back into the room.” And to the two tramps: “Come on, boes, we'll + all take a look at the lower floor together, and then we'll get a good + fire going in the kitchen and warm up a bit.” + </p> + <p> + Down the hall they went, Bridge leading with the boy and girl close at his + heels while the two yeggs brought up the rear. Their footsteps echoed + through the deserted house; but brought forth no answering clanking from + the cellar. The stairs creaked beneath the unaccustomed weight of so many + bodies as they descended toward the lower floor. Near the bottom Bridge + came to a questioning halt. The front room lay entirely within his range + of vision, and as his eyes swept it he gave voice to a short exclamation + of surprise. + </p> + <p> + The youth and the girl, shivering with cold and nervous excitement, craned + their necks above the man's shoulder. + </p> + <p> + “O-h-h!” gasped The Oskaloosa Kid. “He's gone,” and, sure enough, the dead + man had vanished. + </p> + <p> + Bridge stepped quickly down the remaining steps, entered the rear room + which had served as dining room and kitchen, inspected the two small + bedrooms off this room, and the summer kitchen beyond. All were empty; + then he turned and re-entering the front room bent his steps toward the + cellar stairs. At the foot of the stairway leading to the second floor lay + the flash lamp that the boy had dropped the night before. Bridge stooped, + picked it up and examined it. It was uninjured and with it in his hand he + continued toward the cellar door. + </p> + <p> + “Where are you going?” asked The Oskaloosa Kid. + </p> + <p> + “I'm going to solve the mystery of that infernal clanking,” he replied. + </p> + <p> + “You are not going down into that dark cellar!” It was an appeal, a + question, and a command; and it quivered gaspingly upon the verge of + hysteria. + </p> + <p> + Bridge turned and looked into the youth's face. The man did not like + cowardice and his eyes were stern as he turned them on the lad from whom + during the few hours of their acquaintance he had received so many + evidences of cowardice; but as the clear brown eyes of the boy met his the + man's softened and he shook his head perplexedly. What was there about + this slender stripling which so disarmed criticism? + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” he replied, “I am going down. I doubt if I shall find anything + there; but if I do it is better to come upon it when I am looking for it + than to have it come upon us when we are not expecting it. If there is to + be any hunting I prefer to be hunter rather than hunted.” + </p> + <p> + He wheeled and placed a foot upon the cellar stairs. The youth followed + him. + </p> + <p> + “What are you going to do?” asked the man. + </p> + <p> + “I am going with you,” said the boy. “You think I am a coward because I am + afraid; but there is a vast difference between cowardice and fear.” + </p> + <p> + The man made no reply as he resumed the descent of the stairs, flashing + the rays of the lamp ahead of him; but he pondered the boy's words and + smiled as he admitted mentally that it undoubtedly took more courage to do + a thing in the face of fear than to do it if fear were absent. He felt a + strange elation that this youth should choose voluntarily to share his + danger with him, for in his roaming life Bridge had known few associates + for whom he cared. + </p> + <p> + The beams of the little electric lamp, moving from side to side, revealed + a small cellar littered with refuse and festooned with cob-webs. At one + side tottered the remains of a series of wooden racks upon which pans of + milk had doubtless stood to cool in a long gone, happier day. Some of the + uprights had rotted away so that a part of the frail structure had + collapsed to the earthen floor. A table with one leg missing and a + crippled chair constituted the balance of the contents of the cellar and + there was no living creature and no chain nor any other visible evidence + of the presence which had clanked so lugubriously out of the dark depths + during the vanished night. The boy breathed a heartfelt sigh of relief and + Bridge laughed, not without a note of relief either. + </p> + <p> + “You see there is nothing,” he said—“nothing except some firewood + which we can use to advantage. I regret that James is not here to attend + me; but since he is not you and I will have to carry some of this stuff + upstairs,” and together they returned to the floor above, their arms laden + with pieces of the dilapidated milk rack. The girl was awaiting them at + the head of the stairs while the two tramps whispered together at the + opposite side of the room. + </p> + <p> + It took Bridge but a moment to have a roaring fire started in the old + stove in the kitchen, and as the warmth rolled in comforting waves about + them the five felt for the first time in hours something akin to relief + and well being. With the physical relaxation which the heat induced came a + like relaxation of their tongues and temporary forgetfulness of their + antagonisms and individual apprehensions. Bridge was the only member of + the group whose conscience was entirely free. He was not 'wanted' + anywhere, he had no unexpiated crimes to harry his mind, and with the + responsibilities of the night removed he fell naturally into his old, + carefree manner. He hazarded foolish explanations of the uncanny noises of + the night and suggested various theories to account for the presence and + the mysterious disappearance of the dead man. + </p> + <p> + The General, on the contrary, seriously maintained that the weird sounds + had emanated from the ghost of the murdered man who was, unquestionably, + none other than the long dead Squibb returned to haunt his former home, + and that the scream had sprung from the ghostly lungs of his slain wife or + daughter. + </p> + <p> + “I wouldn't spend anudder night in this dump,” he concluded, “for both + them pockets full of swag The Oskaloosa Kid's packin' around.” + </p> + <p> + Immediately all eyes turned upon the flushing youth. The girl and Bridge + could not prevent their own gazes from wandering to the bulging coat + pockets, the owner of which moved uneasily, at last shooting a look of + defiance, not unmixed with pleading, at Bridge. + </p> + <p> + “He's a bad one,” interjected Dopey Charlie, a glint of cunning in his + ordinarily glassy eyes. “He flashes a couple o' mitsful of sparklers, + chesty-like, and allows as how he's a regular burglar. Then he pulls a gun + on me, as wasn't doin' nothin' to him, and 'most croaks me. It's even + money that if anyone's been croaked in Oakdale last night they won't have + to look far for the guy that done it. Least-wise they won't have to look + far if he doesn't come across,” and Dopey Charlie looked meaningly and + steadily at the side pockets of The Oskaloosa Kid. + </p> + <p> + “I think,” said Bridge, after a moment of general silence, “that you two + crooks had better beat it. Do you get me?” and he looked from Dopey + Charlie to The General and back again. + </p> + <p> + “We don't go,” said Dopey Charlie, belligerently, “until we gets half the + Kid's swag.” + </p> + <p> + “You go now,” said Bridge, “without anybody's swag,” and he drew the boy's + automatic from his side pocket. “You go now and you go quick—beat + it!” + </p> + <p> + The two rose and shuffled toward the door. “We'll get you, you colledge + Lizzy,” threatened Dopey Charlie, “an' we'll get that phoney punk, too.” + </p> + <p> + “'And speed the parting guest,'” quoted Bridge, firing a shot that + splintered the floor at the crook's feet. When the two hoboes had departed + the others huddled again close to the stove until Bridge suggested that he + and The Oskaloosa Kid retire to another room while the girl removed and + dried her clothing; but she insisted that it was not wet enough to matter + since she had been covered by a robe in the automobile until just a moment + before she had been hurled out. + </p> + <p> + “Then, after you are warmed up,” said Bridge, “you can step into this + other room while the kid and I strip and dry our things, for there's no + question but that we are wet enough.” + </p> + <p> + At the suggestion the kid started for the door. “Oh, no,” he insisted; “it + isn't worth while. I am almost dry now, and as soon as we get out on the + road I'll be all right. I—I—I like wet clothes,” he ended, + lamely. + </p> + <p> + Bridge looked at him questioningly; but did not urge the matter. “Very + well,” he said; “you probably know what you like; but as for me, I'm going + to pull off every rag and get good and dry.” + </p> + <p> + The girl had already quitted the room and now The Kid turned and followed + her. Bridge shook his head. “I'll bet the little beggar never was away + from his mother before in his life,” he mused; “why the mere thought of + undressing in front of a strange man made him turn red—and posing as + The Oskaloosa Kid! Bless my soul; but he's a humorist—a regular, + natural born one.” + </p> + <p> + Bridge found that his clothing had dried to some extent during the night; + so, after a brisk rub, he put on the warmed garments and though some were + still a trifle damp he felt infinitely more comfortable than he had for + many hours. + </p> + <p> + Outside the house he came upon the girl and the youth standing in the + sunshine of a bright, new day. They were talking together in a most + animated manner, and as he approached wondering what the two had found of + so great common interest he discovered that the discussion hinged upon the + relative merits of ham and bacon as a breakfast dish. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, my heart it is just achin',” quoted Bridge, + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “For a little bite of bacon, + + “A hunk of bread, a little mug of brew; + + “I'm tired of seein' scenery, + + “Just lead me to a beanery + + “Where there's something more than only air to + + chew.” + </pre> + <p> + The two looked up, smiling. “You're a funny kind of tramp, to be quoting + poetry,” said The Oskaloosa Kid, “even if it is Knibbs'.” + </p> + <p> + “Almost as funny,” replied Bridge, “as a burglar who recognizes Knibbs + when he hears him.” + </p> + <p> + The Oskaloosa Kid flushed. “He wrote for us of the open road,” he replied + quickly. “I don't know of any other class of men who should enjoy him + more.” + </p> + <p> + “Or any other class that is less familiar with him,” retorted Bridge; “but + the burning question just now is pots, not poetry—flesh pots. I'm + hungry. I could eat a cow.” + </p> + <p> + The girl pointed to an adjacent field. “Help yourself,” she said. + </p> + <p> + “That happens to be a bull,” said Bridge. “I was particular to mention + cow, which, in this instance, is proverbially less dangerous than the + male, and much better eating. + </p> + <p> + “'We kept a-rambling all the time. I rustled grub, he rustled rhyme— + </p> + <p> + “'Blind baggage, hoof it, ride or climb—we always put it through.' + Who's going to rustle the grub?” + </p> + <p> + The girl looked at The Oskaloosa Kid. “You don't seem like a tramp at all, + to talk to,” she said; “but I suppose you are used to asking for food. I + couldn't do it—I should die if I had to.” + </p> + <p> + The Oskaloosa Kid looked uncomfortable. “So should—” he commenced, + and then suddenly subsided. “Of course I'd just as soon,” he said. “You + two stay here—I'll be back in a minute.” + </p> + <p> + They watched him as he walked down to the road and until he disappeared + over the crest of the hill a short distance from the Squibbs' house. + </p> + <p> + “I like him,” said the girl, turning toward Bridge. + </p> + <p> + “So do I,” replied the man. + </p> + <p> + “There must be some good in him,” she continued, “even if he is such a + desperate character; but I know he's not The Oskaloosa Kid. Do you really + suppose he robbed a house last night and then tried to kill that Dopey + person?” + </p> + <p> + Bridge shook his head. “I don't know,” he said; “but I am inclined to + believe that he is more imaginative than criminal. He certainly shot up + the Dopey person; but I doubt if he ever robbed a house.” + </p> + <p> + While they waited, The Oskaloosa Kid trudged along the muddy road to the + nearest farm house, which lay a full mile beyond the Squibbs' home. As he + approached the door a lank, sallow man confronted him with a suspicious + eye. + </p> + <p> + “Good morning,” greeted The Oskaloosa Kid. + </p> + <p> + The man grunted. + </p> + <p> + “I want to get something to eat,” explained the youth. + </p> + <p> + If the boy had hurled a dynamite bomb at him the result could have been no + more surprising. The lank, sallow man went up into the air, figuratively. + He went up a mile or more, and on the way down he reached his hand inside + the kitchen door and brought it forth enveloping the barrel of a shot gun. + </p> + <p> + “Durn ye!” he cried. “I'll lam ye! Get offen here. I knows ye. Yer one o' + that gang o' bums that come here last night, an' now you got the gall to + come back beggin' for food, eh? I'll lam ye!” and he raised the gun to his + shoulder. + </p> + <p> + The Oskaloosa Kid quailed but he held his ground. “I wasn't here last + night,” he cried, “and I'm not begging for food—I want to buy some. + I've got plenty of money,” in proof of which assertion he dug into a side + pocket and brought forth a large roll of bills. The man lowered his gun. + </p> + <p> + “Wy didn't ye say so in the first place then?” he growled. “How'd I know + you wanted to buy it, eh? Where'd ye come from anyhow, this early in the + mornin'? What's yer name, eh? What's yer business, that's what Jeb Case'd + like to know, eh?” He snapped his words out with the rapidity of a machine + gun, nor waited for a reply to one query before launching the next. “What + do ye want to buy, eh? How much money ye got? Looks suspicious. That's a + sight o' money yew got there, eh? Where'dje get it?” + </p> + <p> + “It's mine,” said The Oskaloosa Kid, “and I want to buy some eggs and milk + and ham and bacon and flour and onions and sugar and cream and + strawberries and tea and coffee and a frying pan and a little oil stove, + if you have one to spare, and—” + </p> + <p> + Jeb Case's jaw dropped and his eyes widened. “You're in the wrong pasture, + bub,” he remarked feelingly. “What yer lookin' fer is Sears, Roebuck & + Company.” + </p> + <p> + The Oskaloosa Kid flushed up to the tips of his ears. “But can't you sell + me something?” he begged. + </p> + <p> + “I might let ye have some milk an' eggs an' butter an' a leetle bacon an' + mebby my ol' woman's got a loaf left from her last bakin'; but we ain't + been figgerin' on supplyin' grub fer the United States army ef that's what + yew be buyin' fer.” + </p> + <p> + A frowsy, rat-faced woman and a gawky youth of fourteen stuck their heads + out the doorway at either side of the man. “I ain't got nothin' to sell,” + snapped the woman; but as she spoke her eyes fell upon the fat bank roll + in the youth's hand. “Or, leastwise,” she amended, “I ain't got much + more'n we need an' the price o' stuff's gone up so lately that I'll hev to + ask ye more'n I would of last fall. 'Bout what did ye figger on wantin'?” + </p> + <p> + “Anything you can spare,” said the youth. “There are three of us and we're + awful hungry.” + </p> + <p> + “Where yew stoppin'?” asked the woman. + </p> + <p> + “We're at the old Squibbs' place,” replied The Kid. “We got caught by the + storm last night and had to put up there.” + </p> + <p> + “The Squibbs' place!” ejaculated the woman. “Yew didn't stop there over + night?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes we did,” replied the youth. + </p> + <p> + “See anything funny?” asked Mrs. Case. + </p> + <p> + “We didn't SEE anything,” replied The Oskaloosa Kid; “but we heard things. + At least we didn't see what we heard; but we saw a dead man on the floor + when we went in and this morning he was gone.” + </p> + <p> + The Cases shuddered. “A dead man!” ejaculated Jeb Case. “Yew seen him?” + </p> + <p> + The Kid nodded. + </p> + <p> + “I never tuk much stock in them stories,” said Jeb, with a shake of his + head; “but ef you SEEN it! Gosh! Thet beats me. Come on M'randy, les see + what we got to spare,” and he turned into the kitchen with his wife. + </p> + <p> + The lanky boy stepped out, and planting himself in front of The Oskaloosa + Kid proceeded to stare at him. “Yew seen it?” he asked in awestruck tone. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said the Kid in a low voice, and bending close toward the other; + “it had bloody froth on its lips!” + </p> + <p> + The Case boy shrank back. “An' what did yew hear?” he asked, a glutton for + thrills. + </p> + <p> + “Something that dragged a chain behind it and came up out of the cellar + and tried to get in our room on the second floor,” explained the youth. + “It almost got us, too,” he added, “and it did it all night.” + </p> + <p> + “Whew,” whistled the Case boy. “Gosh!” Then he scratched his head and + looked admiringly at the youth. “What mought yer name be?” he asked. + </p> + <p> + “I'm The Oskaloosa Kid,” replied the youth, unable to resist the + admiration of the other's fond gaze. “Look here!” and he fished a handful + of jewelry from one of his side pockets; “this is some of the swag I stole + last night when I robbed a house.” + </p> + <p> + Case Jr. opened his mouth and eyes so wide that there was little left of + his face. “But that's nothing,” bragged The Kid. “I shot a man, too.” + </p> + <p> + “Last night?” whispered the boy. + </p> + <p> + “Yep,” replied the bad man, tersely. + </p> + <p> + “Gosh!” said the young Mr. Case, but there was that in his facial + expression which brought to The Oskaloosa Kid a sudden regret that he had + thus rashly confided in a stranger. + </p> + <p> + “Say,” said The Kid, after a moment's strained silence. “Don't tell + anyone, will you? If you'll promise I'll give you a dollar,” and he hunted + through his roll of bills for one of that lowly denomination. + </p> + <p> + “All right,” agreed the Case boy. “I won't say a word—where's the + dollar?” + </p> + <p> + The youth drew a bill from his roll and handed it to the other. “If you + tell,” he whispered, and he bent close toward the other's ear and spoke in + a menacing tone; “If you tell, I'll kill you!” + </p> + <p> + “Gosh!” said Willie Case. + </p> + <p> + At this moment Case pere and mere emerged from the kitchen loaded with + provender. “Here's enough an' more'n enough, I reckon,” said Jeb Case. “We + got eggs, butter, bread, bacon, milk, an' a mite o' garden sass.” + </p> + <p> + “But we ain't goin' to charge you nothin' fer the garden sass,” + interjected Mrs. Case. + </p> + <p> + “That's awfully nice of you,” replied The Kid. “How much do I owe you for + the rest of it?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh,” said Jeb Case, rubbing his chin, eyeing the big roll of bills and + wondering just the limit he might raise to, “I reckon 'bout four dollars + an' six bits.” + </p> + <p> + The Oskaloosa Kid peeled a five dollar bill from his roll and proffered it + to the farmer. “I'm ever so much obliged,” he said, “and you needn't mind + about any change. I thank you so much.” With which he took the several + packages and pails and turned toward the road. + </p> + <p> + “Yew gotta return them pails!” shouted Mrs. Case after him. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, of course,” replied The Kid. + </p> + <p> + “Gosh!” exclaimed Mr. Case, feelingly. “I wisht I'd asked six bits more—I + mought jest as well o' got it as not. Gosh, eh?” + </p> + <p> + “Gosh!” murmured Willie Case, fervently. + </p> + <p> + Back down the sticky road plodded The Oskaloosa Kid, his arms heavy and + his heart light, for, was he not 'bringing home the bacon,' literally as + well as figuratively. As he entered the Squibbs' gateway he saw the girl + and Bridge standing upon the verandah waiting his coming, and as he + approached them and they caught a nearer view of his great burden of + provisions they hailed him with loud acclaim. + </p> + <p> + “Some artist!” cried the man. “And to think that I doubted your ability to + make a successful touch! Forgive me! You are the ne plus ultra, non est + cumquidibus, in hoc signo vinces, only and original kind of hand-out + compellers.” + </p> + <p> + “How in the world did you do it?” asked the girl, rapturously. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, it's easy when you know how,” replied The Oskaloosa Kid carelessly, + as, with the help of the others, he carried the fruits of his expedition + into the kitchen. Here Bridge busied himself about the stove, adding more + wood to the fire and scrubbing a portion of the top plate as clean as he + could get it with such crude means as he could discover about the place. + </p> + <p> + The youth he sent to the nearby brook for water after selecting the least + dirty of the several empty tin cans lying about the floor of the summer + kitchen. He warned against the use of the water from the old well and + while the boy was away cut a generous portion of the bacon into long, thin + strips. + </p> + <p> + Shortly after, the water coming to the boil, Bridge lowered three eggs + into it, glanced at his watch, greased one of the new cleaned stove lids + with a piece of bacon rind and laid out as many strips of bacon as the lid + would accommodate. Instantly the room was filled with the delicious odor + of frying bacon. + </p> + <p> + “M-m-m-m!” gloated The Oskaloosa Kid. “I wish I had bo—asked for + more. My! but I never smelled anything so good as that in all my life. Are + you going to boil only three eggs? I could eat a dozen.” + </p> + <p> + “The can'll only hold three at a time,” explained Bridge. “We'll have some + more boiling while we are eating these.” He borrowed his knife from the + girl, who was slicing and buttering bread with it, and turned the bacon + swiftly and deftly with the point, then he glanced at his watch. “The + three minutes are up,” he announced and, with a couple of small, flat + sticks saved for the purpose from the kindling wood, withdrew the eggs one + at a time from the can. + </p> + <p> + “But we have no cups!” exclaimed The Oskaloosa Kid, in sudden despair. + </p> + <p> + Bridge laughed. “Knock an end off your egg and the shell will answer in + place of a cup. Got a knife?” + </p> + <p> + The Kid didn't. Bridge eyed him quizzically. “You must have done most of + your burgling near home,” he commented. + </p> + <p> + “I'm not a burglar!” cried the youth indignantly. Somehow it was very + different when this nice voiced man called him a burglar from bragging of + the fact himself to such as The Sky Pilot's villainous company, or the + awestruck, open-mouthed Willie Case whose very expression invited heroics. + </p> + <p> + Bridge made no reply, but his eyes wandered to the right hand side pocket + of the boy's coat. Instantly the latter glanced guiltily downward to flush + redly at the sight of several inches of pearl necklace protruding + accusingly therefrom. The girl, a silent witness of the occurrence, was + brought suddenly and painfully to a realization of her present position + and recollection of the happenings of the preceding night. For the time + she had forgotten that she was alone in the company of a tramp and a + burglar—how much worse either might be she could only guess. + </p> + <p> + The breakfast, commenced so auspiciously, continued in gloomy silence. At + least the girl and The Oskaloosa Kid were silent and gloom steeped. Bridge + was thoughtful but far from morose. His spirits were unquenchable. + </p> + <p> + “I am afraid,” he said, “that I shall have to replace James. His defection + is unforgivable, and he has misplaced the finger-bowls.” + </p> + <p> + The youth and the girl forced wan smiles; but neither spoke. Bridge drew a + pouch of tobacco and some papers from an inside pocket. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “'I had the makings and I smoked + + “'And wondered over different things, + + “'Thinkin' as how this old world joked + + “'In callin' only some men kings + + “'While I sat there a-blowin' rings.'” + </pre> + <p> + He paused to kindle a sliver of wood at the stove. “In these parlous + times,” he spoke as though to himself, “one must economize. They are + taking a quarter of an ounce out of each five cents worth of chewing, I am + told; so doubtless each box must be five or six matches short of full + count. Even these papers seem thinner than of yore and they will only sell + one book to a customer at that. Indeed Sherman was right.” + </p> + <p> + The youth and the girl remained occupied with their own thoughts, and + after a moment's silence the vagabond resumed: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “'Me? I was king of anywhere, + + “'Peggin' away at nothing, hard. + + “'Havin' no pet, particular care; + + “'Havin' no trouble, or no pard; +</pre> + <p> + “'"Just me,” filled up my callin' card.' “Say, do you know I've learned to + love this Knibbs person. I used to think of him as a poor attic prune + grinding away in his New York sky parlor, writing his verse of the things + he longed for but had never known; until, one day, I met a fellow between + Victorville and Cajon pass who knew His Knibbs, and come to find out this + Knibbs is a regular fellow. His attic covers all God's country that is out + of doors and he knows the road from La Bajada hill to Barstow a darned + sight better than he knows Broadway.” + </p> + <p> + There was no answering sympathy awakened in either of his listeners—they + remained mute. Bridge rose and stretched. He picked up his knife, wiped + off the blade, closed it and slipped it into a trousers' pocket. Then he + walked toward the door. At the threshold he paused and turned. “'Good-bye + girls! I'm through,'” he quoted and passed out into the sunlight. + </p> + <p> + Instantly the two within were on their feet and following him. + </p> + <p> + “Where are you going?” cried The Oskaloosa Kid. “You're not going to leave + us, are you?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, please don't!” pleaded the girl. + </p> + <p> + “I don't know,” said Bridge, solemnly, “whether I'm safe in remaining in + your society or not. This Oskaloosa Kid is a bad proposition; and as for + you, young lady, I rather imagine that the town constable is looking for + you right now.” + </p> + <p> + The girl winced. “Please don't,” she begged. “I haven't done anything + wicked, honestly! But I want to get away so that they can't question me. I + was in the car when they killed him; but I had nothing to do with it. It + is just because of my father that I don't want them to find me. It would + break his heart.” + </p> + <p> + As the three stood back of the Squibbs' summer kitchen Fate, in the guise + of a rural free delivery carrier and a Ford, passed by the front gate. A + mile beyond he stopped at the Case mail box where Jeb and his son Willie + were, as usual, waiting his coming, for the rural free delivery man often + carries more news than is contained in his mail sacks. + </p> + <p> + “Mornin' Jeb,” he called, as he swerved his light car from the road and + drew up in front of the Case gate. + </p> + <p> + “Mornin', Jim!” returned Mr. Case. “Nice rain we had last night. What's + the news?” + </p> + <p> + “Plenty! Plenty!” exclaimed the carrier. “Lived here nigh onto forty year, + man an' boy, an' never seen such work before in all my life.” + </p> + <p> + “How's that?” questioned the farmer, scenting something interesting. + </p> + <p> + “Ol' man Baggs's murdered last night,” announced the carrier, watching + eagerly for the effect of his announcement. + </p> + <p> + “Gosh!” gasped Willie Case. “Was he shot?” It was almost a scream. + </p> + <p> + “I dunno,” replied Jim. “He's up to the horspital now, an' the doc says he + haint one chance in a thousand.” + </p> + <p> + “Gosh!” exclaimed Mr. Case. + </p> + <p> + “But thet ain't all,” continued Jim. “Reggie Paynter was murdered last + night, too; right on the pike south of town. They threw his corpse outen a + ottymobile.” + </p> + <p> + “By gol!” cried Jeb Case; “I hearn them devils go by last night 'bout + midnight er after. 'T woke me up. They must o' ben goin' sixty mile an + hour. Er say,” he stopped to scratch his head. “Mebby it was tramps. They + must a ben a score on 'em round here yesterday and las' night an' agin + this mornin'. I never seed so dum many bums in my life.” + </p> + <p> + “An' thet ain't all,” went on the carrier, ignoring the other's comments. + “Oakdale's all tore up. Abbie Prim's disappeared and Jonas Prim's house + was robbed jest about the same time Ol' man Baggs 'uz murdered, er most + murdered—chances is he's dead by this time anyhow. Doc said he + hadn't no chance.” + </p> + <p> + “Gosh!” It was a pater-filius duet. + </p> + <p> + “But thet ain't all,” gloated Jim. “Two of the persons in the car with + Reggie Paynter were recognized, an' who do you think one of 'em was, eh? + Why one of 'em was Abbie Prim an' tother was a slick crook from Toledo er + Noo York that's called The Oskaloosie Kid. By gum, I'll bet they get 'em + in no time. Why already Jonas Prim's got a regular dee-dectiff down from + Chicago, an' the board o' select-men's offered a re-ward o' fifty dollars + fer the arrest an' conviction of the perpetrators of these dastardly + crimes!” + </p> + <p> + “Gosh!” cried Willie Case. “I know—“; but then he paused. If he told + all he knew he saw plainly that either the carrier or his father would + profit by it and collect the reward. Fifty dollars!! Willie gasped. + </p> + <p> + “Well,” said Jim, “I gotta be on my way. Here's the Tribune—there + ain't nothin' more fer ye. So long! Giddap!” and he was gone. + </p> + <p> + “I don' see why he don't carry a whip,” mused Jeb Case. “A-gidappin' to + that there tin lizzie,” he muttered disgustedly, “jes' like it was as good + as a hoss. But I mind the time, the fust day he got the dinged thing, he + gets out an' tries to lead it by Lem Smith's threshin' machine.” + </p> + <p> + Jeb Case preferred an audience worthy his mettle; but Willie was better + than no one, yet when he turned to note the effect of his remarks on his + son, Willie was no where to be seen. If Jeb had but known it his young + hopeless was already in the loft of the hay barn deep in a small, + red-covered book entitled: “HOW TO BE A DETECTIVE.” + </p> + <p> + Bridge, who had had no intention of deserting his helpless companions, + appeared at last to yield reluctantly to their pleas. That indefinable + something about the youth which appealed strongly to the protective + instinct in the man, also assured him that the other's mask of criminality + was for the most part assumed even though the stories of the two yeggmen + and the loot bulging pockets argued to the contrary. There was the chance, + however, that the boy had really taken the first step upon the road toward + a criminal career, and if such were the case Bridge felt morally obligated + to protect his new found friend from arrest, secure in the reflection that + his own precept and example would do more to lead him back into the path + of rectitude than would any police magistrate or penal institute. + </p> + <p> + For the girl he felt a deep pity. In the past he had had knowledge of more + than one other small-town girl led into wrong doing through the deadly + monotony and flagrant hypocrisy of her environment. Himself highly + imaginative and keenly sensitive, he realized with what depth of horror + the girl anticipated a return to her home and friends after the childish + escapade which had culminated, even through no fault of hers, in criminal + tragedy of the most sordid sort. + </p> + <p> + As the three held a council of war at the rear of the deserted house they + were startled by the loud squeaking of brake bands on the road in front. + Bridge ran quickly into the kitchen and through to the front room where he + saw three men alighting from a large touring car which had drawn up before + the sagging gate. As the foremost man, big and broad shouldered, raised + his eyes to the building Bridge smothered an exclamation of surprise and + chagrin, nor did he linger to inspect the other members of the party; but + turned and ran quickly back to his companions. + </p> + <p> + “We've got to beat it!” he whispered; “they've brought Burton himself down + here.” + </p> + <p> + “Who's Burton?” demanded the youth. + </p> + <p> + “He's the best operative west of New York City,” replied Bridge, as he + moved rapidly toward an outhouse directly in rear of the main building. + </p> + <p> + Once behind the small, dilapidated structure which had once probably + housed farm implements, Bridge paused and looked about. “They'll search + here,” he prophesied, and then; “Those woods look good to me.” + </p> + <p> + The Squibbs' woods, growing rank in the damp ravine at the bottom of the + little valley, ran to within a hundred feet of the out-building. Dense + undergrowth choked the ground to a height of eight or ten feet around the + boles of the close set trees. If they could gain the seclusion of that + tangled jungle there was little likelihood of their being discovered, + provided they were not seen as they passed across the open space between + their hiding place and the wood. + </p> + <p> + “We'd better make a break for it,” advised Bridge, and a moment later the + three moved cautiously toward the wood, keeping the out-house between + themselves and the farm house. Almost in front of them as they neared the + wood they saw a well defined path leading into the thicket. Single-file + they entered, to be almost instantly hidden from view, not only from the + house but from any other point more than a dozen paces away, for the path + was winding, narrow and closely walled by the budding verdure of the new + Spring. Birds sang or twittered about them, the mat of dead leaves oozed + spongily beneath their feet, giving forth no sound as they passed, save a + faint sucking noise as a foot was lifted from each watery seat. + </p> + <p> + Bridge was in the lead, moving steadily forward that they might put as + much distance as possible between themselves and the detective should the + latter chance to explore the wood. They had advanced a few hundred yards + when the path crossed through a small clearing the center of which was + destitute of fallen leaves. Here the path was beaten into soft mud and as + Bridge came to it he stopped and bent his gaze incredulously upon the + ground. The girl and the youth, halting upon either side, followed the + direction of his eyes with theirs. The girl gave a little, involuntary + gasp, and the boy grasped Bridge's hand as though fearful of losing him. + The man turned a quizzical glance at each of them and smiled, though a bit + ruefully. + </p> + <p> + “It beats me,” he said. + </p> + <p> + “What can it be?” whispered the boy. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, let's go back,” begged the girl. + </p> + <p> + “And go along to father with Burton?” asked Bridge. + </p> + <p> + The girl trembled and shook her head. “I would rather die,” she said, + firmly. “Come, let's go on.” + </p> + <p> + The cause of their perturbation was imprinted deeply in the mud of the + pathway—the irregular outlines of an enormous, naked, human foot—a + great, uncouth foot that bespoke a monster of another world. While, still + more uncanny, in view of what they had heard in the farm house during the + previous night, there lay, sometimes partially obliterated by the + footprints of the THING, the impress of a small, bare foot—a woman's + or a child's—and over both an irregular scoring that might have been + wrought by a dragging chain! + </p> + <p> + In the loft of his father's hay barn Willie Case delved deep into the + small red-covered volume, HOW TO BE A DETECTIVE; but though he turned many + pages and flitted to and fro from preface to conclusion he met only with + disappointment. The pictures of noted bank burglars and confidence men + aided him not one whit, for in none of them could he descry the slightest + resemblance to the smooth faced youth of the early morning. In fact, so + totally different were the types shown in the little book that Willie was + forced to scratch his head and exclaim “Gosh!” many times in an effort to + reconcile the appearance of the innocent boy to the hardened, criminal + faces he found portrayed upon the printed pages. + </p> + <p> + “But, by gol!” he exclaimed mentally, “he said he was The Oskaloosie Kid, + 'n' that he shot a man last night; but what I'd like to know is how I'm + goin' to shadder him from this here book. Here it says: 'If the criminal + gets on a street car and then jumps off at the next corner the good + detective will know that his man is aware that he is being shadowed, and + will stay on the car and telephone his office at the first opportunity.' + 'N'ere it sez: 'If your man gets into a carriage don't run up an' jump on + the back of it; but simply hire another carriage and follow.' How in hek + kin I foller this book?” wailed Willie. “They ain't no street cars 'round + here. I ain't never seen a street car, 'n'as fer a carriage, I reckon he + means bus, they's only one on 'em in Oakdale 'n'if they waz forty I'd like + to know how in hek I'd hire one when I ain't got no money. I reckon I + threw away my four-bits on this book—it don't tell a feller nothin' + 'bout false whiskers, wigs 'n' the like,” and he tossed the book + disgustedly into a corner, rose and descended to the barnyard. Here he + busied himself about some task that should have been attended to a week + before, and which even now was not destined to be completed that day, + since Willie had no more than set himself to it than his attention was + distracted by the sudden appearance of a touring car being brought to a + stop in front of the gate. + </p> + <p> + Instantly Willie dropped his irksome labor and slouched lazily toward the + machine, the occupants of which were descending and heading for the Case + front door. Jeb Case met them before they reached the porch and Willie + lolled against a pillar listening eagerly to all that was said. + </p> + <p> + The most imposing figure among the strangers was the same whom Bridge had + seen approaching the Squibbs' house a short time before. It was he who + acted as spokesman for the newcomers. + </p> + <p> + “As you may know,” he said, after introducing himself, “a number of crimes + were committed in and around Oakdale last night. We are searching for + clews to the perpetrators, some of whom must still be in the neighborhood. + Have you seen any strange or suspicious characters around lately?” + </p> + <p> + “I should say we hed,” exclaimed Jeb emphatically. + </p> + <p> + “I seen the wo'st lookin' gang o' bums come outen my hay barn this mornin' + thet I ever seed in my life. They must o' ben upward of a dozen on 'em. + They waz makin' fer the house when I steps in an' grabs my ol' shot gun. I + hollered at 'em not to come a step nigher 'n' I guess they seed it wa'n't + safe monkeyin' with me; so they skidaddled.” + </p> + <p> + “Which way did they go?” asked Burton. + </p> + <p> + “Off down the road yonder; but I don't know which way they turned at the + crossin's, er ef they kept straight on toward Millsville.” + </p> + <p> + Burton asked a number of questions in an effort to fix the identity of + some of the gang, warned Jeb to telephone him at Jonas Prim's if he saw + anything further of the strangers, and then retraced his steps toward the + car. Not once had Jeb mentioned the youth who had purchased supplies from + him that morning, and the reason was that Jeb had not considered the young + man of sufficient importance, having cataloged him mentally as an + unusually early specimen of the summer camper with which he was more or + less familiar. + </p> + <p> + Willie, on the contrary, realized the importance of their morning + customer, yet just how he was to cash in on his knowledge was not yet + entirely clear. He was already convinced that HOW TO BE A DETECTIVE would + help him not at all, and with the natural suspicion of ignorance he feared + to divulge his knowledge to the city detective for fear that the latter + would find the means to cheat him out of the princely reward offered by + the Oakdale village board. He thought of going at once to the Squibbs' + house and placing the desperate criminals under arrest; but as fear + throttled the idea in its infancy he cast about for some other plan. + </p> + <p> + Even as he stood there thinking the great detective and his companions + were entering the automobile to drive away. In a moment they would be + gone. Were they not, after all, the very men, the only men, in fact, to + assist him in his dilemma? At least he could test them out. If necessary + he would divide the reward with them! Running toward the road Willie + shouted to the departing sleuth. The car, moving slowly forward in low, + came again to rest. Willie leaped to the running board. + </p> + <p> + “If I tell you where the murderer is,” he whispered hoarsely, “do I git + the $50.00?” + </p> + <p> + Detective Burton was too old a hand to ignore even the most seemingly + impossible of aids. He laid a kindly hand on Willie's shoulder. “You bet + you do,” he replied heartily, “and what's more I'll add another fifty to + it. What do you know?” + </p> + <p> + “I seen the murderer this mornin',” Willie was gasping with excitement and + elation. Already the one hundred dollars was as good as his. One hundred + dollars! Willie “Goshed!” mentally even as he told his tale. “He come to + our house an' bought some vittles an' stuff. Paw didn't know who he wuz; + but when Paw went inside he told me he was The Oskaloosie Kid 'n' thet he + robbed a house last night and killed a man, 'n' he had a whole pocket full + o' money, 'n' he said he'd kill me ef I told.” + </p> + <p> + Detective Burton could scarce restrain a smile as he listened to this + wildly improbable tale, yet his professional instinct was too keen to + permit him to cast aside as worthless the faintest evidence until he had + proven it to be worthless. He stepped from the car again and motioning to + Willie to follow him returned to the Case yard where Jeb was already + coming toward the gate, having noted the interest which his son was + arousing among the occupants of the car. Willie pulled at the detective's + sleeve. “Don't tell Paw about the reward,” he begged; “he'll keep it all + hisself.” + </p> + <p> + Burton reassured the boy with a smile and a nod, and then as he neared Jeb + he asked him if a young man had been at his place that morning asking for + food. + </p> + <p> + “Sure,” replied Jeb; “but he didn't 'mount to nothin'. One o' these here + summer camper pests. He paid fer all he got. Had a roll o' bills 's big as + ye fist. Little feller he were, not much older 'n' Willie.” + </p> + <p> + “Did you know that he told your son that he was The Oskaloosa Kid and that + he had robbed a house and killed a man last night?” + </p> + <p> + “Huh?” exclaimed Jeb. Then he turned and cast one awful look at Willie—a + look large with menace. + </p> + <p> + “Honest, Paw,” pleaded the boy. “I was a-scairt to tell you, 'cause he + said he'd kill me ef I told.” + </p> + <p> + Jeb scratched his head. “Yew know what you'll get ef you're lyin' to me,” + he threatened. + </p> + <p> + “I believe he's telling the truth,” said detective Burton. “Where is the + man now?” he asked Willie. + </p> + <p> + “Down to the Squibbs' place,” and Willie jerked a dirty thumb toward the + east. + </p> + <p> + “Not now,” said Burton; “we just came from there; but there has been + someone there this morning, for there is still a fire in the kitchen + range. Does anyone live there?” + </p> + <p> + “I should say not,” said Willie emphatically; “the place is haunted.” + </p> + <p> + “Thet's right,” interjected Jeb. “Thet's what they do say, an' this here + Oskaloosie Kid said they heered things las' night an' seed a dead man on + the floor, didn't he M'randy?” M'randy nodded her head. + </p> + <p> + “But I don't take no stock in what Willie's ben tellin' ye,” she + continued, “'n' ef his paw don't lick him I will. I told him tell I'm good + an' tired o' talkin' thet one liar 'round a place wuz all I could stand,” + and she cast a meaning glance at her husband. + </p> + <p> + “Honest, Maw, I ain't a-lyin',” insisted Willie. “Wot do you suppose he + give me this fer, if it wasn't to keep me from talkin',” and the boy drew + a crumpled one dollar bill from his pocket. It was worth the dollar to + escape a thrashing. + </p> + <p> + “He give you thet?” asked his mother. Willie nodded assent. + </p> + <p> + “'N' thet ain't all he had neither,” he said. “Beside all them bills he + showed me a whole pocket full o' jewlry, 'n' he had a string o' things + thet I don't know jest what you call 'em; but they looked like they was + made outen the inside o' clam shells only they was all round like + marbles.” + </p> + <p> + Detective Burton raised his eyebrows. “Miss Prim's pearl necklace,” he + commented to the man at his side. The other nodded. “Don't punish your + son, Mrs. Case,” he said to the woman. “I believe he has discovered a + great deal that will help us in locating the man we want. Of course I am + interested principally in finding Miss Prim—her father has engaged + me for that purpose; but I think the arrest of the perpetrators of any of + last night's crimes will put us well along on the trail of the missing + young lady, as it is almost a foregone conclusion that there is a + connection between her disappearance and some of the occurrences which + have so excited Oakdale. I do not mean that she was a party to any + criminal act; but it is more than possible that she was abducted by the + same men who later committed the other crimes.” + </p> + <p> + The Cases hung open-mouthed upon his words, while his companions wondered + at the loquaciousness of this ordinarily close-mouthed man, who, as a + matter of fact, was but attempting to win the confidence of the boy on the + chance that even now he had not told all that he knew; but Willie had told + all. + </p> + <p> + Finding, after a few minutes further conversation, that he could glean no + additional information the detective returned to his car and drove west + toward Millsville on the assumption that the fugitives would seek escape + by the railway running through that village. Only thus could he account + for their turning off the main pike. The latter was now well guarded all + the way to Payson; while the Millsville road was still open. + </p> + <p> + No sooner had he departed than Willie Case disappeared, nor did he answer + at noon to the repeated ringing of the big, farm dinner bell. + </p> + <p> + Half way between the Case farm and Millsville detective Burton saw, far + ahead along the road, two figures scale a fence and disappear behind the + fringing blackberry bushes which grew in tangled profusion on either side. + When they came abreast of the spot he ordered the driver to stop; but + though he scanned the open field carefully he saw no sign of living thing. + </p> + <p> + “There are two men hiding behind those bushes,” he said to his companions + in a low whisper. “One of you walk ahead about fifty yards and the other + go back the same distance and then climb the fence. When I see you getting + over I'll climb it here. They can't get away from us.” To the driver he + said: “You have a gun. If they make a break go after 'em. You can shoot if + they don't stop when you tell 'em to.” + </p> + <p> + The two men walked in opposite directions along the road, and when Burton + saw them turn in and start to climb the fence he vaulted over the panel + directly opposite the car. He had scarcely alighted upon the other side + when his eyes fell upon the disreputable figures of two tramps stretched + out upon their backs and snoring audibly. Burton grinned. + </p> + <p> + “You two sure can go to sleep in a hurry,” he said. One of the men opened + his eyes and sat up. When he saw who it was that stood over him he grinned + sheepishly. + </p> + <p> + “Can't a guy lie down fer a minute in de bushes widout bein' pinched?” he + asked. The other man now sat up and viewed the newcomer, while from either + side Burton's companions closed in on the three. + </p> + <p> + “Wot's de noise?” inquired the second tramp, looking from one to another + of the intruders. “We ain't done nothin'.” + </p> + <p> + “Of course not, Charlie,” Burton assured him gaily. “Who would ever + suspect that you or The General would do anything; but somebody did + something in Oakdale last night and I want to take you back there and have + a nice, long talk with you. Put your hands up!” + </p> + <p> + “We—.” + </p> + <p> + “Put 'em up!” snapped Burton, and when the four grimy fists had been + elevated he signalled to his companions to search the two men. + </p> + <p> + Nothing more formidable than knives, dope, and a needle were found upon + them. + </p> + <p> + “Say,” drawled Dopey Charlie. “We knows wot we knows; but hones' to gawd + we didn't have nothin' to do wid it. We knows the guy that pulled it off—we + spent las' night wid him an' his pal an' a skoit. He creased me, here,” + and Charlie unbuttoned his clothing and exposed to view the bloody scratch + of The Oskaloosa Kid's bullet. “On de level, Burton, we wern't in on it. + Dis guy was at dat Squibbs' place wen we pulls in dere outen de rain. He + has a pocket full o' kale an' sparklers an' tings, and he goes fer to + shoot me up wen I tries to get away.” + </p> + <p> + “Who was he?” asked Burton. + </p> + <p> + “He called hisself de Oskaloosa Kid,” replied Charlie. “A guy called + Bridge was wid him. You know him?” + </p> + <p> + “I've heard of him; but he's straight,” replied Burton. “Who was the + skirt?” + </p> + <p> + “I dunno,” said Charlie; “but she was gassin' 'bout her pals croakin' a + guy an' turnin' 'im outten a gas wagon, an' dis Oskaloosa Kid he croaks + some old guy in Oakdale las' night. Mebby he ain't a bad 'un though!” + </p> + <p> + “Where are they now?” asked Burton. + </p> + <p> + “We got away from 'em at the Squibbs' place this mornin',” said Charlie. + </p> + <p> + “Well,” said Burton, “you boes come along with me. If you ain't done + nothing the worst you'll get'll be three squares and a place to sleep for + a few days. I want you where I can lay my hands on you when I need a + couple of witnesses,” and he herded them over the fence and into the + machine. As he himself was about to step in he felt suddenly of his breast + pocket. + </p> + <p> + “What's the matter?” asked one of his companions. + </p> + <p> + “I've lost my note book,” replied Burton; “it must have dropped out of my + pocket when I jumped the fence. Just wait a minute while I go look for + it,” and he returned to the fence, vaulted it and disappeared behind the + bushes. + </p> + <p> + It was fully five minutes before he returned but when he did there was a + look of satisfaction on his face. + </p> + <p> + “Find it?” asked his principal lieutenant. + </p> + <p> + “Yep,” replied Burton. “I wouldn't have lost it for anything.” + </p> + <p> + Bridge and his companions had made their way along the wooded path for + perhaps a quarter of a mile when the man halted and drew back behind the + foliage of a flowering bush. With raised finger he motioned the others to + silence and then pointed through the branches ahead. The boy and the girl, + tense with excitement, peered past the man into a clearing in which stood + a log shack, mud plastered; but it was not the hovel which held their mute + attention—it was rather the figure of a girl, bare headed and bare + footed, who toiled stubbornly with an old spade at a long, narrow + excavation. + </p> + <p> + All too suggestive in itself was the shape of the hole the girl was + digging; there was no need of the silent proof of its purpose which lay + beside her to tell the watchers that she worked alone in the midst of the + forest solitude upon a human grave. The thing wrapped in an old quilt lay + silently waiting for the making of its last bed. + </p> + <p> + And as the three watched her other eyes watched them and the digging girl—wide, + awestruck eyes, filled with a great terror, yet now and again half closing + in the shrewd expression of cunning that is a hall mark of crafty + ignorance. + </p> + <p> + And as they watched, their over-wrought nerves suddenly shuddered to the + grewsome clanking of a chain from the dark interior of the hovel. + </p> + <p> + The youth, holding tight to Bridge's sleeve, strove to pull him away. + </p> + <p> + “Let's go back,” he whispered in a voice that trembled so that he could + scarce control it. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, please,” urged the girl. “Here is another path leading toward the + north. We must be close to a road. Let's get away from here.” + </p> + <p> + The digger paused and raised her head, listening, as though she had caught + the faint, whispered note of human voices. She was a black haired girl of + nineteen or twenty, dressed in a motley of flowered calico and silk, with + strings of gold and silver coins looped around her olive neck. Her bare + arms were encircled by bracelets—some cheap and gaudy, others well + wrought from gold and silver. From her ears depended ornaments fashioned + from gold coins. Her whole appearance was barbaric, her occupation cast a + sinister haze about her; and yet her eyes seemed fashioned for laughter + and her lips for kissing. + </p> + <p> + The watchers remained motionless as the girl peered first in one direction + and then in another, seeking an explanation of the sounds which had + disturbed her. Her brows were contracted into a scowl of apprehension + which remained even after she returned to her labors, and that she was ill + at ease was further evidenced by the frequent pauses she made to cast + quick glances toward the dense tanglewood surrounding the clearing. + </p> + <p> + At last the grave was dug. The girl climbed out and stood looking down + upon the quilt wrapped thing at her feet. For a moment she stood there as + silent and motionless as the dead. Only the twittering of birds disturbed + the quiet of the wood. Bridge felt a soft hand slipped into his and + slender fingers grip his own. He turned his eyes to see the boy at his + side gazing with wide eyes and trembling lips at the tableau within the + clearing. Involuntarily the man's hand closed tightly upon the youth's. + </p> + <p> + And as they stood thus the silence was shattered by a loud and human + sneeze from the thicket not fifty feet from where they stood. Instantly + the girl in the clearing was electrified into action. Like a tigress + charging those who stalked her she leaped swiftly across the clearing + toward the point from which the disturbance had come. There was an + answering commotion in the underbrush as the girl crashed through, a + slender knife gleaming in her hand. + </p> + <p> + Bridge and his companions heard the sounds of a swift and short pursuit + followed by voices, one masterful, the other frightened and whimpering; + and a moment afterward the girl reappeared dragging a boy with her—a + wide-eyed, terrified, country boy who begged and blubbered to no avail. + </p> + <p> + Beside the dead man the girl halted and then turned on her captive. In her + right hand she still held the menacing blade. + </p> + <p> + “What you do there watching me for?” she demanded. “Tell me the truth, or + I kill you,” and she half raised the knife that he might profit in his + decision by this most potent of arguments. + </p> + <p> + The boy cowered. “I didn't come fer to watch you,” he whimpered. “I'm + lookin' for somebody else. I'm goin' to be a dee-tectiff, an' I'm + shadderin' a murderer;” and he gasped and stammered: “But not you. I'm + lookin' for another murderer.” + </p> + <p> + For the first time the watchers saw a faint smile touch the girl's lips. + </p> + <p> + “What other murderer?” she asked. “Who has been murdered?” + </p> + <p> + “Two an' mebby three in Oakdale last night,” said Willie Case more glibly + now that a chance for disseminating gossip momentarily outweighed his own + fears. “Reginald Paynter was murdered an' ol' man Baggs an' Abigail Prim's + missin'. Like es not she's been murdered too, though they do say as she + had a hand in it, bein' seen with Paynter an' The Oskaloosie Kid jest + afore the murder.” + </p> + <p> + As the boy's tale reached the ears of the three hidden in the underbrush + Bridge glanced quickly at his companions. He saw the boy's horror-stricken + expression follow the announcement of the name of the murdered Paynter, + and he saw the girl flush crimson. + </p> + <p> + Without urging, Willie Case proceeded with his story. He told of the + coming of The Oskaloosa Kid to his father's farm that morning and of + seeing some of the loot and hearing the confession of robbery and killing + in Oakdale the night before. Bridge looked down at the youth beside him; + but the other's face was averted and his eyes upon the ground. Then Willie + told of the arrival of the great detective, of the reward that had been + offered and of his decision to win it and become rich and famous in a + single stroke. As he reached the end of his narrative he leaned close to + the girl, whispering in her ear the while his furtive gaze wandered toward + the spot where the three lay concealed. + </p> + <p> + Bridge shrugged his shoulders as the palpable inference of that cunning + glance was borne in upon him. The boy's voice had risen despite his + efforts to hold it to a low whisper for what with the excitement of the + adventure and his terror of the girl with the knife he had little or no + control of himself, yet it was evident that he did not realize that + practically every word he had spoken had reached the ears of the three in + hiding and that his final precaution as he divulged the information to the + girl was prompted by an excess of timidity and secretiveness. + </p> + <p> + The eyes of the girl widened in surprise and fear as she learned that + three watchers lay concealed at the verge of the clearing. She bent a + long, searching look in the direction indicated by the boy and then turned + her eyes quickly toward the hut as though to summon aid. At the same + moment Bridge stepped from hiding into the clearing. His pleasant 'Good + morning!' brought the girl around, facing him. + </p> + <p> + “What you want?” she snapped. + </p> + <p> + “I want you and this young man,” said Bridge, his voice now suddenly + stern. “We have been watching you and followed you from the Squibbs house. + We found the dead man there last night;” Bridge nodded toward the quilt + enveloped thing upon the ground; “and we suspect that you had an + accomplice.” Here he frowned meaningly upon Willie Case. The youth + trembled and stammered. + </p> + <p> + “I never seen her afore,” he cried. “I don' know nothin' about it. Honest + I don't.” But the girl did not quail. + </p> + <p> + “You get out,” she commanded. “You a bad man. Kill, steal. He know; he + tell me. You get out or I call Beppo. He keel you. He eat you.” + </p> + <p> + “Come, come, now, my dear,” urged Bridge, “be calm. Let us get at the root + of this thing. Your young friend accuses me of being a murderer, does he? + And he tells about murders in Oakdale that I have not even heard of. It + seems to me that he must have some guilty knowledge himself of these + affairs. Look at him and look at me. Notice his ears, his chin, his + forehead, or rather the places where his chin and forehead should be, and + then look once more at me. Which of us might be a murderer and which a + detective? I ask you. + </p> + <p> + “And as for yourself. I find you here in the depths of the wood digging a + lonely grave for a human corpse. I ask myself: was this man murdered? but + I do not say that he was murdered. I wait for an explanation from you, for + you do not look a murderer, though I cannot say as much for your desperate + companion.” + </p> + <p> + The girl looked straight into Bridge's eyes for a full minute before she + replied as though endeavoring to read his inmost soul. + </p> + <p> + “I do not know this boy,” she said. “That is the truth. He was spying on + me, and when I found him he told me that you and your companions were + thieves and murderers and that you were hiding there watching me. You tell + me the truth, all the truth, and I will tell you the truth. I have nothing + to fear. If you do not tell me the truth I shall know it. Will you?” + </p> + <p> + “I will,” replied Bridge, and then turning toward the brush he called: + “Come here!” and presently a boy and a girl, dishevelled and fearful, + crawled forth into sight. Willie Case's eyes went wide as they fell upon + the Oskaloosa Kid. + </p> + <p> + Quickly and simply Bridge told the girl the story of the past night, for + he saw that by enlisting her sympathy he might find an avenue of escape + for his companions, or at least a haven of refuge where they might hide + until escape was possible. “And then,” he said in conclusion, “when the + searchers arrived we followed the foot prints of yourself and the bear + until we came upon you digging this grave.” + </p> + <p> + Bridge's companions and Willie Case looked their surprise at his mention + of a bear; but the gypsy girl only nodded her head as she had occasionally + during his narrative. + </p> + <p> + “I believe you,” said the girl. “It is not easy to deceive Giova. Now I + tell you. This here,” she pointed toward the dead man, “he my father. He + bad man. Steal; kill; drink; fight; but always good to Giova. Good to no + one else but Beppo. He afraid Beppo. Even our people drive us out he, my + father, so bad man. We wander 'round country mak leetle money when Beppo + dance; mak lot money when HE steal. Two days he no come home. I go las' + night look for him. Sometimes he too drunk come home he sleep Squeebs. I + go there. I find heem dead. He have fits, six, seven year. He die fit. + Beppo stay guard heem. I carry heem home. Giova strong, he no very large + man. Beppo come too. I bury heem. No one know we leeve here. Pretty soon I + go way with Beppo. Why tell people he dead. Who care? Mak lot trouble for + Giova whose heart already ache plenty. No one love heem, only Beppo and + Giova. No one love Giova, only Beppo; but some day Beppo he keel Giova now + HE is dead, for Beppo vera large, strong bear—fierce bear—ogly + bear. Even Giova who love Beppo is afraid Beppo. Beppo devil bear! Beppo + got evil eye. + </p> + <p> + “Well,” said Bridge, “I guess, Giova, that you and we are in the same + boat. We haven't any of us done anything so very bad but it would be + embarrassing to have to explain to the police what we have done,” here he + glanced at The Oskaloosa Kid and the girl standing beside the youth. + “Suppose we form a defensive alliance, eh? We'll help you and you help us. + What do you say?” + </p> + <p> + “All right,” acquiesced Giova; “but what we do with this?” and she jerked + her thumb toward Willie Case. + </p> + <p> + “If he don't behave we'll feed him to Beppo,” suggested Bridge. + </p> + <p> + Willie shook in his boots, figuratively speaking, for in reality he shook + upon his bare feet. “Lemme go,” he wailed, “an' I won't tell nobody + nothin'.” + </p> + <p> + “No,” said Bridge, “you don't go until we're safely out of here. I + wouldn't trust that vanishing chin of yours as far as I could throw Beppo + by the tail.” + </p> + <p> + “Wait!” exclaimed The Oskaloosa Kid. “I have it!” + </p> + <p> + “What have you?” asked Bridge. + </p> + <p> + “Listen!” cried the boy excitedly. “This boy has been offered a hundred + dollars for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the men + who robbed and murdered in Oakdale last night. I'll give him a hundred + dollars if he'll go away and say nothing about us.” + </p> + <p> + “Look here, son,” said Bridge, “every time you open your mouth you put + your foot in it. The less you advertise the fact that you have a hundred + dollars the better off you'll be. I don't know how you come by so much + wealth; but in view of several things which occurred last night I should + not be crazy, were I you, to have to make a true income tax return. + Somehow I have faith in you; but I doubt if any minion of the law would be + similarly impressed.” + </p> + <p> + The Oskaloosa Kid appeared hurt and crestfallen. Giova shot a suspicious + glance at him. The other girl involuntarily drew away. Bridge noted the + act and shook his head. “No,” he said, “we mustn't judge one another + hastily, Miss Prim, and I take it you are Miss Prim?” The girl made a half + gesture of denial, started to speak, hesitated and then resumed. “I would + rather not say who I am, please,” she said. + </p> + <p> + “Well,” said the man, “let's take one another at face value for a while, + without digging too deep into the past; and now for our plans. This wood + will be searched; but I don't see how we are to get out of it before dark + as the roads are doubtless pretty well patrolled, or at least every farmer + is on the lookout for suspicious strangers. So we might as well make the + best of it here for the rest of the day. I think we're reasonably safe for + the time being—if we keep Willie with us.” + </p> + <p> + Willie had been an interested auditor of all that passed between his + captors. He was obviously terrified; but his terror did not prevent him + from absorbing all that he heard, nor from planning how he might utilize + the information. He saw not only one reward but several and a glorious + publicity which far transcended the most sanguine of his former dreams. He + saw his picture not only in the Oakdale Tribune but in the newspapers of + every city of the country. Assuming a stern and arrogant expression, or + rather what he thought to be such, he posed, mentally, for the newspaper + cameramen; and such is the power of association of ideas that he was + presently strolling nonchalantly before a battery of motion picture + machines. “Gee!” he murmured, “won't the other fellers be sore! I s'ppose + Pinkerton'll send for me 'bout the first thing 'n' offer me twenty fi' + dollars a week, er mebbie more 'n thet. Gol durn, ef I don't hold out fer + thirty! Gee!” Words, thoughts even, failed him. + </p> + <p> + As the others planned they rather neglected Willie and when they came to + assisting Giova in lowering her father into the grave and covering him + over with earth they quite forgot Willie entirely. It was The Oskaloosa + Kid who first thought of him. “Where's the boy?” he cried suddenly. The + others looked quickly about the clearing, but no Willie was to be seen. + </p> + <p> + Bridge shook his head ruefully. “We'll have to get out of this in a hurry + now,” he said. “That little defective will have the whole neighborhood on + us in an hour.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, what can we do?” cried the girl. “They mustn't find us! I should + rather die than be found here with—” She stopped abruptly, flushed + scarlet as the other three looked at her in silence, and then: “I am + sorry,” she said. “I didn't know what I was saying. I am so frightened. + You have all been good to me.” + </p> + <p> + “I tell you what we do.” It was Giova speaking in the masterful voice of + one who has perfect confidence in his own powers. “I know fine way out. + This wood circle back south through swamp mile, mile an' a half. The road + past Squeebs an' Case's go right through it. I know path there I fin' + myself. We on'y have to cross road, that only danger. Then we reach leetle + stream south of woods, stream wind down through Payson. We all go Gypsies. + I got lot clothing in house. We all go Gypsies, an' when we reach Payson + we no try hide—jus' come out on street with Beppo. Mak' Beppo dance. + No one think we try hide. Then come night we go 'way. Find more wood an' + leetle lake other side Payson. I know place. We hide there long time. No + one ever fin' us there. We tell two, three, four people in Payson we go + Oakdale. They look Oakdale for us if they wan' fin' us. They no think look + where we go. See?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I can't go to Payson,” exclaimed the other girl. “Someone would be + sure to recognize me.” + </p> + <p> + “You come in house with me,” Giova assured her, “I feex you so your own + mother no know you. You mens come too. I geeve you what to wear like Gypsy + mens. We got lots things. My father, him he steal many things from our + people after they drive us out. He go back by nights an' steal.” + </p> + <p> + The three followed her toward the little hovel since there seemed no + better plan than that which she had offered. Giova and the other girl were + in the lead, followed by Bridge and the boy. The latter turned to the man + and placed a hand upon his arm. “Why don't you leave us,” he asked. “You + have done nothing. No one is looking for you. Why don't you go your way + and save yourself from suspicion.” + </p> + <p> + Bridge did not reply. + </p> + <p> + “I believe,” the youth went on, “that you are doing it for me; but why I + can't guess.” + </p> + <p> + “Maybe I am,” Bridge half acknowledged. “You're a good little kid, but you + need someone to look after you. It would be easier though if you'd tell me + the truth about yourself, which you certainly haven't up to now.” + </p> + <p> + “Please don't ask me,” begged the boy. “I can't; honestly I can't.” + </p> + <p> + “Is it as bad as that?” asked the man. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, it's worse,” cried The Oskaloosa Kid. “It's a thousand times worse. + Don't make me tell you, for if I do tell I shall have to leave you, and—and, + oh, Bridge, I don't want to leave you—ever!” + </p> + <p> + They had reached the door of the cabin now and were looking in past the + girl who had halted there as Giova entered. Before them was a small room + in which a large, vicious looking brown bear was chained. + </p> + <p> + “Behold our ghost of last night!” exclaimed Bridge. “By George! though, + I'd as soon have hunted a real ghost in the dark as to have run into this + fellow.” + </p> + <p> + “Did you know last night that it was a bear?” asked the Kid. “You told + Giova that you followed the footprints of herself and her bear; but you + had not said anything about a bear to us.” + </p> + <p> + “I had an idea last night,” explained Bridge, “that the sounds were + produced by some animal dragging a chain; but I couldn't prove it and so I + said nothing, and then this morning while we were following the trail I + made up my mind that it was a bear. There were two facts which argued that + such was the case. The first is that I don't believe in ghosts and that + even if I did I would not expect a ghost to leave footprints in the mud, + and the other is that I knew that the footprints of a bear are strangely + similar to those of the naked feet of man. Then when I saw the Gypsy girl + I was sure that what we had heard last night was nothing more nor less + than a trained bear. The dress and appearance of the dead man lent + themselves to a furtherance of my belief and the wisp of brown hair + clutched in his fingers added still further proof.” + </p> + <p> + Within the room the bear was now straining at his collar and growling + ferociously at the strangers. Giova crossed the room, scolding him and at + the same time attempting to assure him that the newcomers were friends; + but the wicked expression upon the beast's face gave no indication that he + would ever accept them as aught but enemies. + </p> + <p> + It was a breathless Willie who broke into his mother's kitchen wide eyed + and gasping from the effects of excitement and a long, hard run. + </p> + <p> + “Fer lan' sakes!” exclaimed Mrs. Case. “Whatever in the world ails you?” + </p> + <p> + “I got 'em; I got 'em!” cried Willie, dashing for the telephone. + </p> + <p> + “Fer lan' sakes! I should think you did hev 'em,” retorted his mother as + she trailed after him in the direction of the front hall. “'N' whatever + you got, you got 'em bad. Now you stop right where you air 'n' tell me + whatever you got. 'Taint likely it's measles, fer you've hed them three + times, 'n' whoopin' cough ain't 'them,' it's 'it,' 'n'—.” Mrs. Case + paused and gasped—horrified. “Fer lan' sakes, Willie Case, you come + right out o' this house this minute ef you got anything in your head.” She + made a grab for Willie's arm; but the boy dodged and reached the + telephone. + </p> + <p> + “Shucks!” he cried. “I ain't got nothin' in my head,” nor did either sense + the unconscious humor of the statement. “What I got is a gang o' thieves + an' murderers, an' I'm callin' up thet big city deetectiff to come arter + 'em.” + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Case sank into a chair, prostrated by the weight of her emotions, + while Willie took down the receiver after ringing the bell to attract + central. Finally he obtained his connection, which was with Jonas Prim's + bank where detective Burton was making his headquarters. Here he learned + that Burton had not returned; but finally gave his message reluctantly to + Jonas Prim after exacting a promise from that gentleman that he would be + personally responsible for the payment of the reward. What Willie Case + told Jonas Prim had the latter in a machine, with half a dozen deputy + sheriffs and speeding southward from Oakdale inside of ten minutes. + </p> + <p> + A short distance out from town they met detective Burton with his two + prisoners. After a hurried consultation Dopey Charlie and The General were + unloaded and started on the remainder of their journey afoot under guard + of two of the deputies, while Burton's companions turned and followed the + other car, Burton taking a seat beside Prim. + </p> + <p> + “He said that he could take us right to where Abigail is,” Mr. Prim was + explaining to Burton, “and that this Oskaloosa Kid is with her, and + another man and a foreign looking girl. He told a wild story about seeing + them burying a dead man in the woods back of Squibbs' place. I don't know + how much to believe, or whether to believe any of it; but we can't afford + not to run down every clew. I can't believe that my daughter is wilfully + consorting with such men. She always has been full of life and spirit; but + she's got a clean mind, and her little escapades have always been entirely + harmless—at worst some sort of boyish prank. I simply won't believe + it until I see it with my own eyes. If she's with them she's being held by + force.” + </p> + <p> + Burton made no reply. He was not a man to jump to conclusions. His success + was largely due to the fact that he assumed nothing; but merely ran down + each clew quickly yet painstakingly until he had a foundation of fact upon + which to operate. His theory was that the simplest way is always the best + way and so he never befogged the main issue with any elaborate system of + deductive reasoning based on guesswork. Burton never guessed. He assumed + that it was his business to KNOW, nor was he on any case long before he + did know. He was employed now to find Abigail Prim. Each of the several + crimes committed the previous night might or might not prove a clew to her + whereabouts; but each must be run down in the process of elimination + before Burton could feel safe in abandoning it. + </p> + <p> + Already he had solved one of them to his satisfaction; and Dopey Charlie + and The General were, all unknown to themselves, on the way to the gallows + for the murder of Old John Baggs. When Burton had found them simulating + sleep behind the bushes beside the road his observant eyes had noticed + something that resembled a hurried cache. The excuse of a lost note book + had taken him back to investigate and to find the loot of the Baggs's + crime wrapped in a bloody rag and hastily buried in a shallow hole. + </p> + <p> + When Burton and Jonas Prim arrived at the Case farm they were met by a new + Willie. A puffed and important young man swaggered before them as he + retold his tale and led them through the woods toward the spot where they + were to bag their prey. The last hundred yards was made on hands and + knees; but when the party arrived at the clearing there was no one in + sight, only the hovel stood mute and hollow-eyed before them. + </p> + <p> + “They must be inside,” whispered Willie to the detective. + </p> + <p> + Burton passed a whispered word to his followers. Stealthily they crept + through the underbrush until the cabin was surrounded; then, at a signal + from their leader they rose and advanced upon the structure. + </p> + <p> + No evidence of life indicated their presence had been noted, and Burton + came to the very door of the cabin unchallenged. The others saw him pause + an instant upon the threshold and then pass in. They closed behind him. + Three minutes later he emerged, shaking his head. + </p> + <p> + “There is no one here,” he announced. + </p> + <p> + Willie Case was crestfallen. “But they must be,” he pleaded. “They must + be. I saw 'em here just a leetle while back.” + </p> + <p> + Burton turned and eyed the boy sternly. Willie quailed. “I seen 'em,” he + cried. “Hones' I seen 'em. They was here just a few minutes ago. Here's + where they burrit the dead man,” and he pointed to the little mound of + earth near the center of the clearing. + </p> + <p> + “We'll see,” commented Burton, tersely, and he sent two of his men back to + the Case farm for spades. When they returned a few minutes' labor revealed + that so much of Willie's story was true, for a quilt wrapped corpse was + presently unearthed and lying upon the ground beside its violated grave. + Willie's stock rose once more to par. + </p> + <p> + In an improvised litter they carried the dead man back to Case's farm + where they left him after notifying the coroner by telephone. Half of + Burton's men were sent to the north side of the woods and half to the road + upon the south of the Squibbs' farm. There they separated and formed a + thin line of outposts about the entire area north of the road. If the + quarry was within it could not escape without being seen. In the mean time + Burton telephoned to Oakdale for reinforcements, as it would require fifty + men at least to properly beat the tangled underbrush of the wood. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + In a clump of willows beside the little stream which winds through the + town of Payson a party of four halted on the outskirts of the town. There + were two men, two young women and a huge brown bear. The men and women + were, obviously, Gypsies. Their clothing, their head-dress, their barbaric + ornamentation proclaimed the fact to whoever might pass; but no one + passed. + </p> + <p> + “I think,” said Bridge, “that we will just stay where we are until after + dark. We haven't passed or seen a human being since we left the cabin. No + one can know that we are here and if we stay here until late to-night we + should be able to pass around Payson unseen and reach the wood to the + south of town. If we do meet anyone to-night we'll stop them and inquire + the way to Oakdale—that'll throw them off the track.” + </p> + <p> + The others acquiesced in his suggestion; but there were queries about food + to be answered. It seemed that all were hungry and that the bear was + ravenous. + </p> + <p> + “What does he eat?” Bridge asked of Giova. + </p> + <p> + “Mos' anything,” replied the girl. “He like garbage fine. Often I take him + into towns late, ver' late at night an' he eat swill. I do that to-night. + Beppo, he got to be fed or he eat Giova. I go feed Beppo, you go get food + for us; then we all meet at edge of wood just other side town near old + mill.” + </p> + <p> + During the remainder of the afternoon and well after dark the party + remained hidden in the willows. Then Giova started out with Beppo in + search of garbage cans, Bridge bent his steps toward a small store upon + the outskirts of town where food could be purchased, The Oskaloosa Kid + having donated a ten dollar bill for the stocking of the commissariat, and + the youth and the girl made their way around the south end of the town + toward the meeting place beside the old mill. + </p> + <p> + As Bridge moved through the quiet road at the outskirts of the little town + he let his mind revert to the events of the past twenty four hours and as + he pondered each happening since he met the youth in the dark of the storm + the preceding night he asked himself why he had cast his lot with these + strangers. In his years of vagabondage Bridge had never crossed that + invisible line which separates honest men from thieves and murderers and + which, once crossed, may never be recrossed. Chance and necessity had + thrown him often among such men and women; but never had he been of them. + The police of more than one city knew Bridge—they knew him, though, + as a character and not as a criminal. A dozen times he had been arraigned + upon suspicion; but as many times had he been released with a clean bill + of morals until of late Bridge had become almost immune from arrest. The + police who knew him knew that he was straight and they knew, too, that he + would give no information against another man. For this they admired him + as did the majority of the criminals with whom he had come in contact + during his rovings. + </p> + <p> + The present crisis, however, appeared most unpromising to Bridge. Grave + crimes had been committed in Oakdale, and here was Bridge conniving in the + escape of at least two people who might readily be under police suspicion. + It was difficult for the man to bring himself to believe that either the + youth or the girl was in any way actually responsible for either of the + murders; yet it appeared that the latter had been present when a murder + was committed and now by attempting to elude the police had become an + accessory after the fact, since she possessed knowledge of the identity of + the actual murderer; while the boy, by his own admission, had committed a + burglary. + </p> + <p> + Bridge shook his head wearily. Was he not himself an accessory after the + fact in the matter of two crimes at least? These new friends, it seemed, + were about to topple him into the abyss which he had studiously avoided + for so long a time. But why should he permit it? What were they to him? + </p> + <p> + A freight train was puffing into the siding at the Payson station. Bridge + could hear the complaining brakes a mile away. It would be easy to leave + the town and his dangerous companions far behind him; but even as the + thought forced its way into his mind another obtruded itself to shoulder + aside the first. It was recollection of the boy's words: “Oh, Bridge, I + don't want to leave you—ever.” + </p> + <p> + “I couldn't do it,” mused Bridge. “I don't know just why; but I couldn't. + That kid has certainly got me. The first thing someone knows I'll be + starting a foundlings' home. There is no question but that I am the soft + mark, and I wonder why it is—why a kid I never saw before last night + has a strangle hold on my heart that I can't shake loose—and don't + want to. Now if it was a girl I could understand it.” Bridge stopped + suddenly in the middle of the road. From his attitude he might have been + startled either by a surprising noise or by a surprising thought. For a + minute he stood motionless; then he shook his head again and proceeded + along his way toward the little store; evidently if he had heard anything + he was assured that it constituted no menace. + </p> + <p> + As he entered the store to make his purchases a foxeyed man saw him and + stepped quickly behind the huge stove which had not as yet been taken down + for the summer. Bridge made his purchases, the volume of which required a + large gunny-sack for transportation, and while he was thus occupied the + fox-eyed man clung to his coign of vantage, himself unnoticed by the + purchaser. When Bridge departed the other followed him, keeping in the + shadow of the trees which bordered the street. Around the edge of town and + down a road which led southward the two went until Bridge passed through a + broken fence and halted beside an abandoned mill. The watcher saw his + quarry set down his burden, seat himself beside it and proceed to roll a + cigaret; then he faded away in the darkness and Bridge was alone. + </p> + <p> + Five or ten minutes later two slender figures appeared dimly out of the + north. They approached timidly, stopping often and looking first this way + and then that and always listening. When they arrived opposite the mill + Bridge saw them and gave a low whistle. Immediately the two passed through + the fence and approached him. + </p> + <p> + “My!” exclaimed one. “I thought we never would get here; but we didn't see + a soul on the road. Where is Giova?” + </p> + <p> + “She hasn't come yet,” replied Bridge, “and she may not. I don't see how a + girl can browse around a town like this with a big bear at night and not + be seen, and if she is seen she'll be followed—it would be too much + of a treat for the rubes ever to be passed up—and if she's followed + she won't come here. At least I hope she won't.” + </p> + <p> + “What's that?” exclaimed The Oskaloosa Kid. Each stood in silence, + listening. + </p> + <p> + The girl shuddered. “Even now that I know what it is it makes me creep,” + she whispered, as the faint clanking of a distant chain came to their + ears. + </p> + <p> + “We ought to be used to it by this time, Miss Prim,” said Bridge. “We + heard it all last night and a good part of to-day.” + </p> + <p> + The girl made no comment upon the use of the name which he had applied to + her, and in the darkness he could not see her features, nor did he see the + odd expression upon the boy's face as he heard the name addressed to her. + Was he thinking of the nocturnal raid he so recently had made upon the + boudoir of Miss Abigail Prim? Was he pondering the fact that his pockets + bulged to the stolen belongings of that young lady? But whatever was + passing in his mind he permitted none of it to pass his lips. + </p> + <p> + As the three stood waiting in silence Giova came presently among them, the + beast Beppo lumbering awkwardly at her side. + </p> + <p> + “Did he find anything to eat?” asked the man. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, yes,” exclaimed Giova. “He fill up now. That mak him better nature. + Beppo not so ugly now.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I'm glad of that,” said Bridge. “I haven't been looking forward + much to his company through the woods to-night—especially while he + was hungry!” + </p> + <p> + Giova laughed a low, musical little laugh. “I don' think he no hurt you + anyway,” she said. “Now he know you my frien'.” + </p> + <p> + “I hope you are quite correct in your surmise,” replied Bridge. “But even + so I'm not taking any chances.” + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + Willie Case had been taken to Payson to testify before the coroner's jury + investigating the death of Giova's father, and with the dollar which The + Oskaloosa Kid had given him in the morning burning in his pocket had + proceeded to indulge in an orgy of dissipation the moment that he had been + freed from the inquest. Ice cream, red pop, peanuts, candy, and soda water + may have diminished his appetite but not his pride and self-satisfaction + as he sat alone and by night for the first time in a public eating place. + Willie was now a man of the world, a bon vivant, as he ordered ham and + eggs from the pretty waitress of The Elite Restaurant on Broadway; but at + heart he was not happy for never before had he realized what a great + proportion of his anatomy was made up of hands and feet. As he glanced + fearfully at the former, silhouetted against the white of the table cloth, + he flushed scarlet, assured as he was that the waitress who had just + turned away toward the kitchen with his order was convulsed with laughter + and that every other eye in the establishment was glued upon him. To + assume an air of nonchalance and thereby impress and disarm his critics + Willie reached for a toothpick in the little glass holder near the center + of the table and upset the sugar bowl. Immediately Willie snatched back + the offending hand and glared ferociously at the ceiling. He could feel + the roots of his hair being consumed in the heat of his skin. A quick side + glance that required all his will power to consummate showed him that no + one appeared to have noticed his faux pas and Willie was again slowly + returning to normal when the proprietor of the restaurant came up from + behind and asked him to remove his hat. + </p> + <p> + Never had Willie Case spent so frightful a half hour as that within the + brilliant interior of The Elite Restaurant. Twenty-three minutes of this + eternity was consumed in waiting for his order to be served and seven + minutes in disposing of the meal and paying his check. Willie's method of + eating was in itself a sermon on efficiency—there was no lost motion—no + waste of time. He placed his mouth within two inches of his plate after + cutting his ham and eggs into pieces of a size that would permit each + mouthful to enter without wedging; then he mixed his mashed potatoes in + with the result and working his knife and fork alternately with + bewildering rapidity shot a continuous stream of food into his gaping maw. + </p> + <p> + In addition to the meat and potatoes there was one vegetable in a + side-dish and as dessert four prunes. The meat course gone Willie placed + the vegetable dish on the empty plate, seized a spoon in lieu of knife and + fork and—presto! the side-dish was empty. Whereupon the prune dish + was set in the empty side-dish—four deft motions and there were no + prunes—in the dish. The entire feat had been accomplished in 6:34 + 1/2, setting a new world's record for red-headed farmer boys with one + splay foot. + </p> + <p> + In the remaining twenty five and one half seconds Willie walked what + seemed to him a mile from his seat to the cashier's desk and at the last + instant bumped into a waitress with a trayful of dishes. Clutched tightly + in Willie's hand was thirty five cents and his check with a like amount + written upon it. Amid the crash of crockery which followed the collision + Willie slammed check and money upon the cashier's desk and fled. Nor did + he pause until in the reassuring seclusion of a dark side street. There + Willie sank upon the curb alternately cold with fear and hot with shame, + weak and panting, and into his heart entered the iron of class hatred, + searing it to the core. + </p> + <p> + Fortunately for youth it recuperates rapidly from mortal blows, and so it + was that another half hour found Willie wandering up and down Broadway but + at the far end of the street from The Elite Restaurant. A motion picture + theater arrested his attention; and presently, parting with one of his two + remaining dimes, he entered. The feature of the bill was a detective + melodrama. Nothing in the world could have better suited Willie's psychic + needs. It recalled his earlier feats of the day, in which he took + pardonable pride, and raised him once again to a self-confidence he had + not felt since he entered the ever to be hated Elite Restaurant. + </p> + <p> + The show over Willie set forth afoot for home. A long walk lay ahead of + him. This in itself was bad enough; but what lay at the end of the long + walk was infinitely worse, as Willie's father had warned him to return + immediately after the inquest, in time for milking, preferably. Before he + had gone two blocks from the theater Willie had concocted at least three + tales to account for his tardiness, either one of which would have done + credit to the imaginative powers of a Rider Haggard or a Jules Verne; but + at the end of the third block he caught a glimpse of something which drove + all thoughts of home from his mind and came but barely short of driving + his mind out too. He was approaching the entrance to an alley. Old trees + grew in the parkway at his side. At the street corner a half block away a + high flung arc swung gently from its supporting cables, casting a fair + light upon the alley's mouth, and just emerging from behind the nearer + fence Willie Case saw the huge bulk of a bear. Terrified, Willie jumped + behind a tree; and then, fearful lest the animal might have caught sight + or scent of him he poked his head cautiously around the side of the bole + just in time to see the figure of a girl come out of the alley behind the + bear. Willie recognized her at the first glance—she was the very + girl he had seen burying the dead man in the Squibbs woods. Instantly + Willie Case was transformed again into the shrewd and death defying + sleuth. At a safe distance he followed the girl and the bear through one + alley after another until they came out upon the road which leads south + from Payson. He was across the road when she joined Bridge and his + companions. When they turned toward the old mill he followed them, + listening close to the rotting clapboards for any chance remark which + might indicate their future plans. He heard them debating the wisdom of + remaining where they were for the night or moving on to another location + which they had evidently decided upon but no clew to which they dropped. + </p> + <p> + “The objection to remaining here,” said Bridge, “is that we can't make a + fire to cook by—it would be too plainly visible from the road.” + </p> + <p> + “But I can no fin' road by dark,” explained Giova. “It bad road by day, + ver' much worse by night. Beppo no come 'cross swamp by night. No, we got + stay here til morning.” + </p> + <p> + “All right,” replied Bridge, “we can eat some of this canned stuff and + have our ham and coffee after we reach camp tomorrow morning, eh?” + </p> + <p> + “And now that we've gotten through Payson safely,” suggested The Oskaloosa + Kid, “let's change back into our own clothes. This disguise makes me feel + too conspicuous.” + </p> + <p> + Willie Case had heard enough. His quarry would remain where it was over + night, and a moment later Willie was racing toward Payson and a telephone + as fast as his legs would carry him. + </p> + <p> + In an old brick structure a hundred yards below the mill where the + lighting machinery of Payson had been installed before the days of the + great central power plant a hundred miles away four men were smoking as + they lay stretched upon the floor. + </p> + <p> + “I tell you I seen him,” asserted one of the party. “I follered this + Bridge guy from town to the mill. He was got up like a Gyp; but I knew him + all right, all right. This scenery of his made me tink there was something + phoney doin', or I wouldn't have trailed him, an' its a good ting I done + it, fer he hadn't ben there five minutes before along comes The Kid an' a + skirt and pretty soon a nudder chicken wid a calf on a string, er mebbie + it was a sheep—it was pretty husky lookin' fer a sheep though. An' I + sticks aroun' a minute until I hears this here Bridge guy call the first + skirt 'Miss Prim.'” + </p> + <p> + He ceased speaking to note the effect of his words on his hearers. They + were electrical. The Sky Pilot sat up straight and slapped his thigh. Soup + Face opened his mouth, letting his pipe fall out into his lap, setting + fire to his ragged trousers. Dirty Eddie voiced a characteristic + obscenity. + </p> + <p> + “So you sees,” went on Columbus Blackie, “we got a chanct to get both the + dame and The Kid. Two of us can take her to Oakdale an' claim the reward + her old man's offerin' an' de odder two can frisk de Kid, an'—an'—.” + </p> + <p> + “An' wot?” queried The Sky Pilot. + </p> + <p> + “Dere's de swamp handy,” suggested Soup Face. + </p> + <p> + “I was tinkin' of de swamp,” said Columbus Blackie. + </p> + <p> + “Eddie and I will return Miss Prim to her bereaved parents,” interrupted + The Sky Pilot. “You, Blackie, and Soup Face can arrange matters with The + Oskaloosa Kid. I don't care for details. We will all meet in Toledo as + soon as possible and split the swag. We ought to make a cleaning on this + job, boes.” + </p> + <p> + “You spit a mout'ful then,” said Columbus Blackie. + </p> + <p> + They fell to discussing way and means. + </p> + <p> + “We'd better wait until they're asleep,” counseled The Sky Pilot. “Two of + us can tackle this Bridge and hand him the k.o. quick. Eddie and Soup Face + had better attend to that. Blackie can nab The Kid an' I'll annex Miss + Abigail Prim. The lady with the calf we don't want. We'll tell her we're + officers of the law an' that she'd better duck with her live stock an' + keep her trap shut if she don't want to get mixed up with a murder trial.” + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + Detective Burton was at the county jail in Oakdale administering the third + degree to Dopey Charlie and The General when there came a long distance + telephone call for him. + </p> + <p> + “Hello!” said the voice at the other end of the line; “I'm Willie Case, + an' I've found Miss Abigail Prim.” + </p> + <p> + “Again?” queried Burton. + </p> + <p> + “Really,” asserted Willie. “I know where she's goin' to be all night. I + heard 'em say so. The Oskaloosie Kid's with her an' annuder guy an' the + girl I seen with the dead man in Squibbs' woods an' they got a BEAR!” It + was almost a shriek. “You'd better come right away an' bring Mr. Prim. + I'll meet you on the ol' Toledo road right south of Payson, an' say, do I + get the whole reward?” + </p> + <p> + “You'll get whatever's coming to you, son,” replied Burton. “You say there + are two men and two women—are you sure that is all?” + </p> + <p> + “And the bear,” corrected Willie. + </p> + <p> + “All right, keep quiet and wait for me,” cautioned Burton. “You'll know me + by the spot light on my car—I'll have it pointed straight up into + the air. When you see it coming get into the middle of the road and wave + your hands to stop us. Do you understand?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said Willie. + </p> + <p> + “And don't talk to anyone,” Burton again cautioned him. + </p> + <p> + A few minutes later Burton left Oakdale with his two lieutenants and a + couple of the local policemen, the car turning south toward Payson and + moving at ever accelerating speed as it left the town streets behind it + and swung smoothly onto the country road. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + It was after midnight when four men cautiously approached the old mill. + There was no light nor any sign of life within as they crept silently + through the doorless doorway. Columbus Blackie was in the lead. He flashed + a quick light around the interior revealing four forms stretched upon the + floor, deep in slumber. Into the blacker shadows of the far end of the + room the man failed to shine his light for the first flash had shown him + those whom he sought. Picking out their quarry the intruders made a sudden + rush upon the sleepers. + </p> + <p> + Bridge awoke to find two men attempting to rain murderous blows upon his + head. Wiry, strong and full of the vigor of a clean life, he pitted + against their greater numbers and cowardly attack a defense which was + infinitely more strenuous than they had expected. + </p> + <p> + Columbus Blackie leaped for The Oskaloosa Kid, while The Sky Pilot seized + upon Abigail Prim. No one paid any attention to Giova, nor, with the noise + and confusion, did the intruders note the sudden clanking of a chain from + out the black depths of the room's further end, or the splintering of a + half decayed studding. + </p> + <p> + Soup Face entangling himself about Bridge's legs succeeded in throwing the + latter to the floor while Dirty Eddie kicked viciously at the prostrate + man's head. The Sky Pilot seized Abigail Prim about the waist and dragged + her toward the doorway and though the girl fought valiantly to free + herself her lesser muscles were unable to cope successfully with those of + the man. Columbus Blackie found his hands full with The Oskaloosa Kid. + Again and again the youth struck him in the face; but the man persisted, + beating down the slim hands and striking viciously at body and head until, + at last, the boy, half stunned though still struggling, was dragged from + the room. + </p> + <p> + Simultaneously a series of frightful growls reverberated through the + deserted mill. A huge body catapulted into the midst of the fighters. + Abigail Prim screamed. “The bear!” she cried. “The bear is loose!” + </p> + <p> + Dirty Eddie was the first to feel the weight of Beppo's wrath. His foot + drawn back to implant a vicious kick in Bridge's face he paused at the + girl's scream and at the same moment a huge thing reared up before him. + Just for an instant he sensed the terrifying presence of some frightful + creature, caught the reflected gleam of two savage eyes and felt the hot + breath from distended jaws upon his cheek, then Beppo swung a single + terrific blow which caught the man upon the side of the head to spin him + across the floor and drop him in a crumpled heap against the wall, with a + fractured skull. Dirty Eddie was out. Soup Face, giving voice to a scream + more bestial than human, rose to his feet and fled in the opposite + direction. + </p> + <p> + Beppo paused and looked about. He discovered Bridge lying upon the floor + and sniffed at him. The man lay perfectly quiet. He had heard that often + times a bear will not molest a creature which it thinks dead. Be that as + it may Beppo chanced at that moment to glance toward the doorway. There, + silhouetted against the lesser darkness without, he saw the figures of + Columbus Blackie and The Oskaloosa Kid and with a growl he charged them. + The two were but a few paces outside the doorway when the full weight of + the great bear struck Columbus Blackie between the shoulders. Down went + the man and as he fell he released his hold upon the youth who immediately + turned and ran for the road. + </p> + <p> + The momentum of the bear carried him past the body of his intended victim + who, frightened but uninjured, scrambled to his feet and dashed toward the + rear of the mill in the direction of the woods and distant swamp. Beppo, + recovering from his charge, wheeled in time to catch a glimpse of his + quarry after whom he made with all the awkwardness that was his birthright + and with the speed of a race horse. + </p> + <p> + Columbus Blackie, casting a terrified glance rearward, saw his Nemesis + flashing toward him, and dodged around a large tree. Again Beppo shot past + the man while the latter, now shrieking for help, raced madly in a new + direction. + </p> + <p> + Bridge had arisen and come out of the mill. He called aloud for The + Oskaloosa Kid. Giova answered him from a small tree. “Climb!” she cried. + “Climb a tree! Ever'one climb a small tree. Beppo he go mad. He keel + ever'one. Run! Climb! He keel me. Beppo he got evil-eye.” + </p> + <p> + Along the road from the north came a large touring car, swinging from side + to side in its speed. Its brilliant headlights illuminated the road far + ahead. They picked out The Sky Pilot and Abigail Prim, they found The + Oskaloosa Kid climbing a barbed wire fence and then with complaining + brakes the car came to a sudden stop. Six men leaped from the machine and + rounded up the three they had seen. Another came running toward them. It + was Soup Face, so thoroughly terrified that he would gladly have embraced + a policeman in uniform, could the latter have offered him protection. + </p> + <p> + A boy accompanied the newcomers. “There he is!” he screamed, pointing at + The Oskaloosa Kid. “There he is! And you've got Miss Prim, too, and when + do I get the reward?” + </p> + <p> + “Shut up!” said one of the men. + </p> + <p> + “Watch this bunch,” said Burton to one of his lieutenants, “while we go + after the rest of them. There are some over by the mill. I can hear them.” + </p> + <p> + From the woods came a fear-filled scream mingled with the savage growls of + a beast. + </p> + <p> + “It's the bear,” shrilled Willie Case, and ran toward the automobile. + </p> + <p> + Bridge ran forward to meet Burton. “Get that girl and the kid into your + machine and beat it!” he cried. “There's a bear loose here, a regular + devil of a bear. You can't do a thing unless you have rifles. Have you?” + </p> + <p> + “Who are you?” asked the detective. + </p> + <p> + “He's one of the gang,” yelled Willie Case from the fancied security of + the tonneau. “Seize him!” He wanted to add: “My men”; but somehow his + nerve failed him at the last moment; however he had the satisfaction of + thinking it. + </p> + <p> + Bridge was placed in the car with Abigail Prim, The Oskaloosa Kid, Soup + Face and The Sky Pilot. Burton sent the driver back to assist in guarding + them; then he with the remaining three, two of whom were armed with + rifles, advanced toward the mill. Beyond it they heard the growling of the + bear at a little distance in the wood; but the man no longer made any + outcry. From a tree Giova warned them back. + </p> + <p> + “Come down!” commanded Burton, and sent her back to the car. + </p> + <p> + The driver turned his spot light upon the wood beyond the mill and + presently there came slowly forward into its rays the lumbering bulk of a + large bear. The light bewildered him and he paused, growling. His left + shoulder was partially exposed. + </p> + <p> + “Aim for his chest, on the left side,” whispered Burton. The two men + raised their rifles. There were two reports in close succession. Beppo + fell forward without a sound and then rolled over on his side. Giova + covered her face with her hands and sobbed. + </p> + <p> + “He ver' bad, ugly bear,” she said brokenly; “but he all I have to love.” + </p> + <p> + Bridge extended a hand and patted her bowed head. In the eyes of The + Oskaloosa Kid there glistened something perilously similar to tears. + </p> + <p> + In the woods back of the mill Burton and his men found the mangled remains + of Columbus Blackie, and when they searched the interior of the structure + they brought forth the unconscious Dirty Eddie. As the car already was + taxed to the limit of its carrying capacity Burton left two of his men to + march The Kid and Bridge to the Payson jail, taking the others with him to + Oakdale. He was also partially influenced in this decision by the fear + that mob violence would be done the principals by Oakdale's outraged + citizens. At Payson he stopped long enough at the town jail to arrange for + the reception of the two prisoners, to notify the coroner of the death of + Columbus Blackie and the whereabouts of his body and to place Dirty Eddie + in the hospital. He then telephoned Jonas Prim that his daughter was safe + and would be returned to him in less than an hour. + </p> + <p> + By the time Bridge and The Oskaloosa Kid reached Payson the town was in an + uproar. A threatening crowd met them a block from the jail; but Burton's + men were armed with rifles which they succeeded in convincing the mob they + would use if their prisoners were molested. The telephone, however, had + carried the word to Oakdale; so that before Burton arrived there a dozen + automobile loads of indignant citizens were racing south toward Payson. + </p> + <p> + Bridge and The Oskaloosa Kid were hustled into the single cell of the + Payson jail. A bench ran along two sides of the room. A single barred + window let out upon the yard behind the structure. The floor was littered + with papers, and a single electric light bulb relieved the gloom of the + unsavory place. + </p> + <p> + The Oskaloosa Kid sank, trembling, upon one of the hard benches. Bridge + rolled a cigaret. At his feet lay a copy of that day's Oakdale Tribune. A + face looked up from the printed page into his eyes. He stooped and took up + the paper. The entire front page was devoted to the various crimes which + had turned peaceful Oakdale inside out in the past twenty four hours. + There were reproductions of photographs of John Baggs, Reginald Paynter, + Abigail Prim, Jonas Prim, and his wife, with a large cut of the Prim + mansion, a star marking the boudoir of the missing daughter of the house. + As Bridge examined the various pictures an odd expression entered his eyes—it + was a mixture of puzzlement, incredulity, and relief. Tossing the paper + aside he turned toward The Oskaloosa Kid. They could hear the sullen + murmur of the crowd in front of the jail. + </p> + <p> + “If they get any booze,” he said, “they'll take us out of here and string + us up. If you've got anything to say that would tend to convince them that + you did not kill Paynter I advise you to call the guard and tell the + truth, for if the mob gets us they might hang us first and listen + afterward—a mob is not a nice thing. Beppo was an angel of mercy by + comparison with one.” + </p> + <p> + “Could you convince them that you had no part in any of these crimes?” + asked the boy. “I know that you didn't; but could you prove it to a mob?” + </p> + <p> + “No,” said Bridge. “A mob is not open to reason. If they get us I shall + hang, unless someone happens to think of the stake.” + </p> + <p> + The boy shuddered. + </p> + <p> + “Will you tell the truth?” asked the man. + </p> + <p> + “I will go with you,” replied the boy, “and take whatever you get.” + </p> + <p> + “Why?” asked Bridge. + </p> + <p> + The youth flushed; but did not reply, for there came from without a sudden + augmentation of the murmurings of the mob. Automobile horns screamed out + upon the night. The two heard the chugging of motors, the sound of brakes + and the greetings of new arrivals. The reinforcements had arrived from + Oakdale. + </p> + <p> + A guard came to the grating of the cell door. “The bunch from Oakdale has + come,” he said. “If I was you I'd say my prayers. Old man Baggs is dead. + No one never had no use for him while he was alive, but the whole county's + het up now over his death. They're bound to get you, an' while I didn't + count 'em all I seen about a score o' ropes. They mean business.” + </p> + <p> + Bridge turned toward the boy. “Tell the truth,” he said. “Tell this man.” + </p> + <p> + The youth shook his head. “I have killed no one,” said he. “That is the + truth. Neither have you; but if they are going to murder you they can + murder me too, for you stuck to me when you didn't have to; and I am going + to stick to you, and there is some excuse for me because I have a reason—the + best reason in the world.” + </p> + <p> + “What is it?” asked Bridge. + </p> + <p> + The Oskaloosa Kid shook his head, and once more he flushed. + </p> + <p> + “Well,” said the guard, with a shrug of his shoulders, “it's up to you + guys. If you want to hang, why hang and be damned. We'll do the best we + can 'cause it's our duty to protect you; but I guess at that hangin's too + good fer you, an' we ain't a-goin' to get shot keepin' you from gettin' + it.” + </p> + <p> + “Thanks,” said Bridge. + </p> + <p> + The uproar in front of the jail had risen in volume until it was difficult + for those within to make themselves heard without shouting. The Kid sat + upon his bench and buried his face in his hands. Bridge rolled another + smoke. The sound of a shot came from the front room of the jail, + immediately followed by a roar of rage from the mob and a deafening + hammering upon the jail door. A moment later this turned to the heavy + booming of a battering ram and the splintering of wood. The frail + structure quivered beneath the onslaught. + </p> + <p> + The prisoners could hear the voices of the guards and the jailer raised in + an attempt to reason with the unreasoning mob, and then came a final crash + and the stamping of many feet upon the floor of the outer room. + </p> + <p> + Burton's car drew up before the doorway of the Prim home in Oakdale. The + great detective alighted and handed down the missing Abigail. Then he + directed that the other prisoners be taken to the county jail. + </p> + <p> + Jonas Prim and his wife awaited Abigail's return in the spacious living + room at the left of the reception hall. The banker was nervous. He paced + to and fro the length of the room. Mrs. Prim fanned herself vigorously + although the heat was far from excessive. They heard the motor draw up in + front of the house; but they did not venture into the reception hall or + out upon the porch, though for different reasons. Mrs. Prim because it + would not have been PROPER; Jonas because he could not trust himself to + meet his daughter, whom he had thought lost, in the presence of a possible + crowd which might have accompanied her home. + </p> + <p> + They heard the closing of an automobile door and the sound of foot steps + coming up the concrete walk. The Prim butler was already waiting at the + doorway with the doors swung wide to receive the prodigal daughter of the + house of Prim. A slender figure with bowed head ascended the steps, guided + and assisted by the detective. She did not look up at the expectant butler + waiting for the greeting he was sure Abigail would have for him; but + passed on into the reception hall. + </p> + <p> + “Your father and Mrs. Prim are in the living room,” announced the butler, + stepping forward to draw aside the heavy hangings. + </p> + <p> + The girl, followed by Burton, entered the brightly lighted room. + </p> + <p> + “I am very glad, Mr. Prim,” said the latter, “to be able to return Miss + Prim to you so quickly and unharmed.” + </p> + <p> + The girl looked up into the face of Jonas Prim. The man voiced an + exclamation of surprise and annoyance. Mrs. Prim gasped and sank upon a + sofa. The girl stood motionless, her eyes once again bent upon the floor. + </p> + <p> + “What's the matter?” asked Burton. “What's wrong?” + </p> + <p> + “Everything is wrong, Mr. Burton,” Jonas Prim's voice was crisp and cold. + “This is not my daughter.” + </p> + <p> + Burton looked his surprise and discomfiture. He turned upon the girl. + </p> + <p> + “What do you mean—” he started; but she interrupted him. + </p> + <p> + “You are going to ask what I mean by posing as Miss Prim,” she said. “I + have never said that I was Miss Prim. You took the word of an ignorant + little farmer's boy and I did not deny it when I found that you intended + bringing me to Mr. Prim, for I wanted to see him. I wanted to ask him to + help me. I have never met him, or his daughter either; but my father and + Mr. Prim have been friends for many years. + </p> + <p> + “I am Hettie Penning,” she continued, addressing Jonas Prim. “My father + has always admired you and from what he has told me I knew that you would + listen to me and do what you could for me. I could not bear to think of + going to the jail in Payson, for Payson is my home. Everybody would have + known me. It would have killed my father. Then I wanted to come myself and + tell you, after reading the reports and insinuations in the paper, that + your daughter was not with Reginald Paynter when he was killed. She had no + knowledge of the crime and as far as I know may not have yet. I have not + seen her and do not know where she is; but I was present when Mr. Paynter + was killed. I have known him for years and have often driven with him. He + stopped me yesterday afternoon on the street in Payson and talked with me. + He was sitting in a car in front of the bank. After we had talked a few + minutes two men came out of the bank. Mr. Paynter introduced them to me. + He said they were driving out into the country to look at a piece of + property—a farm somewhere north of Oakdale—and that on the way + back they were going to stop at The Crossroads Inn for dinner. He asked me + if I wouldn't like to come along—he kind of dared me to, because, as + you know, The Crossroads has rather a bad reputation. + </p> + <p> + “Father had gone to Toledo on business, and very foolishly I took his + dare. Everything went all right until after we left The Inn, although one + of the men—his companion referred to him once or twice as The + Oskaloosa Kid—attempted to be too familiar with me. Mr. Paynter + prevented him on each occasion, and they had words over me; but after we + left the inn, where they had all drunk a great deal, this man renewed his + attentions and Mr. Paynter struck him. Both of them were drunk. After that + it all happened so quickly that I could scarcely follow it. The man called + Oskaloosa Kid drew a revolver but did not fire, instead he seized Mr. + Paynter by the coat and whirled him around and then he struck him an awful + blow behind the ear with the butt of the weapon. + </p> + <p> + “After that the other two men seemed quite sobered. They discussed what + would be the best thing to do and at last decided to throw Mr. Paynter's + body out of the machine, for it was quite evident that he was dead. First + they rifled his pockets, and joked as they did it, one of them saying that + they weren't getting as much as they had planned on; but that a little was + better than nothing. They took his watch, jewelry, and a large roll of + bills. We passed around the east side of Oakdale and came back into the + Toledo road. A little way out of town they turned the machine around and + ran back for about half a mile; then they turned about a second time. I + don't know why they did this. They threw the body out while the machine + was moving rapidly; but I was so frightened that I can't say whether it + was before or after they turned about the second time. + </p> + <p> + “In front of the old Squibbs place they shot at me and threw me out; but + the bullet missed me. I have not seen them since and do not know where + they went. I am ready and willing to aid in their conviction; but, please + Mr. Prim, won't you keep me from being sent back to Payson or to jail. I + have done nothing criminal and I won't run away.” + </p> + <p> + “How about the robbery of Miss Prim's room and the murder of Old Man + Baggs?” asked Burton. “Did they pull both of those off before they killed + Paynter or after?” + </p> + <p> + “They had nothing to do with either unless they did them after they threw + me out of the car, which must have been long after midnight,” replied the + girl. + </p> + <p> + “And the rest of the gang, those that were arrested with you,” continued + the detective, “how about them? All angels, I suppose.” + </p> + <p> + “There was only Bridge and the boy they called The Oskaloosa Kid, though + he isn't the same one that murdered poor Mr. Paynter, and the Gypsy girl, + Giova, that were with me. The others were tramps who came into the old + mill and attacked us while we were asleep. I don't know who they were. The + girl could have had nothing to do with any of the crimes. We came upon her + this morning burying her father in the woods back of the Squibbs' place. + The man died of epilepsy last night. Bridge and the boy were taking refuge + from the storm at the Squibbs place when I was thrown from the car. They + heard the shot and came to my rescue. I am sure they had nothing to do + with—with—” she hesitated. + </p> + <p> + “Tell the truth,” commanded Burton. “It will go hard with you if you + don't. What made you hesitate? You know something about those two—now + out with it.” + </p> + <p> + “The boy robbed Mr. Prim's home—I saw some of the money and jewelry—but + Bridge was not with him. They just happened to meet by accident during the + storm and came to the Squibbs place together. They were kind to me, and I + hate to tell anything that would get the boy in trouble. That is the + reason I hesitated. He seemed such a nice boy! It is hard to believe that + he is a criminal, and Bridge was always so considerate. He looks like a + tramp; but he talks and acts like a gentleman.” + </p> + <p> + The telephone bell rang briskly, and a moment later the butler stepped + into the room to say that Mr. Burton was wanted on the wire. He returned + to the living room in two or three minutes. + </p> + <p> + “That clears up some of it,” he said as he entered. “The sheriff just had + a message from the chief at Toledo saying that The Oskaloosa Kid is dying + in a hospital there following an automobile accident. He knew he was done + for and sent for the police. When they came he told them he had killed a + man by the name of Paynter at Oakdale last night and the chief called up + to ask what we knew about it. The Kid confessed to clear his pal who was + only slightly injured in the smash-up. His story corroborates Miss + Penning's in every detail, he also said that after killing Paynter he had + shot a girl witness and thrown her from the car to prevent her squealing.” + </p> + <p> + Once again the telephone bell rang, long and insistently. The butler + almost ran into the room. “Payson wants you, sir,” he cried to Burton, “in + a hurry, sir, it's a matter of life and death, sir!” + </p> + <p> + Burton sprang to the phone. When he left it he only stopped at the doorway + of the living room long enough to call in: “A mob has the two prisoners at + Payson and are about to lynch them, and, my God, they're innocent. We all + know now who killed Paynter and I have known since morning who murdered + Baggs, and it wasn't either of those men; but they've found Miss Prim's + jewelry on the fellow called Bridge and they've gone crazy—they say + he murdered her and the young one did for Paynter. I'm going to Payson,” + and dashed from the house. + </p> + <p> + “Wait,” cried Jonas Prim, “I'm going with you,” and without waiting to + find a hat he ran quickly after the detective. Once in the car he leaned + forward urging the driver to greater speed. + </p> + <p> + “God in heaven!” he almost cried, “the fools are going to kill the only + man who can tell me anything about Abigail.” + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + With oaths and threats the mob, brainless and heartless, cowardly, + bestial, filled with the lust for blood, pushed and jammed into the narrow + corridor before the cell door where the two prisoners awaited their fate. + The single guard was brushed away. A dozen men wielding three railroad + ties battered upon the grating of the door, swinging the ties far back and + then in unison bringing them heavily forward against the puny iron. + </p> + <p> + Bridge spoke to them once. “What are you going to do with us?” he asked. + </p> + <p> + “We're goin' to hang you higher 'n' Haman, you damned kidnappers an' + murderers,” yelled a man in the crowd. + </p> + <p> + “Why don't you give us a chance?” asked Bridge in an even tone, unaltered + by fear or excitement. “You've nothing on us. As a matter of fact we are + both innocent—” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, shut your damned mouth,” interrupted another of the crowd. + </p> + <p> + Bridge shrugged his shoulders and turned toward the youth who stood very + white but very straight in a far corner of the cell. The man noticed the + bulging pockets of the ill fitting coat; and, for the first time that + night, his heart stood still in the face of fear; but not for himself. + </p> + <p> + He crossed to the youth's side and put his arm around the slender figure. + “There's no use arguing with them,” he said. “They've made up their minds, + or what they think are minds, that we're guilty; but principally they're + out for a sensation. They want to see something die, and we're it. I doubt + if anything could stop them now; they'd think we'd cheated them if we + suddenly proved beyond doubt that we were innocent.” + </p> + <p> + The boy pressed close to the man. “God help me to be brave,” he said, “as + brave as you are. We'll go together, Bridge, and on the other side you'll + learn something that'll surprise you. I believe there is 'another side,' + don't you, Bridge?” + </p> + <p> + “I've never thought much about it,” said Bridge; “but at a time like this + I rather hope so—I'd like to come back and haunt this bunch of rat + brained rubes.” + </p> + <p> + His arm slipped down the other's coat and his hand passed quickly behind + the boy from one side to the other; then the door gave and the leaders of + the mob were upon them. A gawky farmer seized the boy and struck him + cruelly across the mouth. It was Jeb Case. + </p> + <p> + “You beast!” cried Bridge. “Can't you see that that—that's—only + a child? If I don't live long enough to give you yours here, I'll come + back and haunt you to your grave.” + </p> + <p> + “Eh?” ejaculated Jeb Case; but his sallow face turned white, and after + that he was less rough with his prisoner. + </p> + <p> + The two were dragged roughly from the jail. The great crowd which had now + gathered fought to get a close view of them, to get hold of them, to + strike them, to revile them; but the leaders kept the others back lest all + be robbed of the treat which they had planned. Through town they haled + them and out along the road toward Oakdale. There was some talk of taking + them to the scene of Paynter's supposed murder; but wiser heads counselled + against it lest the sheriff come with a posse of deputies and spoil their + fun. + </p> + <p> + Beneath a great tree they halted them, and two ropes were thrown over a + stout branch. One of the leaders started to search them; and when he drew + his hands out of Bridge's side pockets his eyes went wide, and he gave a + cry of elation which drew excited inquiries from all sides. + </p> + <p> + “By gum!” he cried, “I reckon we ain't made no mistake here, boys. Look + ahere!” and he displayed two handsful of money and jewelry. + </p> + <p> + “Thet's Abbie Prim's stuff,” cried one. + </p> + <p> + The boy beside Bridge turned wide eyes upon the man. “Where did you get + it?” he cried. “Oh, Bridge, why did you do it? Now they will kill you,” + and he turned to the crowd. “Oh, please listen to me,” he begged. “He + didn't steal those things. Nobody stole them. They are mine. They have + always belonged to me. He took them out of my pocket at the jail because + he thought that I had stolen them and he wanted to take the guilt upon + himself; but they were not stolen, I tell you—they are mine! they + are mine! they are mine!” + </p> + <p> + Another new expression came into Bridge's eyes as he listened to the boy's + words; but he only shook his head. It was too late, and Bridge knew it. + </p> + <p> + Men were adjusting ropes about their necks. “Before you hang us,” said + Bridge quietly, “would you mind explaining just what we're being hanged + for—it's sort of comforting to know, you see.” + </p> + <p> + “Thet's right,” spoke up one of the crowd. “Thet's fair. We want to do + things fair and square. Tell 'em the charges, an' then ask 'em ef they got + anything to say afore they're hung.” + </p> + <p> + This appealed to the crowd—the last statements of the doomed men + might add another thrill to the evening's entertainment. + </p> + <p> + “Well,” said the man who had searched them. “There might o' been some + doubts about you before, but they aint none now. You're bein' hung fer + abductin' of an' most likely murderin' Miss Abigail Prim.” + </p> + <p> + The boy screamed and tried to interrupt; but Jeb Case placed a heavy and + soiled hand over his mouth. The spokesman continued. “This slicker + admitted he was The Oskaloosa Kid, 'n' thet he robbed a house an' shot a + man las' night; 'n' they ain't no tellin' what more he's ben up to. He + tole Jeb Case's Willie 'bout it; an' bragged on it, by gum. 'Nenny way we + know Paynter and Abigail Prim was last seed with this here Oskaloosa Kid, + durn him.” + </p> + <p> + “Thanks,” said Bridge politely, “and now may I make my final statement + before going to meet my maker?” + </p> + <p> + “Go on,” growled the man. + </p> + <p> + “You won't interrupt me?” + </p> + <p> + “Naw, go on.” + </p> + <p> + “All right! You damn fools have made up your minds to hang us. I doubt if + anything I can say to you will alter your determination for the reason + that if all the brains in this crowd were collected in one individual he + still wouldn't have enough with which to weigh the most obvious evidence + intelligently, but I shall present the evidence, and you can tell some + intelligent people about it tomorrow. + </p> + <p> + “In the first place it is impossible that I murdered Abigail Prim, and in + the second place my companion is not The Oskaloosa Kid and was not with + Mr. Paynter last night. The reason I could not have murdered Miss Prim is + because Miss Prim is not dead. These jewels were not stolen from Miss + Prim, she took them herself from her own home. This boy whom you are about + to hang is not a boy at all—it is Miss Prim, herself. I guessed her + secret a few minutes ago and was convinced when she cried that the jewels + and money were her own. I don't know why she wishes to conceal her + identity; but I can't stand by and see her lynched without trying to save + her.” + </p> + <p> + The crowd scoffed in incredulity. “There are some women here,” said + Bridge. “Turn her over to them. They'll tell you, at least that she is not + a man.” + </p> + <p> + Some voices were raised in protest, saying that it was a ruse to escape, + while others urged that the women take the youth. Jeb Case stepped toward + the subject of dispute. “I'll settle it durned quick,” he announced and + reached forth to seize the slim figure. With a sudden wrench Bridge tore + himself loose from his captors and leaped toward the farmer, his right + flew straight out from the shoulder and Jeb Case went down with a broken + jaw. Almost simultaneously a car sped around a curve from the north and + stopped suddenly in rear of the mob. Two men leaped out and shouldered + their way through. One was the detective, Burton; the other was Jonas + Prim. + </p> + <p> + “Where are they?” cried the latter. “God help you if you've killed either + of them, for one of them must know what became of Abigail.” + </p> + <p> + He pushed his way up until he faced the prisoners. The Oskaloosa Kid gave + him a single look of surprise and then sprang toward him with outstretched + arms. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, daddy, daddy!” she cried, “don't let them kill him.” + </p> + <p> + The crowd melted away from the immediate vicinity of the prisoners. None + seemed anxious to appear in the forefront as a possible leader of a mob + that had so nearly lynched the only daughter of Jonas Prim. Burton slipped + the noose from about the girl's neck and then turned toward her companion. + In the light from the automobile lamps the man's face was distinctly + visible to the detective for the first time that night, and as Burton + looked upon it he stepped back with an exclamation of surprise. + </p> + <p> + “You?” he almost shouted. “Gad, man! where have you been? Your father's + spent twenty thousand dollars trying to find you.” + </p> + <p> + Bridge shook his head. “I'm sorry, Dick,” he said, “but I'm afraid it's + too late. The open road's gotten into my blood, and there's only one thing + that—well—” he shook his head and smiled ruefully—“but + there ain't a chance.” His eyes travelled to the slim figure sitting so + straight in the rear seat of Jonas Prim's car. + </p> + <p> + Suddenly the little head turned in his direction. “Hurry, Bridge,” + admonished The Oskaloosa Kid, “you're coming home with us.” + </p> + <p> + The man stepped toward the car, shaking his head. “Oh, no, Miss Prim,” he + said, “I can't do that. Here's your 'swag.'” And he smiled as he passed + over her jewels and money. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Prim's eyes widened; he looked suspiciously at Bridge. Abigail laughed + merrily. “I stole them myself, Dad,” she explained, “and then Mr. Bridge + took them from me in the jail to make the mob think he had stolen them and + not I—he didn't know then that I was a girl, did you?” + </p> + <p> + “It was in the jail that I first guessed; but I didn't quite realize who + you were until you said that the jewels were yours—then I knew. The + picture in the paper gave me the first inkling that you were a girl, for + you looked so much like the one of Miss Prim. Then I commenced to recall + little things, until I wondered that I hadn't known from the first that + you were a girl; but you made a bully boy!” and they both laughed. “And + now good-by, and may God bless you!” His voice trembled ever so little, + and he extended his hand. The girl drew back. + </p> + <p> + “I want you to come with us,” she said. “I want Father to know you and to + know how you have cared for me. Won't you come—for me?” + </p> + <p> + “I couldn't refuse, if you put it that way,” replied Bridge; and he + climbed into the car. As the machine started off a boy leaped to the + running-board. + </p> + <p> + “Hey!” he yelled, “where's my reward? I want my reward. I'm Willie Case.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh!” exclaimed Bridge. “I gave your reward to your father—maybe + he'll split it with you. Go ask him.” And the car moved off. + </p> + <p> + “You see,” said Burton, with a wry smile, “how simple is the detective's + job. Willie is a natural-born detective. He got everything wrong from A to + Izzard, yet if it hadn't been for Willie we might not have cleared up the + mystery so soon.” + </p> + <p> + “It isn't all cleared up yet,” said Jonas Prim. “Who murdered Baggs?” + </p> + <p> + “Two yeggs known as Dopey Charlie and the General,” replied Burton. “They + are in the jail at Oakdale; but they don't know yet that I know they are + guilty. They think they are being held merely as suspects in the case of + your daughter's disappearance, whereas I have known since morning that + they were implicated in the killing of Baggs; for after I got them in the + car I went behind the bushes where we discovered them and dug up + everything that was missing from Baggs' house, as nearly as is known—currency, + gold and bonds.” + </p> + <p> + “Good!” exclaimed Mr. Prim. + </p> + <p> + On the trip back to Oakdale, Abigail Prim cuddled in the back seat beside + her father, told him all that she could think to tell of Bridge and his + goodness to her. + </p> + <p> + “But the man didn't know you were a girl,” suggested Mr. Prim. + </p> + <p> + “There were two other girls with us, both very pretty,” replied Abigail, + “and he was as courteous and kindly to them as a man could be to a woman. + I don't care anything about his clothes, Daddy; Bridge is a gentleman born + and raised—anyone could tell it after half an hour with him.” + </p> + <p> + Bridge sat on the front seat with the driver and one of Burton's men, + while Burton, sitting in the back seat next to the girl, could not but + overhear her conversation. + </p> + <p> + “You are right,” he said. “Bridge, as you call him, is a gentleman. He + comes of one of the finest families of Virginia and one of the wealthiest. + You need have no hesitancy, Mr. Prim, in inviting him into your home.” + </p> + <p> + For a while the three sat in silence; and then Jonas Prim turned to his + daughter. “Gail,” he said, “before we get home I wish you'd tell me why + you did this thing. I think you'd rather tell me before we see Mrs. P.” + </p> + <p> + “It was Sam Benham, Daddy,” whispered the girl. “I couldn't marry him. I'd + rather die, and so I ran away. I was going to be a tramp; but I had no + idea a tramp's existence was so adventurous. You won't make me marry him, + Daddy, will you? I wouldn't be happy, Daddy.” + </p> + <p> + “I should say not, Gail; you can be an old maid all your life if you want + to.” + </p> + <p> + “But I don't want to—I only want to choose my own husband,” replied + Abigail. + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Prim met them all in the living-room. At sight of Abigail in the + ill-fitting man's clothing she raised her hands in holy horror; but she + couldn't see Bridge at all, until Burton found an opportunity to draw her + to one side and whisper something in her ear, after which she was + graciousness personified to the dusky Bridge, insisting that he spend a + fortnight with them to recuperate. + </p> + <p> + Between them, Burton and Jonas Prim fitted Bridge out as he had not been + dressed in years, and with the feel of fresh linen and pressed clothing, + even if ill fitting, a sensation of comfort and ease pervaded him which + the man would not have thought possible from such a source an hour before. + </p> + <p> + He smiled ruefully as Burton looked him over. “I venture to say,” he + drawled, “that there are other things in the world besides the open road.” + </p> + <p> + Burton smiled. + </p> + <p> + It was midnight when the Prims and their guests arose from the table. + Hettie Penning was with them, and everyone present had been sworn to + secrecy about her share in the tragedy of the previous night. On the + morrow she would return to Payson and no one there the wiser; but first + she had Burton send to the jail for Giova, who was being held as a + witness, and Giova promised to come and work for the Pennings. + </p> + <p> + At last Bridge stole a few minutes alone with Abigail, or, to be more + strictly a truthful historian, Abigail outgeneraled the others of the + company and drew Bridge out upon the veranda. + </p> + <p> + “Tell me,” demanded the girl, “why you were so kind to me when you thought + me a worthless little scamp of a boy who had robbed some one's home.” + </p> + <p> + “I couldn't have told you a few hours ago,” said Bridge. “I used to wonder + myself why I should feel toward a boy as I felt toward you,—it was + inexplicable,—and then when I knew that you were a girl, I + understood, for I knew that I loved you and had loved you from the moment + that we met there in the dark and the rain beside the Road to Anywhere.” + </p> + <p> + “Isn't it wonderful?” murmured the girl, and she had other things in her + heart to murmur; but a man's lips smothered hers as Bridge gathered her + into his arms and strained her to him. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + Partial list of correctioins made in the previous reproofing: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + PAGE PARA. LINE ORIGINAL CHANGED TO + 10 6 emminent eminent + 15 4 2 it's warmth its warmth + 15 5 13 promisculously promiscuously + 16 1 3 appelation appellation + 19 3 it's scope its scope + 21 6 by with seasons by seasons + 25 1 8 Prim manage Prim menage + 25 2 20 then, suspicious, then, suspicions, + 28 12 even his even this + 34 6 1 it's quality its quality + 37 3 10 have any- have any + 38 4 4 tin tear. tin ear. + 39 2 6 Squibbs farm Squibbs' farm + 40 2 2 his absence, his absence,” + 47 5 1 sudden, clanking sudden clanking + 47 8 3 its the thing it's the thing + 48 5 2 was moment's was a moment's + 59 9 4 bird aint bird ain't + 60 8 3 dum misery dumb misery + 71 2 dead Squibbs dead Squibb + 74 1 2 tend during tent during + 75 7 3 Squibbs house Squibbs' house + 76 1 6 Squibbs home. Squibbs' home. + 76 8 4 business, thats business, that's + 78 1 1 Squibbs place Squibbs' place + 78 2 1 Squibbs place!” Squibbs' place!” + 80 6 4 Squibbs gateway Squibbs' gateway + 84 6 1 Squibb's summer Squibbs' summer + 85 6 1 thet aint thet ain't + 85 7 5 on em on 'em + 85 8 1 An' thet aint An' thet ain't + 85 10 1 But thet aint But thet ain't + 85 10 3 of em of 'em + 85 10 3 of em of 'em + 86 2 2 there aint there ain't + 87 5 others' mask other's mask + 88 6 1 Squibbs woods Squibbs' woods + 91 2 “They aint “They ain't + 91 3 I aint I ain't + 91 2 3 Squibbs house Squibbs' house + 91 6 aint got ain't got + 92 6 it wa'nt safe it wa'n't safe + 92 4 10 Squibbs house Squibbs' house + 94 2 1 to nothin. to nothin'. + 94 8 1 Squibbs place,” Squibbs' place,” + 97 4 2 “We aint “We ain't + 98 1 8 Squibbs place Squibbs' place + 98 3 1 hiself de hisself de + 98 5 4 he aint he ain't + 98 7 1 Squibbs place Squibbs' place + 98 8 2 you aint you ain't + 107 4 3 wont tell won't tell + 113 3 5 its measles it's measles + 113 3 6 cough aint cough ain't + 113 3 6 its 'it,' it's 'it,' + 113 4 1 I aint I ain't + 114 2 6 Squibb's place Squibbs' place + 114 2 13 simply wont simply won't + 116 6 3 few minutes few minutes' + 116 7 5 Squibb's farm Squibbs' farm + 121 4 she wont she won't + 121 5 wont.” won't.” + 128 7 4 can knab can nab + 134 2 2 an upraor. an uproar. + 136 8 5 we aint we ain't + 139 2 8 had all drank had all drunk + 141 3 9 Squibb's place. Squibbs' place. + 146 1 its sort of it's sort of + 146 2 3 nings entertainment ning's entertainment + 146 4 5 aint no tellin' ain't no tellin' + 146 7 1 “You wont “You won't + 151 2 4 wont make won't make + 152 1 2 Nettie Penning Hettie Penning +</pre> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Oakdale Affair, by Edgar Rice Burroughs + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE OAKDALE AFFAIR *** + +***** This file should be named 363-h.htm or 363-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/6/363/ + +Produced by Judith Boss, and David Widger + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Oakdale Affair + +Author: Edgar Rice Burroughs + +Release Date: July 8, 2008 [EBook #363] +[Last updated: May 16, 2012] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE OAKDALE AFFAIR *** + + + + +Produced by Judith Boss + + + + + +THE OAKDALE AFFAIR + + +By Edgar Rice Burroughs + + + + + +Chapter One [And only chapter ED.] + + +The house on the hill showed lights only upon the first floor--in +the spacious reception hall, the dining room, and those more or less +mysterious purlieus thereof from which emanate disagreeable odors and +agreeable foods. + +From behind a low bush across the wide lawn a pair of eyes transferred +to an alert brain these simple perceptions from which the brain deduced +with Sherlockian accuracy and Raffleian purpose that the family of the +president of The First National Bank of--Oh, let's call it Oakdale--was +at dinner, that the servants were below stairs and the second floor +deserted. + +The owner of the eyes had but recently descended from the quarters of +the chauffeur above the garage which he had entered as a thief in +the night and quitted apparelled in a perfectly good suit of clothes +belonging to the gentlemanly chauffeur and a soft, checked cap which was +now pulled well down over a pair of large brown eyes in which a rather +strained expression might have suggested to an alienist a certain +neophytism which even the stern set of well shaped lips could not +effectually belie. + +Apparently this was a youth steeling himself against a natural +repugnance to the dangerous profession he had espoused; and when, a +moment later, he stepped out into the moonlight and crossed the lawn +toward the house, the slender, graceful lines which the ill-fitting +clothes could not entirely conceal carried the conviction of youth if +not of innocence. + +The brazen assurance with which the lad crossed the lawn and mounted +the steps to the verandah suggested a familiarity with the habits and +customs of the inmates of the house upon the hill which bespoke long and +careful study of the contemplated job. An old timer could not have moved +with greater confidence. No detail seemed to have escaped his cunning +calculation. Though the door leading from the verandah into the +reception hall swung wide to the balmy airs of late Spring the prowler +passed this blatant invitation to the hospitality of the House of Prim. +It was as though he knew that from his place at the head of the table, +with his back toward the great fire place which is the pride of the +Prim dining hall, Jonas Prim commands a view of the major portion of the +reception hall. + +Stooping low the youth passed along the verandah to a window of the +darkened library--a French window which swung open without noise to his +light touch. Stepping within he crossed the room to a door which opened +at the foot of a narrow stairway--a convenient little stairway which +had often let the Hon. Jonas Prim pass from his library to his second +floor bed-room unnoticed when Mrs. Prim chanced to be entertaining the +feminine elite of Oakdale across the hall. A convenient little stairway +for retiring husbands and diffident burglars--yes, indeed! + +The darkness of the upper hallway offered no obstacle to this familiar +housebreaker. He passed the tempting luxury of Mrs. Prim's boudoir, the +chaste elegance of Jonas Prim's bed-room with all the possibilities of +forgotten wallets and negotiable papers, setting his course straight +for the apartments of Abigail Prim, the spinster daughter of the First +National Bank of Oakdale. Or should we utilize a more charitable and at +the same time more truthful word than spinster? I think we should, since +Abigail was but nineteen and quite human, despite her name. + +Upon the dressing table of Abigail reposed much silver and gold and +ivory, wrought by clever artisans into articles of great beauty and some +utility; but with scarce a glance the burglar passed them by, directing +his course straight across the room to a small wall safe cleverly hidden +by a bit of tapestry. + +How, Oh how, this suggestive familiarity with the innermost secrets of a +virgin's sacred apartments upon the part of one so obviously of the +male persuasion and, by his all too apparent calling, a denizen of that +underworld of which no Abigail should have intimate knowledge? Yet, +truly and with scarce a faint indication of groping, though the room was +dark, the marauder walked directly to the hidden safe, swung back the +tapestry in its frame, turned the knob of the combination and in a +moment opened the circular door of the strong box. + +A fat roll of bills and a handful of jewelry he transferred to the +pockets of his coat. Some papers which his hand brushed within the safe +he pushed aside as though preadvised of their inutility to one of his +calling. Then he closed the safe door, closed the tapestry upon it and +turned toward a dainty dressing table. From a drawer in this exquisite +bit of Sheraton the burglar took a small, nickel plated automatic, which +he slipped into an inside breast pocket of his coat, nor did he touch +another article therein or thereon, nor hesitate an instant in the +selection of the drawer to be rifled. His knowledge of the apartment of +the daughter of the house of Prim was little short of uncanny. Doubtless +the fellow was some plumber's apprentice who had made good use of an +opportunity to study the lay of the land against a contemplated invasion +of these holy precincts. + +But even the most expert of second story men nod and now that all seemed +as though running on greased rails a careless elbow raked a silver +candle-stick from the dressing table to the floor where it crashed +with a resounding din that sent cold shivers up the youth's spine and +conjured in his mind a sudden onslaught of investigators from the floor +below. + +The noise of the falling candlestick sounded to the taut nerved +house-breaker as might the explosion of a stick of dynamite during +prayer in a meeting house. That all Oakdale had heard it seemed quite +possible, while that those below stairs were already turning questioning +ears, and probably inquisitive footsteps, upward was almost a foregone +conclusion. + +Adjoining Miss Prim's boudoir was her bath and before the door leading +from the one to the other was a cretonne covered screen behind which +the burglar now concealed himself the while he listened in rigid +apprehension for the approach of the enemy; but the only sound that came +to him from the floor below was the deep laugh of Jonas Prim. A profound +sigh of relief escaped the beardless lips; for that laugh assured the +youth that, after all, the noise of the fallen candlestick had not +alarmed the household. + +With knees that still trembled a bit he crossed the room and passed out +into the hallway, descended the stairs, and stood again in the library. +Here he paused a moment listening to the voices which came from the +dining room. Mrs. Prim was speaking. "I feel quite relieved about +Abigail," she was saying. "I believe that at last she sees the wisdom +and the advantages of an alliance with Mr. Benham, and it was almost +with enthusiasm that she left this morning to visit his sister. I am +positive that a week or two of companionship with him will impress upon +her the fine qualities of his nature. We are to be congratulated, Jonas, +upon settling our daughter so advantageously both in the matter of +family and wealth." + +Jonas Prim grunted. "Sam Benham is old enough to be the girl's father," +he growled. "If she wants him, all right; but I can't imagine Abbie +wanting a bald-headed husband with rheumatism. I wish you'd let her +alone, Pudgy, to find her own mate in her own way--someone nearer her +own age." + +"The child is not old enough to judge wisely for herself," replied Mrs. +Prim. "It was my duty to arrange a proper alliance; and, Jonas, I will +thank you not to call me Pudgy--it is perfectly ridiculous for a woman +of my age--and position." + +The burglar did not hear Mr. Prim's reply for he had moved across the +library and passed out onto the verandah. Once again he crossed the +lawn, taking advantage of the several trees and shrubs which dotted it, +scaled the low stone wall at the side and was in the concealing shadows +of the unlighted side street which bounds the Prim estate upon the +south. The streets of Oakdale are flanked by imposing battalions of elm +and maple which over-arch and meet above the thoroughfares; and now, +following an early Spring, their foliage eclipsed the infrequent +arclights to the eminent satisfaction of those nocturnal wayfarers +who prefer neither publicity nor the spot light. Of such there are few +within the well ordered precincts of law abiding Oakdale; but to-night +there was at least one and this one was deeply grateful for the gloomy +walks along which he hurried toward the limits of the city. + +At last he found himself upon a country road with the odors of Spring +in his nostrils and the world before him. The night noises of the open +country fell strangely upon his ears accentuating rather than relieving +the myriad noted silence of Nature. Familiar sounds became unreal +and weird, the deep bass of innumerable bull frogs took on an uncanny +humanness which sent a half shudder through the slender frame. The +burglar felt a sad loneliness creeping over him. He tried whistling in +an effort to shake off the depressing effects of this seeming +solitude through which he moved; but there remained with him still the +hallucination that he moved alone through a strange, new world peopled +by invisible and unfamiliar forms--menacing shapes which lurked in +waiting behind each tree and shrub. + +He ceased his whistling and went warily upon the balls of his feet, lest +he unnecessarily call attention to his presence. If the truth were to +be told it would chronicle the fact that a very nervous and frightened +burglar sneaked along the quiet and peaceful country road outside of +Oakdale. A lonesome burglar, this, who so craved the companionship of +man that he would almost have welcomed joyously the detaining hand of +the law had it fallen upon him in the guise of a flesh and blood police +officer from Oakdale. + +In leaving the city the youth had given little thought to the +practicalities of the open road. He had thought, rather vaguely, of +sleeping in a bed of new clover in some hospitable fence corner; but +the fence corners looked very dark and the wide expanse of fields beyond +suggested a mysterious country which might be peopled by almost anything +but human beings. + +At a farm house the youth hesitated and was almost upon the verge of +entering and asking for a night's lodging when a savage voiced dog +shattered the peace of the universe and sent the burglar along the road +at a rapid run. + +A half mile further on a straw stack loomed large within a fenced +enclosure. The youth wormed his way between the barbed wires determined +at last to let nothing prevent him from making a cozy bed in the deep +straw beside the stack. With courage radiating from every pore he strode +toward the stack. His walk was almost a swagger, for thus does youth +dissemble the bravery it yearns for but does not possess. He almost +whistled again; but not quite, since it seemed an unnecessary +provocation to disaster to call particular attention to himself at this +time. An instant later he was extremely glad that he had refrained, for +as he approached the stack a huge bulk slowly loomed from behind it; +and silhouetted against the moonlit sky he saw the vast proportions of a +great, shaggy bull. The burglar tore the inside of one trousers' leg and +the back of his coat in his haste to pass through the barbed wire fence +onto the open road. There he paused to mop the perspiration from his +forehead, though the night was now far from warm. + +For another mile the now tired and discouraged house-breaker plodded, +heavy footed, the unending road. Did vain compunction stir his +youthful breast? Did he regret the safe respectability of the plumber's +apprentice? Or, if he had not been a plumber's apprentice did he yearn +to once again assume the unharried peace of whatever legitimate calling +had been his before he bent his steps upon the broad boulevard of sin? +We think he did. + +And then he saw through the chinks and apertures in the half ruined wall +of what had once been a hay barn the rosy flare of a genial light which +appeared to announce in all but human terms that man, red blooded and +hospitable, forgathered within. No growling dogs, no bulking bulls +contested the short stretch of weed grown ground between the road and +the disintegrating structure; and presently two wide, brown eyes were +peering through a crack in the wall of the abandoned building. What they +saw was a small fire built upon the earth floor in the center of the +building and around the warming blaze the figures of six men. Some +reclined at length upon old straw; others squatted, Turk fashion. All +were smoking either disreputable pipes or rolled cigarets. Blear-eyed +and foxy-eyed, bearded and stubbled cheeked, young and old, were the men +the youth looked upon. All were more or less dishevelled and filthy; but +they were human. They were not dogs, or bulls, or croaking frogs. The +boy's heart went out to them. Something that was almost a sob rose in +his throat, and then he turned the corner of the building and stood in +the doorway, the light from the fire playing upon his lithe young figure +clothed in its torn and ill fitting suit and upon his oval face and his +laughing brown eyes. For several seconds he stood there looking at the +men around the fire. None of them had noticed him. + +"Tramps!" thought the youth. "Regular tramps." He wondered that they had +not seen him, and then, clearing his throat, he said: "Hello, tramps!" + +Six heads snapped up or around. Six pairs of eyes, blear or foxy, +were riveted upon the boyish figure of the housebreaker. "Wotinel!" +ejaculated a frowzy gentleman in a frock coat and golf cap. "Wheredju +blow from?" inquired another. "'Hello, tramps'!" mimicked a third. + +The youth came slowly toward the fire. "I saw your fire," he said, "and +I thought I'd stop. I'm a tramp, too, you know." + +"Oh," sighed the elderly person in the frock coat. "He's a tramp, he is. +An' does he think gents like us has any time for tramps? An' where might +he be trampin', sonny, without his maw?" + +The youth flushed. "Oh say!" he cried; "you needn't kid me just because +I'm new at it. You all had to start sometime. I've always longed for +the free life of a tramp; and if you'll let me go along with you for a +little while, and teach me, I'll not bother you; and I'll do whatever +you say." + +The elderly person frowned. "Beat it, kid!" he commanded. "We ain't +runnin' no day nursery. These you see here is all the real thing. Maybe +we asks fer a handout now and then; but that ain't our reg'lar way. You +ain't swift enough to travel with this bunch, kid, so you'd better duck. +Why we gents, here, if we was added up is wanted in about twenty-seven +cities fer about everything from rollin' a souse to crackin' a box and +croakin' a bull. You gotta do something before you can train wid gents +like us, see?" The speaker projected a stubbled jaw, scowled horridly +and swept a flattened palm downward and backward at a right angle to a +hairy arm in eloquent gesture of finality. + +The boy had stood with his straight, black eyebrows puckered into a +studious frown, drinking in every word. Now he straightened up. "I guess +I made a mistake," he said, apologetically. "You ain't tramps at all. +You're thieves and murderers and things like that." His eyes opened a +bit wider and his voice sank to a whisper as the words passed his lips. +"But you haven't so much on me, at that," he went on, "for I'm a regular +burglar, too," and from the bulging pockets of his coat he drew two +handfuls of greenbacks and jewelry. The eyes of the six registered +astonishment, mixed with craft and greed. "I just robbed a house in +Oakdale," explained the boy. "I usually rob one every night." + +For a moment his auditors were too surprised to voice a single emotion; +but presently one murmured, soulfully: "Pipe de swag!" He of the frock +coat, golf cap, and years waved a conciliatory hand. He tried to look at +the boy's face; but for the life of him he couldn't raise his eyes above +the dazzling wealth clutched in the fingers of those two small, +slim hands. From one dangled a pearl necklace which alone might have +ransomed, if not a king, at least a lesser member of a royal family, +while diamonds, rubies, sapphires, and emeralds scintillated in the +flaring light of the fire. Nor was the fistful of currency in the other +hand to be sneezed at. There were greenbacks, it is true; but there were +also yellowbacks with the reddish gold of large denominations. The Sky +Pilot sighed a sigh that was more than half gasp. + +"Can't yuh take a kid?" he inquired. "I knew youse all along. Yuh can't +fool an old bird like The Sky Pilot--eh, boys?" and he turned to his +comrades for confirmation. + +"He's The Oskaloosa Kid," exclaimed one of the company. "I'd know 'im +anywheres." + +"Pull up and set down," invited another. + +The boy stuffed his loot back into his pockets and came closer to the +fire. Its warmth felt most comfortable, for the Spring night was growing +chill. He looked about him at the motley company, some half-spruce in +clothing that suggested a Kuppenmarx label and a not too far association +with a tailor's goose, others in rags, all but one unshaven and all +more or less dirty--for the open road is close to Nature, which is +principally dirt. + +"Shake hands with Dopey Charlie," said The Sky Pilot, whose age and +corpulency appeared to stamp him with the hall mark of authority. The +youth did as he was bid, smiling into the sullen, chalk-white face and +taking the clammy hand extended toward him. Was it a shudder that +passed through the lithe, young figure or was it merely a subconscious +recognition of the final passing of the bodily cold before the glowing +warmth of the blaze? "And Soup Face," continued The Sky Pilot. A battered +wreck half rose and extended a pudgy hand. Red whiskers, matted in +little tangled wisps which suggested the dried ingredients of an +infinite procession of semi-liquid refreshments, rioted promiscuously +over a scarlet countenance. + +"Pleased to meetcha," sprayed Soup Face. It was a strained smile +which twisted the rather too perfect mouth of The Oskaloosa Kid, an +appellation which we must, perforce, accept since the youth did not deny +it. + +Columbus Blackie, The General, and Dirty Eddie were formally presented. +As Dirty Eddie was, physically, the cleanest member of the band the +youth wondered how he had come by his sobriquet--that is, he wondered +until he heard Dirty Eddie speak, after which he was no longer in doubt. +The Oskaloosa Kid, self-confessed 'tramp' and burglar, flushed at the +lurid obscenity of Dirty Eddie's remarks. + +"Sit down, bo," invited Soup Face. "I guess you're a regular all right. +Here, have a snifter?" and he pulled a flask from his side pocket, +holding it toward The Oskaloosa Kid. + +"Thank you, but;--er--I'm on the wagon, you know," declined the youth. + +"Have a smoke?" suggested Columbus Blackie. "Here's the makin's." + +The change in the attitude of the men toward him pleased The Oskaloosa +Kid immensely. They were treating him as one of them, and after the +lonely walk through the dark and desolate farm lands human companionship +of any kind was to him as the proverbial straw to the man who rocked the +boat once too often. + +Dopey Charlie and The General, alone of all the company, waxed not +enthusiastic over the advent of The Oskaloosa Kid and his priceless +loot. These two sat scowling and whispering in the back-ground. "Dat's +a wrong guy," muttered the former to the latter. "He's a stool pigeon or +one of dese amatoor mugs." + +"It's the pullin' of that punk graft that got my goat," replied The +General. "I never seen a punk yet that didn't try to make you think he +was a wise guy an' dis stiff don't belong enough even to pull a spiel +that would fool a old ladies' sewin' circle. I don't see wot The Sky +Pilot's cozyin' up to him fer." + +"You don't?" scoffed Dopey Charlie. "Didn't you lamp de oyster harness? +To say nothin' of de mitful of rocks and kale." + +"That 'ud be all right, too," replied the other, "if we could put the +guy to sleep; but The Sky Pilot won't never stand for croakin' nobody. +He's too scared of his neck. We'll look like a bunch o' wise ones, won't +we? lettin' a stranger sit in now--after last night. Hell!" he suddenly +exploded. "Don't you know that you an' me stand to swing if any of de +bunch gets gabby in front of dis phoney punk?" + +The two sat silent for a while, The General puffing on a short briar, +Dopey Charlie inhaling deep draughts from a cigarette, and both glaring +through narrowed lids at the boy warming himself beside the fire +where the others were attempting to draw him out the while they strove +desperately but unavailingly to keep their eyes from the two bulging +sidepockets of their guest's coat. + +Soup Face, who had been assiduously communing with a pint flask, leaned +close to Columbus Blackie, placing his whiskers within an inch or so +of the other's nose as was his habit when addressing another, and +whispered, relative to the pearl necklace: "Not a cent less 'n fifty +thou, bo!" + +"Fertheluvomike!" ejaculated Blackie, drawing back and wiping a palm +quickly across his lips. "Get a plumber first if you want to kiss +me--you leak." + +"He thinks you need a shower bath," said Dirty Eddie, laughing. + +"The trouble with Soup Face," explained The Sky Pilot, "is that he's got +a idea he's a human atomizer an' that the rest of us has colds." + +"Well, I don't want no atomizer loaded with rot-gut and garlic shot +in my mug," growled Blackie. "What Soup Face needs is to be learned +ettyket, an' if he comes that on me again I'm goin' to push his mush +through the back of his bean." + +An ugly light came into the blear eyes of Soup Face. Once again he +leaned close to Columbus Blackie. "Not a cent less 'n fifty thou, you +tinhorn!" he bellowed, belligerent and sprayful. + +Blackie leaped to his feet, with an oath--a frightful, hideous oath--and +as he rose he swung a heavy fist to Soup Face's purple nose. The latter +rolled over backward; but was upon his feet again much quicker than one +would have expected in so gross a bulk, and as he came to his feet a +knife flashed in his hand. With a sound that was more bestial than human +he ran toward Blackie; but there was another there who had anticipated +his intentions. As the blow was struck The Sky Pilot had risen; and +now he sprang forward, for all his age and bulk as nimble as a cat, and +seized Soup Face by the wrist. A quick wrench brought a howl of pain to +the would-be assassin, and the knife fell to the floor. + +"You gotta cut that if you travel with this bunch," said The Sky Pilot +in a voice that was new to The Oskaloosa Kid; "and you, too, Blackie," +he continued. "The rough stuff don't go with me, see?" He hurled Soup +Face to the floor and resumed his seat by the fire. + +The youth was astonished at the physical strength of this old man, +seemingly so softened by dissipation; but it showed him the source of +The Sky Pilot's authority and its scope, for Columbus Blackie and Soup +Face quitted their quarrel immediately. + +Dirty Eddie rose, yawned and stretched. "Me fer the hay," he announced, +and lay down again with his feet toward the fire. Some of the others +followed his example. "You'll find some hay in the loft there," said The +Sky Pilot to The Oskaloosa Kid. "Bring it down an' make your bed here by +me, there's plenty room." + +A half hour later all were stretched out upon the hard dirt floor upon +improvised beds of rotted hay; but not all slept. The Oskaloosa Kid, +though tired, found himself wider awake than he ever before had been. +Apparently sleep could never again come to those heavy eyes. There +passed before his mental vision a panorama of the events of the night. +He smiled as he inaudibly voiced the name they had given him, the right +to which he had not seen fit to deny. "The Oskaloosa Kid." The boy +smiled again as he felt the 'swag' hard and lumpy in his pockets. It +had given him prestige here that he could not have gained by any other +means; but he mistook the nature of the interest which his display of +stolen wealth had aroused. He thought that the men now looked upon +him as a fellow criminal to be accepted into the fraternity through +achievement; whereas they suffered him to remain solely in the hope of +transferring his loot to their own pockets. + +It is true that he puzzled them. Even The Sky Pilot, the most astute +and intelligent of them all, was at a loss to fathom The Oskaloosa Kid. +Innocence and unsophistication flaunted their banners in almost every +act and speech of The Oskaloosa Kid. The youth reminded him in some ways +of members of a Sunday school which had flourished in the dim vistas of +his past when, as an ordained minister of the Gospel, he had earned the +sobriquet which now identified him. But the concrete evidence of the +valuable loot comported not with The Sky Pilot's idea of a Sunday school +boy's lark. The young fellow was, unquestionably, a thief; but that he +had ever before consorted with thieves his speech and manners belied. + +"He's got me," murmured The Sky Pilot; "but he's got the stuff on him, +too; and all I want is to get it off of him without a painful operation. +Tomorrow'll do," and he shifted his position and fell asleep. + +Dopey Charlie and The General did not, however, follow the example of +their chief. They remained very wide awake, a little apart from the +others, where their low whispers could not be overheard. + +"You better do it," urged The General, in a soft, insinuating voice. +"You're pretty slick with the toad stabber, an' any way one more or less +won't count." + +"We can go to Sout' America on dat stuff an' live like gents," muttered +Dopey Charlie. "I'm goin' to cut out de Hop an' buy a farm an' a +ottymobeel and--" + +"Come out of it," admonished The General. "If we're lucky we'll get as +far as Cincinnati, get a stew on and get pinched. Den one of us'll hang +an' de other get stir fer life." + +The General was a weasel faced person of almost any age between +thirty-five and sixty. Sometimes he could have passed for a hundred +and ten. He had won his military title as a boy in the famous march of +Coxey's army on Washington, or, rather, the title had been conferred +upon him in later years as a merited reward of service. The General, +profiting by the precepts of his erstwhile companions in arms, had never +soiled his military escutcheon by labor, nor had he ever risen to the +higher planes of criminality. Rather as a mediocre pickpocket and +a timorous confidence man had he eked out a meager existence, amply +punctuated by seasons of straight bumming and intervals spent as the +guest of various inhospitably hospitable states. Now, for the first time +in his life, The General faced the possibility of a serious charge; and +his terror made him what he never before had been, a dangerous criminal. + +"You're a cheerful guy," commented Dopey Charlie; "but you may be right +at dat. Dey can't hang a guy any higher fer two 'an they can fer one +an' dat's no pipe; so wots de use. Wait till I take a shot--it'll be +easier," and he drew a small, worn case from an inside pocket, bared +his arm to the elbow and injected enough morphine to have killed a dozen +normal men. + +From a pile of mouldy hay across the barn the youth, heavy eyed but +sleepless, watched the two through half closed lids. A qualm of disgust +sent a sudden shudder through his slight frame. For the first time he +almost regretted having embarked upon a life of crime. He had seen +that the two men were conversing together earnestly, though he could +over-hear nothing they said, and that he had been the subject of their +nocturnal colloquy, for several times a glance or a nod in his direction +assured him of this. And so he lay watching them--not that he was +afraid, he kept reassuring himself, but through curiosity. Why should +he be afraid? Was it not a well known truth that there was honor among +thieves? + +But the longer he watched the heavier grew his lids. Several times they +closed to be dragged open again only by painful effort. Finally came a +time that they remained closed and the young chest rose and fell in the +regular breathing of slumber. + +The two ragged, rat-hearted creatures rose silently and picked their +way, half-crouched, among the sleepers sprawled between them and The +Oskaloosa Kid. In the hand of Dopey Charlie gleamed a bit of shiny steel +and in his heart were fear and greed. The fear was engendered by the +belief that the youth might be an amateur detective. Dopey Charlie had +had one experience of such and he knew that it was easily possible for +them to blunder upon evidence which the most experienced of operatives +might pass over unnoticed, and the loot bulging pockets furnished a +sufficient greed motive in themselves. + +Beside the boy kneeled the man with the knife. He did not raise his +hand and strike a sudden, haphazard blow. Instead he placed the point +carefully, though lightly, above the victim's heart, and then, suddenly, +bore his weight upon the blade. + +Abigail Prim always had been a thorn in the flesh of her stepmother--a +well-meaning, unimaginative, ambitious, and rather common woman. Coming +into the Prim home as house-keeper shortly after the death of Abigail's +mother, the second Mrs. Prim had from the first looked upon Abigail +principally as an obstacle to be overcome. She had tried to 'do right by +her'; but she had never given the child what a child most needs and most +craves--love and understanding. Not loving Abigail, the house-keeper +could, naturally, not give her love; and as for understanding her one +might as reasonably have expected an adding machine to understand higher +mathematics. + +Jonas Prim loved his daughter. There was nothing, within reason, that +money could buy which he would not have given her for the asking; but +Jonas Prim's love, as his life, was expressed in dollar signs, while the +love which Abigail craved is better expressed by any other means at the +command of man. + +Being misunderstood and, to all outward appearances of sentiment and +affection, unloved had not in any way embittered Abigail's remarkably +joyous temperament. She made up for it in some measure by getting all the +fun and excitement out of life which she could discover therein, or +invent through the medium of her own resourceful imagination. + +But recently the first real sorrow had been thrust into her young life +since the half-forgotten mother had been taken from her. The second +Mrs. Prim had decided that it was her 'duty' to see that Abigail, having +finished school and college, was properly married. As a matchmaker +the second Mrs. Prim was as a Texas steer in a ten cent store. It was +nothing to her that Abigail did not wish to marry anyone, or that the +man of Mrs. Prim's choice, had he been the sole surviving male in the +Universe, would have still been as far from Abigail's choice as though +he had been an inhabitant of one of Orion's most distant planets. + +As a matter of fact Abigail Prim detested Samuel Benham because he +represented to her everything in life which she shrank from--age, +avoirdupois, infirmity, baldness, stupidity, and matrimony. He was a +prosaic old bachelor who had amassed a fortune by the simple means of +inheriting three farms upon which an industrial city subsequently had +been built. Necessity rather than foresight had compelled him to hold on +to his property; and six weeks of typhoid, arriving and departing, had +saved him from selling out at a low figure. The first time he found +himself able to be out and attend to business he likewise found himself +a wealthy man, and ever since he had been growing wealthier without +personal effort. + +All of which is to render evident just how impossible a matrimonial +proposition was Samuel Benham to a bright, a beautiful, a gay, an +imaginative, young, and a witty girl such as Abigail Prim, who cared +less for money than for almost any other desirable thing in the world. + +Nagged, scolded, reproached, pestered, threatened, Abigail had at last +given a seeming assent to her stepmother's ambition; and had forthwith +been packed off on a two weeks visit to the sister of the bride-groom +elect. After which Mr. Benham was to visit Oakdale as a guest of the +Prims, and at a dinner for which cards already had been issued--so sure +was Mrs. Jonas Prim of her position of dictator of the Prim menage--the +engagement was to be announced. + +It was some time after dinner on the night of Abigail's departure that +Mrs. Prim, following a habit achieved by years of housekeeping, set +forth upon her rounds to see that doors and windows were properly +secured for the night. A French window and its screen opening upon the +verandah from the library she found open. "The house will be full of +mosquitoes!" she ejaculated mentally as she closed them both with a bang +and made them fast. "I should just like to know who left them open. Upon +my word, I don't know what would become of this place if it wasn't for +me. Of all the shiftlessness!" and she turned and flounced upstairs. In +Abigail's room she flashed on the center dome light from force of habit, +although she knew that the room had been left in proper condition after +the girl's departure earlier in the day. The first thing amiss that +her eagle eye noted was the candlestick lying on the floor beside the +dressing table. As she stooped to pick it up she saw the open drawer +from which the small automatic had been removed, and then, suspicions, +suddenly aroused, as suddenly became fear; and Mrs. Prim almost dove +across the room to the hidden wall safe. A moment's investigation +revealed the startling fact that the safe was unlocked and practically +empty. It was then that Mrs. Jonas Prim screamed. + +Her scream brought Jonas and several servants upon the scene. A careful +inspection of the room disclosed the fact that while much of value had +been ignored the burglar had taken the easily concealed contents of the +wall safe which represented fully ninety percentum of the value of the +personal property in Abigail Prim's apartments. + +Mrs. Prim scowled suspiciously upon the servants. Who else, indeed, +could have possessed the intimate knowledge which the thief had +displayed. Mrs. Prim saw it all. The open library window had been but a +clever blind to hide the fact that the thief had worked from the inside +and was now doubtless in the house at that very moment. + +"Jonas," she directed, "call the police at once, and see that no one, +absolutely no one, leaves this house until they have been here and made +a full investigation." + +"Shucks, Pudgy!" exclaimed Mr. Prim. "You don't think the thief is +waiting around here for the police, do you?" + +"I think that if you get the police here at once, Jonas, we shall find +both the thief and the loot under our very roof," she replied, not +without asperity. + +"You don't mean--" he hesitated. "Why, Pudgy, you don't mean you suspect +one of the servants?" + +"Who else could have known?" asked Mrs. Prim. The servants present +looked uncomfortable and cast sheepish eyes of suspicion at one another. + +"It's all tommy rot!" ejaculated Mr. Prim; "but I'll call the police, +because I got to report the theft. It's some slick outsider, that's +who it is," and he started down stairs toward the telephone. Before he +reached it the bell rang, and when he had hung up the receiver after the +conversation the theft seemed a trivial matter. In fact he had almost +forgotten it, for the message had been from the local telegraph office +relaying a wire they had just received from Mr. Samuel Benham. + +"I say, Pudgy," he cried, as he took the steps two at a time for the +second floor, "here's a wire from Benham saying Gail didn't come on that +train and asking when he's to expect her." + +"Impossible!" ejaculated Mrs. Prim. "I certainly saw her aboard the +train myself. Impossible!" + +Jonas Prim was a man of action. Within half an hour he had set in motion +such wheels as money and influence may cause to revolve in search of +some clew to the whereabouts of the missing Abigail, and at the same +time had reported the theft of jewels and money from his home; but in +doing this he had learned that other happenings no less remarkable in +their way had taken place in Oakdale that very night. + +The following morning all Oakdale was thrilled as its fascinated eyes +devoured the front page of Oakdale's ordinarily dull daily. Never had +Oakdale experienced a plethora of home-grown thrills; but it came as +near to it that morning, doubtless, as it ever had or ever will. Not +since the cashier of The Merchants and Farmers Bank committed suicide +three years past had Oakdale been so wrought up, and now that historic +and classical event paled into insignificance in the glaring brilliancy +of a series of crimes and mysteries of a single night such as not even +the most sanguine of Oakdale's thrill lovers could have hoped for. + +There was, first, the mysterious disappearance of Abigail Prim, the +only daughter of Oakdale's wealthiest citizen; there was the equally +mysterious robbery of the Prim home. Either one of these would have been +sufficient to have set Oakdale's multitudinous tongues wagging for days; +but they were not all. Old John Baggs, the city's best known miser, had +suffered a murderous assault in his little cottage upon the outskirts +of town, and was even now lying at the point of death in The Samaritan +Hospital. That robbery had been the motive was amply indicated by the +topsy-turvy condition of the contents of the three rooms which Baggs +called home. As the victim still was unconscious no details of the crime +were obtainable. Yet even this atrocious deed had been capped by one yet +more hideous. + +Reginald Paynter had for years been looked upon half askance and yet +with a certain secret pride by Oakdale. He was her sole bon vivant in +the true sense of the word, whatever that may be. He was always +spoken of in the columns of The Oakdale Tribune as 'that well known +man-about-town,' or 'one of Oakdale's most prominent clubmen.' Reginald +Paynter had been, if not the only, at all events the best dressed man +in town. His clothes were made in New York. This in itself had been +sufficient to have set him apart from all the other males of Oakdale. +He was widely travelled, had an independent fortune, and was far from +unhandsome. For years he had been the hope and despair of every Oakdale +mother with marriageable daughters. The Oakdale fathers, however, had +not been so keen about Reginald. Men usually know more about the morals +of men than do women. There were those who, if pressed, would have +conceded that Reginald had no morals. + +But what place has an obituary in a truthful tale of adventure and +mystery! Reginald Paynter was dead. His body had been found beside +the road just outside the city limits at mid-night by a party of +automobilists returning from a fishing trip. The skull was crushed back +of the left ear. The position of the body as well as the marks in the +road beside it indicated that the man had been hurled from a rapidly +moving automobile. The fact that his pockets had been rifled led to the +assumption that he had been killed and robbed before being dumped upon +the road. + +Now there were those in Oakdale, and they were many, who endeavored to +connect in some way these several events of horror, mystery, and crime. +In the first place it seemed quite evident that the robbery at the Prim +home, the assault upon Old Baggs, and the murder of Paynter had been +the work of the same man; but how could such a series of frightful +happenings be in any way connected with the disappearance of Abigail +Prim? Of course there were many who knew that Abigail and Reginald were +old friends; and that the former had, on frequent occasions, ridden +abroad in Reginald's French roadster, that he had escorted her to +parties and been, at various times, a caller at her home; but no less +had been true of a dozen other perfectly respectable young ladies +of Oakdale. Possibly it was only Abigail's added misfortune to have +disappeared upon the eve of the night of Reginald's murder. + +But later in the day when word came from a nearby town that Reginald had +been seen in a strange touring car with two unknown men and a girl, +the gossips commenced to wag their heads. It was mentioned, casually of +course, that this town was a few stations along the very road upon which +Abigail had departed the previous afternoon for that destination which +she had not reached. It was likewise remarked that Reginald, the two +strange men and the GIRL had been first noticed after the time of +arrival of the Oakdale train! What more was needed? Absolutely +nothing more. The tongues ceased wagging in order that they might turn +hand-springs. + +Find Abigail Prim, whispered some, and the mystery will be solved. There +were others charitable enough to assume that Abigail had been kidnapped +by the same men who had murdered Paynter and wrought the other lesser +deeds of crime in peaceful Oakdale. The Oakdale Tribune got out an extra +that afternoon giving a resume of such evidence as had appeared in the +regular edition and hinting at all the numerous possibilities suggested +by such matter as had come to hand since. Even fear of old Jonas Prim +and his millions had not been enough to entirely squelch the newspaper +instinct of the Tribune's editor. Never before had he had such an +opportunity and he made the best of it, even repeating the vague +surmises which had linked the name of Abigail to the murder of Reginald +Paynter. + +Jonas Prim was too busy and too worried to pay any attention to the +Tribune or its editor. He already had the best operative that the best +detective agency in the nearest metropolis could furnish. The man had +come to Oakdale, learned all that was to be learned there, and forthwith +departed. + +This, then, will be about all concerning Oakdale for the present. We +must leave her to bury her own dead. + +The sudden pressure of the knife point against the breast of the +Oskaloosa Kid awakened the youth with a startling suddenness which +brought him to his feet before a second vicious thrust reached him. For +a time he did not realize how close he had been to death or that he had +been saved by the chance location of the automatic pistol in his breast +pocket--the very pistol he had taken from the dressing table of Abigail +Prim's boudoir. + +The commotion of the attack and escape brought the other sleepers to +heavy-eyed wakefulness. They saw Dopey Charlie advancing upon the Kid, +a knife in his hand. Behind him slunk The General, urging the other on. +The youth was backing toward the doorway. The tableau persisted but for +an instant. Then the would-be murderer rushed madly upon his victim, the +latter's hand leaped from beneath the breast of his torn coat--there was +a flash of flame, a staccato report and Dopey Charlie crumpled to the +ground, screaming. In the same instant The Oskaloosa Kid wheeled and +vanished into the night. + +It had all happened so quickly that the other members of the gang, +awakened from deep slumber, had only time to stumble to their feet +before it was over. The Sky Pilot, ignoring the screaming Charlie, +thought only of the loot which had vanished with the Oskaloosa Kid. + +"Come on! We gotta get him," he cried, as he ran from the barn after +the fugitive. The others, all but Dopey Charlie, followed in the wake of +their leader. The wounded man, his audience departed, ceased screaming +and, sitting up, fell to examining himself. To his surprise he +discovered that he was not dead. A further and more minute examination +disclosed the additional fact that he was not even badly wounded. The +bullet of The Kid had merely creased the flesh over the ribs beneath his +right arm. With a grunt that might have been either disgust or relief he +stumbled to his feet and joined in the pursuit. + +Down the road toward the south ran The Oskaloosa Kid with all the +fleetness of youth spurred on by terror. In five minutes he had so far +outdistanced his pursuers that The Sky Pilot leaped to the conclusion +that the quarry had left the road to hide in an adjoining field. The +resultant halt and search upon either side of the road delayed the chase +to a sufficient extent to award the fugitive a mile lead by the time the +band resumed the hunt along the main highway. The men were determined +to overhaul the youth not alone because of the loot upon his person but +through an abiding suspicion that he might indeed be what some of them +feared he was--an amateur detective--and there were at least two among +them who had reason to be especially fearful of any sort of detective +from Oakdale. + +They no longer ran; but puffed arduously along the smooth road, +searching with troubled and angry eyes to right and left and ahead of +them as they went. + +The Oskaloosa Kid puffed, too; but he puffed a mile away from the +searchers and he walked more rapidly than they, for his muscles were +younger and his wind unimpaired by dissipation. For a time he carried +the small automatic in his hand; but later, hearing no evidence of +pursuit, he returned it to the pocket in his coat where it had lain when +it had saved him from death beneath the blade of the degenerate Charlie. + +For an hour he continued walking rapidly along the winding country road. +He was very tired; but he dared not pause to rest. Always behind him he +expected the sudden onslaught of the bearded, blear-eyed followers +of The Sky Pilot. Terror goaded him to supreme physical effort. +Recollection of the screaming man sinking to the earthen floor of the +hay barn haunted him. He was a murderer! He had slain a fellow man. +He winced and shuddered, increasing his gait until again he almost ran +--ran from the ghost pursuing him through the black night in greater +terror than he felt for the flesh and blood pursuers upon his heels. + +And Nature drew upon her sinister forces to add to the fear which the +youth already felt. Black clouds obscured the moon blotting out the soft +kindliness of the greening fields and transforming the budding branches +of the trees to menacing and gloomy arms which appeared to hover with +clawlike talons above the dark and forbidding road. The wind soughed +with gloomy and increasing menace, a sudden light flared across the +southern sky followed by the reverberation of distant thunder. + +Presently a great rain drop was blown against the youth's face; the +vividness of the lightning had increased; the rumbling of the thunder +had grown to the proportions of a titanic bombardment; but he dared not +pause to seek shelter. + +Another flash of lightning revealed a fork in the road immediately +ahead--to the left ran the broad, smooth highway, to the right a dirt +road, overarched by trees, led away into the impenetrable dark. + +The fugitive paused, undecided. Which way should he turn? The better +travelled highway seemed less mysterious and awesome, yet would his +pursuers not naturally assume that he had followed it? Then, of course, +the right hand road was the road for him. Yet still he hesitated, for +the right hand road was black and forbidding; suggesting the entrance to +a pit of unknown horrors. + +As he stood there with the rain and the wind, the thunder and the +lightning, horror of the past and terror of the future his only +companions there broke suddenly through the storm the voice of a man +just ahead and evidently approaching along the highway. + +The youth turned to flee; but the thought of the men tracking him from +that direction brought him to a sudden halt. There was only the road to +the right, then, after all. Cautiously he moved toward it, and at the +same time the words of the voice came clearly through the night: + + "'... as, swinging heel and toe, + + 'We tramped the road to Anywhere, the magic road + + to Anywhere, + + 'The tragic road to Anywhere, such dear, dim years + + ago.'" + +The voice seemed reassuring--its quality and the annunciation of the +words bespoke for its owner considerable claim to refinement. The youth +had halted again, but he now crouched to one side fearing to reveal his +presence because of the bloody crime he thought he had committed; yet +how he yearned to throw himself upon the compassion of this fine voiced +stranger! How his every fibre cried out for companionship in this night +of his greatest terror; but he would have let the invisible minstrel +pass had not Fate ordained to light the scene at that particular instant +with a prolonged flare of sheet lightning, revealing the two wayfarers +to one another. + +The youth saw a slight though well built man in ragged clothes and +disreputable soft hat. The image was photographed upon his brain for +life--the honest, laughing eyes, the well moulded features harmonizing +so well with the voice, and the impossible garments which marked the man +hobo and bum as plainly as though he wore a placard suspended from his +neck. + +The stranger halted. Once more darkness enveloped them. "Lovely evening +for a stroll," remarked the man. "Running out to your country place? +Isn't there danger of skidding on these wet roads at night? I told +James, just before we started, to be sure to see that the chains were on +all around; but he forgot them. James is very trying sometimes. Now he +never showed up this evening and I had to start out alone, and he knows +perfectly well that I detest driving after dark in the rain." + +The youth found himself smiling. His fear had suddenly vanished. No one +could harbor suspicion of the owner of that cheerful voice. + +"I didn't know which road to take," he ventured, in explanation of his +presence at the cross road. + +"Oh," exclaimed the man, "are there two roads here? I was looking for +this fork and came near passing it in the dark. It was a year ago since +I came this way; but I recall a deserted house about a mile up the dirt +road. It will shelter us from the inclemencies of the weather." + +"Oh!" cried the youth. "Now I know where I am. In the dark and the storm +and after all that has happened to me tonight nothing seemed natural. +It was just as though I was in some strange land; but I know now. Yes, +there is a deserted house a little less than a mile from here; but you +wouldn't want to stop there at night. They tell some frightful stories +about it. It hasn't been occupied for over twenty years--not since the +Squibbs were found murdered there--the father, mother, three sons, and +a daughter. They never discovered the murderer, and the house has stood +vacant and the farm unworked almost continuously since. A couple of men +tried working it; but they didn't stay long. A night or so was enough +for them and their families. I remember hearing as a little--er--child +stories of the frightful things that happened there in the house where +the Squibbs were murdered--things that happened after dark when the +lights were out. Oh, I wouldn't even pass that place on a night like +this." + +The man smiled. "I slept there alone one rainy night about a year +ago," he said. "I didn't see or hear anything unusual. Such stories are +ridiculous; and even if there was a little truth in them, noises can't +harm you as much as sleeping out in the storm. I'm going to encroach +once more upon the ghostly hospitality of the Squibbs. Better come with +me." + +The youth shuddered and drew back. From far behind came faintly the +shout of a man. + +"Yes, I'll go," exclaimed the boy. "Let's hurry," and he started off at +a half-run toward the dirt road. + +The man followed more slowly. The darkness hid the quizzical expression +of his eyes. He, too, had heard the faint shout far to the rear. He +recalled the boy's "after all that has happened to me tonight," and he +shrewdly guessed that the latter's sudden determination to brave the +horrors of the haunted house was closely connected with the hoarse voice +out of the distance. + +When he had finally come abreast of the youth after the latter, his +first panic of flight subsided, had reduced his speed, he spoke to him +in his kindly tones. + +"What was it that happened to you to-night?" he asked. "Is someone +following you? You needn't be afraid of me. I'll help you if you've been +on the square. If you haven't, you still needn't fear me, for I won't +peach on you. What is it? Tell me." + +The youth was on the point of unburdening his soul to this stranger +with the kindly voice and the honest eyes; but a sudden fear stayed his +tongue. If he told all it would be necessary to reveal certain details +that he could not bring himself to reveal to anyone, and so he commenced +with his introduction to the wayfarers in the deserted hay barn. Briefly +he told of the attack upon him, of his shooting of Dopey Charlie, of the +flight and pursuit. "And now," he said in conclusion, "that you know I'm +a murderer I suppose you won't have any more to do with me, unless you +turn me over to the authorities to hang." There was almost a sob in his +voice, so real was his terror. + +The man threw an arm across his companion's shoulder. "Don't worry, +kid," he said. "You're not a murderer even if you did kill Dopey +Charlie, which I hope you did. You're a benefactor of the human race. +I have known Charles for years. He should have been killed long since. +Furthermore, as you shot in self defence no jury would convict you. +I fear, however, that you didn't kill him. You say you could hear his +screams as long as you were within earshot of the barn--dead men don't +scream, you know." + +"How did you know my name?" asked the youth. + +"I don't," replied the man. + +"But you called me 'Kid' and that's my name--I'm The Oskaloosa Kid." + +The man was glad that the darkness hid his smile of amusement. He knew +The Oskaloosa Kid well, and he knew him as an ex-pug with a pock marked +face, a bullet head, and a tin ear. The flash of lightning had revealed, +upon the contrary, a slender boy with smooth skin, an oval face, and +large dark eyes. + +"Ah," he said, "so you are The Oskaloosa Kid! I am delighted, sir, +to make your acquaintance. Permit me to introduce myself: my name is +Bridge. If James were here I should ask him to mix one of his famous +cocktails that we might drink to our mutual happiness and the longevity +of our friendship." + +"I am glad to know you, Mr. Bridge," said the youth. "Oh, I can't tell +you how glad I am to know you. I was so lonely and so afraid," and he +pressed closer to the older man whose arm still encircled his shoulder, +though at first he had been inclined to draw away in some confusion. + +Talking together the two moved on along the dark road. The storm had +settled now into a steady rain with infrequent flashes of lightning and +peals of thunder. There had been no further indications of pursuit; but +Bridge argued that The Sky Pilot, being wise with the wisdom of the owl +and cunning with the cunning of the fox, would doubtless surmise that a +fugitive would take to the first road leading away from the main artery, +and that even though they heard nothing it would be safe to assume that +the gang was still upon the boy's trail. "And it's a bad bunch, too," +he continued. "I've known them all for years. The Sky Pilot has the +reputation of never countenancing a murder; but that is because he is a +sly one. His gang kills; but when they kill under The Sky Pilot they +do it so cleverly that no trace of the crime remains. Their victim +disappears--that is all." + +The boy trembled. "You won't let them get me?" he pleaded, pressing +closer to the man. The only response was a pressure of the arm about the +shoulders of The Oskaloosa Kid. + +Over a low hill they followed the muddy road and down into a dark and +gloomy ravine. In a little open space to the right of the road a flash +of lightning revealed the outlines of a building a hundred yards from +the rickety and decaying fence which bordered the Squibbs' farm and +separated it from the road. + +"Here we are!" cried Bridge, "and spooks or no spooks we'll find a +dry spot in that old ruin. There was a stove there last year and it's +doubtless there yet. A good fire to dry our clothes and warm us up +will fit us for a bully good sleep, and I'll wager a silk hat that The +Oskaloosa Kid is a mighty sleepy kid, eh?" + +The boy admitted the allegation and the two turned in through the +gateway, stepping over the fallen gate and moving through knee high +weeds toward the forbidding structure in the distance. A clump of trees +surrounded the house, their shade adding to the almost utter blackness +of the night. + +The two had reached the verandah when Bridge, turning, saw a brilliant +light flaring through the night above the crest of the hill they had +just topped in their descent into the ravine, or, to be more explicit, +the small valley, where stood the crumbling house of Squibbs. The purr +of a rapidly moving motor rose above the rain, the light rose, fell, +swerved to the right and to the left. + +"Someone must be in a hurry," commented Bridge. + +"I suppose it is James, anxious to find you and explain his absence," +suggested The Oskaloosa Kid. They both laughed. + +"Gad!" cried Bridge, as the car topped the hill and plunged downward +toward them, "I'd hate to ride behind that fellow on a night like this, +and over a dirt road at that!" + +As the car swung onto the straight road before the house a flash of +lightning revealed dimly the outlines of a rapidly moving touring car +with lowered top. Just as the machine came opposite the Squibbs' gate a +woman's scream mingled with the report of a pistol from the tonneau +and the watchers upon the verandah saw a dark bulk hurled from the +car, which sped on with undiminished speed, climbed the hill beyond and +disappeared from view. + +Bridge started on a run toward the gateway, followed by the frightened +Kid. In the ditch beside the road they found in a dishevelled heap the +body of a young woman. The man lifted the still form in his arms. The +youth wondered at the great strength of the slight figure. "Let me help +you carry her," he volunteered; but Bridge needed no assistance. "Run +ahead and open the door for me," he said, as he bore his burden toward +the house. + +Forgetful, in the excitement of the moment, of his terror of the horror +ridden ruin, The Oskaloosa Kid hastened ahead, mounted the few steps to +the verandah, crossed it and pushed open the sagging door. Behind him +came Bridge as the youth entered the dark interior. A half dozen +steps he took when his foot struck against a soft and yielding mass. +Stumbling, he tried to regain his equilibrium only to drop full upon the +thing beneath him. One open palm, extended to ease his fall, fell upon +the upturned features of a cold and clammy face. With a shriek of horror +The Kid leaped to his feet and shrank, trembling, back. + +"What is it? What's the matter?" cried Bridge, with whom The Kid had +collided in his precipitate retreat. + +"O-o-o!" groaned The Kid, shuddering. "It's dead! It's dead!" + +"What's dead?" demanded Bridge. + +"There's a dead man on the floor, right ahead of us," moaned The Kid. + +"You'll find a flash lamp in the right hand pocket of my coat," directed +Bridge. "Take it and make a light." + +With trembling fingers the Kid did as he was bid, and when after much +fumbling he found the button a slim shaft of white light fell downward +upon the upturned face of a man cold in death--a little man, strangely +garbed, with gold rings in his ears, and long black hair matted in the +death sweat of his brow. His eyes were wide and, even in death, terror +filled, his features were distorted with fear and horror. His fingers, +clenched in the rigidity of death, clutched wisps of dark brown hair. +There were no indications of a wound or other violence upon his body, +that either the Kid or Bridge could see, except the dried remains of +bloody froth which flecked his lips. + +Bridge still stood holding the quiet form of the girl in his arms, while +The Kid, pressed close to the man's side, clutched one arm with a fierce +intensity which bespoke at once the nervous terror which filled him and +the reliance he placed upon his new found friend. + +To their right, in the faint light of the flash lamp, a narrow stairway +was revealed leading to the second story. Straight ahead was a door +opening upon the blackness of a rear apartment. Beside the foot of the +stairway was another door leading to the cellar steps. + +Bridge nodded toward the rear room. "The stove is in there," he said. +"We'd better go on and make a fire. Draw your pistol--whoever did this +has probably beat it; but it's just as well to be on the safe side." + +"I'm afraid," said The Oskaloosa Kid. "Let's leave this frightful place. +It's just as I told you it was; just as I always heard." + +"We can't leave this woman, my boy," replied Bridge. "She isn't dead. +We can't leave her, and we can't take her out into the storm in her +condition. We must stay. Come! buck up. There's nothing to fear from a +dead man, and--" + +He never finished the sentence. From the depths of the cellar came the +sound of a clanking chain. Something scratched heavily upon the wooden +steps. Whatever it was it was evidently ascending, while behind it +clanked the heavy links of a dragged chain. + +The Oskaloosa Kid cast a wide eyed glance of terror at Bridge. His +lips moved in an attempt to speak; but fear rendered him inarticulate. +Slowly, ponderously the THING ascended the dark stairs from the gloom +ridden cellar of the deserted ruin. Even Bridge paled a trifle. The man +upon the floor appeared to have met an unnatural death--the frightful +expression frozen upon the dead face might even indicate something +verging upon the supernatural. The sound of the THING climbing out of +the cellar was indeed uncanny--so uncanny that Bridge discovered himself +looking about for some means of escape. His eyes fell upon the stairway +leading to the second floor. + +"Quick!" he whispered. "Up the stairs! You go first; I'll follow." + +The Kid needed no second invitation. With a bound he was half way up +the rickety staircase; but a glance ahead at the darkness above gave +him pause while he waited for Bridge to catch up with him. Coming more +slowly with his burden the man followed the boy, while from below the +clanking of the chain warned them that the THING was already at the top +of the cellar stairs. + +"Flash the lamp down there," directed Bridge. "Let's have a look at it, +whatever it is." + +With trembling hands The Oskaloosa Kid directed the lens over the +edge of the swaying and rotting bannister. His finger slipped from the +lighting button plunging them all into darkness. In his frantic effort +to find the button and relight the lamp the worst occurred--he fumbled +the button and the lamp slipped through his fingers, falling over the +bannister to the floor below. Instantly the sound of the dragging chain +ceased; but the silence was even more horrible than the noise which had +preceded it. + +For a long minute the two at the head of the stairs stood in tense +silence listening for a repetition of the gruesome sounds from below. +The youth was frankly terrified; he made no effort to conceal the fact; +but pressed close to his companion, again clutching his arm tightly. +Bridge could feel the trembling of the slight figure, the spasmodic +gripping of the slender fingers and hear the quick, short, irregular +breathing. A sudden impulse to throw a protecting arm about the boy +seized him--an impulse which he could not quite fathom, and one to which +he could not respond because of the body of the girl he carried. + +He bent toward the youth. "There are matches in my coat pocket," he +whispered, "--the same pocket in which you found the flash lamp. Strike +one and we'll look for a room here where we can lay the girl." + +The boy fumbled gropingly in search of the matches. It was evident to +the man that it was only with the greatest exertion of will power that +he controlled his muscles at all; but at last he succeeded in finding +and striking one. At the flare of the light there was a sound from +below--a scratching sound and the creaking of boards as beneath a heavy +body; then came the clanking of the chain once more, and the bannister +against which they leaned shook as though a hand had been laid upon it +below them. The youth stifled a shriek and simultaneously the match went +out; but not before Bridge had seen in the momentary flare of light a +partially open door at the far end of the hall in which they stood. + +Beneath them the stairs creaked now and the chain thumped slowly from +one to another as it was dragged upward toward them. + +"Quick!" called Bridge. "Straight down the hall and into the room at +the end." The man was puzzled. He could not have been said to have been +actually afraid, and yet the terror of the boy was so intense, so real, +that it could scarce but have had its suggestive effect upon the other; +and, too, there was an uncanny element of the supernatural in what they +had seen and heard in the deserted house--the dead man on the floor +below, the inexplicable clanking of a chain by some unseen THING from +the depth of the cellar upward toward them; and, to heighten the effect +of these, there were the grim stories of unsolved tragedy and crime. All +in all Bridge could not have denied that he was glad of the room at the +end of the hall with its suggestion of safety in the door which might +be closed against the horrors of the hall and the Stygian gloom below +stairs. + +The Oskaloosa Kid was staggering ahead of him, scarce able to hold his +body erect upon his shaking knees--his gait seemed pitifully slow to +the unarmed man carrying the unconscious girl and listening to the chain +dragging ever nearer and nearer behind; but at last they reached the +doorway and passed through it into the room. + +"Close the door," directed Bridge as he crossed toward the center of the +room to lay his burden upon the floor, but there was no response to +his instructions--only a gasp and the sound of a body slumping to the +rotting boards. With an exclamation of chagrin the man dropped the girl +and swung quickly toward the door. Halfway down the hall he could hear +the chain rattling over loose planking, the THING, whatever it might +be, was close upon them. Bridge slammed-to the door and with a shoulder +against it drew a match from his pocket and lighted it. Although his +clothing was soggy with rain he knew that his matches would still +be dry, for this pocket and its flap he had ingeniously lined with +waterproof material from a discarded slicker he had found--years of +tramping having taught him the discomforts of a fireless camp. + +In the resultant light the man saw with a quick glance a large room +furnished with an old walnut bed, dresser, and commode; two lightless +windows opened at the far end toward the road, Bridge assumed; and there +was no door other than that against which he leaned. In the last flicker +of the match the man scanned the door itself for a lock and, to his +relief, discovered a bolt--old and rusty it was, but it still moved +in its sleeve. An instant later it was shot--just as the sound of the +dragging chain ceased outside. Near the door was the great bed, and +this Bridge dragged before it as an additional barricade; then, bearing +nothing more from the hallway, he turned his attention to the two +unconscious forms upon the floor. Unhesitatingly he went to the boy +first though had he questioned himself he could not have told why; for +the youth, undoubtedly, had only swooned, while the girl had been the +victim of a murderous assault and might even be at the point of death. + +What was the appeal to the man in the pseudo Oskaloosa Kid? He had +scarce seen the boy's face, yet the terrified figure had aroused within +him, strongly, the protective instinct. Doubtless it was the call of +youth and weakness which find, always, an answering assurance in the +strength of a strong man. + +As Bridge groped toward the spot where the boy had fallen his eyes, now +become accustomed to the darkness of the room, saw that the youth was +sitting up. "Well?" he asked. "Feeling better?" + +"Where is it? Oh, God! Where is it?" cried the boy. "It will come in +here and kill us as it killed that--that--down stairs." + +"It can't get in," Bridge assured him. "I've locked the door and pushed +the bed in front of it. Gad! I feel like an old maid looking under the +bed for burglars." + +From the hall came a sudden clanking of the chain accompanied by a loud +pounding upon the bare floor. With a scream the youth leaped to his +feet and almost threw himself upon Bridge. His arms were about the man's +neck, his face buried in his shoulder. + +"Oh, don't--don't let it get me!" he cried. + +"Brace up, son," Bridge admonished him. "Didn't I tell you that it can't +get in?" + +"How do you know it can't get in?" whimpered the youth. "It's the thing +that murdered the man down stairs--it's the thing that murdered the +Squibbs--right here in this room. It got in to them--what is to prevent +its getting in to us. What are doors to such a THING?" + +"Come! come! now," Bridge tried to soothe him. "You have a case of +nerves. Lie down here on this bed and try to sleep. Nothing shall harm +you, and when you wake up it will be morning and you'll laugh at your +fears." + +"Lie on THAT bed!" The voice was almost a shriek. "That is the bed the +Squibbs were murdered in--the old man and his wife. No one would have +it, and so it has remained here all these years. I would rather die than +touch the thing. Their blood is still upon it." + +"I wish," said Bridge a trifle sternly, "that you would try to control +yourself a bit. Hysteria won't help us any. Here we are, and we've to +make the best of it. Besides we must look after this young woman--she +may be dying, and we haven't done a thing to help her." + +The boy, evidently shamed, released his hold upon Bridge and moved +away. "I am sorry," he said. "I'll try to do better; but, Oh! I was so +frightened. You cannot imagine how frightened I was." + +"I had imagined," said Bridge, "from what I had heard of him that it +would be a rather difficult thing to frighten The Oskaloosa Kid--you +have, you know, rather a reputation for fearlessness." + +The darkness hid the scarlet flush which mantled The Kid's face. There +was a moment's silence as Bridge crossed to where the young woman still +lay upon the floor where he had deposited her. Then The Kid spoke. "I'm +sorry," he said, "that I made a fool of myself. You have been so brave, +and I have not helped at all. I shall do better now." + +"Good," said Bridge, and stooped to raise the young woman in his arms +and deposit her upon the bed. Then he struck another match and leaned +close to examine her. The flare of the sulphur illuminated the room +and shot two rectangles of light against the outer blackness where the +unglazed windows stared vacantly upon the road beyond, bringing to a +sudden halt a little company of muddy and bedraggled men who slipped, +cursing, along the slimy way. + +Bridge felt the youth close beside him as he bent above the girl upon +the bed. + +"Is she dead?" the lad whispered. + +"No," replied Bridge, "and I doubt if she's badly hurt." His hands ran +quickly over her limbs, bending and twisting them gently; he unbuttoned +her waist, getting the boy to strike and hold another match while he +examined the victim for signs of a bullet wound. + +"I can't find a scratch on her," he said at last. "She's suffering from +shock alone, as far as I can judge. Say, she's pretty, isn't she?" + +The youth drew himself rather stiffly erect. "Her features are rather +coarse, I think," he replied. There was a peculiar quality to the tone +which caused Bridge to turn a quick look at the boy's face, just as +the match flickered and went out. The darkness hid the expression +upon Bridge's face, but his conviction that the girl was pretty was +unaltered. The light of the match had revealed an oval face surrounded +by dark, dishevelled tresses, red, full lips, and large, dark eyes. + +Further discussion of the young woman was discouraged by a repetition of +the clanking of the chain without. Now it was receding along the hallway +toward the stairs and presently, to the infinite relief of The Oskaloosa +Kid, the two heard it descending to the lower floor. + +"What was it, do you think?" asked the boy, his voice still trembling +upon the verge of hysteria. + +"I don't know," replied Bridge. "I've never been a believer in ghosts +and I'm not now; but I'll admit that it takes a whole lot of--" + +He did not finish the sentence for a moan from the bed diverted his +attention to the injured girl, toward whom he now turned. As they +listened for a repetition of the sound there came another--that of +the creaking of the old bed slats as the girl moved upon the mildewed +mattress. Dimly, through the darkness, Bridge saw that the victim of the +recent murderous assault was attempting to sit up. He moved closer and +leaned above her. + +"I wouldn't exert myself," he said. "You've just suffered an accident, +and it's better that you remain quiet." + +"Who are you?" asked the girl, a note of suppressed terror in her voice. +"You are not--?" + +"I am no one you know," replied Bridge. "My friend and I chanced to be +near when you fell from the car--" with that innate refinement which +always belied his vocation and his rags Bridge chose not to embarrass +the girl by a too intimate knowledge of the thing which had befallen +her, preferring to leave to her own volition the making of any +explanation she saw fit, or of none--"and we carried you in here out of +the storm." + +The girl was silent for a moment. "Where is 'here'?" she asked +presently. "They drove so fast and it was so dark that I had no idea +where we were, though I know that we left the turnpike." + +"We are at the old Squibbs place," replied the man. He could see that +the girl was running one hand gingerly over her head and face, so that +her next question did not surprise him. + +"Am I badly wounded?" she asked. "Do you think that I am going to die?" +The tremor in her voice was pathetic--it was the voice of a frightened +and wondering child. Bridge heard the boy behind him move impulsively +forward and saw him kneel on the bed beside the girl. + +"You are not badly hurt," volunteered The Oskaloosa Kid. "Bridge +couldn't find a mark on you--the bullet must have missed you." + +"He was holding me over the edge of the car when he fired." The girl's +voice reflected the physical shudder which ran through her frame at the +recollection. "Then he threw me out almost simultaneously. I suppose he +thought that he could not miss at such close range." For a time she was +silent again, sitting stiffly erect. Bridge could feel rather than see +wide, tense eyes staring out through the darkness upon scenes, horrible +perhaps, that were invisible to him and the Kid. + +Suddenly the girl turned and threw herself face downward upon the bed. +"O, God!" she moaned. "Father! Father! It will kill you--no one will +believe me--they will think that I am bad. I didn't do it! I didn't +do it! I've been a silly little fool; but I have never been a bad +girl--and---and--I had nothing to do with that awful thing that happened +to-night." + +Bridge and the boy realized that she was not talking to them--that for +the moment she had lost sight of their presence--she was talking to that +father whose heart would be breaking with the breaking of the new day, +trying to convince him that his little girl had done no wrong. + +Again she sat up, and when she spoke there was no tremor in her voice. + +"I may die," she said. "I want to die. I do not see how I can go on +living after last night; but if I do die I want my father to know that +I had nothing to do with it and that they tried to kill me because +I wouldn't promise to keep still. It was the little one who murdered +him--the one they called 'Jimmie' and 'The Oskaloosa Kid.' The big one +drove the car--his name was 'Terry.' After they killed him I tried to +jump out--I had been sitting in front with Terry--and then they dragged +me over into the tonneau and later--the Oskaloosa Kid tried to kill me +too, and threw me out." + +Bridge heard the boy at his side gulp. The girl went on. + +"To-morrow you will know about the murder--everyone will know about it; +and I will be missed; and there will be people who saw me in the car +with them, for someone must have seen me. Oh, I can't face it! I want to +die. I will die! I come of a good family. My father is a prominent man. +I can't go back and stand the disgrace and see him suffer, as he will +suffer, for I was all he had--his only child. I can't bear to tell you +my name--you will know it soon enough--but please find some way to +let my father know all that I have told you--I swear that it is the +truth--by the memory of my dead mother, I swear it!" + +Bridge laid a hand upon the girl's shoulder. "If you are telling us the +truth," he said, "you have only a silly escapade with strange men upon +your conscience. You must not talk of dying now--your duty is to your +father. If you take your own life it will be a tacit admission of guilt +and will only serve to double the burden of sorrow and ignominy which +your father is bound to feel when this thing becomes public, as it +certainly must if a murder has been done. The only way in which you +can atone for your error is to go back and face the consequences with +him--do not throw it all upon him; that would be cowardly." + +The girl did not reply; but that the man's words had impressed her +seemed evident. For a while each was occupied with his own thoughts; +which were presently disturbed by the sound of footsteps upon the floor +below--the muffled scraping of many feet followed a moment later by an +exclamation and an oath, the words coming distinctly through the loose +and splintered flooring. + +"Pipe the stiff," exclaimed a voice which The Oskaloosa Kid recognized +immediately as that of Soup Face. + +"The Kid musta croaked him," said another. + +A laugh followed this evidently witty sally. + +"The guy probably lamped the swag an' died of heart failure," suggested +another. + +The men were still laughing when the sound of a clanking chain echoed +dismally from the cellar. Instantly silence fell upon the newcomers upon +the first floor, followed by a--"Wotinel's that?" Two of the men had +approached the staircase and started to ascend it. Slowly the uncanny +clanking drew closer to the first floor. The girl on the bed turned +toward Bridge. + +"What is it?" she gasped. + +"We don't know," replied the man. "It followed us up here, or rather +it chased us up; and then went down again just before you regained +consciousness. I imagine we shall hear some interesting developments +from below." + +"It's The Sky Pilot and his gang," whispered The Oskaloosa Kid. + +"It's The Oskaloosa Kid," came a voice from below. + +"But wot was that light upstairs then?" queried another. + +"An' wot croaked this guy here?" asked a third. "It wasn't nothin' +nice--did you get the expression on his mug an' the red foam on his +lips? I tell youse there's something in this house beside human bein's. +I know the joint--it's hanted--they's spooks in it. Gawd! there it is +now," as the clanking rose to the head of the cellar stairs; and those +above heard a sudden rush of footsteps as the men broke for the open +air--all but the two upon the stairway. They had remained too long and +now, their retreat cut off, they scrambled, cursing and screaming, to +the second floor. + +Along the hallway they rushed to the closed door at the end--the door +of the room in which the three listened breathlessly--hurling themselves +against it in violent effort to gain admission. + +"Who are you and what do you want?" cried Bridge. + +"Let us in! Let us in!" screamed two voices. "Fer God's sake let us in. +Can't you hear IT? It'll be comin' up here in a minute." + +The sound of the dragging chain could be heard at intervals upon the +floor below. It seemed to the tense listeners above to pause beside the +dead man as though hovering in gloating exultation above its gruesome +prey and then it moved again, this time toward the stairway where +they all heard it ascending with a creepy slowness which wrought more +terribly upon tense nerves than would a sudden rush. + +"The mills of the Gods grind slowly," quoted Bridge. + +"Oh, don't!" pleaded The Oskaloosa Kid. + +"Let us in," screamed the men without. "Fer the luv o' Mike have a +heart! Don't leave us out here! IT's comin'! IT's comin'!" + +"Oh, let the poor things in," pleaded the girl on the bed. She was, +herself, trembling with terror. + +"No funny business, now, if I let you in," commanded Bridge. + +"On the square," came the quick and earnest reply. + +The THING had reached the head of the stairs when Bridge dragged the bed +aside and drew the bolt. Instantly two figures hurled themselves into +the room but turned immediately to help Bridge resecure the doorway. + +Just as it had done before, when Bridge and The Oskaloosa Kid had taken +refuge there with the girl, the THING moved down the hallway to the +closed door. The dragging chain marked each foot of its advance. If it +made other sounds they were drowned by the clanking of the links over +the time roughened flooring. + +Within the room the five were frozen into utter silence, and beyond the +door an equal quiet prevailed for a long minute; then a great force +made the door creak and a weird scratching sounded high up upon the old +fashioned panelling. Bridge heard a smothered gasp from the boy beside +him, followed instantly by a flash of flame and the crack of a small +caliber automatic; The Oskaloosa Kid had fired through the door. + +Bridge seized the boy's arm and wrenched the weapon from him. "Be +careful!" he cried. "You'll hurt someone. You didn't miss the girl much +that time--she's on the bed right in front of the door." + +The Oskaloosa Kid pressed closer to the man as though he sought +protection from the unknown menace without. The girl sprang from the +bed and crossed to the opposite side of the room. A flash of lightning +illuminated the chamber for an instant and the roof of the verandah +without. The girl noted the latter and the open window. + +"Look!" she cried. "Suppose it went out of another window upon this +porch. It could get us so easily that way!" + +"Shut up, you fool!" whispered one of the two newcomers. "It might hear +you." The girl subsided into silence. + +There was no sound from the hallway. + +"I reckon you croaked IT," suggested the second newcomer, hopefully; +but, as though the THING without had heard and understood, the clanking +of the chain recommenced at once; but now it was retreating along the +hallway, and soon they heard it descending the stairs. + +Sighs of relief escaped more than a single pair of lips. "IT didn't hear +me," whispered the girl. + +Bridge laughed. "We're a nice lot of babies seeing things at night," he +scoffed. + +"If you're so nervy why don't you go down an' see wot it is?" asked one +of the late arrivals. + +"I believe I shall," replied Bridge and pulled the bed away from the +door. + +Instantly a chorus of protests arose, the girl and The Oskaloosa Kid +being most insistent. What was the use? What good could he accomplish? +It might be nothing; yet on the other hand what had brought death +so horribly to the cold clay on the floor below? At last their pleas +prevailed and Bridge replaced the bed before the door. + +For two hours the five sat about the room waiting for daylight. There +could be no sleep for any of them. Occasionally they spoke, usually +advancing and refuting suggestions as to the identity of the nocturnal +prowler below-stairs. The THING seemed to have retreated again to the +cellar, leaving the upper floor to the five strangely assorted prisoners +and the first floor to the dead man. + +During the brief intervals of conversation the girl repeated snatches +of her story and once she mentioned The Oskaloosa Kid as the murderer of +the unnamed victim. The two men who had come last pricked up their ears +at this and Bridge felt the boy's hand just touch his arm as though in +mute appeal for belief and protection. The man half smiled. + +"We seen The Oskaloosa Kid this evenin'," volunteered one of the +newcomers. + +"You did?" exclaimed the girl. "Where?" + +"He'd just pulled off a job in Oakdale an' had his pockets bulgin' wid +sparklers an' kale. We was follerin' him an' when we seen your light up +here we t'ought it was him." + +The Oskaloosa Kid shrank closer to Bridge. At last he recognized the +voice of the speaker. While he had known that the two were of The Sky +Pilot's band he had not been sure of the identity of either; but now it +was borne in upon him that at least one of them was the last person on +earth he cared to be cooped up in a small, unlighted room with, and a +moment later when one of the two rolled a 'smoke' and lighted it he saw +in the flare of the flame the features of both Dopey Charlie and The +General. The Oskaloosa Kid gasped once more for the thousandth time that +night. + +It had been Dopey Charlie who lighted the cigaret and in the brief +illumination his friend The General had grasped the opportunity to scan +the features of the other members of the party. Schooled by long years +of repression he betrayed none of the surprise or elation he felt when +he recognized the features of The Oskaloosa Kid. + +If The General was elated The Oskaloosa Kid was at once relieved and +terrified. Relieved by ocular proof that he was not a murderer and +terrified by the immediate presence of the two who had sought his life. + +His cigaret drawing well Dopey Charlie resumed: "This Oskaloosa Kid's a +bad actor," he volunteered. "The little shrimp tried to croak me; but +he only creased my ribs. I'd like to lay my mits on him. I'll bet there +won't be no more Oskaloosa Kid when I get done wit him." + +The boy drew Bridge's ear down toward his own lips. "Let's go," he said. +"I don't hear anything more downstairs, or maybe we could get out on +this roof and slide down the porch pillars." + +Bridge laid a strong, warm hand on the small, cold one of his new +friend. + +"Don't worry, Kid," he said. "I'm for you." + +The two other men turned quickly in the direction of the speaker. + +"Is de Kid here?" asked Dopey Charlie. + +"He is, my degenerate friend," replied Bridge; "and furthermore he's +going to stay here and be perfectly safe. Do you grasp me?" + +"Who are you?" asked The General. + +"That is a long story," replied Bridge; "but if you chance to recall +Dink and Crumb you may also be able to visualize one Billy Burke and +Billy Byrne and his side partner, Bridge. Yes? Well, I am the side +partner." + +Before the yeggman could make reply the girl spoke up quickly. "This man +cannot be The Oskaloosa Kid," she said. "It was The Oskaloosa Kid who +threw me from the car." + +"How do you know he ain't?" queried The General. "Youse was knocked +out when these guys picks you up. It's so dark in here you couldn't +reco'nize no one. How do you know this here bird ain't The Oskaloosa +Kid, eh?" + +"I have heard both these men speak," replied the girl; "their voices +were not those of any men I have known. If one of them is The Oskaloosa +Kid then there must be two men called that. Strike a match and you will +see that you are mistaken." + +The General fumbled in an inside pocket for a package of matches +carefully wrapped against possible damage by rain. Presently he struck +one and held the light in the direction of The Kid's face while he and +the girl and Dopey Charlie leaned forward to scrutinize the youth's +features. + +"It's him all right," said Dopey Charlie. + +"You bet it is," seconded The General. + +"Why he's only a boy," ejaculated the girl. "The one who threw me from +the machine was a man." + +"Well, this one said he was The Oskaloosa Kid," persisted The General. + +"An' he shot me up," growled Dopey Charlie. + +"It's too bad he didn't kill you," remarked Bridge pleasantly. "You're +a thief and probably a murderer into the bargain--you tried to kill this +boy just before he shot you." + +"Well wot's he?" demanded Dopey Charlie. "He's a thief--he said he +was--look in his pockets--they're crammed wid swag, an' he's a gun-man, +too, or he wouldn't be packin' a gat. I guess he ain't got nothin' on +me." + +The darkness hid the scarlet flush which mounted to the boy's cheeks--so +hot that he thought it must surely glow redly through the night. He +waited in dumb misery for Bridge to demand the proof of his guilt. +Earlier in the evening he had flaunted the evidence of his crime in the +faces of the six hobos; but now he suddenly felt a great shame that his +new found friend should believe him a house-breaker. + +But Bridge did not ask for any substantiation of Charlie's charges, +he merely warned the two yeggmen that they would have to leave the boy +alone and in the morning, when the storm had passed and daylight had +lessened the unknown danger which lurked below-stairs, betake themselves +upon their way. + +"And while we're here together in this room you two must sit over near +the window," he concluded. "You've tried to kill the boy once to-night; +but you're not going to try it again--I'm taking care of him now." + +"You gotta crust, bo," observed Dopey Charlie, belligerently. "I guess +me an' The General'll sit where we damn please, an' youse can take it +from me on the side that we're goin' to have ours out of The Kid's haul. +If you tink you're goin' to cop the whole cheese you got another tink +comin'." + +"You are banking," replied Bridge, "on the well known fact that I never +carry a gun; but you fail to perceive, owing to the Stygian gloom which +surrounds us, that I have the Kid's automatic in my gun hand and that +the business end of it is carefully aiming in your direction." + +"Cheese it," The General advised his companion; and the two removed +themselves to the opposite side of the apartment, where they whispered, +grumblingly, to one another. + +The girl, the boy, and Bridge waited as patiently as they could for +the coming of the dawn, talking of the events of the night and planning +against the future. Bridge advised the girl to return at once to her +father; but this she resolutely refused to do, admitting with utmost +candor that she lacked the courage to face her friends even though her +father might still believe in her. + +The youth begged that he might accompany Bridge upon the road, pleading +that his mother was dead and that he could not return home after his +escapade. And Bridge could not find it in his heart to refuse him, for +the man realized that the boyish waif possessed a subtile attraction, as +forceful as it was inexplicable. Not since he had followed the open road +in company with Billy Byrne had Bridge met one with whom he might care +to 'Pal' before The Kid crossed his path on the dark and storm swept +pike south of Oakdale. + +In Byrne, mucker, pugilist, and MAN, Bridge had found a physical and +moral counterpart of himself, for the slender Bridge was muscled as +a Greek god, while the stocky Byrne, metamorphosed by the fire of a +woman's love, possessed all the chivalry of the care free tramp whose +vagabondage had never succeeded in submerging the evidences of his +cultural birthright. + +In the youth Bridge found an intellectual equal with the added charm +of a physical dependent. The man did not attempt to fathom the evident +appeal of the other's tacitly acknowledged cowardice; he merely knew +that he would not have had the youth otherwise if he could have +changed him. Ordinarily he accepted male cowardice with the resignation +of surfeited disgust; but in the case of The Oskaloosa Kid he realized a +certain artless charm which but tended to strengthen his liking for the +youth, so brazen and unaffected was the boy's admission of his terror of +both the real and the unreal menaces of this night of horror. + +That the girl also was well bred was quite evident to Bridge, while both +the girl and the youth realized the refinement of the strange companion +and protector which Fate had ordered for them, while they also saw +in one another social counterparts of themselves. Thus, as the night +dragged its slow course, the three came to trust each other more +entirely and to speculate upon the strange train of circumstances which +had brought them thus remarkably together--the thief, the murderer's +accomplice, and the vagabond. + +It was during a period of thoughtful silence when the night was darkest +just before the dawn and the rain had settled to a dismal drizzle +unrelieved by lightning or by thunder that the five occupants of the +room were suddenly startled by a strange pattering sound from the +floor below. It was as the questioning fall of a child's feet upon the +uncarpeted boards in the room beneath them. Frozen to silent rigidity, +the five sat straining every faculty to catch the minutest sound from +the black void where the dead man lay, and as they listened there +came up to them, mingled with the inexplicable footsteps, the hollow +reverberation from the dank cellar--the hideous dragging of the +chain behind the nameless horror which had haunted them through the +interminable eons of the ghastly night. + +Up, up, up it came toward the first floor. The pattering of the feet +ceased. The clanking rose until the five heard the scraping of the chain +against the door frame at the head of the cellar stairs. They heard it +pass across the floor toward the center of the room and then, loud +and piercing, there rang out against the silence of the awful night a +woman's shriek. + +Instantly Bridge leaped to his feet. Without a word he tore the bed from +before the door. + +"What are you doing?" cried the girl in a muffled scream. + +"I am going down to that woman," said Bridge, and he drew the bolt, +rusty and complaining, from its corroded seat. + +"No!" screamed the girl, and seconding her the youth sprang to his feet +and threw his arms about Bridge. + +"Please! Please!" he cried. "Oh, please don't leave me." + +The girl also ran to the man's side and clutched him by the sleeve. + +"Don't go!" she begged. "Oh, for God's sake, don't leave us here alone!" + +"You heard a woman scream, didn't you?" asked Bridge. "Do you suppose I +can stay in up here when a woman may be facing death a few feet below +me?" + +For answer the girl but held more tightly to his arm while the youth +slipped to the floor and embraced the man's knees in a vice-like hold +which he could not break without hurting his detainer. + +"Come! Come!" expostulated Bridge. "Let me go." + +"Wait!" begged the girl. "Wait until you know that it is a human voice +that screams through this horrible place." + +The youth only strained his hold tighter about the man's legs. Bridge +felt a soft cheek pressed to his knee; and, for some unaccountable +reason, the appeal was stronger than the pleading of the girl. Slowly +Bridge realized that he could not leave this defenseless youth alone +even though a dozen women might be menaced by the uncanny death below. +With a firm hand he shot the bolt. "Leave go of me," he said; "I shan't +leave you unless she calls for help in articulate words." + +The boy rose and, trembling, pressed close to the man who, +involuntarily, threw a protecting arm about the slim figure. The girl, +too, drew nearer, while the two yeggmen rose and stood in rigid silence +by the window. From below came an occasional rattle of the chain, +followed after a few minutes by the now familiar clanking as the iron +links scraped across the flooring. Mingled with the sound of the chain +there rose to them what might have been the slow and ponderous footsteps +of a heavy man, dragging painfully across the floor. For a few moments +they heard it, and then all was silent. + +For a dozen tense minutes the five listened; but there was no repetition +of any sound from below. Suddenly the girl breathed a deep sigh, and +the spell of terror was broken. Bridge felt rather than heard the youth +sobbing softly against his breast, while across the room The General +gave a quick, nervous laugh which he as immediately suppressed as though +fearful unnecessarily of calling attention to their presence. The other +vagabond fumbled with his hypodermic needle and the narcotic which would +quickly give his fluttering nerves the quiet they craved. + +Bridge, the boy, and the girl shivered together in their soggy clothing +upon the edge of the bed, feeling now in the cold dawn the chill +discomfort of which the excitement of the earlier hours of the night had +rendered them unconscious. The youth coughed. + +"You've caught cold," said Bridge, his tone almost self-reproachful, as +though he were entirely responsible for the boy's condition. "We're a +nice aggregation of mollycoddles--five of us sitting half frozen up here +with a stove on the floor below, and just because we heard a noise which +we couldn't explain and hadn't the nerve to investigate." He rose. "I'm +going down, rustle some wood and build a fire in that stove--you two +kids have got to dry those clothes of yours and get warmed up or we'll +have a couple of hospital cases on our hands." + +Once again rose a chorus of pleas and objections. Oh, wouldn't he wait +until daylight? See! the dawn was even then commencing to break. They +didn't dare go down and they begged him not to leave them up there +alone. + +At this Dopey Charlie spoke up. The 'hop' had commenced to assert its +dominion over his shattered nervous system instilling within him a new +courage and a feeling of utter well-being. "Go on down," said he to +Bridge. "The General an' I'll look after the kids--won't we bo?" + +"Sure," assented The General; "we'll take care of 'em." + +"I'll tell you what we'll do," said Bridge; "we'll leave the kids up +here and we three'll go down. They won't go, and I wouldn't leave them +up here with you two morons on a bet." + +The General and Dopey Charlie didn't know what a moron was but they felt +quite certain from Bridge's tone of voice that a moron was not a nice +thing, and anyway no one could have bribed them to descend into the +darkness of the lower floor with the dead man and the grisly THING that +prowled through the haunted chambers; so they flatly refused to budge an +inch. + +Bridge saw in the gradually lighting sky the near approach of full +daylight; so he contented himself with making the girl and the youth +walk briskly to and fro in the hope that stimulated circulation might at +least partially overcome the menace of the damp clothing and the chill +air, and thus they occupied the remaining hour of the night. + +From below came no repetition of the inexplicable noises of that night +of terror and at last, with every object plainly discernible in the +light of the new day, Bridge would delay no longer; but voiced his final +determination to descend and make a fire in the old kitchen stove. Both +the boy and the girl insisted upon accompanying him. For the first time +each had an opportunity to study the features of his companions of +the night. Bridge found in the girl and the youth two dark eyed, +good-looking young people. In the girl's face was, perhaps, just a trace +of weakness; but it was not the face of one who consorts habitually with +criminals. The man appraised her as a pretty, small-town girl who had +been led into a temporary escapade by the monotony of village life, and +he would have staked his soul that she was not a bad girl. + +The boy, too, looked anything other than the role he had been playing. +Bridge smiled as he looked at the clear eyes, the oval face, and the +fine, sensitive mouth and thought of the youth's claim to the crime +battered sobriquet of The Oskaloosa Kid. The man wondered if the mystery +of the clanking chain would prove as harmlessly infantile as these two +whom some accident of hilarious fate had cast in the roles of debauchery +and crime. + +Aloud, he said: "I'll go first, and if the spook materializes you two +can beat it back into the room." And to the two tramps: "Come on, boes, +we'll all take a look at the lower floor together, and then we'll get a +good fire going in the kitchen and warm up a bit." + +Down the hall they went, Bridge leading with the boy and girl close +at his heels while the two yeggs brought up the rear. Their footsteps +echoed through the deserted house; but brought forth no answering +clanking from the cellar. The stairs creaked beneath the unaccustomed +weight of so many bodies as they descended toward the lower floor. +Near the bottom Bridge came to a questioning halt. The front room lay +entirely within his range of vision, and as his eyes swept it he gave +voice to a short exclamation of surprise. + +The youth and the girl, shivering with cold and nervous excitement, +craned their necks above the man's shoulder. + +"O-h-h!" gasped The Oskaloosa Kid. "He's gone," and, sure enough, the +dead man had vanished. + +Bridge stepped quickly down the remaining steps, entered the rear room +which had served as dining room and kitchen, inspected the two small +bedrooms off this room, and the summer kitchen beyond. All were empty; +then he turned and re-entering the front room bent his steps toward the +cellar stairs. At the foot of the stairway leading to the second floor +lay the flash lamp that the boy had dropped the night before. Bridge +stooped, picked it up and examined it. It was uninjured and with it in +his hand he continued toward the cellar door. + +"Where are you going?" asked The Oskaloosa Kid. + +"I'm going to solve the mystery of that infernal clanking," he replied. + +"You are not going down into that dark cellar!" It was an appeal, a +question, and a command; and it quivered gaspingly upon the verge of +hysteria. + +Bridge turned and looked into the youth's face. The man did not like +cowardice and his eyes were stern as he turned them on the lad from +whom during the few hours of their acquaintance he had received so many +evidences of cowardice; but as the clear brown eyes of the boy met his +the man's softened and he shook his head perplexedly. What was there +about this slender stripling which so disarmed criticism? + +"Yes," he replied, "I am going down. I doubt if I shall find anything +there; but if I do it is better to come upon it when I am looking for it +than to have it come upon us when we are not expecting it. If there is +to be any hunting I prefer to be hunter rather than hunted." + +He wheeled and placed a foot upon the cellar stairs. The youth followed +him. + +"What are you going to do?" asked the man. + +"I am going with you," said the boy. "You think I am a coward because I +am afraid; but there is a vast difference between cowardice and fear." + +The man made no reply as he resumed the descent of the stairs, flashing +the rays of the lamp ahead of him; but he pondered the boy's words and +smiled as he admitted mentally that it undoubtedly took more courage +to do a thing in the face of fear than to do it if fear were absent. +He felt a strange elation that this youth should choose voluntarily to +share his danger with him, for in his roaming life Bridge had known few +associates for whom he cared. + +The beams of the little electric lamp, moving from side to side, +revealed a small cellar littered with refuse and festooned with +cob-webs. At one side tottered the remains of a series of wooden racks +upon which pans of milk had doubtless stood to cool in a long gone, +happier day. Some of the uprights had rotted away so that a part of the +frail structure had collapsed to the earthen floor. A table with one leg +missing and a crippled chair constituted the balance of the contents of +the cellar and there was no living creature and no chain nor any other +visible evidence of the presence which had clanked so lugubriously +out of the dark depths during the vanished night. The boy breathed +a heartfelt sigh of relief and Bridge laughed, not without a note of +relief either. + +"You see there is nothing," he said--"nothing except some firewood which +we can use to advantage. I regret that James is not here to attend me; +but since he is not you and I will have to carry some of this stuff +upstairs," and together they returned to the floor above, their arms +laden with pieces of the dilapidated milk rack. The girl was awaiting +them at the head of the stairs while the two tramps whispered together +at the opposite side of the room. + +It took Bridge but a moment to have a roaring fire started in the old +stove in the kitchen, and as the warmth rolled in comforting waves about +them the five felt for the first time in hours something akin to relief +and well being. With the physical relaxation which the heat induced came +a like relaxation of their tongues and temporary forgetfulness of their +antagonisms and individual apprehensions. Bridge was the only member +of the group whose conscience was entirely free. He was not 'wanted' +anywhere, he had no unexpiated crimes to harry his mind, and with the +responsibilities of the night removed he fell naturally into his old, +carefree manner. He hazarded foolish explanations of the uncanny noises +of the night and suggested various theories to account for the presence +and the mysterious disappearance of the dead man. + +The General, on the contrary, seriously maintained that the weird sounds +had emanated from the ghost of the murdered man who was, unquestionably, +none other than the long dead Squibb returned to haunt his former home, +and that the scream had sprung from the ghostly lungs of his slain wife +or daughter. + +"I wouldn't spend anudder night in this dump," he concluded, "for both +them pockets full of swag The Oskaloosa Kid's packin' around." + +Immediately all eyes turned upon the flushing youth. The girl and Bridge +could not prevent their own gazes from wandering to the bulging coat +pockets, the owner of which moved uneasily, at last shooting a look of +defiance, not unmixed with pleading, at Bridge. + +"He's a bad one," interjected Dopey Charlie, a glint of cunning in his +ordinarily glassy eyes. "He flashes a couple o' mitsful of sparklers, +chesty-like, and allows as how he's a regular burglar. Then he pulls +a gun on me, as wasn't doin' nothin' to him, and 'most croaks me. It's +even money that if anyone's been croaked in Oakdale last night they +won't have to look far for the guy that done it. Least-wise they won't +have to look far if he doesn't come across," and Dopey Charlie looked +meaningly and steadily at the side pockets of The Oskaloosa Kid. + +"I think," said Bridge, after a moment of general silence, "that you +two crooks had better beat it. Do you get me?" and he looked from Dopey +Charlie to The General and back again. + +"We don't go," said Dopey Charlie, belligerently, "until we gets half +the Kid's swag." + +"You go now," said Bridge, "without anybody's swag," and he drew the +boy's automatic from his side pocket. "You go now and you go quick--beat +it!" + +The two rose and shuffled toward the door. "We'll get you, you colledge +Lizzy," threatened Dopey Charlie, "an' we'll get that phoney punk, too." + +"'And speed the parting guest,'" quoted Bridge, firing a shot that +splintered the floor at the crook's feet. When the two hoboes had +departed the others huddled again close to the stove until Bridge +suggested that he and The Oskaloosa Kid retire to another room while the +girl removed and dried her clothing; but she insisted that it was +not wet enough to matter since she had been covered by a robe in the +automobile until just a moment before she had been hurled out. + +"Then, after you are warmed up," said Bridge, "you can step into this +other room while the kid and I strip and dry our things, for there's no +question but that we are wet enough." + +At the suggestion the kid started for the door. "Oh, no," he insisted; +"it isn't worth while. I am almost dry now, and as soon as we get out on +the road I'll be all right. I--I--I like wet clothes," he ended, lamely. + +Bridge looked at him questioningly; but did not urge the matter. "Very +well," he said; "you probably know what you like; but as for me, I'm +going to pull off every rag and get good and dry." + +The girl had already quitted the room and now The Kid turned and +followed her. Bridge shook his head. "I'll bet the little beggar never +was away from his mother before in his life," he mused; "why the mere +thought of undressing in front of a strange man made him turn red--and +posing as The Oskaloosa Kid! Bless my soul; but he's a humorist--a +regular, natural born one." + +Bridge found that his clothing had dried to some extent during the +night; so, after a brisk rub, he put on the warmed garments and though +some were still a trifle damp he felt infinitely more comfortable than +he had for many hours. + +Outside the house he came upon the girl and the youth standing in the +sunshine of a bright, new day. They were talking together in a most +animated manner, and as he approached wondering what the two had found +of so great common interest he discovered that the discussion hinged +upon the relative merits of ham and bacon as a breakfast dish. + +"Oh, my heart it is just achin'," quoted Bridge, + + "For a little bite of bacon, + + "A hunk of bread, a little mug of brew; + + "I'm tired of seein' scenery, + + "Just lead me to a beanery + + "Where there's something more than only air to + + chew." + +The two looked up, smiling. "You're a funny kind of tramp, to be quoting +poetry," said The Oskaloosa Kid, "even if it is Knibbs'." + +"Almost as funny," replied Bridge, "as a burglar who recognizes Knibbs +when he hears him." + +The Oskaloosa Kid flushed. "He wrote for us of the open road," he +replied quickly. "I don't know of any other class of men who should +enjoy him more." + +"Or any other class that is less familiar with him," retorted Bridge; +"but the burning question just now is pots, not poetry--flesh pots. I'm +hungry. I could eat a cow." + +The girl pointed to an adjacent field. "Help yourself," she said. + +"That happens to be a bull," said Bridge. "I was particular to mention +cow, which, in this instance, is proverbially less dangerous than the +male, and much better eating. + +"'We kept a-rambling all the time. I rustled grub, he rustled rhyme-- + +"'Blind baggage, hoof it, ride or climb--we always put it through.' +Who's going to rustle the grub?" + +The girl looked at The Oskaloosa Kid. "You don't seem like a tramp at +all, to talk to," she said; "but I suppose you are used to asking for +food. I couldn't do it--I should die if I had to." + +The Oskaloosa Kid looked uncomfortable. "So should--" he commenced, and +then suddenly subsided. "Of course I'd just as soon," he said. "You two +stay here--I'll be back in a minute." + +They watched him as he walked down to the road and until he disappeared +over the crest of the hill a short distance from the Squibbs' house. + +"I like him," said the girl, turning toward Bridge. + +"So do I," replied the man. + +"There must be some good in him," she continued, "even if he is such +a desperate character; but I know he's not The Oskaloosa Kid. Do you +really suppose he robbed a house last night and then tried to kill that +Dopey person?" + +Bridge shook his head. "I don't know," he said; "but I am inclined to +believe that he is more imaginative than criminal. He certainly shot up +the Dopey person; but I doubt if he ever robbed a house." + +While they waited, The Oskaloosa Kid trudged along the muddy road to the +nearest farm house, which lay a full mile beyond the Squibbs' home. +As he approached the door a lank, sallow man confronted him with a +suspicious eye. + +"Good morning," greeted The Oskaloosa Kid. + +The man grunted. + +"I want to get something to eat," explained the youth. + +If the boy had hurled a dynamite bomb at him the result could have +been no more surprising. The lank, sallow man went up into the air, +figuratively. He went up a mile or more, and on the way down he reached +his hand inside the kitchen door and brought it forth enveloping the +barrel of a shot gun. + +"Durn ye!" he cried. "I'll lam ye! Get offen here. I knows ye. Yer one +o' that gang o' bums that come here last night, an' now you got the gall +to come back beggin' for food, eh? I'll lam ye!" and he raised the gun +to his shoulder. + +The Oskaloosa Kid quailed but he held his ground. "I wasn't here last +night," he cried, "and I'm not begging for food--I want to buy some. +I've got plenty of money," in proof of which assertion he dug into a +side pocket and brought forth a large roll of bills. The man lowered his +gun. + +"Wy didn't ye say so in the first place then?" he growled. "How'd I know +you wanted to buy it, eh? Where'd ye come from anyhow, this early in +the mornin'? What's yer name, eh? What's yer business, that's what Jeb +Case'd like to know, eh?" He snapped his words out with the rapidity of +a machine gun, nor waited for a reply to one query before launching +the next. "What do ye want to buy, eh? How much money ye got? Looks +suspicious. That's a sight o' money yew got there, eh? Where'dje get +it?" + +"It's mine," said The Oskaloosa Kid, "and I want to buy some eggs and +milk and ham and bacon and flour and onions and sugar and cream and +strawberries and tea and coffee and a frying pan and a little oil stove, +if you have one to spare, and--" + +Jeb Case's jaw dropped and his eyes widened. "You're in the wrong +pasture, bub," he remarked feelingly. "What yer lookin' fer is Sears, +Roebuck & Company." + +The Oskaloosa Kid flushed up to the tips of his ears. "But can't you +sell me something?" he begged. + +"I might let ye have some milk an' eggs an' butter an' a leetle bacon +an' mebby my ol' woman's got a loaf left from her last bakin'; but we +ain't been figgerin' on supplyin' grub fer the United States army ef +that's what yew be buyin' fer." + +A frowsy, rat-faced woman and a gawky youth of fourteen stuck their +heads out the doorway at either side of the man. "I ain't got nothin' +to sell," snapped the woman; but as she spoke her eyes fell upon the fat +bank roll in the youth's hand. "Or, leastwise," she amended, "I ain't +got much more'n we need an' the price o' stuff's gone up so lately that +I'll hev to ask ye more'n I would of last fall. 'Bout what did ye figger +on wantin'?" + +"Anything you can spare," said the youth. "There are three of us and +we're awful hungry." + +"Where yew stoppin'?" asked the woman. + +"We're at the old Squibbs' place," replied The Kid. "We got caught by +the storm last night and had to put up there." + +"The Squibbs' place!" ejaculated the woman. "Yew didn't stop there over +night?" + +"Yes we did," replied the youth. + +"See anything funny?" asked Mrs. Case. + +"We didn't SEE anything," replied The Oskaloosa Kid; "but we heard +things. At least we didn't see what we heard; but we saw a dead man on +the floor when we went in and this morning he was gone." + +The Cases shuddered. "A dead man!" ejaculated Jeb Case. "Yew seen him?" + +The Kid nodded. + +"I never tuk much stock in them stories," said Jeb, with a shake of his +head; "but ef you SEEN it! Gosh! Thet beats me. Come on M'randy, les see +what we got to spare," and he turned into the kitchen with his wife. + +The lanky boy stepped out, and planting himself in front of The +Oskaloosa Kid proceeded to stare at him. "Yew seen it?" he asked in +awestruck tone. + +"Yes," said the Kid in a low voice, and bending close toward the other; +"it had bloody froth on its lips!" + +The Case boy shrank back. "An' what did yew hear?" he asked, a glutton +for thrills. + +"Something that dragged a chain behind it and came up out of the cellar +and tried to get in our room on the second floor," explained the youth. +"It almost got us, too," he added, "and it did it all night." + +"Whew," whistled the Case boy. "Gosh!" Then he scratched his head and +looked admiringly at the youth. "What mought yer name be?" he asked. + +"I'm The Oskaloosa Kid," replied the youth, unable to resist the +admiration of the other's fond gaze. "Look here!" and he fished a +handful of jewelry from one of his side pockets; "this is some of the +swag I stole last night when I robbed a house." + +Case Jr. opened his mouth and eyes so wide that there was little left +of his face. "But that's nothing," bragged The Kid. "I shot a man, too." + +"Last night?" whispered the boy. + +"Yep," replied the bad man, tersely. + +"Gosh!" said the young Mr. Case, but there was that in his facial +expression which brought to The Oskaloosa Kid a sudden regret that he +had thus rashly confided in a stranger. + +"Say," said The Kid, after a moment's strained silence. "Don't tell +anyone, will you? If you'll promise I'll give you a dollar," and he +hunted through his roll of bills for one of that lowly denomination. + +"All right," agreed the Case boy. "I won't say a word--where's the +dollar?" + +The youth drew a bill from his roll and handed it to the other. "If you +tell," he whispered, and he bent close toward the other's ear and spoke +in a menacing tone; "If you tell, I'll kill you!" + +"Gosh!" said Willie Case. + +At this moment Case pere and mere emerged from the kitchen loaded with +provender. "Here's enough an' more'n enough, I reckon," said Jeb Case. +"We got eggs, butter, bread, bacon, milk, an' a mite o' garden sass." + +"But we ain't goin' to charge you nothin' fer the garden sass," +interjected Mrs. Case. + +"That's awfully nice of you," replied The Kid. "How much do I owe you +for the rest of it?" + +"Oh," said Jeb Case, rubbing his chin, eyeing the big roll of bills and +wondering just the limit he might raise to, "I reckon 'bout four dollars +an' six bits." + +The Oskaloosa Kid peeled a five dollar bill from his roll and proffered +it to the farmer. "I'm ever so much obliged," he said, "and you needn't +mind about any change. I thank you so much." With which he took the +several packages and pails and turned toward the road. + +"Yew gotta return them pails!" shouted Mrs. Case after him. + +"Oh, of course," replied The Kid. + +"Gosh!" exclaimed Mr. Case, feelingly. "I wisht I'd asked six bits +more--I mought jest as well o' got it as not. Gosh, eh?" + +"Gosh!" murmured Willie Case, fervently. + +Back down the sticky road plodded The Oskaloosa Kid, his arms heavy and +his heart light, for, was he not 'bringing home the bacon,' literally as +well as figuratively. As he entered the Squibbs' gateway he saw the +girl and Bridge standing upon the verandah waiting his coming, and as +he approached them and they caught a nearer view of his great burden of +provisions they hailed him with loud acclaim. + +"Some artist!" cried the man. "And to think that I doubted your ability +to make a successful touch! Forgive me! You are the ne plus ultra, non +est cumquidibus, in hoc signo vinces, only and original kind of hand-out +compellers." + +"How in the world did you do it?" asked the girl, rapturously. + +"Oh, it's easy when you know how," replied The Oskaloosa Kid carelessly, +as, with the help of the others, he carried the fruits of his expedition +into the kitchen. Here Bridge busied himself about the stove, adding +more wood to the fire and scrubbing a portion of the top plate as clean +as he could get it with such crude means as he could discover about the +place. + +The youth he sent to the nearby brook for water after selecting the +least dirty of the several empty tin cans lying about the floor of the +summer kitchen. He warned against the use of the water from the old +well and while the boy was away cut a generous portion of the bacon into +long, thin strips. + +Shortly after, the water coming to the boil, Bridge lowered three eggs +into it, glanced at his watch, greased one of the new cleaned stove lids +with a piece of bacon rind and laid out as many strips of bacon as the +lid would accommodate. Instantly the room was filled with the delicious +odor of frying bacon. + +"M-m-m-m!" gloated The Oskaloosa Kid. "I wish I had bo--asked for more. +My! but I never smelled anything so good as that in all my life. Are you +going to boil only three eggs? I could eat a dozen." + +"The can'll only hold three at a time," explained Bridge. "We'll have +some more boiling while we are eating these." He borrowed his knife from +the girl, who was slicing and buttering bread with it, and turned the +bacon swiftly and deftly with the point, then he glanced at his watch. +"The three minutes are up," he announced and, with a couple of small, +flat sticks saved for the purpose from the kindling wood, withdrew the +eggs one at a time from the can. + +"But we have no cups!" exclaimed The Oskaloosa Kid, in sudden despair. + +Bridge laughed. "Knock an end off your egg and the shell will answer in +place of a cup. Got a knife?" + +The Kid didn't. Bridge eyed him quizzically. "You must have done most of +your burgling near home," he commented. + +"I'm not a burglar!" cried the youth indignantly. Somehow it was very +different when this nice voiced man called him a burglar from bragging +of the fact himself to such as The Sky Pilot's villainous company, or +the awestruck, open-mouthed Willie Case whose very expression invited +heroics. + +Bridge made no reply, but his eyes wandered to the right hand side +pocket of the boy's coat. Instantly the latter glanced guiltily +downward to flush redly at the sight of several inches of pearl necklace +protruding accusingly therefrom. The girl, a silent witness of the +occurrence, was brought suddenly and painfully to a realization of her +present position and recollection of the happenings of the preceding +night. For the time she had forgotten that she was alone in the company +of a tramp and a burglar--how much worse either might be she could only +guess. + +The breakfast, commenced so auspiciously, continued in gloomy silence. +At least the girl and The Oskaloosa Kid were silent and gloom +steeped. Bridge was thoughtful but far from morose. His spirits were +unquenchable. + +"I am afraid," he said, "that I shall have to replace James. His +defection is unforgivable, and he has misplaced the finger-bowls." + +The youth and the girl forced wan smiles; but neither spoke. Bridge drew +a pouch of tobacco and some papers from an inside pocket. + + "'I had the makings and I smoked + + "'And wondered over different things, + + "'Thinkin' as how this old world joked + + "'In callin' only some men kings + + "'While I sat there a-blowin' rings.'" + +He paused to kindle a sliver of wood at the stove. "In these parlous +times," he spoke as though to himself, "one must economize. They are +taking a quarter of an ounce out of each five cents worth of chewing, I +am told; so doubtless each box must be five or six matches short of full +count. Even these papers seem thinner than of yore and they will only +sell one book to a customer at that. Indeed Sherman was right." + +The youth and the girl remained occupied with their own thoughts, and +after a moment's silence the vagabond resumed: + + "'Me? I was king of anywhere, + + "'Peggin' away at nothing, hard. + + "'Havin' no pet, particular care; + + "'Havin' no trouble, or no pard; + +"'"Just me," filled up my callin' card.' "Say, do you know I've learned +to love this Knibbs person. I used to think of him as a poor attic +prune grinding away in his New York sky parlor, writing his verse of the +things he longed for but had never known; until, one day, I met a fellow +between Victorville and Cajon pass who knew His Knibbs, and come to find +out this Knibbs is a regular fellow. His attic covers all God's country +that is out of doors and he knows the road from La Bajada hill to +Barstow a darned sight better than he knows Broadway." + +There was no answering sympathy awakened in either of his +listeners--they remained mute. Bridge rose and stretched. He picked +up his knife, wiped off the blade, closed it and slipped it into a +trousers' pocket. Then he walked toward the door. At the threshold he +paused and turned. "'Good-bye girls! I'm through,'" he quoted and passed +out into the sunlight. + +Instantly the two within were on their feet and following him. + +"Where are you going?" cried The Oskaloosa Kid. "You're not going to +leave us, are you?" + +"Oh, please don't!" pleaded the girl. + +"I don't know," said Bridge, solemnly, "whether I'm safe in remaining in +your society or not. This Oskaloosa Kid is a bad proposition; and as for +you, young lady, I rather imagine that the town constable is looking for +you right now." + +The girl winced. "Please don't," she begged. "I haven't done anything +wicked, honestly! But I want to get away so that they can't question me. +I was in the car when they killed him; but I had nothing to do with it. +It is just because of my father that I don't want them to find me. It +would break his heart." + +As the three stood back of the Squibbs' summer kitchen Fate, in the +guise of a rural free delivery carrier and a Ford, passed by the front +gate. A mile beyond he stopped at the Case mail box where Jeb and +his son Willie were, as usual, waiting his coming, for the rural free +delivery man often carries more news than is contained in his mail +sacks. + +"Mornin' Jeb," he called, as he swerved his light car from the road and +drew up in front of the Case gate. + +"Mornin', Jim!" returned Mr. Case. "Nice rain we had last night. What's +the news?" + +"Plenty! Plenty!" exclaimed the carrier. "Lived here nigh onto forty +year, man an' boy, an' never seen such work before in all my life." + +"How's that?" questioned the farmer, scenting something interesting. + +"Ol' man Baggs's murdered last night," announced the carrier, watching +eagerly for the effect of his announcement. + +"Gosh!" gasped Willie Case. "Was he shot?" It was almost a scream. + +"I dunno," replied Jim. "He's up to the horspital now, an' the doc says +he haint one chance in a thousand." + +"Gosh!" exclaimed Mr. Case. + +"But thet ain't all," continued Jim. "Reggie Paynter was murdered last +night, too; right on the pike south of town. They threw his corpse outen +a ottymobile." + +"By gol!" cried Jeb Case; "I hearn them devils go by last night 'bout +midnight er after. 'T woke me up. They must o' ben goin' sixty mile an +hour. Er say," he stopped to scratch his head. "Mebby it was tramps. +They must a ben a score on 'em round here yesterday and las' night an' +agin this mornin'. I never seed so dum many bums in my life." + +"An' thet ain't all," went on the carrier, ignoring the other's comments. +"Oakdale's all tore up. Abbie Prim's disappeared and Jonas Prim's house +was robbed jest about the same time Ol' man Baggs 'uz murdered, er most +murdered--chances is he's dead by this time anyhow. Doc said he hadn't +no chance." + +"Gosh!" It was a pater-filius duet. + +"But thet ain't all," gloated Jim. "Two of the persons in the car with +Reggie Paynter were recognized, an' who do you think one of 'em was, eh? +Why one of 'em was Abbie Prim an' tother was a slick crook from Toledo +er Noo York that's called The Oskaloosie Kid. By gum, I'll bet they get +'em in no time. Why already Jonas Prim's got a regular dee-dectiff down +from Chicago, an' the board o' select-men's offered a re-ward o' fifty +dollars fer the arrest an' conviction of the perpetrators of these +dastardly crimes!" + +"Gosh!" cried Willie Case. "I know--"; but then he paused. If he told +all he knew he saw plainly that either the carrier or his father would +profit by it and collect the reward. Fifty dollars!! Willie gasped. + +"Well," said Jim, "I gotta be on my way. Here's the Tribune--there ain't +nothin' more fer ye. So long! Giddap!" and he was gone. + +"I don' see why he don't carry a whip," mused Jeb Case. "A-gidappin' to +that there tin lizzie," he muttered disgustedly, "jes' like it was as +good as a hoss. But I mind the time, the fust day he got the dinged +thing, he gets out an' tries to lead it by Lem Smith's threshin' +machine." + +Jeb Case preferred an audience worthy his mettle; but Willie was better +than no one, yet when he turned to note the effect of his remarks on his +son, Willie was no where to be seen. If Jeb had but known it his young +hopeless was already in the loft of the hay barn deep in a small, +red-covered book entitled: "HOW TO BE A DETECTIVE." + +Bridge, who had had no intention of deserting his helpless companions, +appeared at last to yield reluctantly to their pleas. That indefinable +something about the youth which appealed strongly to the protective +instinct in the man, also assured him that the other's mask of +criminality was for the most part assumed even though the stories of the +two yeggmen and the loot bulging pockets argued to the contrary. There +was the chance, however, that the boy had really taken the first step +upon the road toward a criminal career, and if such were the case Bridge +felt morally obligated to protect his new found friend from arrest, +secure in the reflection that his own precept and example would do +more to lead him back into the path of rectitude than would any police +magistrate or penal institute. + +For the girl he felt a deep pity. In the past he had had knowledge of +more than one other small-town girl led into wrong doing through the +deadly monotony and flagrant hypocrisy of her environment. Himself +highly imaginative and keenly sensitive, he realized with what depth of +horror the girl anticipated a return to her home and friends after the +childish escapade which had culminated, even through no fault of hers, +in criminal tragedy of the most sordid sort. + +As the three held a council of war at the rear of the deserted house +they were startled by the loud squeaking of brake bands on the road in +front. Bridge ran quickly into the kitchen and through to the front +room where he saw three men alighting from a large touring car which +had drawn up before the sagging gate. As the foremost man, big and +broad shouldered, raised his eyes to the building Bridge smothered an +exclamation of surprise and chagrin, nor did he linger to inspect the +other members of the party; but turned and ran quickly back to his +companions. + +"We've got to beat it!" he whispered; "they've brought Burton himself +down here." + +"Who's Burton?" demanded the youth. + +"He's the best operative west of New York City," replied Bridge, as he +moved rapidly toward an outhouse directly in rear of the main building. + +Once behind the small, dilapidated structure which had once probably +housed farm implements, Bridge paused and looked about. "They'll search +here," he prophesied, and then; "Those woods look good to me." + +The Squibbs' woods, growing rank in the damp ravine at the bottom of the +little valley, ran to within a hundred feet of the out-building. Dense +undergrowth choked the ground to a height of eight or ten feet around +the boles of the close set trees. If they could gain the seclusion +of that tangled jungle there was little likelihood of their being +discovered, provided they were not seen as they passed across the open +space between their hiding place and the wood. + +"We'd better make a break for it," advised Bridge, and a moment later +the three moved cautiously toward the wood, keeping the out-house +between themselves and the farm house. Almost in front of them as they +neared the wood they saw a well defined path leading into the thicket. +Single-file they entered, to be almost instantly hidden from view, not +only from the house but from any other point more than a dozen paces +away, for the path was winding, narrow and closely walled by the budding +verdure of the new Spring. Birds sang or twittered about them, the mat +of dead leaves oozed spongily beneath their feet, giving forth no sound +as they passed, save a faint sucking noise as a foot was lifted from +each watery seat. + +Bridge was in the lead, moving steadily forward that they might put as +much distance as possible between themselves and the detective should +the latter chance to explore the wood. They had advanced a few hundred +yards when the path crossed through a small clearing the center of which +was destitute of fallen leaves. Here the path was beaten into soft mud +and as Bridge came to it he stopped and bent his gaze incredulously upon +the ground. The girl and the youth, halting upon either side, followed +the direction of his eyes with theirs. The girl gave a little, +involuntary gasp, and the boy grasped Bridge's hand as though fearful +of losing him. The man turned a quizzical glance at each of them and +smiled, though a bit ruefully. + +"It beats me," he said. + +"What can it be?" whispered the boy. + +"Oh, let's go back," begged the girl. + +"And go along to father with Burton?" asked Bridge. + +The girl trembled and shook her head. "I would rather die," she said, +firmly. "Come, let's go on." + +The cause of their perturbation was imprinted deeply in the mud of the +pathway--the irregular outlines of an enormous, naked, human foot--a +great, uncouth foot that bespoke a monster of another world. While, +still more uncanny, in view of what they had heard in the farm house +during the previous night, there lay, sometimes partially obliterated +by the footprints of the THING, the impress of a small, bare foot--a +woman's or a child's--and over both an irregular scoring that might +have been wrought by a dragging chain! + +In the loft of his father's hay barn Willie Case delved deep into the +small red-covered volume, HOW TO BE A DETECTIVE; but though he turned +many pages and flitted to and fro from preface to conclusion he met only +with disappointment. The pictures of noted bank burglars and confidence +men aided him not one whit, for in none of them could he descry the +slightest resemblance to the smooth faced youth of the early morning. In +fact, so totally different were the types shown in the little book that +Willie was forced to scratch his head and exclaim "Gosh!" many times +in an effort to reconcile the appearance of the innocent boy to the +hardened, criminal faces he found portrayed upon the printed pages. + +"But, by gol!" he exclaimed mentally, "he said he was The Oskaloosie +Kid, 'n' that he shot a man last night; but what I'd like to know is +how I'm goin' to shadder him from this here book. Here it says: 'If the +criminal gets on a street car and then jumps off at the next corner +the good detective will know that his man is aware that he is being +shadowed, and will stay on the car and telephone his office at the first +opportunity.' 'N'ere it sez: 'If your man gets into a carriage don't +run up an' jump on the back of it; but simply hire another carriage and +follow.' How in hek kin I foller this book?" wailed Willie. "They ain't +no street cars 'round here. I ain't never seen a street car, 'n'as fer a +carriage, I reckon he means bus, they's only one on 'em in Oakdale 'n'if +they waz forty I'd like to know how in hek I'd hire one when I ain't got +no money. I reckon I threw away my four-bits on this book--it don't tell +a feller nothin' 'bout false whiskers, wigs 'n' the like," and he tossed +the book disgustedly into a corner, rose and descended to the barnyard. +Here he busied himself about some task that should have been attended to +a week before, and which even now was not destined to be completed that +day, since Willie had no more than set himself to it than his attention +was distracted by the sudden appearance of a touring car being brought +to a stop in front of the gate. + +Instantly Willie dropped his irksome labor and slouched lazily toward +the machine, the occupants of which were descending and heading for the +Case front door. Jeb Case met them before they reached the porch and +Willie lolled against a pillar listening eagerly to all that was said. + +The most imposing figure among the strangers was the same whom Bridge +had seen approaching the Squibbs' house a short time before. It was he +who acted as spokesman for the newcomers. + +"As you may know," he said, after introducing himself, "a number of +crimes were committed in and around Oakdale last night. We are searching +for clews to the perpetrators, some of whom must still be in the +neighborhood. Have you seen any strange or suspicious characters around +lately?" + +"I should say we hed," exclaimed Jeb emphatically. + +"I seen the wo'st lookin' gang o' bums come outen my hay barn this +mornin' thet I ever seed in my life. They must o' ben upward of a dozen +on 'em. They waz makin' fer the house when I steps in an' grabs my ol' +shot gun. I hollered at 'em not to come a step nigher 'n' I guess they +seed it wa'n't safe monkeyin' with me; so they skidaddled." + +"Which way did they go?" asked Burton. + +"Off down the road yonder; but I don't know which way they turned at the +crossin's, er ef they kept straight on toward Millsville." + +Burton asked a number of questions in an effort to fix the identity of +some of the gang, warned Jeb to telephone him at Jonas Prim's if he saw +anything further of the strangers, and then retraced his steps toward +the car. Not once had Jeb mentioned the youth who had purchased supplies +from him that morning, and the reason was that Jeb had not considered +the young man of sufficient importance, having cataloged him mentally as +an unusually early specimen of the summer camper with which he was more +or less familiar. + +Willie, on the contrary, realized the importance of their morning +customer, yet just how he was to cash in on his knowledge was not yet +entirely clear. He was already convinced that HOW TO BE A DETECTIVE +would help him not at all, and with the natural suspicion of ignorance +he feared to divulge his knowledge to the city detective for fear that +the latter would find the means to cheat him out of the princely reward +offered by the Oakdale village board. He thought of going at once to the +Squibbs' house and placing the desperate criminals under arrest; but +as fear throttled the idea in its infancy he cast about for some other +plan. + +Even as he stood there thinking the great detective and his companions +were entering the automobile to drive away. In a moment they would be +gone. Were they not, after all, the very men, the only men, in fact, to +assist him in his dilemma? At least he could test them out. If necessary +he would divide the reward with them! Running toward the road Willie +shouted to the departing sleuth. The car, moving slowly forward in low, +came again to rest. Willie leaped to the running board. + +"If I tell you where the murderer is," he whispered hoarsely, "do I git +the $50.00?" + +Detective Burton was too old a hand to ignore even the most seemingly +impossible of aids. He laid a kindly hand on Willie's shoulder. "You bet +you do," he replied heartily, "and what's more I'll add another fifty to +it. What do you know?" + +"I seen the murderer this mornin'," Willie was gasping with excitement +and elation. Already the one hundred dollars was as good as his. One +hundred dollars! Willie "Goshed!" mentally even as he told his tale. "He +come to our house an' bought some vittles an' stuff. Paw didn't know who +he wuz; but when Paw went inside he told me he was The Oskaloosie Kid +'n' thet he robbed a house last night and killed a man, 'n' he had a +whole pocket full o' money, 'n' he said he'd kill me ef I told." + +Detective Burton could scarce restrain a smile as he listened to this +wildly improbable tale, yet his professional instinct was too keen to +permit him to cast aside as worthless the faintest evidence until he had +proven it to be worthless. He stepped from the car again and motioning +to Willie to follow him returned to the Case yard where Jeb was already +coming toward the gate, having noted the interest which his son +was arousing among the occupants of the car. Willie pulled at the +detective's sleeve. "Don't tell Paw about the reward," he begged; "he'll +keep it all hisself." + +Burton reassured the boy with a smile and a nod, and then as he neared +Jeb he asked him if a young man had been at his place that morning +asking for food. + +"Sure," replied Jeb; "but he didn't 'mount to nothin'. One o' these here +summer camper pests. He paid fer all he got. Had a roll o' bills 's big +as ye fist. Little feller he were, not much older 'n' Willie." + +"Did you know that he told your son that he was The Oskaloosa Kid and +that he had robbed a house and killed a man last night?" + +"Huh?" exclaimed Jeb. Then he turned and cast one awful look at +Willie--a look large with menace. + +"Honest, Paw," pleaded the boy. "I was a-scairt to tell you, 'cause he +said he'd kill me ef I told." + +Jeb scratched his head. "Yew know what you'll get ef you're lyin' to +me," he threatened. + +"I believe he's telling the truth," said detective Burton. "Where is the +man now?" he asked Willie. + +"Down to the Squibbs' place," and Willie jerked a dirty thumb toward the +east. + +"Not now," said Burton; "we just came from there; but there has been +someone there this morning, for there is still a fire in the kitchen +range. Does anyone live there?" + +"I should say not," said Willie emphatically; "the place is haunted." + +"Thet's right," interjected Jeb. "Thet's what they do say, an' this here +Oskaloosie Kid said they heered things las' night an' seed a dead man on +the floor, didn't he M'randy?" M'randy nodded her head. + +"But I don't take no stock in what Willie's ben tellin' ye," she +continued, "'n' ef his paw don't lick him I will. I told him tell I'm +good an' tired o' talkin' thet one liar 'round a place wuz all I could +stand," and she cast a meaning glance at her husband. + +"Honest, Maw, I ain't a-lyin'," insisted Willie. "Wot do you suppose +he give me this fer, if it wasn't to keep me from talkin'," and the boy +drew a crumpled one dollar bill from his pocket. It was worth the dollar +to escape a thrashing. + +"He give you thet?" asked his mother. Willie nodded assent. + +"'N' thet ain't all he had neither," he said. "Beside all them bills he +showed me a whole pocket full o' jewlry, 'n' he had a string o' things +thet I don't know jest what you call 'em; but they looked like they +was made outen the inside o' clam shells only they was all round like +marbles." + +Detective Burton raised his eyebrows. "Miss Prim's pearl necklace," he +commented to the man at his side. The other nodded. "Don't punish your +son, Mrs. Case," he said to the woman. "I believe he has discovered a +great deal that will help us in locating the man we want. Of course I am +interested principally in finding Miss Prim--her father has engaged me +for that purpose; but I think the arrest of the perpetrators of any of +last night's crimes will put us well along on the trail of the missing +young lady, as it is almost a foregone conclusion that there is a +connection between her disappearance and some of the occurrences which +have so excited Oakdale. I do not mean that she was a party to any +criminal act; but it is more than possible that she was abducted by the +same men who later committed the other crimes." + +The Cases hung open-mouthed upon his words, while his companions +wondered at the loquaciousness of this ordinarily close-mouthed man, +who, as a matter of fact, was but attempting to win the confidence of +the boy on the chance that even now he had not told all that he knew; +but Willie had told all. + +Finding, after a few minutes further conversation, that he could glean +no additional information the detective returned to his car and drove +west toward Millsville on the assumption that the fugitives would seek +escape by the railway running through that village. Only thus could he +account for their turning off the main pike. The latter was now well +guarded all the way to Payson; while the Millsville road was still open. + +No sooner had he departed than Willie Case disappeared, nor did he +answer at noon to the repeated ringing of the big, farm dinner bell. + +Half way between the Case farm and Millsville detective Burton saw, far +ahead along the road, two figures scale a fence and disappear behind +the fringing blackberry bushes which grew in tangled profusion on either +side. When they came abreast of the spot he ordered the driver to stop; +but though he scanned the open field carefully he saw no sign of living +thing. + +"There are two men hiding behind those bushes," he said to his +companions in a low whisper. "One of you walk ahead about fifty yards +and the other go back the same distance and then climb the fence. When +I see you getting over I'll climb it here. They can't get away from us." +To the driver he said: "You have a gun. If they make a break go after +'em. You can shoot if they don't stop when you tell 'em to." + +The two men walked in opposite directions along the road, and when +Burton saw them turn in and start to climb the fence he vaulted over the +panel directly opposite the car. He had scarcely alighted upon the other +side when his eyes fell upon the disreputable figures of two tramps +stretched out upon their backs and snoring audibly. Burton grinned. + +"You two sure can go to sleep in a hurry," he said. One of the men +opened his eyes and sat up. When he saw who it was that stood over him +he grinned sheepishly. + +"Can't a guy lie down fer a minute in de bushes widout bein' pinched?" +he asked. The other man now sat up and viewed the newcomer, while from +either side Burton's companions closed in on the three. + +"Wot's de noise?" inquired the second tramp, looking from one to another +of the intruders. "We ain't done nothin'." + +"Of course not, Charlie," Burton assured him gaily. "Who would ever +suspect that you or The General would do anything; but somebody did +something in Oakdale last night and I want to take you back there and +have a nice, long talk with you. Put your hands up!" + +"We--." + +"Put 'em up!" snapped Burton, and when the four grimy fists had been +elevated he signalled to his companions to search the two men. + +Nothing more formidable than knives, dope, and a needle were found upon +them. + +"Say," drawled Dopey Charlie. "We knows wot we knows; but hones' to gawd +we didn't have nothin' to do wid it. We knows the guy that pulled it +off--we spent las' night wid him an' his pal an' a skoit. He creased +me, here," and Charlie unbuttoned his clothing and exposed to view the +bloody scratch of The Oskaloosa Kid's bullet. "On de level, Burton, we +wern't in on it. Dis guy was at dat Squibbs' place wen we pulls in dere +outen de rain. He has a pocket full o' kale an' sparklers an' tings, and +he goes fer to shoot me up wen I tries to get away." + +"Who was he?" asked Burton. + +"He called hisself de Oskaloosa Kid," replied Charlie. "A guy called +Bridge was wid him. You know him?" + +"I've heard of him; but he's straight," replied Burton. "Who was the +skirt?" + +"I dunno," said Charlie; "but she was gassin' 'bout her pals croakin' a +guy an' turnin' 'im outten a gas wagon, an' dis Oskaloosa Kid he croaks +some old guy in Oakdale las' night. Mebby he ain't a bad 'un though!" + +"Where are they now?" asked Burton. + +"We got away from 'em at the Squibbs' place this mornin'," said Charlie. + +"Well," said Burton, "you boes come along with me. If you ain't done +nothing the worst you'll get'll be three squares and a place to sleep +for a few days. I want you where I can lay my hands on you when I need +a couple of witnesses," and he herded them over the fence and into the +machine. As he himself was about to step in he felt suddenly of his +breast pocket. + +"What's the matter?" asked one of his companions. + +"I've lost my note book," replied Burton; "it must have dropped out of +my pocket when I jumped the fence. Just wait a minute while I go look +for it," and he returned to the fence, vaulted it and disappeared behind +the bushes. + +It was fully five minutes before he returned but when he did there was a +look of satisfaction on his face. + +"Find it?" asked his principal lieutenant. + +"Yep," replied Burton. "I wouldn't have lost it for anything." + +Bridge and his companions had made their way along the wooded path for +perhaps a quarter of a mile when the man halted and drew back behind the +foliage of a flowering bush. With raised finger he motioned the others +to silence and then pointed through the branches ahead. The boy and +the girl, tense with excitement, peered past the man into a clearing in +which stood a log shack, mud plastered; but it was not the hovel which +held their mute attention--it was rather the figure of a girl, bare +headed and bare footed, who toiled stubbornly with an old spade at a +long, narrow excavation. + +All too suggestive in itself was the shape of the hole the girl was +digging; there was no need of the silent proof of its purpose which lay +beside her to tell the watchers that she worked alone in the midst of +the forest solitude upon a human grave. The thing wrapped in an old +quilt lay silently waiting for the making of its last bed. + +And as the three watched her other eyes watched them and the digging +girl--wide, awestruck eyes, filled with a great terror, yet now and +again half closing in the shrewd expression of cunning that is a hall +mark of crafty ignorance. + +And as they watched, their over-wrought nerves suddenly shuddered to the +grewsome clanking of a chain from the dark interior of the hovel. + +The youth, holding tight to Bridge's sleeve, strove to pull him away. + +"Let's go back," he whispered in a voice that trembled so that he could +scarce control it. + +"Yes, please," urged the girl. "Here is another path leading toward the +north. We must be close to a road. Let's get away from here." + +The digger paused and raised her head, listening, as though she had +caught the faint, whispered note of human voices. She was a black haired +girl of nineteen or twenty, dressed in a motley of flowered calico and +silk, with strings of gold and silver coins looped around her olive +neck. Her bare arms were encircled by bracelets--some cheap and gaudy, +others well wrought from gold and silver. From her ears depended +ornaments fashioned from gold coins. Her whole appearance was barbaric, +her occupation cast a sinister haze about her; and yet her eyes seemed +fashioned for laughter and her lips for kissing. + +The watchers remained motionless as the girl peered first in one +direction and then in another, seeking an explanation of the sounds +which had disturbed her. Her brows were contracted into a scowl of +apprehension which remained even after she returned to her labors, and +that she was ill at ease was further evidenced by the frequent pauses +she made to cast quick glances toward the dense tanglewood surrounding +the clearing. + +At last the grave was dug. The girl climbed out and stood looking down +upon the quilt wrapped thing at her feet. For a moment she stood there +as silent and motionless as the dead. Only the twittering of birds +disturbed the quiet of the wood. Bridge felt a soft hand slipped into +his and slender fingers grip his own. He turned his eyes to see the +boy at his side gazing with wide eyes and trembling lips at the tableau +within the clearing. Involuntarily the man's hand closed tightly upon +the youth's. + +And as they stood thus the silence was shattered by a loud and human +sneeze from the thicket not fifty feet from where they stood. Instantly +the girl in the clearing was electrified into action. Like a tigress +charging those who stalked her she leaped swiftly across the clearing +toward the point from which the disturbance had come. There was an +answering commotion in the underbrush as the girl crashed through, a +slender knife gleaming in her hand. + +Bridge and his companions heard the sounds of a swift and short pursuit +followed by voices, one masterful, the other frightened and whimpering; +and a moment afterward the girl reappeared dragging a boy with her--a +wide-eyed, terrified, country boy who begged and blubbered to no avail. + +Beside the dead man the girl halted and then turned on her captive. In +her right hand she still held the menacing blade. + +"What you do there watching me for?" she demanded. "Tell me the truth, +or I kill you," and she half raised the knife that he might profit in +his decision by this most potent of arguments. + +The boy cowered. "I didn't come fer to watch you," he whimpered. "I'm +lookin' for somebody else. I'm goin' to be a dee-tectiff, an' I'm +shadderin' a murderer;" and he gasped and stammered: "But not you. I'm +lookin' for another murderer." + +For the first time the watchers saw a faint smile touch the girl's lips. + +"What other murderer?" she asked. "Who has been murdered?" + +"Two an' mebby three in Oakdale last night," said Willie Case more +glibly now that a chance for disseminating gossip momentarily outweighed +his own fears. "Reginald Paynter was murdered an' ol' man Baggs an' +Abigail Prim's missin'. Like es not she's been murdered too, though +they do say as she had a hand in it, bein' seen with Paynter an' The +Oskaloosie Kid jest afore the murder." + +As the boy's tale reached the ears of the three hidden in the +underbrush Bridge glanced quickly at his companions. He saw the boy's +horror-stricken expression follow the announcement of the name of the +murdered Paynter, and he saw the girl flush crimson. + +Without urging, Willie Case proceeded with his story. He told of the +coming of The Oskaloosa Kid to his father's farm that morning and +of seeing some of the loot and hearing the confession of robbery and +killing in Oakdale the night before. Bridge looked down at the youth +beside him; but the other's face was averted and his eyes upon the +ground. Then Willie told of the arrival of the great detective, of the +reward that had been offered and of his decision to win it and become +rich and famous in a single stroke. As he reached the end of his +narrative he leaned close to the girl, whispering in her ear the while +his furtive gaze wandered toward the spot where the three lay concealed. + +Bridge shrugged his shoulders as the palpable inference of that cunning +glance was borne in upon him. The boy's voice had risen despite his +efforts to hold it to a low whisper for what with the excitement of the +adventure and his terror of the girl with the knife he had little or +no control of himself, yet it was evident that he did not realize that +practically every word he had spoken had reached the ears of the three +in hiding and that his final precaution as he divulged the information +to the girl was prompted by an excess of timidity and secretiveness. + +The eyes of the girl widened in surprise and fear as she learned that +three watchers lay concealed at the verge of the clearing. She bent +a long, searching look in the direction indicated by the boy and then +turned her eyes quickly toward the hut as though to summon aid. At the +same moment Bridge stepped from hiding into the clearing. His pleasant +'Good morning!' brought the girl around, facing him. + +"What you want?" she snapped. + +"I want you and this young man," said Bridge, his voice now suddenly +stern. "We have been watching you and followed you from the Squibbs +house. We found the dead man there last night;" Bridge nodded toward the +quilt enveloped thing upon the ground; "and we suspect that you had +an accomplice." Here he frowned meaningly upon Willie Case. The youth +trembled and stammered. + +"I never seen her afore," he cried. "I don' know nothin' about it. +Honest I don't." But the girl did not quail. + +"You get out," she commanded. "You a bad man. Kill, steal. He know; he +tell me. You get out or I call Beppo. He keel you. He eat you." + +"Come, come, now, my dear," urged Bridge, "be calm. Let us get at the +root of this thing. Your young friend accuses me of being a murderer, +does he? And he tells about murders in Oakdale that I have not even +heard of. It seems to me that he must have some guilty knowledge himself +of these affairs. Look at him and look at me. Notice his ears, his chin, +his forehead, or rather the places where his chin and forehead should +be, and then look once more at me. Which of us might be a murderer and +which a detective? I ask you. + +"And as for yourself. I find you here in the depths of the wood digging +a lonely grave for a human corpse. I ask myself: was this man murdered? +but I do not say that he was murdered. I wait for an explanation from +you, for you do not look a murderer, though I cannot say as much for +your desperate companion." + +The girl looked straight into Bridge's eyes for a full minute before she +replied as though endeavoring to read his inmost soul. + +"I do not know this boy," she said. "That is the truth. He was spying +on me, and when I found him he told me that you and your companions were +thieves and murderers and that you were hiding there watching me. You +tell me the truth, all the truth, and I will tell you the truth. I have +nothing to fear. If you do not tell me the truth I shall know it. Will +you?" + +"I will," replied Bridge, and then turning toward the brush he called: +"Come here!" and presently a boy and a girl, dishevelled and fearful, +crawled forth into sight. Willie Case's eyes went wide as they fell upon +the Oskaloosa Kid. + +Quickly and simply Bridge told the girl the story of the past night, for +he saw that by enlisting her sympathy he might find an avenue of escape +for his companions, or at least a haven of refuge where they might hide +until escape was possible. "And then," he said in conclusion, "when the +searchers arrived we followed the foot prints of yourself and the bear +until we came upon you digging this grave." + +Bridge's companions and Willie Case looked their surprise at his +mention of a bear; but the gypsy girl only nodded her head as she had +occasionally during his narrative. + +"I believe you," said the girl. "It is not easy to deceive Giova. Now I +tell you. This here," she pointed toward the dead man, "he my father. He +bad man. Steal; kill; drink; fight; but always good to Giova. Good to no +one else but Beppo. He afraid Beppo. Even our people drive us out he, my +father, so bad man. We wander 'round country mak leetle money when Beppo +dance; mak lot money when HE steal. Two days he no come home. I go las' +night look for him. Sometimes he too drunk come home he sleep Squeebs. +I go there. I find heem dead. He have fits, six, seven year. He die fit. +Beppo stay guard heem. I carry heem home. Giova strong, he no very large +man. Beppo come too. I bury heem. No one know we leeve here. Pretty soon +I go way with Beppo. Why tell people he dead. Who care? Mak lot trouble +for Giova whose heart already ache plenty. No one love heem, only Beppo +and Giova. No one love Giova, only Beppo; but some day Beppo he +keel Giova now HE is dead, for Beppo vera large, strong bear--fierce +bear--ogly bear. Even Giova who love Beppo is afraid Beppo. Beppo devil +bear! Beppo got evil eye. + +"Well," said Bridge, "I guess, Giova, that you and we are in the same +boat. We haven't any of us done anything so very bad but it would be +embarrassing to have to explain to the police what we have done," here +he glanced at The Oskaloosa Kid and the girl standing beside the youth. +"Suppose we form a defensive alliance, eh? We'll help you and you help +us. What do you say?" + +"All right," acquiesced Giova; "but what we do with this?" and she +jerked her thumb toward Willie Case. + +"If he don't behave we'll feed him to Beppo," suggested Bridge. + +Willie shook in his boots, figuratively speaking, for in reality he +shook upon his bare feet. "Lemme go," he wailed, "an' I won't tell +nobody nothin'." + +"No," said Bridge, "you don't go until we're safely out of here. I +wouldn't trust that vanishing chin of yours as far as I could throw +Beppo by the tail." + +"Wait!" exclaimed The Oskaloosa Kid. "I have it!" + +"What have you?" asked Bridge. + +"Listen!" cried the boy excitedly. "This boy has been offered a hundred +dollars for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the men +who robbed and murdered in Oakdale last night. I'll give him a hundred +dollars if he'll go away and say nothing about us." + +"Look here, son," said Bridge, "every time you open your mouth you put +your foot in it. The less you advertise the fact that you have a hundred +dollars the better off you'll be. I don't know how you come by so much +wealth; but in view of several things which occurred last night I should +not be crazy, were I you, to have to make a true income tax return. +Somehow I have faith in you; but I doubt if any minion of the law would +be similarly impressed." + +The Oskaloosa Kid appeared hurt and crestfallen. Giova shot a suspicious +glance at him. The other girl involuntarily drew away. Bridge noted the +act and shook his head. "No," he said, "we mustn't judge one another +hastily, Miss Prim, and I take it you are Miss Prim?" The girl made a +half gesture of denial, started to speak, hesitated and then resumed. "I +would rather not say who I am, please," she said. + +"Well," said the man, "let's take one another at face value for a while, +without digging too deep into the past; and now for our plans. This wood +will be searched; but I don't see how we are to get out of it before +dark as the roads are doubtless pretty well patrolled, or at least every +farmer is on the lookout for suspicious strangers. So we might as +well make the best of it here for the rest of the day. I think we're +reasonably safe for the time being--if we keep Willie with us." + +Willie had been an interested auditor of all that passed between his +captors. He was obviously terrified; but his terror did not prevent him +from absorbing all that he heard, nor from planning how he might utilize +the information. He saw not only one reward but several and a glorious +publicity which far transcended the most sanguine of his former dreams. +He saw his picture not only in the Oakdale Tribune but in the newspapers +of every city of the country. Assuming a stern and arrogant expression, +or rather what he thought to be such, he posed, mentally, for the +newspaper cameramen; and such is the power of association of ideas +that he was presently strolling nonchalantly before a battery of motion +picture machines. "Gee!" he murmured, "won't the other fellers be sore! +I s'ppose Pinkerton'll send for me 'bout the first thing 'n' offer me +twenty fi' dollars a week, er mebbie more 'n thet. Gol durn, ef I don't +hold out fer thirty! Gee!" Words, thoughts even, failed him. + +As the others planned they rather neglected Willie and when they came to +assisting Giova in lowering her father into the grave and covering him +over with earth they quite forgot Willie entirely. It was The Oskaloosa +Kid who first thought of him. "Where's the boy?" he cried suddenly. The +others looked quickly about the clearing, but no Willie was to be seen. + +Bridge shook his head ruefully. "We'll have to get out of this in +a hurry now," he said. "That little defective will have the whole +neighborhood on us in an hour." + +"Oh, what can we do?" cried the girl. "They mustn't find us! I should +rather die than be found here with--" She stopped abruptly, flushed +scarlet as the other three looked at her in silence, and then: "I am +sorry," she said. "I didn't know what I was saying. I am so frightened. +You have all been good to me." + +"I tell you what we do." It was Giova speaking in the masterful voice of +one who has perfect confidence in his own powers. "I know fine way out. +This wood circle back south through swamp mile, mile an' a half. The +road past Squeebs an' Case's go right through it. I know path there I +fin' myself. We on'y have to cross road, that only danger. Then we reach +leetle stream south of woods, stream wind down through Payson. We all +go Gypsies. I got lot clothing in house. We all go Gypsies, an' when we +reach Payson we no try hide--jus' come out on street with Beppo. Mak' +Beppo dance. No one think we try hide. Then come night we go 'way. Find +more wood an' leetle lake other side Payson. I know place. We hide there +long time. No one ever fin' us there. We tell two, three, four people +in Payson we go Oakdale. They look Oakdale for us if they wan' fin' us. +They no think look where we go. See?" + +"Oh, I can't go to Payson," exclaimed the other girl. "Someone would be +sure to recognize me." + +"You come in house with me," Giova assured her, "I feex you so your own +mother no know you. You mens come too. I geeve you what to wear like +Gypsy mens. We got lots things. My father, him he steal many things from +our people after they drive us out. He go back by nights an' steal." + +The three followed her toward the little hovel since there seemed no +better plan than that which she had offered. Giova and the other girl +were in the lead, followed by Bridge and the boy. The latter turned to +the man and placed a hand upon his arm. "Why don't you leave us," he +asked. "You have done nothing. No one is looking for you. Why don't you +go your way and save yourself from suspicion." + +Bridge did not reply. + +"I believe," the youth went on, "that you are doing it for me; but why I +can't guess." + +"Maybe I am," Bridge half acknowledged. "You're a good little kid, but +you need someone to look after you. It would be easier though if you'd +tell me the truth about yourself, which you certainly haven't up to +now." + +"Please don't ask me," begged the boy. "I can't; honestly I can't." + +"Is it as bad as that?" asked the man. + +"Oh, it's worse," cried The Oskaloosa Kid. "It's a thousand times worse. +Don't make me tell you, for if I do tell I shall have to leave you, +and--and, oh, Bridge, I don't want to leave you--ever!" + +They had reached the door of the cabin now and were looking in past the +girl who had halted there as Giova entered. Before them was a small room +in which a large, vicious looking brown bear was chained. + +"Behold our ghost of last night!" exclaimed Bridge. "By George! though, +I'd as soon have hunted a real ghost in the dark as to have run into +this fellow." + +"Did you know last night that it was a bear?" asked the Kid. "You told +Giova that you followed the footprints of herself and her bear; but you +had not said anything about a bear to us." + +"I had an idea last night," explained Bridge, "that the sounds were +produced by some animal dragging a chain; but I couldn't prove it and so +I said nothing, and then this morning while we were following the trail +I made up my mind that it was a bear. There were two facts which argued +that such was the case. The first is that I don't believe in ghosts and +that even if I did I would not expect a ghost to leave footprints in +the mud, and the other is that I knew that the footprints of a bear are +strangely similar to those of the naked feet of man. Then when I saw the +Gypsy girl I was sure that what we had heard last night was nothing more +nor less than a trained bear. The dress and appearance of the dead man +lent themselves to a furtherance of my belief and the wisp of brown hair +clutched in his fingers added still further proof." + +Within the room the bear was now straining at his collar and growling +ferociously at the strangers. Giova crossed the room, scolding him +and at the same time attempting to assure him that the newcomers +were friends; but the wicked expression upon the beast's face gave no +indication that he would ever accept them as aught but enemies. + +It was a breathless Willie who broke into his mother's kitchen wide eyed +and gasping from the effects of excitement and a long, hard run. + +"Fer lan' sakes!" exclaimed Mrs. Case. "Whatever in the world ails you?" + +"I got 'em; I got 'em!" cried Willie, dashing for the telephone. + +"Fer lan' sakes! I should think you did hev 'em," retorted his mother as +she trailed after him in the direction of the front hall. "'N' whatever +you got, you got 'em bad. Now you stop right where you air 'n' tell me +whatever you got. 'Taint likely it's measles, fer you've hed them three +times, 'n' whoopin' cough ain't 'them,' it's 'it,' 'n'--." Mrs. Case +paused and gasped--horrified. "Fer lan' sakes, Willie Case, you come +right out o' this house this minute ef you got anything in your head." +She made a grab for Willie's arm; but the boy dodged and reached the +telephone. + +"Shucks!" he cried. "I ain't got nothin' in my head," nor did either +sense the unconscious humor of the statement. "What I got is a gang o' +thieves an' murderers, an' I'm callin' up thet big city deetectiff to +come arter 'em." + +Mrs. Case sank into a chair, prostrated by the weight of her emotions, +while Willie took down the receiver after ringing the bell to attract +central. Finally he obtained his connection, which was with Jonas Prim's +bank where detective Burton was making his headquarters. Here he learned +that Burton had not returned; but finally gave his message reluctantly +to Jonas Prim after exacting a promise from that gentleman that he would +be personally responsible for the payment of the reward. What Willie +Case told Jonas Prim had the latter in a machine, with half a dozen +deputy sheriffs and speeding southward from Oakdale inside of ten +minutes. + +A short distance out from town they met detective Burton with his two +prisoners. After a hurried consultation Dopey Charlie and The General +were unloaded and started on the remainder of their journey afoot under +guard of two of the deputies, while Burton's companions turned and +followed the other car, Burton taking a seat beside Prim. + +"He said that he could take us right to where Abigail is," Mr. Prim +was explaining to Burton, "and that this Oskaloosa Kid is with her, +and another man and a foreign looking girl. He told a wild story about +seeing them burying a dead man in the woods back of Squibbs' place. I +don't know how much to believe, or whether to believe any of it; but +we can't afford not to run down every clew. I can't believe that my +daughter is wilfully consorting with such men. She always has been full +of life and spirit; but she's got a clean mind, and her little escapades +have always been entirely harmless--at worst some sort of boyish prank. +I simply won't believe it until I see it with my own eyes. If she's with +them she's being held by force." + +Burton made no reply. He was not a man to jump to conclusions. His +success was largely due to the fact that he assumed nothing; but merely +ran down each clew quickly yet painstakingly until he had a foundation +of fact upon which to operate. His theory was that the simplest way is +always the best way and so he never befogged the main issue with any +elaborate system of deductive reasoning based on guesswork. Burton never +guessed. He assumed that it was his business to KNOW, nor was he on any +case long before he did know. He was employed now to find Abigail Prim. +Each of the several crimes committed the previous night might or might +not prove a clew to her whereabouts; but each must be run down in the +process of elimination before Burton could feel safe in abandoning it. + +Already he had solved one of them to his satisfaction; and Dopey Charlie +and The General were, all unknown to themselves, on the way to the +gallows for the murder of Old John Baggs. When Burton had found them +simulating sleep behind the bushes beside the road his observant eyes +had noticed something that resembled a hurried cache. The excuse of a +lost note book had taken him back to investigate and to find the loot +of the Baggs's crime wrapped in a bloody rag and hastily buried in a +shallow hole. + +When Burton and Jonas Prim arrived at the Case farm they were met by a +new Willie. A puffed and important young man swaggered before them as +he retold his tale and led them through the woods toward the spot where +they were to bag their prey. The last hundred yards was made on hands +and knees; but when the party arrived at the clearing there was no one +in sight, only the hovel stood mute and hollow-eyed before them. + +"They must be inside," whispered Willie to the detective. + +Burton passed a whispered word to his followers. Stealthily they crept +through the underbrush until the cabin was surrounded; then, at a signal +from their leader they rose and advanced upon the structure. + +No evidence of life indicated their presence had been noted, and Burton +came to the very door of the cabin unchallenged. The others saw him +pause an instant upon the threshold and then pass in. They closed behind +him. Three minutes later he emerged, shaking his head. + +"There is no one here," he announced. + +Willie Case was crestfallen. "But they must be," he pleaded. "They must +be. I saw 'em here just a leetle while back." + +Burton turned and eyed the boy sternly. Willie quailed. "I seen 'em," he +cried. "Hones' I seen 'em. They was here just a few minutes ago. Here's +where they burrit the dead man," and he pointed to the little mound of +earth near the center of the clearing. + +"We'll see," commented Burton, tersely, and he sent two of his men back +to the Case farm for spades. When they returned a few minutes' labor +revealed that so much of Willie's story was true, for a quilt wrapped +corpse was presently unearthed and lying upon the ground beside its +violated grave. Willie's stock rose once more to par. + +In an improvised litter they carried the dead man back to Case's farm +where they left him after notifying the coroner by telephone. Half of +Burton's men were sent to the north side of the woods and half to the +road upon the south of the Squibbs' farm. There they separated and +formed a thin line of outposts about the entire area north of the road. +If the quarry was within it could not escape without being seen. In the +mean time Burton telephoned to Oakdale for reinforcements, as it would +require fifty men at least to properly beat the tangled underbrush of +the wood. + + ***** + + +In a clump of willows beside the little stream which winds through the +town of Payson a party of four halted on the outskirts of the town. +There were two men, two young women and a huge brown bear. The men and +women were, obviously, Gypsies. Their clothing, their head-dress, their +barbaric ornamentation proclaimed the fact to whoever might pass; but no +one passed. + +"I think," said Bridge, "that we will just stay where we are until after +dark. We haven't passed or seen a human being since we left the cabin. +No one can know that we are here and if we stay here until late to-night +we should be able to pass around Payson unseen and reach the wood to the +south of town. If we do meet anyone to-night we'll stop them and inquire +the way to Oakdale--that'll throw them off the track." + +The others acquiesced in his suggestion; but there were queries about +food to be answered. It seemed that all were hungry and that the bear +was ravenous. + +"What does he eat?" Bridge asked of Giova. + +"Mos' anything," replied the girl. "He like garbage fine. Often I take +him into towns late, ver' late at night an' he eat swill. I do that +to-night. Beppo, he got to be fed or he eat Giova. I go feed Beppo, you +go get food for us; then we all meet at edge of wood just other side +town near old mill." + +During the remainder of the afternoon and well after dark the party +remained hidden in the willows. Then Giova started out with Beppo in +search of garbage cans, Bridge bent his steps toward a small store upon +the outskirts of town where food could be purchased, The Oskaloosa Kid +having donated a ten dollar bill for the stocking of the commissariat, +and the youth and the girl made their way around the south end of the +town toward the meeting place beside the old mill. + +As Bridge moved through the quiet road at the outskirts of the little +town he let his mind revert to the events of the past twenty four hours +and as he pondered each happening since he met the youth in the dark of +the storm the preceding night he asked himself why he had cast his +lot with these strangers. In his years of vagabondage Bridge had never +crossed that invisible line which separates honest men from thieves and +murderers and which, once crossed, may never be recrossed. Chance and +necessity had thrown him often among such men and women; but never had +he been of them. The police of more than one city knew Bridge--they knew +him, though, as a character and not as a criminal. A dozen times he had +been arraigned upon suspicion; but as many times had he been released +with a clean bill of morals until of late Bridge had become almost +immune from arrest. The police who knew him knew that he was straight +and they knew, too, that he would give no information against another +man. For this they admired him as did the majority of the criminals with +whom he had come in contact during his rovings. + +The present crisis, however, appeared most unpromising to Bridge. Grave +crimes had been committed in Oakdale, and here was Bridge conniving +in the escape of at least two people who might readily be under police +suspicion. It was difficult for the man to bring himself to believe that +either the youth or the girl was in any way actually responsible for +either of the murders; yet it appeared that the latter had been present +when a murder was committed and now by attempting to elude the police +had become an accessory after the fact, since she possessed knowledge +of the identity of the actual murderer; while the boy, by his own +admission, had committed a burglary. + +Bridge shook his head wearily. Was he not himself an accessory after the +fact in the matter of two crimes at least? These new friends, it seemed, +were about to topple him into the abyss which he had studiously avoided +for so long a time. But why should he permit it? What were they to him? + +A freight train was puffing into the siding at the Payson station. +Bridge could hear the complaining brakes a mile away. It would be easy +to leave the town and his dangerous companions far behind him; but even +as the thought forced its way into his mind another obtruded itself to +shoulder aside the first. It was recollection of the boy's words: "Oh, +Bridge, I don't want to leave you--ever." + +"I couldn't do it," mused Bridge. "I don't know just why; but I +couldn't. That kid has certainly got me. The first thing someone knows +I'll be starting a foundlings' home. There is no question but that I am +the soft mark, and I wonder why it is--why a kid I never saw before +last night has a strangle hold on my heart that I can't shake loose--and +don't want to. Now if it was a girl I could understand it." Bridge +stopped suddenly in the middle of the road. From his attitude he might +have been startled either by a surprising noise or by a surprising +thought. For a minute he stood motionless; then he shook his head again +and proceeded along his way toward the little store; evidently if he had +heard anything he was assured that it constituted no menace. + +As he entered the store to make his purchases a foxeyed man saw him and +stepped quickly behind the huge stove which had not as yet been taken +down for the summer. Bridge made his purchases, the volume of which +required a large gunny-sack for transportation, and while he was +thus occupied the fox-eyed man clung to his coign of vantage, himself +unnoticed by the purchaser. When Bridge departed the other followed him, +keeping in the shadow of the trees which bordered the street. Around +the edge of town and down a road which led southward the two went until +Bridge passed through a broken fence and halted beside an abandoned +mill. The watcher saw his quarry set down his burden, seat himself +beside it and proceed to roll a cigaret; then he faded away in the +darkness and Bridge was alone. + +Five or ten minutes later two slender figures appeared dimly out of the +north. They approached timidly, stopping often and looking first this +way and then that and always listening. When they arrived opposite the +mill Bridge saw them and gave a low whistle. Immediately the two passed +through the fence and approached him. + +"My!" exclaimed one. "I thought we never would get here; but we didn't +see a soul on the road. Where is Giova?" + +"She hasn't come yet," replied Bridge, "and she may not. I don't see how +a girl can browse around a town like this with a big bear at night and +not be seen, and if she is seen she'll be followed--it would be too much +of a treat for the rubes ever to be passed up--and if she's followed she +won't come here. At least I hope she won't." + +"What's that?" exclaimed The Oskaloosa Kid. Each stood in silence, +listening. + +The girl shuddered. "Even now that I know what it is it makes me creep," +she whispered, as the faint clanking of a distant chain came to their +ears. + +"We ought to be used to it by this time, Miss Prim," said Bridge. "We +heard it all last night and a good part of to-day." + +The girl made no comment upon the use of the name which he had applied +to her, and in the darkness he could not see her features, nor did +he see the odd expression upon the boy's face as he heard the name +addressed to her. Was he thinking of the nocturnal raid he so recently +had made upon the boudoir of Miss Abigail Prim? Was he pondering the +fact that his pockets bulged to the stolen belongings of that young +lady? But whatever was passing in his mind he permitted none of it to +pass his lips. + +As the three stood waiting in silence Giova came presently among them, +the beast Beppo lumbering awkwardly at her side. + +"Did he find anything to eat?" asked the man. + +"Oh, yes," exclaimed Giova. "He fill up now. That mak him better nature. +Beppo not so ugly now." + +"Well, I'm glad of that," said Bridge. "I haven't been looking forward +much to his company through the woods to-night--especially while he was +hungry!" + +Giova laughed a low, musical little laugh. "I don' think he no hurt you +anyway," she said. "Now he know you my frien'." + +"I hope you are quite correct in your surmise," replied Bridge. "But +even so I'm not taking any chances." + + ***** + + +Willie Case had been taken to Payson to testify before the coroner's +jury investigating the death of Giova's father, and with the dollar +which The Oskaloosa Kid had given him in the morning burning in his +pocket had proceeded to indulge in an orgy of dissipation the moment +that he had been freed from the inquest. Ice cream, red pop, peanuts, +candy, and soda water may have diminished his appetite but not his pride +and self-satisfaction as he sat alone and by night for the first time in +a public eating place. Willie was now a man of the world, a bon vivant, +as he ordered ham and eggs from the pretty waitress of The Elite +Restaurant on Broadway; but at heart he was not happy for never before +had he realized what a great proportion of his anatomy was made up +of hands and feet. As he glanced fearfully at the former, silhouetted +against the white of the table cloth, he flushed scarlet, assured as he +was that the waitress who had just turned away toward the kitchen with +his order was convulsed with laughter and that every other eye in the +establishment was glued upon him. To assume an air of nonchalance and +thereby impress and disarm his critics Willie reached for a toothpick in +the little glass holder near the center of the table and upset the sugar +bowl. Immediately Willie snatched back the offending hand and glared +ferociously at the ceiling. He could feel the roots of his hair being +consumed in the heat of his skin. A quick side glance that required all +his will power to consummate showed him that no one appeared to have +noticed his faux pas and Willie was again slowly returning to normal +when the proprietor of the restaurant came up from behind and asked him +to remove his hat. + +Never had Willie Case spent so frightful a half hour as that within the +brilliant interior of The Elite Restaurant. Twenty-three minutes of this +eternity was consumed in waiting for his order to be served and seven +minutes in disposing of the meal and paying his check. Willie's method +of eating was in itself a sermon on efficiency--there was no lost +motion--no waste of time. He placed his mouth within two inches of his +plate after cutting his ham and eggs into pieces of a size that would +permit each mouthful to enter without wedging; then he mixed his mashed +potatoes in with the result and working his knife and fork alternately +with bewildering rapidity shot a continuous stream of food into his +gaping maw. + +In addition to the meat and potatoes there was one vegetable in a +side-dish and as dessert four prunes. The meat course gone Willie placed +the vegetable dish on the empty plate, seized a spoon in lieu of knife +and fork and--presto! the side-dish was empty. Whereupon the prune dish +was set in the empty side-dish--four deft motions and there were no +prunes--in the dish. The entire feat had been accomplished in 6:34 1/2, +setting a new world's record for red-headed farmer boys with one splay +foot. + +In the remaining twenty five and one half seconds Willie walked what +seemed to him a mile from his seat to the cashier's desk and at the +last instant bumped into a waitress with a trayful of dishes. Clutched +tightly in Willie's hand was thirty five cents and his check with a like +amount written upon it. Amid the crash of crockery which followed the +collision Willie slammed check and money upon the cashier's desk and +fled. Nor did he pause until in the reassuring seclusion of a dark +side street. There Willie sank upon the curb alternately cold with fear +and hot with shame, weak and panting, and into his heart entered the +iron of class hatred, searing it to the core. + +Fortunately for youth it recuperates rapidly from mortal blows, and +so it was that another half hour found Willie wandering up and down +Broadway but at the far end of the street from The Elite Restaurant. A +motion picture theater arrested his attention; and presently, parting +with one of his two remaining dimes, he entered. The feature of the bill +was a detective melodrama. Nothing in the world could have better suited +Willie's psychic needs. It recalled his earlier feats of the day, +in which he took pardonable pride, and raised him once again to a +self-confidence he had not felt since he entered the ever to be hated +Elite Restaurant. + +The show over Willie set forth afoot for home. A long walk lay ahead of +him. This in itself was bad enough; but what lay at the end of the long +walk was infinitely worse, as Willie's father had warned him to return +immediately after the inquest, in time for milking, preferably. Before +he had gone two blocks from the theater Willie had concocted at least +three tales to account for his tardiness, either one of which would +have done credit to the imaginative powers of a Rider Haggard or a +Jules Verne; but at the end of the third block he caught a glimpse of +something which drove all thoughts of home from his mind and came +but barely short of driving his mind out too. He was approaching the +entrance to an alley. Old trees grew in the parkway at his side. At the +street corner a half block away a high flung arc swung gently from its +supporting cables, casting a fair light upon the alley's mouth, and just +emerging from behind the nearer fence Willie Case saw the huge bulk of a +bear. Terrified, Willie jumped behind a tree; and then, fearful lest +the animal might have caught sight or scent of him he poked his head +cautiously around the side of the bole just in time to see the figure of +a girl come out of the alley behind the bear. Willie recognized her at +the first glance--she was the very girl he had seen burying the dead man +in the Squibbs woods. Instantly Willie Case was transformed again into +the shrewd and death defying sleuth. At a safe distance he followed the +girl and the bear through one alley after another until they came out +upon the road which leads south from Payson. He was across the road when +she joined Bridge and his companions. When they turned toward the old +mill he followed them, listening close to the rotting clapboards for +any chance remark which might indicate their future plans. He heard them +debating the wisdom of remaining where they were for the night or moving +on to another location which they had evidently decided upon but no clew +to which they dropped. + +"The objection to remaining here," said Bridge, "is that we can't make a +fire to cook by--it would be too plainly visible from the road." + +"But I can no fin' road by dark," explained Giova. "It bad road by day, +ver' much worse by night. Beppo no come 'cross swamp by night. No, we +got stay here til morning." + +"All right," replied Bridge, "we can eat some of this canned stuff and +have our ham and coffee after we reach camp tomorrow morning, eh?" + +"And now that we've gotten through Payson safely," suggested The +Oskaloosa Kid, "let's change back into our own clothes. This disguise +makes me feel too conspicuous." + +Willie Case had heard enough. His quarry would remain where it was +over night, and a moment later Willie was racing toward Payson and a +telephone as fast as his legs would carry him. + +In an old brick structure a hundred yards below the mill where the +lighting machinery of Payson had been installed before the days of the +great central power plant a hundred miles away four men were smoking as +they lay stretched upon the floor. + +"I tell you I seen him," asserted one of the party. "I follered this +Bridge guy from town to the mill. He was got up like a Gyp; but I knew +him all right, all right. This scenery of his made me tink there was +something phoney doin', or I wouldn't have trailed him, an' its a good +ting I done it, fer he hadn't ben there five minutes before along comes +The Kid an' a skirt and pretty soon a nudder chicken wid a calf on a +string, er mebbie it was a sheep--it was pretty husky lookin' fer a +sheep though. An' I sticks aroun' a minute until I hears this here +Bridge guy call the first skirt 'Miss Prim.'" + +He ceased speaking to note the effect of his words on his hearers. They +were electrical. The Sky Pilot sat up straight and slapped his thigh. +Soup Face opened his mouth, letting his pipe fall out into his lap, +setting fire to his ragged trousers. Dirty Eddie voiced a characteristic +obscenity. + +"So you sees," went on Columbus Blackie, "we got a chanct to get both +the dame and The Kid. Two of us can take her to Oakdale an' claim +the reward her old man's offerin' an' de odder two can frisk de Kid, +an'--an'--." + +"An' wot?" queried The Sky Pilot. + +"Dere's de swamp handy," suggested Soup Face. + +"I was tinkin' of de swamp," said Columbus Blackie. + +"Eddie and I will return Miss Prim to her bereaved parents," interrupted +The Sky Pilot. "You, Blackie, and Soup Face can arrange matters with The +Oskaloosa Kid. I don't care for details. We will all meet in Toledo as +soon as possible and split the swag. We ought to make a cleaning on this +job, boes." + +"You spit a mout'ful then," said Columbus Blackie. + +They fell to discussing way and means. + +"We'd better wait until they're asleep," counseled The Sky Pilot. "Two +of us can tackle this Bridge and hand him the k.o. quick. Eddie and Soup +Face had better attend to that. Blackie can nab The Kid an' I'll annex +Miss Abigail Prim. The lady with the calf we don't want. We'll tell her +we're officers of the law an' that she'd better duck with her live stock +an' keep her trap shut if she don't want to get mixed up with a murder +trial." + + ***** + + +Detective Burton was at the county jail in Oakdale administering the +third degree to Dopey Charlie and The General when there came a long +distance telephone call for him. + +"Hello!" said the voice at the other end of the line; "I'm Willie Case, +an' I've found Miss Abigail Prim." + +"Again?" queried Burton. + +"Really," asserted Willie. "I know where she's goin' to be all night. I +heard 'em say so. The Oskaloosie Kid's with her an' annuder guy an' the +girl I seen with the dead man in Squibbs' woods an' they got a BEAR!" It +was almost a shriek. "You'd better come right away an' bring Mr. Prim. +I'll meet you on the ol' Toledo road right south of Payson, an' say, do +I get the whole reward?" + +"You'll get whatever's coming to you, son," replied Burton. "You say +there are two men and two women--are you sure that is all?" + +"And the bear," corrected Willie. + +"All right, keep quiet and wait for me," cautioned Burton. "You'll know +me by the spot light on my car--I'll have it pointed straight up into +the air. When you see it coming get into the middle of the road and wave +your hands to stop us. Do you understand?" + +"Yes," said Willie. + +"And don't talk to anyone," Burton again cautioned him. + +A few minutes later Burton left Oakdale with his two lieutenants and a +couple of the local policemen, the car turning south toward Payson and +moving at ever accelerating speed as it left the town streets behind it +and swung smoothly onto the country road. + + ***** + + +It was after midnight when four men cautiously approached the old mill. +There was no light nor any sign of life within as they crept silently +through the doorless doorway. Columbus Blackie was in the lead. He +flashed a quick light around the interior revealing four forms stretched +upon the floor, deep in slumber. Into the blacker shadows of the far end +of the room the man failed to shine his light for the first flash had +shown him those whom he sought. Picking out their quarry the intruders +made a sudden rush upon the sleepers. + +Bridge awoke to find two men attempting to rain murderous blows upon +his head. Wiry, strong and full of the vigor of a clean life, he pitted +against their greater numbers and cowardly attack a defense which was +infinitely more strenuous than they had expected. + +Columbus Blackie leaped for The Oskaloosa Kid, while The Sky Pilot +seized upon Abigail Prim. No one paid any attention to Giova, nor, with +the noise and confusion, did the intruders note the sudden clanking of +a chain from out the black depths of the room's further end, or the +splintering of a half decayed studding. + +Soup Face entangling himself about Bridge's legs succeeded in throwing +the latter to the floor while Dirty Eddie kicked viciously at the +prostrate man's head. The Sky Pilot seized Abigail Prim about the waist +and dragged her toward the doorway and though the girl fought valiantly +to free herself her lesser muscles were unable to cope successfully +with those of the man. Columbus Blackie found his hands full with The +Oskaloosa Kid. Again and again the youth struck him in the face; but +the man persisted, beating down the slim hands and striking viciously +at body and head until, at last, the boy, half stunned though still +struggling, was dragged from the room. + +Simultaneously a series of frightful growls reverberated through the +deserted mill. A huge body catapulted into the midst of the fighters. +Abigail Prim screamed. "The bear!" she cried. "The bear is loose!" + +Dirty Eddie was the first to feel the weight of Beppo's wrath. His foot +drawn back to implant a vicious kick in Bridge's face he paused at the +girl's scream and at the same moment a huge thing reared up before him. +Just for an instant he sensed the terrifying presence of some frightful +creature, caught the reflected gleam of two savage eyes and felt the +hot breath from distended jaws upon his cheek, then Beppo swung a single +terrific blow which caught the man upon the side of the head to spin him +across the floor and drop him in a crumpled heap against the wall, with +a fractured skull. Dirty Eddie was out. Soup Face, giving voice to +a scream more bestial than human, rose to his feet and fled in the +opposite direction. + +Beppo paused and looked about. He discovered Bridge lying upon the floor +and sniffed at him. The man lay perfectly quiet. He had heard that often +times a bear will not molest a creature which it thinks dead. Be that as +it may Beppo chanced at that moment to glance toward the doorway. There, +silhouetted against the lesser darkness without, he saw the figures of +Columbus Blackie and The Oskaloosa Kid and with a growl he charged them. +The two were but a few paces outside the doorway when the full weight of +the great bear struck Columbus Blackie between the shoulders. Down +went the man and as he fell he released his hold upon the youth who +immediately turned and ran for the road. + +The momentum of the bear carried him past the body of his intended +victim who, frightened but uninjured, scrambled to his feet and dashed +toward the rear of the mill in the direction of the woods and distant +swamp. Beppo, recovering from his charge, wheeled in time to catch a +glimpse of his quarry after whom he made with all the awkwardness that +was his birthright and with the speed of a race horse. + +Columbus Blackie, casting a terrified glance rearward, saw his Nemesis +flashing toward him, and dodged around a large tree. Again Beppo shot +past the man while the latter, now shrieking for help, raced madly in a +new direction. + +Bridge had arisen and come out of the mill. He called aloud for The +Oskaloosa Kid. Giova answered him from a small tree. "Climb!" she cried. +"Climb a tree! Ever'one climb a small tree. Beppo he go mad. He keel +ever'one. Run! Climb! He keel me. Beppo he got evil-eye." + +Along the road from the north came a large touring car, swinging from +side to side in its speed. Its brilliant headlights illuminated the road +far ahead. They picked out The Sky Pilot and Abigail Prim, they found +The Oskaloosa Kid climbing a barbed wire fence and then with complaining +brakes the car came to a sudden stop. Six men leaped from the machine +and rounded up the three they had seen. Another came running toward +them. It was Soup Face, so thoroughly terrified that he would gladly +have embraced a policeman in uniform, could the latter have offered him +protection. + +A boy accompanied the newcomers. "There he is!" he screamed, pointing at +The Oskaloosa Kid. "There he is! And you've got Miss Prim, too, and when +do I get the reward?" + +"Shut up!" said one of the men. + +"Watch this bunch," said Burton to one of his lieutenants, "while we +go after the rest of them. There are some over by the mill. I can hear +them." + +From the woods came a fear-filled scream mingled with the savage growls +of a beast. + +"It's the bear," shrilled Willie Case, and ran toward the automobile. + +Bridge ran forward to meet Burton. "Get that girl and the kid into your +machine and beat it!" he cried. "There's a bear loose here, a regular +devil of a bear. You can't do a thing unless you have rifles. Have you?" + +"Who are you?" asked the detective. + +"He's one of the gang," yelled Willie Case from the fancied security of +the tonneau. "Seize him!" He wanted to add: "My men"; but somehow his +nerve failed him at the last moment; however he had the satisfaction of +thinking it. + +Bridge was placed in the car with Abigail Prim, The Oskaloosa Kid, +Soup Face and The Sky Pilot. Burton sent the driver back to assist in +guarding them; then he with the remaining three, two of whom were armed +with rifles, advanced toward the mill. Beyond it they heard the growling +of the bear at a little distance in the wood; but the man no longer made +any outcry. From a tree Giova warned them back. + +"Come down!" commanded Burton, and sent her back to the car. + +The driver turned his spot light upon the wood beyond the mill and +presently there came slowly forward into its rays the lumbering bulk of +a large bear. The light bewildered him and he paused, growling. His left +shoulder was partially exposed. + +"Aim for his chest, on the left side," whispered Burton. The two men +raised their rifles. There were two reports in close succession. Beppo +fell forward without a sound and then rolled over on his side. Giova +covered her face with her hands and sobbed. + +"He ver' bad, ugly bear," she said brokenly; "but he all I have to +love." + +Bridge extended a hand and patted her bowed head. In the eyes of The +Oskaloosa Kid there glistened something perilously similar to tears. + +In the woods back of the mill Burton and his men found the mangled +remains of Columbus Blackie, and when they searched the interior of the +structure they brought forth the unconscious Dirty Eddie. As the car +already was taxed to the limit of its carrying capacity Burton left two +of his men to march The Kid and Bridge to the Payson jail, taking the +others with him to Oakdale. He was also partially influenced in this +decision by the fear that mob violence would be done the principals by +Oakdale's outraged citizens. At Payson he stopped long enough at the +town jail to arrange for the reception of the two prisoners, to notify +the coroner of the death of Columbus Blackie and the whereabouts of his +body and to place Dirty Eddie in the hospital. He then telephoned Jonas +Prim that his daughter was safe and would be returned to him in less +than an hour. + +By the time Bridge and The Oskaloosa Kid reached Payson the town was +in an uproar. A threatening crowd met them a block from the jail; but +Burton's men were armed with rifles which they succeeded in convincing +the mob they would use if their prisoners were molested. The telephone, +however, had carried the word to Oakdale; so that before Burton arrived +there a dozen automobile loads of indignant citizens were racing south +toward Payson. + +Bridge and The Oskaloosa Kid were hustled into the single cell of the +Payson jail. A bench ran along two sides of the room. A single barred +window let out upon the yard behind the structure. The floor was +littered with papers, and a single electric light bulb relieved the +gloom of the unsavory place. + +The Oskaloosa Kid sank, trembling, upon one of the hard benches. Bridge +rolled a cigaret. At his feet lay a copy of that day's Oakdale Tribune. +A face looked up from the printed page into his eyes. He stooped and +took up the paper. The entire front page was devoted to the various +crimes which had turned peaceful Oakdale inside out in the past twenty +four hours. There were reproductions of photographs of John Baggs, +Reginald Paynter, Abigail Prim, Jonas Prim, and his wife, with a large +cut of the Prim mansion, a star marking the boudoir of the missing +daughter of the house. As Bridge examined the various pictures an +odd expression entered his eyes--it was a mixture of puzzlement, +incredulity, and relief. Tossing the paper aside he turned toward The +Oskaloosa Kid. They could hear the sullen murmur of the crowd in front +of the jail. + +"If they get any booze," he said, "they'll take us out of here and +string us up. If you've got anything to say that would tend to convince +them that you did not kill Paynter I advise you to call the guard and +tell the truth, for if the mob gets us they might hang us first and +listen afterward--a mob is not a nice thing. Beppo was an angel of mercy +by comparison with one." + +"Could you convince them that you had no part in any of these crimes?" +asked the boy. "I know that you didn't; but could you prove it to a +mob?" + +"No," said Bridge. "A mob is not open to reason. If they get us I shall +hang, unless someone happens to think of the stake." + +The boy shuddered. + +"Will you tell the truth?" asked the man. + +"I will go with you," replied the boy, "and take whatever you get." + +"Why?" asked Bridge. + +The youth flushed; but did not reply, for there came from without a +sudden augmentation of the murmurings of the mob. Automobile horns +screamed out upon the night. The two heard the chugging of motors, the +sound of brakes and the greetings of new arrivals. The reinforcements +had arrived from Oakdale. + +A guard came to the grating of the cell door. "The bunch from Oakdale +has come," he said. "If I was you I'd say my prayers. Old man Baggs is +dead. No one never had no use for him while he was alive, but the whole +county's het up now over his death. They're bound to get you, an' +while I didn't count 'em all I seen about a score o' ropes. They mean +business." + +Bridge turned toward the boy. "Tell the truth," he said. "Tell this +man." + +The youth shook his head. "I have killed no one," said he. "That is the +truth. Neither have you; but if they are going to murder you they can +murder me too, for you stuck to me when you didn't have to; and I am +going to stick to you, and there is some excuse for me because I have a +reason--the best reason in the world." + +"What is it?" asked Bridge. + +The Oskaloosa Kid shook his head, and once more he flushed. + +"Well," said the guard, with a shrug of his shoulders, "it's up to you +guys. If you want to hang, why hang and be damned. We'll do the best we +can 'cause it's our duty to protect you; but I guess at that hangin's +too good fer you, an' we ain't a-goin' to get shot keepin' you from +gettin' it." + +"Thanks," said Bridge. + +The uproar in front of the jail had risen in volume until it was +difficult for those within to make themselves heard without shouting. +The Kid sat upon his bench and buried his face in his hands. Bridge +rolled another smoke. The sound of a shot came from the front room of +the jail, immediately followed by a roar of rage from the mob and a +deafening hammering upon the jail door. A moment later this turned to +the heavy booming of a battering ram and the splintering of wood. The +frail structure quivered beneath the onslaught. + +The prisoners could hear the voices of the guards and the jailer raised +in an attempt to reason with the unreasoning mob, and then came a final +crash and the stamping of many feet upon the floor of the outer room. + +Burton's car drew up before the doorway of the Prim home in Oakdale. The +great detective alighted and handed down the missing Abigail. Then he +directed that the other prisoners be taken to the county jail. + +Jonas Prim and his wife awaited Abigail's return in the spacious living +room at the left of the reception hall. The banker was nervous. He paced +to and fro the length of the room. Mrs. Prim fanned herself vigorously +although the heat was far from excessive. They heard the motor draw up +in front of the house; but they did not venture into the reception hall +or out upon the porch, though for different reasons. Mrs. Prim because +it would not have been PROPER; Jonas because he could not trust himself +to meet his daughter, whom he had thought lost, in the presence of a +possible crowd which might have accompanied her home. + +They heard the closing of an automobile door and the sound of foot steps +coming up the concrete walk. The Prim butler was already waiting at the +doorway with the doors swung wide to receive the prodigal daughter of +the house of Prim. A slender figure with bowed head ascended the +steps, guided and assisted by the detective. She did not look up at the +expectant butler waiting for the greeting he was sure Abigail would have +for him; but passed on into the reception hall. + +"Your father and Mrs. Prim are in the living room," announced the +butler, stepping forward to draw aside the heavy hangings. + +The girl, followed by Burton, entered the brightly lighted room. + +"I am very glad, Mr. Prim," said the latter, "to be able to return Miss +Prim to you so quickly and unharmed." + +The girl looked up into the face of Jonas Prim. The man voiced an +exclamation of surprise and annoyance. Mrs. Prim gasped and sank upon +a sofa. The girl stood motionless, her eyes once again bent upon the +floor. + +"What's the matter?" asked Burton. "What's wrong?" + +"Everything is wrong, Mr. Burton," Jonas Prim's voice was crisp and +cold. "This is not my daughter." + +Burton looked his surprise and discomfiture. He turned upon the girl. + +"What do you mean--" he started; but she interrupted him. + +"You are going to ask what I mean by posing as Miss Prim," she said. "I +have never said that I was Miss Prim. You took the word of an ignorant +little farmer's boy and I did not deny it when I found that you intended +bringing me to Mr. Prim, for I wanted to see him. I wanted to ask him to +help me. I have never met him, or his daughter either; but my father and +Mr. Prim have been friends for many years. + +"I am Hettie Penning," she continued, addressing Jonas Prim. "My father +has always admired you and from what he has told me I knew that you +would listen to me and do what you could for me. I could not bear to +think of going to the jail in Payson, for Payson is my home. Everybody +would have known me. It would have killed my father. Then I wanted to +come myself and tell you, after reading the reports and insinuations in +the paper, that your daughter was not with Reginald Paynter when he was +killed. She had no knowledge of the crime and as far as I know may not +have yet. I have not seen her and do not know where she is; but I was +present when Mr. Paynter was killed. I have known him for years and have +often driven with him. He stopped me yesterday afternoon on the street +in Payson and talked with me. He was sitting in a car in front of the +bank. After we had talked a few minutes two men came out of the bank. +Mr. Paynter introduced them to me. He said they were driving out into +the country to look at a piece of property--a farm somewhere north +of Oakdale--and that on the way back they were going to stop at The +Crossroads Inn for dinner. He asked me if I wouldn't like to come +along--he kind of dared me to, because, as you know, The Crossroads has +rather a bad reputation. + +"Father had gone to Toledo on business, and very foolishly I took his +dare. Everything went all right until after we left The Inn, although +one of the men--his companion referred to him once or twice as The +Oskaloosa Kid--attempted to be too familiar with me. Mr. Paynter +prevented him on each occasion, and they had words over me; but after +we left the inn, where they had all drunk a great deal, this man renewed +his attentions and Mr. Paynter struck him. Both of them were drunk. +After that it all happened so quickly that I could scarcely follow it. +The man called Oskaloosa Kid drew a revolver but did not fire, instead +he seized Mr. Paynter by the coat and whirled him around and then he +struck him an awful blow behind the ear with the butt of the weapon. + +"After that the other two men seemed quite sobered. They discussed what +would be the best thing to do and at last decided to throw Mr. Paynter's +body out of the machine, for it was quite evident that he was dead. +First they rifled his pockets, and joked as they did it, one of them +saying that they weren't getting as much as they had planned on; but +that a little was better than nothing. They took his watch, jewelry, +and a large roll of bills. We passed around the east side of Oakdale and +came back into the Toledo road. A little way out of town they turned +the machine around and ran back for about half a mile; then they turned +about a second time. I don't know why they did this. They threw the body +out while the machine was moving rapidly; but I was so frightened that +I can't say whether it was before or after they turned about the second +time. + +"In front of the old Squibbs place they shot at me and threw me out; but +the bullet missed me. I have not seen them since and do not know where +they went. I am ready and willing to aid in their conviction; but, +please Mr. Prim, won't you keep me from being sent back to Payson or to +jail. I have done nothing criminal and I won't run away." + +"How about the robbery of Miss Prim's room and the murder of Old Man +Baggs?" asked Burton. "Did they pull both of those off before they +killed Paynter or after?" + +"They had nothing to do with either unless they did them after they +threw me out of the car, which must have been long after midnight," +replied the girl. + +"And the rest of the gang, those that were arrested with you," continued +the detective, "how about them? All angels, I suppose." + +"There was only Bridge and the boy they called The Oskaloosa Kid, though +he isn't the same one that murdered poor Mr. Paynter, and the Gypsy +girl, Giova, that were with me. The others were tramps who came into +the old mill and attacked us while we were asleep. I don't know who they +were. The girl could have had nothing to do with any of the crimes. We +came upon her this morning burying her father in the woods back of the +Squibbs' place. The man died of epilepsy last night. Bridge and the boy +were taking refuge from the storm at the Squibbs place when I was thrown +from the car. They heard the shot and came to my rescue. I am sure they +had nothing to do with--with--" she hesitated. + +"Tell the truth," commanded Burton. "It will go hard with you if you +don't. What made you hesitate? You know something about those two--now +out with it." + +"The boy robbed Mr. Prim's home--I saw some of the money and +jewelry--but Bridge was not with him. They just happened to meet by +accident during the storm and came to the Squibbs place together. They +were kind to me, and I hate to tell anything that would get the boy in +trouble. That is the reason I hesitated. He seemed such a nice boy! +It is hard to believe that he is a criminal, and Bridge was always +so considerate. He looks like a tramp; but he talks and acts like a +gentleman." + +The telephone bell rang briskly, and a moment later the butler stepped +into the room to say that Mr. Burton was wanted on the wire. He returned +to the living room in two or three minutes. + +"That clears up some of it," he said as he entered. "The sheriff just +had a message from the chief at Toledo saying that The Oskaloosa Kid is +dying in a hospital there following an automobile accident. He knew he +was done for and sent for the police. When they came he told them he had +killed a man by the name of Paynter at Oakdale last night and the chief +called up to ask what we knew about it. The Kid confessed to clear +his pal who was only slightly injured in the smash-up. His story +corroborates Miss Penning's in every detail, he also said that after +killing Paynter he had shot a girl witness and thrown her from the car +to prevent her squealing." + +Once again the telephone bell rang, long and insistently. The butler +almost ran into the room. "Payson wants you, sir," he cried to Burton, +"in a hurry, sir, it's a matter of life and death, sir!" + +Burton sprang to the phone. When he left it he only stopped at the +doorway of the living room long enough to call in: "A mob has the two +prisoners at Payson and are about to lynch them, and, my God, they're +innocent. We all know now who killed Paynter and I have known since +morning who murdered Baggs, and it wasn't either of those men; but +they've found Miss Prim's jewelry on the fellow called Bridge and +they've gone crazy--they say he murdered her and the young one did for +Paynter. I'm going to Payson," and dashed from the house. + +"Wait," cried Jonas Prim, "I'm going with you," and without waiting to +find a hat he ran quickly after the detective. Once in the car he leaned +forward urging the driver to greater speed. + +"God in heaven!" he almost cried, "the fools are going to kill the only +man who can tell me anything about Abigail." + + ***** + + +With oaths and threats the mob, brainless and heartless, cowardly, +bestial, filled with the lust for blood, pushed and jammed into the +narrow corridor before the cell door where the two prisoners awaited +their fate. The single guard was brushed away. A dozen men wielding +three railroad ties battered upon the grating of the door, swinging the +ties far back and then in unison bringing them heavily forward against +the puny iron. + +Bridge spoke to them once. "What are you going to do with us?" he asked. + +"We're goin' to hang you higher 'n' Haman, you damned kidnappers an' +murderers," yelled a man in the crowd. + +"Why don't you give us a chance?" asked Bridge in an even tone, +unaltered by fear or excitement. "You've nothing on us. As a matter of +fact we are both innocent--" + +"Oh, shut your damned mouth," interrupted another of the crowd. + +Bridge shrugged his shoulders and turned toward the youth who stood very +white but very straight in a far corner of the cell. The man noticed the +bulging pockets of the ill fitting coat; and, for the first time that +night, his heart stood still in the face of fear; but not for himself. + +He crossed to the youth's side and put his arm around the slender +figure. "There's no use arguing with them," he said. "They've made +up their minds, or what they think are minds, that we're guilty; but +principally they're out for a sensation. They want to see something die, +and we're it. I doubt if anything could stop them now; they'd think we'd +cheated them if we suddenly proved beyond doubt that we were innocent." + +The boy pressed close to the man. "God help me to be brave," he said, +"as brave as you are. We'll go together, Bridge, and on the other side +you'll learn something that'll surprise you. I believe there is 'another +side,' don't you, Bridge?" + +"I've never thought much about it," said Bridge; "but at a time like +this I rather hope so--I'd like to come back and haunt this bunch of rat +brained rubes." + +His arm slipped down the other's coat and his hand passed quickly behind +the boy from one side to the other; then the door gave and the leaders +of the mob were upon them. A gawky farmer seized the boy and struck him +cruelly across the mouth. It was Jeb Case. + +"You beast!" cried Bridge. "Can't you see that that--that's--only a +child? If I don't live long enough to give you yours here, I'll come +back and haunt you to your grave." + +"Eh?" ejaculated Jeb Case; but his sallow face turned white, and after +that he was less rough with his prisoner. + +The two were dragged roughly from the jail. The great crowd which had +now gathered fought to get a close view of them, to get hold of them, to +strike them, to revile them; but the leaders kept the others back lest +all be robbed of the treat which they had planned. Through town they +haled them and out along the road toward Oakdale. There was some talk of +taking them to the scene of Paynter's supposed murder; but wiser heads +counselled against it lest the sheriff come with a posse of deputies and +spoil their fun. + +Beneath a great tree they halted them, and two ropes were thrown over +a stout branch. One of the leaders started to search them; and when he +drew his hands out of Bridge's side pockets his eyes went wide, and he +gave a cry of elation which drew excited inquiries from all sides. + +"By gum!" he cried, "I reckon we ain't made no mistake here, boys. Look +ahere!" and he displayed two handsful of money and jewelry. + +"Thet's Abbie Prim's stuff," cried one. + +The boy beside Bridge turned wide eyes upon the man. "Where did you get +it?" he cried. "Oh, Bridge, why did you do it? Now they will kill you," +and he turned to the crowd. "Oh, please listen to me," he begged. "He +didn't steal those things. Nobody stole them. They are mine. They have +always belonged to me. He took them out of my pocket at the jail because +he thought that I had stolen them and he wanted to take the guilt upon +himself; but they were not stolen, I tell you--they are mine! they are +mine! they are mine!" + +Another new expression came into Bridge's eyes as he listened to the +boy's words; but he only shook his head. It was too late, and Bridge +knew it. + +Men were adjusting ropes about their necks. "Before you hang us," said +Bridge quietly, "would you mind explaining just what we're being hanged +for--it's sort of comforting to know, you see." + +"Thet's right," spoke up one of the crowd. "Thet's fair. We want to do +things fair and square. Tell 'em the charges, an' then ask 'em ef they +got anything to say afore they're hung." + +This appealed to the crowd--the last statements of the doomed men might +add another thrill to the evening's entertainment. + +"Well," said the man who had searched them. "There might o' been some +doubts about you before, but they aint none now. You're bein' hung fer +abductin' of an' most likely murderin' Miss Abigail Prim." + +The boy screamed and tried to interrupt; but Jeb Case placed a heavy +and soiled hand over his mouth. The spokesman continued. "This slicker +admitted he was The Oskaloosa Kid, 'n' thet he robbed a house an' shot +a man las' night; 'n' they ain't no tellin' what more he's ben up to. He +tole Jeb Case's Willie 'bout it; an' bragged on it, by gum. 'Nenny way +we know Paynter and Abigail Prim was last seed with this here Oskaloosa +Kid, durn him." + +"Thanks," said Bridge politely, "and now may I make my final statement +before going to meet my maker?" + +"Go on," growled the man. + +"You won't interrupt me?" + +"Naw, go on." + +"All right! You damn fools have made up your minds to hang us. I doubt +if anything I can say to you will alter your determination for the +reason that if all the brains in this crowd were collected in one +individual he still wouldn't have enough with which to weigh the most +obvious evidence intelligently, but I shall present the evidence, and +you can tell some intelligent people about it tomorrow. + +"In the first place it is impossible that I murdered Abigail Prim, and +in the second place my companion is not The Oskaloosa Kid and was not +with Mr. Paynter last night. The reason I could not have murdered Miss +Prim is because Miss Prim is not dead. These jewels were not stolen from +Miss Prim, she took them herself from her own home. This boy whom you +are about to hang is not a boy at all--it is Miss Prim, herself. I +guessed her secret a few minutes ago and was convinced when she cried +that the jewels and money were her own. I don't know why she wishes to +conceal her identity; but I can't stand by and see her lynched without +trying to save her." + +The crowd scoffed in incredulity. "There are some women here," said +Bridge. "Turn her over to them. They'll tell you, at least that she is +not a man." + +Some voices were raised in protest, saying that it was a ruse to escape, +while others urged that the women take the youth. Jeb Case stepped +toward the subject of dispute. "I'll settle it durned quick," he +announced and reached forth to seize the slim figure. With a sudden +wrench Bridge tore himself loose from his captors and leaped toward the +farmer, his right flew straight out from the shoulder and Jeb Case went +down with a broken jaw. Almost simultaneously a car sped around a curve +from the north and stopped suddenly in rear of the mob. Two men leaped +out and shouldered their way through. One was the detective, Burton; the +other was Jonas Prim. + +"Where are they?" cried the latter. "God help you if you've killed +either of them, for one of them must know what became of Abigail." + +He pushed his way up until he faced the prisoners. The Oskaloosa Kid +gave him a single look of surprise and then sprang toward him with +outstretched arms. + +"Oh, daddy, daddy!" she cried, "don't let them kill him." + +The crowd melted away from the immediate vicinity of the prisoners. None +seemed anxious to appear in the forefront as a possible leader of a +mob that had so nearly lynched the only daughter of Jonas Prim. Burton +slipped the noose from about the girl's neck and then turned toward her +companion. In the light from the automobile lamps the man's face was +distinctly visible to the detective for the first time that night, +and as Burton looked upon it he stepped back with an exclamation of +surprise. + +"You?" he almost shouted. "Gad, man! where have you been? Your father's +spent twenty thousand dollars trying to find you." + +Bridge shook his head. "I'm sorry, Dick," he said, "but I'm afraid it's +too late. The open road's gotten into my blood, and there's only one +thing that--well--" he shook his head and smiled ruefully--"but there +ain't a chance." His eyes travelled to the slim figure sitting so +straight in the rear seat of Jonas Prim's car. + +Suddenly the little head turned in his direction. "Hurry, Bridge," +admonished The Oskaloosa Kid, "you're coming home with us." + + +The man stepped toward the car, shaking his head. "Oh, no, Miss Prim," +he said, "I can't do that. Here's your 'swag.'" And he smiled as he +passed over her jewels and money. + +Mr. Prim's eyes widened; he looked suspiciously at Bridge. Abigail +laughed merrily. "I stole them myself, Dad," she explained, "and then +Mr. Bridge took them from me in the jail to make the mob think he had +stolen them and not I--he didn't know then that I was a girl, did you?" + +"It was in the jail that I first guessed; but I didn't quite realize +who you were until you said that the jewels were yours--then I knew. The +picture in the paper gave me the first inkling that you were a girl, for +you looked so much like the one of Miss Prim. Then I commenced to recall +little things, until I wondered that I hadn't known from the first that +you were a girl; but you made a bully boy!" and they both laughed. "And +now good-by, and may God bless you!" His voice trembled ever so little, +and he extended his hand. The girl drew back. + +"I want you to come with us," she said. "I want Father to know you and +to know how you have cared for me. Won't you come--for me?" + +"I couldn't refuse, if you put it that way," replied Bridge; and he +climbed into the car. As the machine started off a boy leaped to the +running-board. + +"Hey!" he yelled, "where's my reward? I want my reward. I'm Willie +Case." + +"Oh!" exclaimed Bridge. "I gave your reward to your father--maybe he'll +split it with you. Go ask him." And the car moved off. + +"You see," said Burton, with a wry smile, "how simple is the detective's +job. Willie is a natural-born detective. He got everything wrong from A +to Izzard, yet if it hadn't been for Willie we might not have cleared up +the mystery so soon." + +"It isn't all cleared up yet," said Jonas Prim. "Who murdered Baggs?" + +"Two yeggs known as Dopey Charlie and the General," replied Burton. +"They are in the jail at Oakdale; but they don't know yet that I know +they are guilty. They think they are being held merely as suspects in +the case of your daughter's disappearance, whereas I have known since +morning that they were implicated in the killing of Baggs; for after I +got them in the car I went behind the bushes where we discovered them +and dug up everything that was missing from Baggs' house, as nearly as +is known--currency, gold and bonds." + +"Good!" exclaimed Mr. Prim. + +On the trip back to Oakdale, Abigail Prim cuddled in the back seat +beside her father, told him all that she could think to tell of Bridge +and his goodness to her. + +"But the man didn't know you were a girl," suggested Mr. Prim. + +"There were two other girls with us, both very pretty," replied Abigail, +"and he was as courteous and kindly to them as a man could be to a +woman. I don't care anything about his clothes, Daddy; Bridge is a +gentleman born and raised--anyone could tell it after half an hour with +him." + +Bridge sat on the front seat with the driver and one of Burton's men, +while Burton, sitting in the back seat next to the girl, could not but +overhear her conversation. + +"You are right," he said. "Bridge, as you call him, is a gentleman. +He comes of one of the finest families of Virginia and one of the +wealthiest. You need have no hesitancy, Mr. Prim, in inviting him into +your home." + +For a while the three sat in silence; and then Jonas Prim turned to his +daughter. "Gail," he said, "before we get home I wish you'd tell me why +you did this thing. I think you'd rather tell me before we see Mrs. P." + +"It was Sam Benham, Daddy," whispered the girl. "I couldn't marry him. +I'd rather die, and so I ran away. I was going to be a tramp; but I had +no idea a tramp's existence was so adventurous. You won't make me marry +him, Daddy, will you? I wouldn't be happy, Daddy." + +"I should say not, Gail; you can be an old maid all your life if you +want to." + +"But I don't want to--I only want to choose my own husband," replied +Abigail. + +Mrs. Prim met them all in the living-room. At sight of Abigail in the +ill-fitting man's clothing she raised her hands in holy horror; but she +couldn't see Bridge at all, until Burton found an opportunity to draw +her to one side and whisper something in her ear, after which she was +graciousness personified to the dusky Bridge, insisting that he spend a +fortnight with them to recuperate. + +Between them, Burton and Jonas Prim fitted Bridge out as he had not been +dressed in years, and with the feel of fresh linen and pressed clothing, +even if ill fitting, a sensation of comfort and ease pervaded him which +the man would not have thought possible from such a source an hour +before. + +He smiled ruefully as Burton looked him over. "I venture to say," he +drawled, "that there are other things in the world besides the open +road." + +Burton smiled. + +It was midnight when the Prims and their guests arose from the table. +Hettie Penning was with them, and everyone present had been sworn to +secrecy about her share in the tragedy of the previous night. On the +morrow she would return to Payson and no one there the wiser; but first +she had Burton send to the jail for Giova, who was being held as a +witness, and Giova promised to come and work for the Pennings. + +At last Bridge stole a few minutes alone with Abigail, or, to be more +strictly a truthful historian, Abigail outgeneraled the others of the +company and drew Bridge out upon the veranda. + +"Tell me," demanded the girl, "why you were so kind to me when you +thought me a worthless little scamp of a boy who had robbed some one's +home." + +"I couldn't have told you a few hours ago," said Bridge. "I used to +wonder myself why I should feel toward a boy as I felt toward you,--it +was inexplicable,--and then when I knew that you were a girl, I +understood, for I knew that I loved you and had loved you from the +moment that we met there in the dark and the rain beside the Road to +Anywhere." + +"Isn't it wonderful?" murmured the girl, and she had other things in her +heart to murmur; but a man's lips smothered hers as Bridge gathered her +into his arms and strained her to him. + + +***** + + +Partial list of correctioins made in the previous reproofing: + + + PAGE PARA. LINE ORIGINAL CHANGED TO + 10 6 emminent eminent + 15 4 2 it's warmth its warmth + 15 5 13 promisculously promiscuously + 16 1 3 appelation appellation + 19 3 it's scope its scope + 21 6 by with seasons by seasons + 25 1 8 Prim manage Prim menage + 25 2 20 then, suspicious, then, suspicions, + 28 12 even his even this + 34 6 1 it's quality its quality + 37 3 10 have any- have any + 38 4 4 tin tear. tin ear. + 39 2 6 Squibbs farm Squibbs' farm + 40 2 2 his absence, his absence," + 47 5 1 sudden, clanking sudden clanking + 47 8 3 its the thing it's the thing + 48 5 2 was moment's was a moment's + 59 9 4 bird aint bird ain't + 60 8 3 dum misery dumb misery + 71 2 dead Squibbs dead Squibb + 74 1 2 tend during tent during + 75 7 3 Squibbs house Squibbs' house + 76 1 6 Squibbs home. Squibbs' home. + 76 8 4 business, thats business, that's + 78 1 1 Squibbs place Squibbs' place + 78 2 1 Squibbs place!" Squibbs' place!" + 80 6 4 Squibbs gateway Squibbs' gateway + 84 6 1 Squibb's summer Squibbs' summer + 85 6 1 thet aint thet ain't + 85 7 5 on em on 'em + 85 8 1 An' thet aint An' thet ain't + 85 10 1 But thet aint But thet ain't + 85 10 3 of em of 'em + 85 10 3 of em of 'em + 86 2 2 there aint there ain't + 87 5 others' mask other's mask + 88 6 1 Squibbs woods Squibbs' woods + 91 2 "They aint "They ain't + 91 3 I aint I ain't + 91 2 3 Squibbs house Squibbs' house + 91 6 aint got ain't got + 92 6 it wa'nt safe it wa'n't safe + 92 4 10 Squibbs house Squibbs' house + 94 2 1 to nothin. to nothin'. + 94 8 1 Squibbs place," Squibbs' place," + 97 4 2 "We aint "We ain't + 98 1 8 Squibbs place Squibbs' place + 98 3 1 hiself de hisself de + 98 5 4 he aint he ain't + 98 7 1 Squibbs place Squibbs' place + 98 8 2 you aint you ain't + 107 4 3 wont tell won't tell + 113 3 5 its measles it's measles + 113 3 6 cough aint cough ain't + 113 3 6 its 'it,' it's 'it,' + 113 4 1 I aint I ain't + 114 2 6 Squibb's place Squibbs' place + 114 2 13 simply wont simply won't + 116 6 3 few minutes few minutes' + 116 7 5 Squibb's farm Squibbs' farm + 121 4 she wont she won't + 121 5 wont." won't." + 128 7 4 can knab can nab + 134 2 2 an upraor. an uproar. + 136 8 5 we aint we ain't + 139 2 8 had all drank had all drunk + 141 3 9 Squibb's place. Squibbs' place. + 146 1 its sort of it's sort of + 146 2 3 nings entertainment ning's entertainment + 146 4 5 aint no tellin' ain't no tellin' + 146 7 1 "You wont "You won't + 151 2 4 wont make won't make + 152 1 2 Nettie Penning Hettie Penning + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Oakdale Affair, by Edgar Rice Burroughs + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE OAKDALE AFFAIR *** + +***** This file should be named 363.txt or 363.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/6/363/ + +Produced by Judith Boss + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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FOR PUBLIC DOMAIN ETEXTS*Ver.04.29.93*END* + + + + + + + +THE OAKDALE AFFAIR + + +EDGAR RICE +BURROUGHS + + + + + + + +Chapter One + + +The house on the hill showed lights only upon the first +floor--in the spacious reception hall, the dining room, +and those more or less mysterious purlieus thereof from +which emanate disagreeable odors and agreeable foods. + +From behind a low bush across the wide lawn a pair +of eyes transferred to an alert brain these simple per- +ceptions from which the brain deduced with Sherlock- +ian accuracy and Raffleian purpose that the family of +the president of The First National Bank of--Oh, let's +call it Oakdale--was at dinner, that the servants were be- +low stairs and the second floor deserted. + +The owner of the eyes had but recently descended +from the quarters of the chauffeur above the garage +which he had entered as a thief in the night and quitted +apparelled in a perfectly good suit of clothes belong- +ing to the gentlemanly chauffeur and a soft, checked +cap which was now pulled well down over a pair of +large brown eyes in which a rather strained expression +might have suggested to an alienist a certain neophy- +tism which even the stern set of well shaped lips could +not effectually belie. + +Apparently this was a youth steeling himself against +a natural repugnance to the dangerous profession he had +espoused; and when, a moment later, he stepped out +into the moonlight and crossed the lawn toward the +house, the slender, graceful lines which the ill-fitting +clothes could not entirely conceal carried the conviction +of youth if not of innocence. + +The brazen assurance with which the lad crossed the +lawn and mounted the steps to the verandah suggested +a familiarity with the habits and customs of the inmates +of the house upon the hill which bespoke long and care- +ful study of the contemplated job. An old timer could +not have moved with greater confidence. No detail +seemed to have escaped his cunning calculation. Though +the door leading from the verandah into the reception +hall swung wide to the balmy airs of late Spring the +prowler passed this blatant invitation to the hospitality +of the House of Prim. It was as though he knew that +from his place at the head of the table, with his back +toward the great fire place which is the pride of the +Prim dining hall, Jonas Prim commands a view of the +major portion of the reception hall. + +Stooping low the youth passed along the verandah to +a window of the darkened library--a French window +which swung open without noise to his light touch. Step- +ping within he crossed the room to a door which opened +at the foot of a narrow stairway--a convenient little stair- +way which had often let the Hon. Jonas Prim to pass +from his library to his second floor bed-room unnoticed +when Mrs. Prim chanced to be entertaining the femi- +nine elite of Oakdale across the hall. A convenient little +stairway for retiring husbands and diffident burglars-- +yes, indeed! + +The darkness of the upper hallway offered no obstacle +to this familiar housebreaker. He passed the tempting +luxury of Mrs. Prim's boudoir, the chaste elegance of +Jonas Prim's bed-room with all the possibilities of forgot- +ten wallets and negotiable papers, setting his course +straight for the apartments of Abigail Prim, the spinster +daughter of the First National Bank of Oakdale. Or +should we utilize a more charitable and at the same time +more truthful word than spinster? I think we should, +since Abigail was but nineteen and quite human, de- +spite her name. + +Upon the dressing table of Abigail reposed much sil- +ver and gold and ivory, wrought by clever artisans into +articles of great beauty and some utility; but with scarce +a glance the burglar passed them by, directing his course +straight across the room to a small wall safe cleverly +hidden by a bit of tapestry. + +How, Oh how, this suggestive familiarity with the +innermost secrets of a virgin's sacred apartments upon +the part of one so obviously of the male persuasion and, +by his all too apparent calling, a denizen of that under- +world of which no Abigail should have intimate knowl- +edge? Yet, truly and with scarce a faint indication of +groping, though the room was dark, the marauder +walked directly to the hidden safe, swung back the +tapestry in its frame, turned the knob of the combina- +tion and in a moment opened the circular door of the +strong box. + +A fat roll of bills and a handful of jewelry he trans- +ferred to the pockets of his coat. Some papers which his +hand brushed within the safe he pushed aside as though +preadvised of their inutility to one of his calling. Then +he closed the safe door, closed the tapestry upon it +and turned toward a dainty dressing table. From a +drawer in this exquisite bit of Sheraton the burglar took +a small, nickel plated automatic, which he slipped into +an inside breast pocket of his coat, nor did he touch +another article therein or thereon, nor hesitate an in- +stant in the selection of the drawer to be rifled. His +knowledge of the apartment of the daughter of the +house of Prim was little short of uncanny. Doubtless the +fellow was some plumber's apprentice who had made +good use of an opportunity to study the lay of the land +against a contemplated invasion of these holy pre- +cincts. + +But even the most expert of second story men nod +and now that all seemed as though running on greased +rails a careless elbow raked a silver candle-stick from +the dressing table to the floor where it crashed with a +resounding din that sent cold shivers up the youth's +spine and conjured in his mind a sudden onslaught of +investigators from the floor below. + +The noise of the falling candlestick sounded to the +taut nerved house-breaker as might the explosion of a +stick of dynamite during prayer in a meeting house. +That all Oakdale had heard it seemed quite possible, +while that those below stairs were already turning ques- +tioning ears, and probably inquisitive footsteps, upward +was almost a foregone conclusion. + +Adjoining Miss Prim's boudoir was her bath and be- +fore the door leading from the one to the other was a +cretonne covered screen behind which the burglar now +concealed himself the while he listened in rigid appre- +hension for the approach of the enemy; but the only +sound that came to him from the floor below was the +deep laugh of Jonas Prim. A profound sigh of relief es- +caped the beardless lips; for that laugh assured the +youth that, after all, the noise of the fallen candlestick +had not alarmed the household. + +With knees that still trembled a bit he crossed the +room and passed out into the hallway, descended the +stairs, and stood again in the library. Here he paused +a moment listening to the voices which came from the +dining room. Mrs. Prim was speaking. "I feel quite re- +lieved about Abigail," she was saying. "I believe that at +last she sees the wisdom and the advantages of an +alliance with Mr. Benham, and it was almost with en- +thusiasm that she left this morning to visit his sister. +I am positive that a week or two of companionship +with him will impress upon her the fine qualities of his +nature. We are to be congratulated, Jonas, upon settling +our daughter so advantageously both in the matter of +family and wealth." + +Jonas Prim grunted. "Sam Benham is old enough to +be the girl's father," he growled. "If she wants him, all +right; but I can't imagine Abbie wanting a bald-headed +husband with rheumatism. I wish you'd let her alone, +Pudgy, to find her own mate in her own way--someone +nearer her own age." + +"The child is not old enough to judge wisely for her- +self," replied Mrs. Prim. "It was my duty to arrange a +proper alliance; and, Jonas, I will thank you not to call +me Pudgy--it is perfectly ridiculous for a woman of my +age--and position." + +The burglar did not hear Mr. Prim's reply for he had +moved across the library and passed out onto the ve- +randah. Once again he crossed the lawn, taking advan- +tage of the several trees and shrubs which dotted it, +scaled the low stone wall at the side and was in the +concealing shadows of the unlighted side street which +bounds the Prim estate upon the south. The streets of +Oakdale are flanked by imposing battalions of elm and +maple which over-arch and meet above the thorough- +fares; and now, following an early Spring, their foliage +eclipsed the infrequent arclights to the eminent satis- +faction of those nocturnal wayfarers who prefer neither +publicity nor the spot light. Of such there are few within +the well ordered precincts of lawabiding Oakdale; but +to-night there was at least one and this one was deeply +grateful for the gloomy walks along which he hurried +toward the limits of the city. + +At last he found himself upon a country road with +the odors of Spring in his nostrils and the world before +him. The night noises of the open country fell strangely +upon his ears accentuating rather than relieving the my- +riad noted silence of Nature. Familiar sounds became +unreal and weird, the deep bass of innumerable bull +frogs took on an uncanny humanness which sent a half +shudder through the slender frame. The burglar felt a +sad loneliness creeping over him. He tried whistling in +an effort to shake off the depressing effects of this seem- +ing solitude through which he moved; but there re- +mained with him still the hallucination that he moved +alone through a strange, new world peopled by invisible +and unfamiliar forms--menacing shapes which lurked in +waiting behind each tree and shrub. + +He ceased his whistling and went warily upon the +balls of his feet, lest he unnecessarily call attention to +his presence. If the truth were to be told it would chron- +icle the fact that a very nervous and frightened burglar +sneaked along the quiet and peaceful country road out- +side of Oakdale. A lonesome burglar, this, who so craved +the companionship of man that he would almost have +welcomed joyously the detaining hand of the law had +it fallen upon him in the guise of a flesh and blood po- +lice officer from Oakdale. + +In leaving the city the youth had given little thought +to the practicalities of the open road. He had thought, +rather vaguely, of sleeping in a bed of new clover in +some hospitable fence corner; but the fence corners +looked very dark and the wide expanse of fields be- +yond suggested a mysterious country which might be +peopled by almost anything but human beings. + +At a farm house the youth hesitated and was almost +upon the verge of entering and asking for a night's lodg- +ing when a savage voiced dog shattered the peace of +the universe and sent the burglar along the road at a +rapid run. + +A half mile further on a straw stack loomed large +within a fenced enclosure. The youth wormed his way +between the barbed wires determined at last to let +nothing prevent him from making a cozy bed in the +deep straw beside the stack. With courage radiating +from every pore he strode toward the stack. His walk +was almost a swagger, for thus does youth dissemble +the bravery it yearns for but does not possess. He al- +most whistled again; but not quite, since it seemed an +unnecessary provocation to disaster to call particular +attention to himself at this time. An instant later he was +extremely glad that he had refrained, for as he ap- +proached the stack a huge bulk slowly loomed from be- +hind it; and silhouetted against the moonlit sky he saw +the vast proportions of a great, shaggy bull. The burglar +tore the inside of one trousers' leg and the back of his +coat in his haste to pass through the barbed wire fence +onto the open road. There he paused to mop the per- +spiration from his forehead, though the night was now +far from warm. + +For another mile the now tired and discouraged +house-breaker plodded, heavy footed, the unending +road. Did vain compunction stir his youthful breast? Did +he regret the safe respectability of the plumber's appren- +tice? Or, if he had not been a plumber's apprentice did +he yearn to once again assume the unharried peace of +whatever legitimate calling had been his before he bent +his steps upon the broad boulevard of sin? We think he +did. + +And then he saw through the chinks and apertures +in the half ruined wall of what had once been a hay +barn the rosy flare of a genial light which appeared to +announce in all but human terms that man, red blooded +and hospitable, forgathered within. No growling dogs, +no bulking bulls contested the short stretch of weed +grown ground between the road and the disintegrat- +ing structure; and presently two wide, brown eyes were +peering through a crack in the wall of the abandoned +building. What they saw was a small fire built upon +the earth floor in the center of the building and around +the warming blaze the figures of six men. Some reclined +at length upon old straw; others squatted, Turk fash- +ion. All were smoking either disreputable pipes or rolled +cigarets. Blear-eyed and foxy-eyed, bearded and stub- +bled cheeked, young and old, were the men the youth +looked upon. All were more or less dishevelled and +filthy; but they were human. They were not dogs, or +bulls, or croaking frogs. The boy's heart went out to +them. Something that was almost a sob rose in his +throat, and then he turned the corner of the building +and stood in the doorway, the light from the fire playing +upon his lithe young figure clothed in its torn and ill- +fitting suit and upon his oval face and his laughing +brown eyes. For several seconds he stood there looking +at the men around the fire. None of them had noticed +him. + +"Tramps!" thought the youth. "Regular tramps." He +wondered that they had not seen him, and then, clear- +ing his throat, he said: "Hello, tramps!" + +Six heads snapped up or around. Six pairs of eyes, +blear or foxy, were riveted upon the boyish figure of +the housebreaker. "Wotinel!" ejaculated a frowzy gentle- +man in a frock coat and golf cap. "Wheredju blow +from?" inquired another. "'Hello, tramps'!" mimicked a +third. + +The youth came slowly toward the fire. "I saw your +fire," he said, "and I thought I'd stop. I'm a tramp, too, +you know." + +"Oh," sighed the elderly person in the frock coat. +"He's a tramp, he is. An' does he think gents like us has +any time for tramps? An' where might he be trampin', +sonny, without his maw?" + +The youth flushed. "Oh say!" he cried; "you needn't +kid me just because I'm new at it. You all had to start +sometime. I've always longed for the free life of a tramp; +and if you'll let me go along with you for a little while, +and teach me, I'll not bother you; and I'll do whatever +you say." + +The elderly person frowned. "Beat it, kid!" he com- +manded. "We ain't runnin' no day nursery. These you +see here is all the real thing. Maybe we asks fer a hand- +out now and then; but that ain't our reg'lar lay. You +ain't swift enough to travel with this bunch, kid, so +you'd better duck. Why we gents, here, if we was added +up is wanted in about twenty-seven cities fer about ev- +erything from rollin' a souse to crackin' a box and +croakin' a bull. You gotta do something before you can +train wid gents like us, see?" The speaker projected a +stubbled jaw, scowled horridly and swept a flattened +palm downward and backward at a right angle to a +hairy arm in eloquent gesture of finality. + +The boy had stood with his straight, black eyebrows +puckered into a studious frown, drinking in every word. +Now he straightened up. "I guess I made a mistake," he +said, apologetically. "You ain't tramps at all. You're +thieves and murderers and things like that." His eyes +opened a bit wider and his voice sank to a whisper as +the words passed his lips. "But you haven't so much on +me, at that," he went on, "for I'm a regular burglar, +too," and from the bulging pockets of his coat he drew +two handfuls of greenbacks and jewelry. The eyes of +the six registered astonishment, mixed with craft and +greed. "I just robbed a house in Oakdale," explained the +boy. "I usually rob one every night." + +For a moment his auditors were too surprised to voice +a single emotion; but presently one murmured, soulfully: +"Pipe de swag!" He of the frock coat, golf cap, and +years waved a conciliatory hand. He tried to look at the +boy's face; but for the life of him he couldn't raise his +eyes above the dazzling wealth clutched in the fingers +of those two small, slim hands. From one dangled a +pearl necklace which alone might have ransomed, if +not a king, at least a lesser member of a royal family, +while diamonds, rubies, sapphires, and emeralds scintil- +lated in the flaring light of the fire. Nor was the fistful of +currency in the other hand to be sneezed at. There were +greenbacks, it is true; but there were also yellowbacks +with the reddish gold of large denominations. The Sky +Pilot sighed a sigh that was more than half gasp. + +"Can't yuh take a kid?" he inquired. "I knew youse +all along. Yuh can't fool an old bird like The Sky Pilot +--eh, boys?" and he turned to his comrades for confirma- +tion. + +"He's The Oskaloosa Kid," exclaimed one of the com- +pany. "I'd know 'im anywheres." + +"Pull up and set down," invited another. + +The boy stuffed his loot back into his pockets and +came closer to the fire. Its warmth felt most comfort- +able, for the Spring night was growing chill. He looked +about him at the motley company, some half-spruce in +clothing that suggested a Kuppenmarx label and a not +too far association with a tailor's goose, others in rags, +all but one unshaven and all more or less dirty--for +the open road is close to Nature, which is principally +dirt. + +"Shake hands with Dopey Charlie," said The Sky Pi- +lot, whose age and corpulency appeared to stamp him +with the hall mark of authority. The youth did as he +was bid, smiling into the sullen, chalk-white face and +taking the clammy hand extended toward him. Was it a +shudder that passed through the lithe, young figure or +was it merely a subconscious recognition of the final pass- +ing of the bodily cold before the glowing warmth of the +blaze? "And Soup Face," continued The Sky Pilot. A +battered wreck half rose and extended a pudgy hand. +Red whiskers, matted in little tangled wisps which sug- +gested the dried ingredients of an infinite procession +of semi-liquid refreshments, rioted promiscuously over a +scarlet countenance. + +"Pleased to meetcha," sprayed Soup Face. It was a +strained smile which twisted the rather too perfect +mouth of The Oskaloosa Kid, an appellation which we +must, perforce, accept since the youth did not deny it. + +Columbus Blackie, The General, and Dirty Eddie +were formally presented. As Dirty Eddie was, physi- +cally, the cleanest member of the band the youth won- +dered how he had come by his sobriquet--that is, he +wondered until he heard Dirty Eddie speak, after which +he was no longer in doubt. The Oskaloosa Kid, self-con- +fessed 'tramp' and burglar, flushed at the lurid obscenity +of Dirty Eddie's remarks. + +"Sit down, bo," invited Soup Face. "I guess you're a +regular all right. Here, have a snifter?" and he pulled +a flask from his side pocket, holding it toward The Os- +kaloosa Kid. + +"Thank you, but;--er--I'm on the wagon, you know," +declined the youth. + +"Have a smoke?" suggested Columbus Blackie. "Here's +the makin's." + +The change in the attitude of the men toward him +pleased The Oskaloosa Kid immensely. They were treat- +ing him as one of them, and after the lonely walk through +the dark and desolate farm lands human companionship +of any kind was to him as the proverbial straw to the +man who rocked the boat once too often. + +Dopey Charlie and The General, alone of all the +company, waxed not enthusiastic over the advent of +The Oskaloosa Kid and his priceless loot. These two sat +scowling and whispering in the back-ground. "Dat's a +wrong guy," muttered the former to the latter. "He's a +stool pigeon or one of dese amatoor mugs." + +"It's the pullin' of that punk graft that got my goat," +replied The General. "I never seen a punk yet that didn't +try to make you think he was a wise guy an' dis stiff +don't belong enough even to pull a spiel that would fool +a old ladies' sewin' circle. I don't see wot The Sky Pi- +lot's cozyin' up to him fer." + +"You don't?" scoffed Dopey Charlie. "Didn't you lamp +de oyster harness? To say nothin' of de mitful of rocks +and kale." + +"That 'ud be all right, too," replied the other, "if we +could put the guy to sleep; but The Sky Pilot won't +never stand for croakin' nobody. He's too scared of his +neck. We'll look like a bunch o' wise ones, won't we? +lettin' a stranger sit in now--after last night. Hell!" he +suddenly exploded. "Don't you know that you an' me +stand to swing if any of de bunch gets gabby in front +of dis phoney punk?" + +The two sat silent for a while, The General puffing on +a short briar, Dopey Charlie inhaling deep draughts +from a cigarette, and both glaring through narrowed lids +at the boy warming himself beside the fire where the +others were attempting to draw him out the while they +strove desperately but unavailingly to keep their eyes +from the two bulging sidepockets of their guest's coat. + +Soup Face, who had been assiduously communing +with a pint flask, leaned close to Columbus Blackie, plac- +ing his whiskers within an inch or so of the other's nose +as was his habit when addressing another, and whis- +pered, relative to the pearl necklace: "Not a cent less +'n fifty thou, bo!" + +"Fertheluvomike!" ejaculated Blackie, drawing back +and wiping a palm quickly across his lips. "Get a +plumber first if you want to kiss me--you leak." + +"He thinks you need a shower bath," said Dirty Ed- +die, laughing. + +"The trouble with Soup Face," explained The Sky Pi- +lot, "is that he's got a idea he's a human atomizer an' +that the rest of us has colds." + +"Well, I don't want no atomizer loaded with rot-gut +and garlic shot in my mug," growled Blackie. "What +Soup Face needs is to be learned ettyket, an' if he +comes that on me again I'm goin' to push his mush +through the back of his bean." + +An ugly light came into the blear eyes of Soup Face. +Once again he leaned close to Columbus Blackie. +"Not a cent less 'n fifty thou, you tinhorn!" he bellowed, +belligerent and sprayful. + +Blackie leaped to his feet, with an oath--a frightful, +hideous oath--and as he rose he swung a heavy fist to +Soup Face's purple nose. The latter rolled over back- +ward; but was upon his feet again much quicker than one +would have expected in so gross a bulk, and as he came +to his feet a knife flashed in his hand. With a sound that +was more bestial than human he ran toward Blackie; +but there was another there who had anticipated his in- +tentions. As the blow was struck The Sky Pilot had +risen; and now he sprang forward, for all his age and +bulk as nimble as a cat, and seized Soup Face by the +wrist. A quick wrench brought a howl of pain to the +would-be assassin, and the knife fell to the floor. + +"You gotta cut that if you travel with this bunch," +said The Sky Pilot in a voice that was new to The +Oskaloosa Kid; "and you, too, Blackie," he continued. +"The rough stuff don't go with me, see?" He hurled Soup +Face to the floor and resumed his seat by the fire. + +The youth was astonished at the physical strength of +this old man, seemingly so softened by dissipation; but it +showed him the source of The Sky Pilot's authority and +its scope, for Columbus Blackie and Soup Face quitted +their quarrel immediately. + +Dirty Eddie rose, yawned and stretched. "Me fer +the hay," he announced, and lay down again with his +feet toward the fire. Some of the others followed his +example. "You'll find some hay in the loft there," said +The Sky Pilot to The Oskaloosa Kid. "Bring it down an' +make your bed here by me, there's plenty room." + +A half hour later all were stretched out upon the hard +dirt floor upon improvised beds of rotted hay; but not +all slept. The Oskaloosa Kid, though tired, found him- +self wider awake than he ever before had been. Appar- +ently sleep could never again come to those heavy eyes. +There passed before his mental vision a panorama of +the events of the night. He smiled as he inaudibly voiced +the name they had given him, the right to which he had +not seen fit to deny. "The Oskaloosa Kid." The boy +smiled again as he felt the 'swag' hard and lumpy in +his pockets. It had given him prestige here that he could +not have gained by any other means; but he mistook +the nature of the interest which his display of stolen +wealth had aroused. He thought that the men now +looked upon him as a fellow criminal to be accepted into +the fraternity through achievement; whereas they suf- +fered him to remain solely in the hope of transferring +his loot to their own pockets. + +It is true that he puzzled them. Even The Sky Pilot, +the most astute and intelligent of them all, was at a loss +to fathom The Oskaloosa Kid. Innocence and unsophisti- +cation flaunted their banners in almost every act and +speech of The Oskaloosa Kid. The youth reminded him +in some ways of members of a Sunday school which had +flourished in the dim vistas of his past when, as an or- +dained minister of the Gospel, he had earned the so- +briquet which now identified him. But the concrete +evidence of the valuable loot comported not with The +Sky Pilot's idea of a Sunday school boy's lark. The young +fellow was, unquestionably, a thief; but that he had ever +before consorted with thieves his speech and manners +belied. + +"He's got me," murmured The Sky Pilot; "but he's got +the stuff on him, too; and all I want is to get it off of +him without a painful operation. Tomorrow'll do," and +he shifted his position and fell asleep. + +Dopey Charlie and The General did not, however, +follow the example of their chief. They remained very +wide awake, a little apart from the others, where their +low whispers could not be overheard. + +"You better do it," urged The General, in a soft, in- +sinuating voice. "You're pretty slick with the toad stab- +ber, an' any way one more or less won't count." + +"We can go to Sout' America on dat stuff an' live +like gents," muttered Dopey Charlie. "I'm goin' to cut +out de Hop an' buy a farm an' a ottymobeel and--" + +"Come out of it," admonished The General. "If we're +lucky we'll get as far as Cincinnati, get a stew on and +get pinched. Den one of us'll hang an' de other get stir +fer life." + +The General was a weasel faced person of almost +any age between thirty-five and sixty. Sometimes he +could have passed for a hundred and ten. He had won +his military title as a boy in the famous march of Coxey's +army on Washington, or, rather, the title had been con- +ferred upon him in later years as a merited reward of +service. The General, profiting by the precepts of his +erstwhile companions in arms, had never soiled his mil- +itary escutcheon by labor, nor had he ever risen to the +higher planes of criminality. Rather as a mediocre pick- +pocket and a timorous confidence man had he eked out +a meager existence, amply punctuated by seasons +of straight bumming and intervals spent as the guest of +various inhospitably hospitable states. Now, for the first +time in his life, The General faced the possibility of a +serious charge; and his terror made him what he never +before had been, a dangerous criminal. + +"You're a cheerful guy," commented Dopey Charlie; +"but you may be right at dat. Dey can't hang a guy any +higher fer two 'an they can fer one an' dat's no pipe; +so wots de use. Wait till I take a shot--it'll be easier," +and he drew a small, worn case from an inside pocket, +bared his arm to the elbow and injected enough mor- +phine to have killed a dozen normal men. + +From a pile of mouldy hay across the barn the youth, +heavy eyed but sleepless, watched the two through half +closed lids. A qualm of disgust sent a sudden shudder +through his slight frame. For the first time he almost re- +gretted having embarked upon a life of crime. He had +seen that the two men were conversing together earn- +estly, though he could over-hear nothing they said, and +that he had been the subject of their nocturnal colloquy, +for several times a glance or a nod in his direction as- +sured him of this. And so he lay watching them--not +that he was afraid, he kept reassuring himself, but +through curiosity. Why should he be afraid? Was it not +a well known truth that there was honor among thieves? + +But the longer he watched the heavier grew his lids. +Several times they closed to be dragged open again only +by painful effort. Finally came a time that they remained +closed and the young chest rose and fell in the regular +breathing of slumber. + +The two ragged, rat-hearted creatures rose silently +and picked their way, half-crouched, among the sleepers +sprawled between them and The Oskaloosa Kid. In the +hand of Dopey Charlie gleamed a bit of shiny steel and +in his heart were fear and greed. The fear was engend- +ered by the belief that the youth might be an amateur +detective. Dopey Charlie had had one experience of +such and he knew that it was easily possible for them to +blunder upon evidence which the most experienced of +operatives might pass over unnoticed, and the loot bulg- +ing pockets furnished a sufficient greed motive in them- +selves. + +Beside the boy kneeled the man with the knife. He +did not raise his hand and strike a sudden, haphazard +blow. Instead he placed the point carefully, though +lightly, above the victim's heart, and then, suddenly, bore +his weight upon the blade. + +Abigail Prim always had been a thorn in the flesh of her +stepmother--a well-meaning, unimaginative, ambitious, +and rather common woman. Coming into the Prim home +as house-keeper shortly after the death of Abigail's +mother, the second Mrs. Prim had from the first looked +upon Abigail principally as an obstacle to be overcome. +She had tried to 'do right by her'; but she had never +given the child what a child most needs and most +craves--love and understanding. Not loving Abigail, the +house-keeper could, naturally, not give her love; and as +for understanding her one might as reasonably have ex- +pected an adding machine to understand higher mathe- +matics. + +Jonas Prim loved his daughter. There was nothing, +within reason, that money could buy which he would +not have given her for the asking; but Jonas Prim's love, +as his life, was expressed in dollar signs, while the love +which Abigail craved is better expressed by any other +means at the command of man. + +Being misunderstood and, to all outward appearances +of sentiment and affection, unloved had not in any way +embittered Abigail's remarkably joyous temperament. +made up for it in some measure by getting all the fun +and excitement out of life which she could discover +therein, or invent through the medium of her own re- +sourceful imagination. + +But recently the first real sorrow had been thrust into +her young life since the half-forgotten mother had been +taken from her. The second Mrs. Prim had decided that +it was her 'duty' to see that Abigail, having finished +school and college, was properly married. As a match- +maker the second Mrs. Prim was as a Texas steer in a +ten cent store. It was nothing to her that Abigail did +not wish to marry anyone, or that the man of Mrs. +Prim's choice, had he been the sole surviving male in +the Universe, would have still been as far from Abigail's +choice as though he had been an inhabitant of one of +Orion's most distant planets. + +As a matter of fact Abigail Prim detested Samuel +Benham because he represented to her everything in +life which she shrank from--age, avoirdupois, infirmity, +baldness, stupidity, and matrimony. He was a prosaic +old bachelor who had amassed a fortune by the simple +means of inheriting three farms upon which an indus- +trial city subsequently had been built. Necessity rather +than foresight had compelled him to hold on to his prop- +erty; and six weeks of typhoid, arriving and departing, +had saved him from selling out at a low figure. The first +time he found himself able to be out and attend to busi- +ness he likewise found himself a wealthy man, and ever +since he had been growing wealthier without personal +effort. + +All of which is to render evident just how impossible a +matrimonial proposition was Samuel Benham to a bright, +a beautiful, a gay, an imaginative, young, and a witty +girl such as Abigail Prim, who cared less for money than +for almost any other desirable thing in the world. + +Nagged, scolded, reproached, pestered, threatened, +Abigail had at last given a seeming assent to her step- +mother's ambition; and had forthwith been packed off +on a two weeks visit to the sister of the bride-groom +elect. After which Mr. Benham was to visit Oakdale as +a guest of the Prims, and at a dinner for which cards al- +ready had been issued--so sure was Mrs. Jonas Prim of +her position of dictator of the Prim menage--the engage- +ment was to be announced. + +It was some time after dinner on the night of Abigail's +departure that Mrs. Prim, following a habit achieved by +years of housekeeping, set forth upon her rounds to see +that doors and windows were properly secured for the +night. A French window and its screen opening upon +the verandah from the library she found open. "The +house will be full of mosquitoes!" she ejaculated men- +tally as she closed them both with a bang and made them +fast. "I should just like to know who left them open. +Upon my word, I don't know what would become of +this place if it wasn't for me. Of all the shiftlessness!" +and she turned and flounced upstairs. In Abigail's room +she flashed on the center dome light from force of habit, +although she knew that the room had been left in proper +condition after the girl's departure earlier in the day. +The first thing amiss that her eagle eye noted was the +candlestick lying on the floor beside the dressing table. +As she stooped to pick it up she saw the open drawer +from which the small automatic had been removed, and +then, suspicions, suddenly aroused, as suddenly became +fear; and Mrs. Prim almost dove across the room to the +hidden wall safe. A moment's investigation revealed the +startling fact that the safe was unlocked and practically +empty. It was then that Mrs. Jonas Prim screamed. + +Her scream brought Jonas and several servants upon +the scene. A careful inspection of the room disclosed the +fact that while much of value had been ignored the bur- +glar had taken the easily concealed contents of the wall +safe which represented fully ninety percentum of the +value of the personal property in Abigail Prim's apart- +ments. + +Mrs. Prim scowled suspiciously upon the servants. +Who else, indeed, could have possessed the intimate +knowledge which the thief had displayed. Mrs. Prim +saw it all. The open library window had been but a +clever blind to hide the fact that the thief had worked +from the inside and was now doubtless in the house at +that very moment. + +"Jonas," she directed, "call the police at once, and see +that no one, absolutely no one, leaves this house until +they have been here and made a full investigation." + +"Shucks, Pudgy!" exclaimed Mr. Prim. "You don't think +the thief is waiting around here for the police, do you?" + +"I think that if you get the police here at once, Jonas, +we shall find both the thief and the loot under our very +roof," she replied, not without asperity. + +"You don't mean--" he hesitated. "Why, Pudgy, you +don't mean you suspect one of the servants?" + +"Who else could have known?" asked Mrs. Prim. The +servants present looked uncomfortable and cast sheep- +ish eyes of suspicion at one another. + +"It's all tommy rot!" ejaculated Mr. Prim; "but I'll call +the police, because I got to report the theft. It's some +slick outsider, that's who it is," and he started down +stairs toward the telephone. Before he reached it the bell +rang, and when he had hung up the receiver after the +conversation the theft seemed a trivial matter. In fact +he had almost forgotten it, for the message had been +from the local telegraph office relaying a wire they had +just received from Mr. Samuel Benham. + +"I say, Pudgy," he cried, as he took the steps two at +a time for the second floor, "here's a wire from Benham +saying Gail didn't come on that train and asking when +he's to expect her." + +"Impossible!" ejaculated Mrs. Prim. "I certainly saw +her aboard the train myself. Impossible!" + +Jonas Prim was a man of action. Within half an hour +he had set in motion such wheels as money and influence +may cause to revolve in search of some clew to the +whereabouts of the missing Abigail, and at the same +time had reported the theft of jewels and money from +his home; but in doing this he had learned that other +happenings no less remarkable in their way had taken +place in Oakdale that very night. + +The following morning all Oakdale was thrilled as its +fascinated eves devoured the front page of Oakdale's or- +dinarily dull daily. Never had Oakdale experienced a +plethora of home-grown thrills; but it came as near to +it that morning, doubtless, as it ever had or ever will. +Not since the cashier of The Merchants and Farmers +Bank committed suicide three years past had Oakdale +been so wrought up, and now that historic and classical +event paled into insignificance in the glaring brilliancy +of a series of crimes and mysteries of a single night such +as not even the most sanguine of Oakdale's thrill lovers +could have hoped for. + +There was, first, the mysterious disappearance of Abi- +gail Prim, the only daughter of Oakdale's wealthiest cit- +izen; there was the equally mysterious robbery of the +Prim home. Either one of these would have been suffi- +cient to have set Oakdale's multitudinous tongues wag- +ging for days; but they were not all. Old John Baggs, the +city's best known miser, had suffered a murderous as- +sault in his little cottage upon the outskirts of town, +and was even now lying at the point of death in The +Samaritan Hospital. That robbery had been the motive +was amply indicated by the topsy-turvy condition of the +contents of the three rooms which Baggs called home. +As the victim still was unconscious no details of the +crime were obtainable. Yet even this atrocious deed had +been capped by one yet more hideous. + +Reginald Paynter had for years been looked upon +half askance and yet with a certain secret pride by Oak- +dale. He was her sole bon vivant in the true sense of +the word, whatever that may be. He was always spoken +of in the columns of The Oakdale Tribune as 'that well +known man-about-town,' or 'one of Oakdale's most prom- +inent clubmen.' Reginald Paynter had been, if not the +only, at all events the best dressed man in town. His +clothes were made in New York. This in itself had been +sufficient to have set him apart from all the other males +of Oakdale. He was widely travelled, had an indepen- +dent fortune, and was far from unhandsome. For years +he had been the hope and despair of every Oakdale +mother with marriageable daughters. The Oakdale +fathers, however, had not been so keen about Reginald. +Men usually know more about the morals of men than +do women. There were those who, if pressed, would +have conceded that Reginald had no morals. + +But what place has an obituary in a truthful tale of +adventure and mystery! Reginald Paynter was dead. His +body had been found beside the road just outside the +city limits at mid-night by a party of automobilists re- +turning from a fishing trip. The skull was crushed back +of the left ear. The position of the body as well as the +marks in the road beside it indicated that the man had +been hurled from a rapidly moving automobile. The fact +that his pockets had been rifled led to the assumption +that he had been killed and robbed before being dumped +upon the road. + +Now there were those in Oakdale, and they were +many, who endeavored to connect in some way these +several events of horror, mystery, and crime. In the first +place it seemed quite evident that the robbery at the +Prim home, the assault upon Old Baggs, and the mur- +der of Paynter had been the work of the same man; but +how could such a series of frightful happenings be in any +way connected with the disappearance of Abigail Prim? +Of course there were many who knew that Abigail and +Reginald were old friends; and that the former had, on +frequent occasions, ridden abroad in Reginald's French +roadster, that he had escorted her to parties and been, +at various times, a caller at her home; but no less had +been true of a dozen other perfectly respectable young +ladies of Oakdale. Possibly it was only Abigail's added +misfortune to have disappeared upon the eve of the +night of Reginald's murder. + +But later in the day when word came from a nearby +town that Reginald had been seen in a strange touring +car with two unknown men and a girl, the gossips com- +menced to wag their heads. It was mentioned, casually +of course, that this town was a few stations along the +very road upon which Abigail had departed the previous +afternoon for that destination which she had not reached. +It was likewise remarked that Reginald, the two strange +men and the GIRL had been first noticed after the time of +arrival of the Oakdale train! What more was needed? +Absolutely nothing more. The tongues ceased wagging +in order that they might turn hand-springs. + +Find Abigail Prim, whispered some, and the mystery +will be solved. There were others charitable enough to +assume that Abigail had been kidnapped by the same +men who had murdered Paynter and wrought the other +lesser deeds of crime in peaceful Oakdale. The Oakdale +Tribune got out an extra that afternoon giving a resume +of such evidence as had appeared in the regular edition +and hinting at all the numerous possibilities suggested +by such matter as had come to hand since. Even fear +of old Jonas Prim and his millions had not been enough +to entirely squelch the newspaper instinct of the Trib- +une's editor. Never before had he had such an oppor- +tunity and he made the best of it, even repeating the +vague surmises which had linked the name of Abigail +to the murder of Reginald Paynter. + +Jonas Prim was too busy and too worried to pay any +attention to the Tribune or its editor. He already had +the best operative that the best detective agency in the +nearest metropolis could furnish. The man had come to +Oakdale, learned all that was to be learned there, and +forthwith departed. + +This, then, will be about all concerning Oakdale for +the present. We must leave her to bury her own dead. + +The sudden pressure of the knife point against the +breast of the Oskaloosa Kid awakened the youth with +a startling suddenness which brought him to his feet be- +fore a second vicious thrust reached him. For a time he +did not realize how close he had been to death or that +he had been saved by the chance location of the auto- +matic pistol in his breast pocket--the very pistol he had +taken from the dressing table of Abigail Prim's boudoir. + +The commotion of the attack and escape brought the +other sleepers to heavy-eyed wakefulness. They saw +Dopey Charlie advancing upon the Kid, a knife in his +hand. Behind him slunk The General, urging the other +on. The youth was backing toward the doorway. The +tableau persisted but for an instant. Then the would-be +murderer rushed madly upon his victim, the latter's +hand leaped from beneath the breast of his torn coat-- +there was a flash of flame, a staccato report and Dopey +Charlie crumpled to the ground, screaming. In the same +instant The Oskaloosa Kid wheeled and vanished into +the night. + +It had all happened so quickly that the other members +of the gang, awakened from deep slumber, had only +time to stumble to their feet before it was over. The +Sky Pilot, ignoring the screaming Charlie, thought only +of the loot which had vanished with the Oskaloosa Kid. + +"Come on! We gotta get him," he cried, as he ran +from the barn after the fugitive. The others, all but +Dopey Charlie, followed in the wake of their leader. +The wounded man, his audience departed, ceased +screaming and, sitting up, fell to examining himself. To +his surprise he discovered that he was not dead. A fur- +ther and more minute examination disclosed the addi- +tional fact that he was not even badly wounded. The +bullet of The Kid had merely creased the flesh over +the ribs beneath his right arm. With a grunt that might +have been either disgust or relief he stumbled to his +feet and joined in the pursuit. + +Down the road toward the south ran The Oskaloosa +Kid with all the fleetness of youth spurred on by terror. +In five minutes he had so far outdistanced his pursuers +that The Sky Pilot leaped to the conclusion that the +quarry had left the road to hide in an adjoining field. +The resultant halt and search upon either side of the +road delayed the chase to a sufficient extent to award +the fugitive a mile lead by the time the band resumed +the hunt along the main highway. The men were de- +termined to overhaul the youth not alone because of +the loot upon his person but through an abiding suspi- +cion that he might indeed be what some of them feared +he was--an amateur detective--and there were at least +two among them who had reason to be especially fear- +ful of any sort of detective from Oakdale. + +They no longer ran; but puffed arduously along the +smooth road, searching with troubled and angry eyes to +right and left and ahead of them as they went. + +The Oskaloosa Kid puffed, too; but he puffed a mile +away from the searchers and he walked more rapidly +than they, for his muscles were younger and his wind +unimpaired by dissipation. For a time he carried the +small automatic in his hand; but later, hearing no evi- +dence of pursuit, he returned it to the pocket in his coat +where it had lain when it had saved him from death be- +neath the blade of the degenerate Charlie. + +For an hour he continued walking rapidly along the +winding country road. He was very tired; but he dared +not pause to rest. Always behind him he expected the +sudden onslaught of the bearded, blear-eyed followers +of The Sky Pilot. Terror goaded him to supreme physical +effort. Recollection of the screaming man sinking to the +earthen floor of the hay barn haunted him. He was a +murderer! He had slain a fellow man. He winced and +shuddered, increasing his gait until again he almost ran +--ran from the ghost pursuing him through the black +night in greater terror than he felt for the flesh and +blood pursuers upon his heels. + +And Nature drew upon her sinister forces to add to +the fear which the youth already felt. Black clouds ob- +scured the moon blotting out the soft kindliness of the +greening fields and transforming the budding branches +of the trees to menacing and gloomy arms which ap- +peared to hover with clawlike talons above the dark and +forbidding road. The wind soughed with gloomy and in- +creasing menace, a sudden light flared across the south- +ern sky followed by the reverberation of distant thunder. + +Presently a great rain drop was blown against the +youth's face; the vividness of the lightning had increased; +the rumbling of the thunder had grown to the propor- +tions of a titanic bombardment; but he dared not pause +to seek shelter. + +Another flash of lightning revealed a fork in the road +immediately ahead--to the left ran the broad, smooth +highway, to the right a dirt road, overarched by trees, +led away into the impenetrable dark. + +The fugitive paused, undecided. Which way should +he turn? The better travelled highway seemed less mys- +terious and awesome, yet would his pursuers not natur- +ally assume that he had followed it? Then, of course, +the right hand road was the road for him. Yet still he +hesitated, for the right hand road was black and forbid- +ding; suggesting the entrance to a pit of unknown hor- +rors. + +As he stood there with the rain and the wind, the +thunder and the lightning, horror of the past and terror +of the future his only companions there broke suddenly +through the storm the voice of a man just ahead and +evidently approaching along the highway. + +The youth turned to flee; but the thought of the men +tracking him from that direction brought him to a sud- +den halt. There was only the road to the right, then, +after all. Cautiously he moved toward it, and at the +same time the words of the voice came clearly through +the night: + + "'. . . as, swinging heel and toe, + +'We tramped the road to Anywhere, the magic road + + to Anywhere, + +'The tragic road to Anywhere, such dear, dim years + + ago.'" + +The voice seemed reassuring--its quality and the an- +nunciation of the words bespoke for its owner consider- +able claim to refinement. The youth had halted again, +but he now crouched to one side fearing to reveal his +presence because of the bloody crime he thought he had +committed; yet how he yearned to throw himself upon +the compassion of this fine voiced stranger! How his +every fibre cried out for companionship in this night of +his greatest terror; but he would have let the invisible +minstrel pass had not Fate ordained to light the scene +at that particular instant with a prolonged flare of +sheet lightning, revealing the two wayfarers to one an- +other. + +The youth saw a slight though well built man in +ragged clothes and disreputable soft hat. The image was +photographed upon his brain for life--the honest, laugh- +ing eyes, the well moulded features harmonizing so well +with the voice, and the impossible garments which +marked the man hobo and bum as plainly as though he +wore a placard suspended from his neck. + +The stranger halted. Once more darkness enveloped +them. "Lovely evening for a stroll," remarked the man. +"Running out to your country place? Isn't there danger +of skidding on these wet roads at night? I told James, +just before we started, to be sure to see that the chains +were on all around; but he forgot them. James is very +trying sometimes. Now he never showed up this evening +and I had to start out alone, and he knows perfectly +well that I detest driving after dark in the rain." + +The youth found himself smiling. His fear had sud- +denly vanished. No one could harbor suspicion of the +owner of that cheerful voice. + +"I didn't know which road to take," he ventured, in +explanation of his presence at the cross road. + +"Oh," exclaimed the man, "are there two roads here? +I was looking for this fork and came near passing it in +the dark. It was a year ago since I came this way; but I +recall a deserted house about a mile up the dirt road. It +will shelter us from the inclemencies of the weather." + +"Oh!" cried the youth. "Now I know where I am. In +the dark and the storm and after all that has happened +to me tonight nothing seemed natural. It was just as +though I was in some strange land; but I know now. +Yes, there is a deserted house a little less than a mile +from here; but you wouldn't want to stop there at night. +They tell some frightful stories about it. It hasn't been +occupied for over twenty years--not since the Squibbs +were found murdered there--the father, mother three +sons, and a daughter. They never discovered the mur- +derer, and the house has stood vacant and the farm un- +worked almost continuously since. A couple of men tried +working it; but they didn't stay long. A night or so was +enough for them and their families. I remember hear- +ing as a little--er--child stories of the frightful things +that happened there in the house where the Squibbs +were murdered--things that happened after dark when +the lights were out. Oh, I wouldn't even pass that place +on a night like this." + +The man smiled. "I slept there alone one rainy night +about a year ago," he said. "I didn't see or hear any- +thing unusual. Such stories are ridiculous; and even if +there was a little truth in them, noises can't harm you as +much as sleeping out in the storm. I'm going to en- +croach once more upon the ghostly hospitality of the +Squibbs. Better come with me." + +The youth shuddered and drew back. From far be- +hind came faintly the shout of a man. + +"Yes, I'll go," exclaimed the boy. "Let's hurry," and he +started off at a half-run toward the dirt road. + +The man followed more slowly. The darkness hid the +quizzical expression of his eyes. He, too, had heard the +faint shout far to the rear. He recalled the boy's "after +all that has happened to me tonight," and he shrewdly +guessed that the latter's sudden determination to brave +the horrors of the haunted house was closely connected +with the hoarse voice out of the distance. + +When he had finally come abreast of the youth after +the latter, his first panic of flight subsided, had reduced +his speed, he spoke to him in his kindly tones. + +"What was it that happened to you to-night?" he +asked. "Is someone following you? You needn't be afraid +of me. I'll help you if you've been on the square. If +you haven't, you still needn't fear me, for I won't peach +on you. What is it? Tell me." + +The youth was on the point of unburdening his soul +to this stranger with the kindly voice and the honest +eyes; but a sudden fear stayed his tongue. If he told all +it would be necessary to reveal certain details that he +could not bring himself to reveal to anyone, and so he +commenced with his introduction to the wayfarers in the +deserted hay barn. Briefly he told of the attack upon +him, of his shooting of Dopey Charlie, of the flight and +pursuit. "And now," he said in conclusion, "that you +know I'm a murderer I suppose you won't have any +more to do with me, unless you turn me over to the +authorities to hang." There was almost a sob in his voice, +so real was his terror. + +The man threw an arm across his companion's shoul- +der. "Don't worry, kid," he said. "You're not a murderer +even if you did kill Dopey Charlie, which I hope you +did. You're a benefactor of the human race. I have known +Charles for years. He should have been killed long since. +Furthermore, as you shot in self defence no jury would +convict you. I fear, however, that you didn't kill him. +You say you could hear his screams as long as you were +within earshot of the barn--dead men don't scream, you +know." + +"How did you know my name?" asked the youth. + +"I don't," replied the man. + +"But you called me 'Kid' and that's my name--I'm +The Oskaloosa Kid." + +The man was glad that the darkness hid his smile of +amusement. He knew The Oskaloosa Kid well, and he +knew him as an ex-pug with a pock marked face, a bul- +let head, and a tin ear. The flash of lightning had re- +vealed, upon the contrary, a slender boy with smooth +skin, an oval face, and large dark eyes. + +"Ah," he said, "so you are The Oskaloosa Kid! I am +delighted, sir, to make your acquaintance. Permit me +to introduce myself: my name is Bridge. If James were +here I should ask him to mix one of his famous cock- +tails that we might drink to our mutual happiness and +the longevity of our friendship." + +"I am glad to know you, Mr. Bridge," said the youth. +"Oh, I can't tell you how glad I am to know you. I was +so lonely and so afraid," and he pressed closer to the +older man whose arm still encircled his shoulder, though +at first he had been inclined to draw away in some con- +fusion. + +Talking together the two moved on along the dark +road. The storm had settled now into a steady rain +with infrequent flashes of lightning and peals of thun- +der. There had been no further indications of pursuit; +but Bridge argued that The Sky Pilot, being wise with +the wisdom of the owl and cunning with the cunning of +the fox, would doubtless surmise that a fugitive would +take to the first road leading away from the main artery, +and that even though they heard nothing it would be +safe to assume that the gang was still upon the boy's +trail. "And it's a bad bunch, too," he continued. "I've +known them all for years. The Sky Pilot has the reputa- +tion of never countenancing a murder; but that is be- +cause he is a sly one. His gang kills; but when they kill +under The Sky Pilot they do it so cleverly that no trace +of the crime remains. Their victim disappears--that is +all." + +The boy trembled. "You won't let them get me?" he +pleaded, pressing closer to the man. The only response +was a pressure of the arm about the shoulders of The +Oskaloosa Kid. + +Over a low hill they followed the muddy road and +down into a dark and gloomy ravine. In a little open +space to the right of the road a flash of lightning re- +vealed the outlines of a building a hundred yards from +the rickety and decaying fence which bordered the +Squibbs' farm and separated it from the road. + +"Here we are!" cried Bridge, "and spooks or no spooks +we'll find a dry spot in that old ruin. There was a stove +there last year and it's doubtless there yet. A good fire +to dry our clothes and warm us up will fit us for a bully +good sleep, and I'll wager a silk hat that The Oskaloosa +Kid is a mighty sleepy kid, eh?" + +The boy admitted the allegation and the two turned +in through the gateway, stepping over the fallen gate +and moving through knee high weeds toward the for- +bidding structure in the distance. A clump of trees sur- +rounded the house, their shade adding to the almost ut- +ter blackness of the night. + +The two had reached the verandah when Bridge, +turning, saw a brilliant light flaring through the night +above the crest of the hill they had just topped in their +descent into the ravine, or, to be more explicit, the small +valley, where stood the crumbling house of Squibbs. The +purr of a rapidly moving motor rose above the rain, the +light rose, fell, swerved to the right and to the left. + +"Someone must be in a hurry," commented Bridge. + +"I suppose it is James, anxious to find you and ex- +plain his absence," suggested The Oskaloosa Kid. They +both laughed. + +"Gad!" cried Bridge, as the car topped the hill and +plunged downward toward them, "I'd hate to ride be- +hind that fellow on a night like this, and over a dirt +road at that!" + +As the car swung onto the straight road before the +house a flash of lightning revealed dimly the outlines of +a rapidly moving touring car with lowered top. Just as +the machine came opposite the Squibbs' gate a woman's +scream mingled with the report of a pistol from the ton- +neau and the watchers upon the verandah saw a dark +bulk hurled from the car, which sped on with undimin- +ished speed, climbed the hill beyond and disappeared +from view. + +Bridge started on a run toward the gateway, followed +by the frightened Kid. In the ditch beside the road they +found in a dishevelled heap the body of a young woman. +The man lifted the still form in his arms. The youth +wondered at the great strength of the slight figure. "Let +me help you carry her," he volunteered; but Bridge +needed no assistance. "Run ahead and open the door for +me," he said, as he bore his burden toward the house. + +Forgetful, in the excitement of the moment, of his +terror of the horror ridden ruin, The Oskaloosa Kid has- +tened ahead, mounted the few steps to the verandah, +crossed it and pushed open the sagging door. Behind +him came Bridge as the youth entered the dark interior. +A half dozen steps he took when his foot struck against +a soft and yielding mass. Stumbling, he tried to regain +his equilibrium only to drop full upon the thing be- +neath him. One open palm, extended to ease his fall, +fell upon the upturned features of a cold and clammy +face. With a shriek of horror The Kid leaped to his feet +and shrank, trembling, back. + +"What is it? What's the matter?" cried Bridge, with +whom The Kid had collided in his precipitate retreat. + +"O-o-o!" groaned The Kid, shuddering. "It's dead! It's +dead!" + +"What's dead?" demanded Bridge. + +"There's a dead man on the floor, right ahead of us," +moaned The Kid. + +"You'll find a flash lamp in the right hand pocket of my +coat," directed Bridge. "Take it and make a light." + +With trembling fingers the Kid did as he was bid, +and when after much fumbling he found the button a +slim shaft of white light, fell downward upon the up- +turned face of a man cold in death--a little man, +strangely garbed, with gold rings in his ears, and long +black hair matted in the death sweat of his brow. His +eyes were wide and, even in death, terror filled, his fea- +tures were distorted with fear and horror. His fingers, +clenched in the rigidity of death, clutched wisps of +dark brown hair. There were no indications of a wound +or other violence upon his body, that either the Kid or +Bridge could see, except the dried remains of bloody +froth which flecked his lips. + +Bridge still stood holding the quiet form of the girl +in his arms, while The Kid, pressed close to the man's +side, clutched one arm with a fierce intensity which +bespoke at once the nervous terror which filled him and +the reliance he placed upon his new found friend. + +To their right, in the faint light of the flash lamp, a +narrow stairway was revealed leading to the second +story. Straight ahead was a door opening upon the black- +ness of a rear apartment. Beside the foot of the stair- +way was another door leading to the cellar steps. + +Bridge nodded toward the rear room. "The stove is +in there," he said. "We'd better go on and make a fire. +Draw your pistol--whoever did this has probably beat +it; but it's just as well to be on the safe side." + +"I'm afraid," said The Oskaloosa Kid. "Let's leave +this frightful place. It's just as I told you it was; +just as I always heard." + +"We can't leave this woman, my boy," replied Bridge. +"She isn't dead. We can't leave her, and we can't take +her out into the storm in her condition. We must stay. +Come! buck up. There's nothing to fear from a dead +man, and--" + +He never finished the sentence. From the depths of +the cellar came the sound of a clanking chain. Some- +thing scratched heavily upon the wooden steps. What- +ever it was it was evidently ascending, while behind it +clanked the heavy links of a dragged chain. + +The Oskaloosa Kid cast a wide eyed glance of terror +at Bridge. His lips moved in an attempt to speak; but +fear rendered him inarticulate. Slowly, ponderously the +THING ascended the dark stairs from the gloom ridden +cellar of the deserted ruin. Even Bridge paled a trifle. +The man upon the floor appeared to have met an un- +natural death--the frightful expression frozen upon the +dead face might even indicate something verging upon +the supernatural. The sound of the THING climbing +out of the cellar was indeed uncanny--so uncanny that +Bridge discovered himself looking about for some means +of escape. His eyes fell upon the stairway leading to the +second floor. + +"Quick!" he whispered. "Up the stairs! You go first; +I'll follow." + +The Kid needed no second invitation. With a bound +he was half way up the rickety staircase; but a glance +ahead at the darkness above gave him pause while he +waited for Bridge to catch up with him. Coming more +slowly with his burden the man followed the boy, while +from below the clanking of the chain warned them that +the THING was already at the top of the cellar stairs. + +"Flash the lamp down there," directed Bridge. "Let's +have a look at it, whatever it is." + +With trembling hands The Oskaloosa Kid directed the +lens over the edge of the swaying and rotting bannister, +his finger slipped from the lighting button plunging +them all into darkness. In his frantic effort to find the +button and relight the lamp the worst occurred--he fum- +bled the button and the lamp slipped through his fin- +gers, falling over the bannister to the floor below. In- +stantly the sound of the dragging chain ceased; but the +silence was even more horrible than the noise which had +preceded it. + +For a long minute the two at the head of the stairs +stood in tense silence listening for a repetition of the +gruesome sounds from below. The youth was frankly +terrified; he made no effort to conceal the fact; but +pressed close to his companion, again clutching his arm +tightly. Bridge could feel the trembling of the slight fig- +ure, the spasmodic gripping of the slender fingers and +hear the quick, short, irregular breathing. A sudden im- +pulse to throw a protecting arm about the boy seized +him--an impulse which he could not quite fathom, and +one to which he could not respond because of the body +of the girl he carried. + +He bent toward the youth. "There are matches in my +coat pocket," he whispered, "--the same pocket in which +you found the flash lamp. Strike one and we'll look for a +room here where we can lay the girl." + +The boy fumbled gropingly in search of the matches. +It was evident to the man that it was only with the +greatest exertion of will power that he controlled his +muscles at all; but at last he succeeded in finding and +striking one. At the flare of the light there was a sound +from below--a scratching sound and the creaking of +boards as beneath a heavy body; then came the clank- +ing of the chain once more, and the bannister against +which they leaned shook as though a hand had been +laid upon it below them. The youth stifled a shriek and +simultaneously the match went out; but not before +Bridge had seen in the momentary flare of light a par- +tially open door at the far end of the hall in which they +stood. + +Beneath them the stairs creaked now and the chain +thumped slowly from one to another as it was dragged +upward toward them. + +"Quick!" called Bridge. "Straight down the hall and +into the room at the end." The man was puzzled. He +could not have been said to have been actually afraid, +and yet the terror of the boy was so intense, so real, that +it could scarce but have had its suggestive effect upon +the other; and, too, there was an uncanny element of +the supernatural in what they had seen and heard in +the deserted house--the dead man on the floor below, the +inexplicable clanking of a chain by some unseen THING +from the depth of the cellar upward toward them; and, +to heighten the effect of these, there were the grim stor- +ies of unsolved tragedy and crime. All in all Bridge +could not have denied that he was glad of the room at +the end of the hall with its suggestion of safety in the +door which might be closed against the horrors of the +hall and the Stygian gloom below stairs. + +The Oskaloosa Kid was staggering ahead of him, +scarce able to hold his body erect upon his shaking +knees--his gait seemed pitifully slow to the unarmed +man carrying the unconscious girl and listening to the +chain dragging ever nearer and nearer behind; but at +last they reached the doorway and passed through it +into the room. + +"Close the door," directed Bridge as he crossed toward +the center of the room to lay his burden upon the floor, +but there was no response to his instructions--only a gasp +and the sound of a body slumping to the rotting boards. +With an exclamation of chagrin the man dropped the +girl and swung quickly toward the door. Halfway down +the hall he could hear the chain rattling over loose plank- +ing, the THING, whatever it might be, was close upon +them. Bridge slammed-to the door and with a shoulder +against it drew a match from his pocket and lighted it. +Although his clothing was soggy with rain he knew that +his matches would still be dry, for this pocket and its +flap he had ingeniously lined with waterproof material +from a discarded slicker he had found--years of tramp- +ing having taught him the discomforts of a fireless camp. + +In the resultant light the man saw with a quick glance +a large room furnished with an old walnut bed, dresser, +and commode; two lightless windows opened at the far +end toward the road, Bridge assumed; and there was +no door other than that against which he leaned. In +the last flicker of the match the man scanned the door +itself for a lock and, to his relief, discovered a bolt--old +and rusty it was, but it still moved in its sleeve. An in- +stant later it was shot--just as the sound of the dragging +chain ceased outside. Near the door was the great bed, +and this Bridge dragged before it as an additional bar- +ricade; then, bearing nothing more from the hallway, +he turned his attention to the two unconscious forms up- +on the floor. Unhesitatingly he went to the boy first +though had he questioned himself he could not have told +why; for the youth, undoubtedly, had only swooned, +while the girl had been the victim of a murderous assault +and might even be at the point of death. + +What was the appeal to the man in the pseudo Oska- +loosa Kid? He had scarce seen the boy's face, yet the +terrified figure had aroused within him, strongly, the +protective instinct. Doubtless it was the call of youth +and weakness which find, always, an answering assur- +ance in the strength of a strong man. + +As Bridge groped toward the spot where the boy had +fallen his eyes, now become accustomed to the dark- +ness of the room, saw that the youth was sitting up. +"Well?" he asked. "Feeling better?" + +"Where is it? Oh, God! Where is it?" cried the boy. +"It will come in here and kill us as it killed that--that-- +down stairs." + +"It can't get in," Bridge assured him. "I've locked the +door and pushed the bed in front of it. Gad! I feel like +an old maid looking under the bed for burglars." + +From the hall came a sudden clanking of the chain +accompanied by a loud pounding upon the bare floor. +With a scream the youth leaped to his feet and almost +threw himself upon Bridge. His arms were about the +man's neck, his face buried in his shoulder. + +"Oh, don't--don't let it get me!" he cried. + +"Brace up, son," Bridge admonished him. "Didn't I +tell you that it can't get in?" + +"How do you know it can't get in?" whimpered the +youth. "It's the thing that murdered the man down stairs +--it's the thing that murdered the Squibbs--right here in +this room. It got in to them--what is to prevent its get- +ting in to us. What are doors to such a THING?" + +"Come! come! now," Bridge tried to soothe him. "You +have a case of nerves. Lie down here on this bed and +try to sleep. Nothing shall harm you, and when you +wake up it will be morning and you'll laugh at your +fears." + +"Lie on THAT bed!" The voice was almost a shriek. +"That is the bed the Squibbs were murdered in--the +old man and his wife. No one would have it, and so it +has remained here all these years. I would rather die +than touch the thing. Their blood is still upon it." + +"I wish," said Bridge a trifle sternly, "that you would +try to control yourself a bit. Hysteria won't help us any. +Here we are, and we've to make the best of it. Besides +we must look after this young woman--she may be dy- +ing, and we haven't done a thing to help her." + +The boy, evidently shamed, released his hold upon +Bridge and moved away. "I am sorry," he said. "I'll +try to do better; but, Oh! I was so frightened. You can- +not imagine how frightened I was." + +"I had imagined," said Bridge, "from what I had +heard of him that it would be a rather difficult thing to +frighten The Oskaloosa Kid--you have, you know, rather +a reputation for fearlessness." + +The darkness hid the scarlet flush which mantled +The Kid's face. There was a moment's silence as Bridge +crossed to where the young woman still lay upon the +floor where he had deposited her. Then The Kid spoke. +"I'm sorry," he said, "that I made a fool of myself. You +have been so brave, and I have not helped at all. I +shall do better now." + +"Good," said Bridge, and stooped to raise the young +woman in his arms and deposit her upon the bed. +Then he struck another match and leaned close to ex- +amine her. The flare of the sulphur illuminated the room +and shot two rectangles of light against the outer black- +ness where the unglazed windows stared vacantly upon +the road beyond, bringing to a sudden halt a little com- +pany of muddy and bedraggled men who slipped, curs- +ing, along the slimy way. + +Bridge felt the youth close beside him as he bent +above the girl upon the bed. + +"Is she dead?" the lad whispered. + +"No," replied Bridge, "and I doubt if she's badly +hurt." His hands ran quickly over her limbs, bending and +twisting them gently; he unbuttoned her waist, getting +the boy to strike and hold another match while he ex- +amined the victim for signs of a bullet wound. + +"I can't find a scratch on her," he said at last. "She's +suffering from shock alone, as far as I can judge. Say, +she's pretty, isn't she?" + +The youth drew himself rather stiffly erect. "Her fea- +tures are rather coarse, I think," he replied. There was a +peculiar quality to the tone which caused Bridge to turn +a quick look at the boy's face, just as the match flick- +ered and went out. The darkness hid the expression +upon Bridge's face, but his conviction that the girl was +pretty was unaltered. The light of the match had re- +vealed an oval face surrounded by dark, dishevelled +tresses, red, full lips, and large, dark eyes. + +Further discussion of the young woman was discour- +aged by a repetition of the clanking of the chain with- +out. Now it was receding along the hallway toward +the stairs and presently, to the infinite relief of The Os- +kaloosa Kid, the two heard it descending to the lower +floor. + +"What was it, do you think?" asked the boy, his voice +still trembling upon the verge of hysteria. + +"I don't know," replied Bridge. "I've never been a be- +liever in ghosts and I'm not now; but I'll admit that it +takes a whole lot of--" + +He did not finish the sentence for a moan from the +bed diverted his attention to the injured girl, toward +whom he now turned. As they listened for a repetition +of the sound there came another--that of the creaking of +the old bed slats as the girl moved upon the mildewed +mattress. Dimly, through the darkness, Bridge saw that +the victim of the recent murderous assault was attempt- +ing to sit up. He moved closer and leaned above her. + +"I wouldn't exert myself," he said. "You've just suf- +fered an accident, and it's better that you remain quiet." + +"Who are you?" asked the girl, a note of suppressed +terror in her voice. "You are not--?" + +"I am no one you know," replied Bridge. "My friend +and I chanced to be near when you fell from the car--" +with that innate refinement which always belied his vo- +cation and his rags Bridge chose not to embarrass the +girl by a too intimate knowledge of the thing which +had befallen her, preferring to leave to her own volition +the making of any explanation she saw fit, or of none +--"and we carried you in here out of the storm." + +The girl was silent for a moment. "Where is 'here'?" +she asked presently. "They drove so fast and it was so +dark that I had no idea where we were, though I know +that we left the turnpike." + +"We are at the old Squibbs place," replied the man. +He could see that the girl was running one hand gin- +gerly over her head and face, so that her next question +did not surprise him. + +"Am I badly wounded?" she asked. "Do you think that +I am going to die?" The tremor in her voice was pathetic +--it was the voice of a frightened and wondering child. +Bridge heard the boy behind him move impulsively for- +ward and saw him kneel on the bed beside the girl. + +"You are not badly hurt," volunteered The Oskaloosa +Kid. "Bridge couldn't find a mark on you--the bullet +must have missed you." + +"He was holding me over the edge of the car when +he fired." The girl's voice reflected the physical shudder +which ran through her frame at the recollection. "Then +he threw me out almost simultaneously. I suppose he +thought that he could not miss at such close range." +For a time she was silent again, sitting stiffly erect. +Bridge could feel rather than see wide, tense eyes star- +ing out through the darkness upon scenes, horrible per- +haps, that were invisible to him and the Kid. + +Suddenly the girl turned and threw herself face down- +ward upon the bed. "O, God!" she moaned. "Father! +Father! It will kill you--no one will believe me--they +will think that I am bad. I didn't do it! I didn't do it! +I've been a silly little fool; but I have never been a bad +girl--and---and--I had nothing to do with that awful +thing that happened to-night." + +Bridge and the boy realized that she was not talking +to them--that for the moment she had lost sight of their +presence--she was talking to that father whose heart +would be breaking with the breaking of the new day, +trying to convince him that his little girl had done no +wrong. + +Again she sat up, and when she spoke there was no +tremor in her voice. + +"I may die," she said. "I want to die. I do not see how +I can go on living after last night; but if I do die I want +my father to know that I had nothing to do with it and +that they tried to kill me because I wouldn't promise to +keep still. It was the little one who murdered him--the +one they called 'Jimmie' and 'The Oskaloosa Kid.' The +big one drove the car--his name was 'Terry.' After they +killed him I tried to jump out--I had been sitting in +front with Terry--and then they dragged me over into +the tonneau and later--the Oskaloosa Kid tried to kill me +too, and threw me out." + +Bridge heard the boy at his side gulp. The girl went +on. + +"To-morrow you will know about the murder--every- +one will know about it; and I will be missed; and there +will be people who saw me in the car with them, for +someone must have seen me. Oh, I can't face it! I want +to die. I will die! I come of a good family. My father is +a prominent man. I can't go back and stand the dis- +grace and see him suffer, as he will suffer, for I was all +he had--his only child. I can't bear to tell you my name +--you will know it soon enough--but please find some +way to let my father know all that I have told you--I +swear that it is the truth--by the memory of my dead +mother, I swear it!" + +Bridge laid a hand upon the girl's shoulder. "If you +are telling us the truth," he said, "you have only a silly +escapade with strange men upon your conscience. You +must not talk of dying now--your duty is to your father. +If you take your own life it will be a tacit admission of +guilt and will only serve to double the burden of sorrow +and ignominy which your father is bound to feel when +this thing becomes public, as it certainly must if a mur- +der has been done. The only way in which you can +atone for your error is to go back and face the conse- +quences with him--do not throw it all upon him; that +would be cowardly." + +The girl did not reply; but that the man's words had +impressed her seemed evident. For a while each was +occupied with his own thoughts; which were presently +disturbed by the sound of footsteps upon the floor be- +low--the muffled scraping of many feet followed a mo- +ment later by an exclamation and an oath, the words +coming distinctly through the loose and splintered floor- +ing. + +"Pipe the stiff," exclaimed a voice which The Oska- +loosa Kid recognized immediately as that of Soup Face. + +"The Kid musta croaked him," said another. + +A laugh followed this evidently witty sally. + +"The guy probably lamped the swag an' died of heart +failure," suggested another. + +The men were still laughing when the sound of a +clanking chain echoed dismally from the cellar. In- +stantly silence fell upon the newcomers upon the first +floor, followed by a--"Wotinel's that?" Two of the men +had approached the staircase and started to ascend it. +Slowly the uncanny clanking drew closer to the first +floor. The girl on the bed turned toward Bridge. + +"What is it?" she gasped. + +"We don't know," replied the man. "It followed us up +here, or rather it chased us up; and then went down +again just before you regained consciousness. I imagine +we shall hear some interesting developments from be- +low." + +"It's The Sky Pilot and his gang," whispered The Os- +kaloosa Kid. + +"It's The Oskaloosa Kid," came a voice from below. + +"But wot was that light upstairs then?" queried an- +other. + +"An' wot croaked this guy here?" asked a third. "It +wasn't nothin' nice--did you get the expression on his +mug an' the red foam on his lips? I tell youse there's +something in this house beside human bein's. I know the +joint--its hanted--they's spooks in it. Gawd! there it is +now," as the clanking rose to the head of the cellar +stairs; and those above heard a sudden rush of foot- +steps as the men broke for the open air--all but the +two upon the stairway. They had remained too long +and now, their retreat cut off, they scrambled, cursing +and screaming, to the second floor. + +Along the hallway they rushed to the closed door at +the end--the door of the room in which the three lis- +tened breathlessly--hurling themselves against it in vio- +lent effort to gain admission. + +"Who are you and what do you want?" cried Bridge. + +"Let us in! Let us in!" screamed two voices. "Fer +God's sake let us in. Can't you hear IT? It'll be comin' +up here in a minute." + +The sound of the dragging chain could be heard at in- +tervals upon the floor below. It seemed to the tense lis- +teners above to pause beside the dead man as though +hovering in gloating exultation above its gruesome prey +and then it moved again, this time toward the stairway +where they all heard it ascending with a creepy slow- +ness which wrought more terribly upon tense nerves +than would a sudden rush. + +"The mills of the Gods grind slowly," quoted Bridge. + +"Oh, don't!" pleaded The Oskaloosa Kid. + +"Let us in," screamed the men without. "Fer the luv +o' Mike have a heart! Don't leave us out here! IT's +comin'! IT's comin'!" + +"Oh, let the poor things in," pleaded the girl on the +bed. She was, herself, trembling with terror. + +"No funny business, now, if I let you in," commanded +Bridge. + +"On the square," came the quick and earnest reply. + +The THING had reached the head of the stairs when +Bridge dragged the bed aside and drew the bolt. In- +stantly two figures hurled themselves into the room but +turned immediately to help Bridge resecure the door- +way. + +Just as it had done before, when Bridge and The +Oskaloosa Kid had taken refuge there with the girl, +the THING moved down the hallway to the closed door. +The dragging chain marked each foot of its advance. If it +made other sounds they were drowned by the clanking +of the links over the time roughened flooring. + +Within the room the five were frozen into utter si- +lence, and beyond the door an equal quiet prevailed for +a long minute; then a great force made the door creak +and a weird scratching sounded high up upon the old +fashioned panelling. Bridge heard a smothered gasp +from the boy beside him, followed instantly by a flash of +flame and the crack of a small caliber automatic; The +Oskaloosa Kid had fired through the door. + +Bridge seized the boy's arm and wrenched the weapon +from him. "Be careful!" he cried. "You'll hurt someone. +You didn't miss the girl much that time--she's on the bed +right in front of the door." + +The Oskaloosa Kid pressed closer to the man as +though he sought protection from the unknown men- +ace without. The girl sprang from the bed and crossed to +the opposite side of the room. A flash of lightning illumi- +nated the chamber for an instant and the roof of the ve- +randah without. The girl noted the latter and the open +window. + +"Look!" she cried. "Suppose it went out of another +window upon this porch. It could get us so easily that +way!" + +"Shut up, you fool!" whispered one of the two new- +comers. "It might hear you." The girl subsided into si- +lence. + +There was no sound from the hallway. + +"I reckon you croaked IT," suggested the second new- +comer, hopefully; but, as though the THING without +had heard and understood, the clanking of the chain +recommenced at once; but now it was retreating along +the hallway, and soon they heard it descending the +stairs. + +Sighs of relief escaped more than a single pair of lips. +"IT didn't hear me," whispered the girl. + +Bridge laughed. "We're a nice lot of babies seeing +things at night," he scoffed. + +"If you're so nervy why don't you go down an' see wot +it is?" asked one of the late arrivals. + +"I believe I shall," replied Bridge and pulled the bed +away from the door. + +Instantly a chorus of protests arose, the girl and The +Oskaloosa Kid being most insistent. What was the use? +What good could he accomplish? It might be nothing; +yet on the other hand what had brought death so hor- +ribly to the cold clay on the floor below? At last their +pleas prevailed and Bridge replaced the bed before the +door. + +For two hours the five sat about the room waiting for +daylight. There could be no sleep for any of them. Occa- +sionally they spoke, usually advancing and refuting sug- +gestions as to the identity of the nocturnal prowler be- +low-stairs. The THING seemed to have retreated again +to the cellar, leaving the upper floor to the five strangely +assorted prisoners and the first floor to the dead man. + +During the brief intervals of conversation the girl re- +peated snatches of her story and once she mentioned +The Oskaloosa Kid as the murderer of the unnamed vic- +tim. The two men who had come last pricked up their +ears at this and Bridge felt the boy's hand just touch his +arm as though in mute appeal for belief and protection. +The man half smiled. + +"We seen The Oskaloosa Kid this evenin'" volun- +teered one of the newcomers. + +"You did?" exclaimed the girl. "Where?" + +"He'd just pulled off a job in Oakdale an' had his +pockets bulgin' wid sparklers an' kale. We was follerin' +him an' when we seen your light up here we t'ought it +was him." + +The Oskaloosa Kid shrank closer to Bridge. At last he +recognized the voice of the speaker. While he had known +that the two were of The Sky Pilot's band he had not +been sure of the identity of either; but now it was borne +in upon him that at least one of them was the last per- +son on earth he cared to be cooped up in a small, un- +lighted room with, and a moment later when one of +the two rolled a 'smoke' and lighted it he saw in the +flare of the flame the features of both Dopey Charlie +and The General. The Oskaloosa Kid gasped once more +for the thousandth time that night. + +It had been Dopey Charlie who lighted the cigaret +and in the brief illumination his friend The General had +grasped the opportunity to scan the features of the +other members of the party. Schooled by long years of +repression he betrayed none of the surprise or elation +he felt when he recognized the features of The Oska- +loosa Kid. + +If The General was elated The Oskaloosa Kid was at +once relieved and terrified. Relieved by ocular proof +that he was not a murderer and terrified by the immedi- +ate presence of the two who had sought his life. + +His cigaret drawing well Dopey Charlie resumed: +"This Oskaloosa Kid's a bad actor," he volunteered. "The +little shrimp tried to croak me; but he only creased my +ribs. I'd like to lay my mits on him. I'll bet there won't +be no more Oskaloosa Kid when I get done wit him." + +The boy drew Bridge's ear down toward his own lips. +"Let's go," he said. "I don't hear anything more down- +stairs, or maybe we could get out on this roof and slide +down the porch pillars." + +Bridge laid a strong, warm hand on the small, cold +one of his new friend. + +"Don't worry, Kid," he said. "I'm for you." + +The two other men turned quickly in the direction of +the speaker. + +"Is de Kid here?" asked Dopey Charlie. + +"He is, my degenerate friend," replied Bridge; "and +furthermore he's going to stay here and be perfectly +safe. Do you grasp me?" + +"Who are you?" asked The General. + +"That is a long story," replied Bridge; "but if you +chance to recall Dink and Crumb you may also be able +to visualize one Billy Burke and Billy Byrne and his side +partner, Bridge. Yes? Well, I am the side partner." + +Before the yeggman could make reply the girl spoke +up quickly. "This man cannot be The Oskaloosa Kid," she +said. "It was The Oskaloosa Kid who threw me from the +car." + +"How do you know he ain't?" queried The General. +"Youse was knocked out when these guys picks you up. +It's so dark in here you couldn't reco'nize no one. How do +you know this here bird ain't The Oskaloosa Kid, eh?" + +"I have heard both these men speak," replied the +girl; "their voices were not those of any men I have +known. If one of them is The Oskaloosa Kid then there +must be two men called that. Strike a match and you +will see that you are mistaken." + +The General fumbled in an inside pocket for a pack- +age of matches carefully wrapped against possible dam- +age by rain. Presently he struck one and held the light +in the direction of The Kid's face while he and the +girl and Dopey Charlie leaned forward to scrutinize the +youth's features. + +"It's him all right," said Dopey Charlie. + +"You bet it is," seconded The General. + +"Why he's only a boy," ejaculated the girl. "The one +who threw me from the machine was a man." + +"Well, this one said he was The Oskaloosa Kid," per- +sisted The General. + +"An' he shot me up," growled Dopey Charlie. + +"It's too bad he didn't kill you," remarked Bridge +pleasantly. "You're a thief and probably a murderer into +the bargain--you tried to kill this boy just before he shot +you." + +"Well wots he?" demanded Dopey Charlie. "He's a +thief--he said he was--look in his pockets--they're +crammed wid swag, an' he's a gun-man, too, or he +wouldn't be packin' a gat. I guess he ain't got nothin' +on me." + +The darkness hid the scarlet flush which mounted to +the boy's cheeks--so hot that he thought it must surely +glow redly through the night. He waited in dumb misery +for Bridge to demand the proof of his guilt. Earlier in +the evening he had flaunted the evidence of his crime in +the faces of the six hobos; but now he suddenly felt a +great shame that his new found friend should believe +him a house-breaker. + +But Bridge did not ask for any substantiation of Char- +lie's charges, he merely warned the two yeggmen that +they would have to leave the boy alone and in the +morning, when the storm had passed and daylight had +lessened the unknown danger which lurked below-stairs, +betake themselves upon their way. + +"And while we're here together in this room you two +must sit over near the window," he concluded. "You've +tried to kill the boy once to-night; but you're not going +to try it again--I'm taking care of him now." + +"You gotta crust, bo," observed Dopey Charlie, bellig- +erently. "I guess me an' The General'll sit where we +damn please, an' youse can take it from me on the side +that we're goin' to have ours out of The Kid's haul. If +you tink you're goin' to cop the whole cheese you got +another tink comin'." + +"You are banking," replied Bridge, "on the well known +fact that I never carry a gun; but you fail to perceive, +owing to the Stygian gloom which surrounds us, that +I have the Kid's automatic in my gun hand and that +the business end of it is carefully aiming in your direc- +tion." + +"Cheese it," The General advised his companion; and +the two removed themselves to the opposite side of the +apartment, where they whispered, grumblingly, to one +another. + +The girl, the boy, and Bridge waited as patiently as +they could for the coming of the dawn, talking of the +events of the night and planning against the future. +Bridge advised the girl to return at once to her father; +but this she resolutely refused to do, admitting with ut- +most candor that she lacked the courage to face her +friends even though her father might still believe in +her. + +The youth begged that he might accompany Bridge +upon the road, pleading that his mother was dead and +that he could not return home after his escapade. And +Bridge could not find it in his heart to refuse him, for +the man realized that the boyish waif possessed a sub- +tile attraction, as forceful as it was inexplicable. Not +since he had followed the open road in company with +Billy Byrne had Bridge met one with whom he might +care to 'Pal' before The Kid crossed his path on the +dark and storm swept pike south of Oakdale. + +In Byrne, mucker, pugilist, and MAN, Bridge had +found a physical and moral counterpart of himself, for +the slender Bridge was muscled as a Greek god, while +the stocky Byrne, metamorphosed by the fire of a wom- +an's love, possessed all the chivalry of the care free +tramp whose vagabondage had never succeeded in sub- +merging the evidences of his cultural birthright. + +In the youth Bridge found an intellectual equal with +the added charm of a physical dependent. The man did +not attempt to fathom the evident appeal of the other's +tacitly acknowledged cowardice; he merely knew that +he would not have had the youth otherwise if he could +not have changed him. Ordinarily he accepted male +cowardice with the resignation of surfeited disgust; but +in the case of The Oskaloosa Kid he realized a certain +artless charm which but tended to strengthen his lik- +ing for the youth, so brazen and unaffected was the +boy's admission of his terror of both the real and the +unreal menaces of this night of horror. + +That the girl also was well bred was quite evident +to Bridge, while both the girl and the youth realized the +refinement of the strange companion and protector +which Fate had ordered for them, while they also saw +in one another social counterparts of themselves. Thus, +as the night dragged its slow course, the three came to +trust each other more entirely and to speculate upon the +strange train of circumstances which had brought them +thus remarkably together--the thief, the murderer's ac- +complice, and the vagabond. + +It was during a period of thoughtful silence when the +night was darkest just before the dawn and the rain +had settled to a dismal drizzle unrelieved by lightning +or by thunder that the five occupants of the room were +suddenly startled by a strange pattering sound from +the floor below. It was as the questioning fall of a child's +feet upon the uncarpeted boards in the room beneath +them. Frozen to silent rigidity, the five sat straining ev- +ery faculty to catch the minutest sound from the black +void where the dead man lay, and as they listened there +came up to them, mingled with the inexplicable foot- +steps, the hollow reverberation from the dank cellar-- +the hideous dragging of the chain behind the nameless +horror which had haunted them through the intermin- +able eons of the ghastly night. + +Up, up, up it came toward the first floor. The patter- +ing of the feet ceased. The clanking rose until the five +heard the scraping of the chain against the door frame +at the head of the cellar stairs. They heard it pass across +the floor toward the center of the room and then, loud +and piercing, there rang out against the silence of the +awful night a woman's shriek. + +Instantly Bridge leaped to his feet. Without a word +he tore the bed from before the door. + +"What are you doing?" cried the girl in a muffled +scream. + +"I am going down to that woman," said Bridge, and +he drew the bolt, rusty and complaining, from its cor- +roded seat. + +"No!" screamed the girl, and seconding her the youth +sprang to his feet and threw his arms about Bridge. + +"Please! Please!" he cried. "Oh, please don't leave me." + +The girl also ran to the man's side and clutched him +by the sleeve. + +"Don't go!" she begged. "Oh, for God's sake, don't +leave us here alone!" + +"You heard a woman scream didn't you?" asked +Bridge. "Do you suppose I can stay in up here when a +woman may be facing death a few feet below me?" + +For answer the girl but held more tightly to his arm +while the youth slipped to the floor and embraced the +man's knees in a vicelike hold which he could not break +without hurting his detainer. + +"Come! Come!" expostulated Bridge. "Let me go." + +"Wait!" begged the girl. "Wait until you know that it is +a human voice that screams through this horrible place." + +The youth only strained his hold tighter about the +man's legs. Bridge felt a soft cheek pressed to his knee; +and, for some unaccountable reason, the appeal was +stronger than the pleading of the girl. Slowly Bridge re- +alized that he could not leave this defenseless youth +alone even though a dozen women might be menaced +by the uncanny death below. With a firm hand he shot +the bolt. "Leave go of me," he said; "I shan't leave you +unless she calls for help in articulate words." + +The boy rose and, trembling, pressed close to the +man who, involuntarily, threw a protecting arm about +the slim figure. The girl, too, drew nearer, while the two +yeggmen rose and stood in rigid silence by the window. +From below came an occasional rattle of the chain, fol- +lowed after a few minutes by the now familiar clanking +as the iron links scraped across the flooring. Mingled +with the sound of the chain there rose to them what +might have been the slow and ponderous footsteps of a +heavy man, dragging painfully across the floor. For a +few moments they heard it, and then all was silent. + +For a dozen tense minutes the five listened; but there +was no repetition of any sound from below. Suddenly +the girl breathed a deep sigh, and the spell of terror was +broken. Bridge felt rather than heard the youth sobbing +softly against his breast, while across the room The Gen- +eral gave a quick, nervous laugh which he as immedi- +ately suppressed as though fearful unnecessarily of +calling attention to their presence. The other vagabond +fumbled with his hypodermic needle and the narcotic +which would quickly give his fluttering nerves the quiet +they craved. + +Bridge, the boy, and the girl shivered together in their +soggy clothing upon the edge of the bed, feeling now in +the cold dawn the chill discomfort of which the excite- +ment of the earlier hours of the night had rendered them +unconscious. The youth coughed. + +"You've caught cold," said Bridge, his tone almost self- +reproachful, as though he were entirely responsible for +the boy's condition. "We're a nice aggregation of molly- +coddles--five of us sitting half frozen up here with a +stove on the floor below, and just because we heard a +noise which we couldn't explain and hadn't the nerve to +investigate." He rose. "I'm going down, rustle some wood +and build a fire in that stove--you two kids have got to +dry those clothes of yours and get warmed up or we'll +have a couple of hospital cases on our hands." + +Once again rose a chorus of pleas and objections. Oh, +wouldn't he wait until daylight? See! the dawn was +even then commencing to break. They didn't dare go +down and they begged him not to leave them up there +alone. + +At this Dopey Charlie spoke up. The 'hop' had com- +menced to assert its dominion over his shattered nervous +system instilling within him a new courage and a feel- +ing of utter well-being. "Go on down," said he to Bridge. +"The General an' I'll look after the kids--won't we bo?" + +"Sure," assented The General; "we'll take care of 'em." + +"I'll tell you what we'll do," said Bridge; "we'll leave +the kids up here and we three'll go down. They won't +go, and I wouldn't leave them up here with you two +morons on a bet." + +The General and Dopey Charlie didn't know what +a moron was but they felt quite certain from Bridge's +tone of voice that a moron was not a nice thing, and +anyway no one could have bribed them to descend into +the darkness of the lower floor with the dead man and +the grisly THING that prowled through the haunted +chambers; so they flatly refused to budge an inch. + +Bridge saw in the gradually lighting sky the near ap- +proach of full daylight; so he contented himself with +making the girl and the youth walk briskly to and fro +in the hope that stimulated circulation might at least par- +tially overcome the menace of the damp clothing and +the chill air, and thus they occupied the remaining hour +of the night. + +From below came no repetition of the inexplicable +noises of that night of terror and at last, with every ob- +ject plainly discernible in the light of the new day, +Bridge would delay no longer; but voiced his final de- +termination to descend and make a fire in the old kitchen +stove. Both the boy and the girl insisted upon accom- +panying him. For the first time each had an opportunity +to study the features of his companions of the night. +Bridge found in the girl and the youth two dark eyed, +good-looking young people. In the girl's face was, per- +haps, just a trace of weakness; but it was not the face +of one who consorts habitually with criminals. The man +appraised her as a pretty, small-town girl who had been +led into a temporary escapade by the monotony of +village life, and he would have staked his soul that she +was not a bad girl. + +The boy, too, looked anything other than the role he +had been playing. Bridge smiled as he looked at the +clear eyes, the oval face, and the fine, sensitive mouth +and thought of the youth's claim to the crime battered +sobriquet of The Oskaloosa Kid. The man wondered if +the mystery of the clanking chain would prove as harm- +lessly infantile as these two whom some accident of hi- +larious fate had cast in the roles of debauchery and +crime. + +Aloud, he said: "I'll go first, and if the spook ma- +terializes you two can beat it back into the room." And +to the two tramps: "Come on, boes, we'll all take a look +at the lower floor together, and then we'll get a good fire +going in the kitchen and warm up a bit." + +Down the hall they went, Bridge leading with the +boy and girl close at his heels while the two yeggs +brought up the rear. Their footsteps echoed through the +deserted house; but brought forth no answering clank- +ing from the cellar. The stairs creaked beneath the +unaccustomed weight of so many bodies as they de- +scended toward the lower floor. Near the bottom Bridge +came to a questioning halt. The front room lay entirely +within his range of vision, and as his eyes swept it he +gave voice to a short exclamation of surprise. + +The youth and the girl, shivering with cold and ner- +vous excitement, craned their necks above the man's +shoulder. + +"O-h-h!" gasped The Oskaloosa Kid. "He's gone," and, +sure enough, the dead man had vanished. + +Bridge stepped quickly down the remaining steps, +entered the rear room which had served as dining room +and kitchen, inspected the two small bedrooms off this +room, and the summer kitchen beyond. All were empty; +then he turned and re-entering the front room bent his +steps toward the cellar stairs. At the foot of the stair- +way leading to the second floor lay the flash lamp that +the boy had dropped the night before. Bridge stooped, +picked it up and examined it. It was uninjured and with +it in his hand he continued toward the cellar door. + +"Where are you going?" asked The Oskaloosa Kid. + +"I'm going to solve the mystery of that infernal clank- +ing," he replied. + +"You are not going down into that dark cellar!" It was +an appeal, a question, and a command; and it quivered +gaspingly upon the verge of hysteria. + +Bridge turned and looked into the youth's face. The +man did not like cowardice and his eyes were stern as +he turned them on the lad from whom during the few +hours of their acquaintance he had received so many +evidences of cowardice; but as the clear brown eyes of +the boy met his the man's softened and he shook his +head perplexedly. What was there about this slender +stripling which so disarmed criticism? + +"Yes," he replied, "I am going down. I doubt if I +shall find anything there; but if I do it is better to come +upon it when I am looking for it than to have it come +upon us when we are not expecting it. If there is to be +any hunting I prefer to be hunter rather than hunted." + +He wheeled and placed a foot upon the cellar stairs. +The youth followed him. + +"What are you going to do?" asked the man. + +"I am going with you," said the boy. "You think I am +a coward because I am afraid; but there is a vast differ- +ence between cowardice and fear." + +The man made no reply as he resumed the descent of +the stairs, flashing the rays of the lamp ahead of him; +but he pondered the boy's words and smiled as he ad- +mitted mentally that it undoubtedly took more courage +to do a thing in the face of fear than to do it if fear were +absent. He felt a strange elation that this youth should +choose voluntarily to share his danger with him, for in +his roaming life Bridge had known few associates for +whom he cared. + +The beams of the little electric lamp, moving from +side to side, revealed a small cellar littered with refuse +and festooned with cob-webs. At one side tottered the +remains of a series of wooden racks upon which pans of +milk had doubtless stood to cool in a long gone, happier +day. Some of the uprights had rotted away so that a +part of the frail structure had collapsed to the earthen +floor. A table with one leg missing and a crippled chair +constituted the balance of the contents of the cellar +and there was no living creature and no chain nor any +other visible evidence of the presence which had +clanked so lugubriously out of the dark depths during +the vanished night. The boy breathed a heartfelt sigh of +relief and Bridge laughed, not without a note of relief +either. + +"You see there is nothing," he said--"nothing except +some firewood which we can use to advantage. I regret +that James is not here to attend me; but since he is not +you and I will have to carry some of this stuff upstairs," +and together they returned to the floor above, their +arms laden with pieces of the dilapidated milk rack. The +girl was awaiting them at the head of the stairs while the +two tramps whispered together at the opposite side of +the room. + +It took Bridge but a moment to have a roaring fire +started in the old stove in the kitchen, and as the warmth +rolled in comforting waves about them the five felt for +the first time in hours something akin to relief and well +being. With the physical relaxation which the heat in- +duced came a like relaxation of their tongues and tem- +porary forgetfulness of their antagonisms and individual +apprehensions. Bridge was the only member of the +group whose conscience was entirely free. He was not +'wanted' anywhere, he had no unexpiated crimes to +harry his mind, and with the responsibilities of the night +removed he fell naturally into his old, carefree manner. +He hazarded foolish explanations of the uncanny noises +of the night and suggested various theories to account +for the presence and the mysterious disappearance of the +dead man. + +The General, on the contrary, seriously maintained +that the weird sounds had emanated from the ghost of +the murdered man who was, unquestionably, none other +than the long dead Squibb returned to haunt his former +home, and that the scream had sprung from the ghostly +lungs of his slain wife or daughter. + +"I wouldn't spend anudder night in this dump," he +concluded, "for both them pockets full of swag The +Oskaloosa Kid's packin' around." + +Immediately all eyes turned upon the flushing youth. +The girl and Bridge could not prevent their own gazes +from wandering to the bulging coat pockets, the owner +of which moved uneasily, at last shooting a look of defi- +ance, not unmixed with pleading, at Bridge. + +"He's a bad one," interjected Dopey Charlie, a glint +of cunning in his ordinarily glassy eyes. "He flashes a +couple o' mitsful of sparklers, chesty-like, and allows as +how he's a regular burglar. Then he pulls a gun on me, +as wasn't doin' nothin' to him, and 'most croaks me. It's +even money that if anyone's been croaked in Oakdale +last night they won't have to look far for the guy that +done it. Least-wise they won't have to look far if he +doesn't come across," and Dopey Charlie looked mean- +ingly and steadily at the side pockets of The Oskaloosa +Kid. + +"I think," said Bridge, after a moment of general si- +lence, "that you two crooks had better beat it. Do you +get me?" and he looked from Dopey Charlie to The Gen- +eral and back again. + +"We don't go," said Dopey Charlie, belligerently, "un- +til we gets half the Kid's swag." + +"You go now," said Bridge, "without anybody's swag," +and he drew the boy's automatic from his side pocket. +"You go now and you go quick--beat it!" + +The two rose and shuffled toward the door. "We'll get +you, you colledge Lizzy," threatened Dopey Charlie, +"an' we'll get that phoney punk, too." + +"'And speed the parting guest,'" quoted Bridge, firing +a shot that splintered the floor at the crook's feet. +When the two hoboes had departed the others huddled +again close to the stove until Bridge suggested that he +and The Oskaloosa Kid retire to another room while the +girl removed and dried her clothing; but she insisted +that it was not wet enough to matter since she had been +covered by a robe in the automobile until just a moment +before she had been hurled out. + +"Then, after you are warmed up," said Bridge, "you +can step into this other room while the kid and I strip +and dry our things, for there's no question but that we +are wet enough." + +At the suggestion the kid started for the door. "Oh, +no," he insisted; "it isn't worth while. I am almost dry +now, and as soon as we get out on the road I'll be all +right. I--I--I like wet clothes," he ended, lamely. + +Bridge looked at him questioningly; but did not urge +the matter. "Very well," he said; "you probably know +what you like; but as for me, I'm going to pull off every +rag and get good and dry." + +The girl had already quitted the room and now The +Kid turned and followed her. Bridge shook his head. +"I'll bet the little beggar never was away from his +mother before in his life," he mused; "why the mere +thought of undressing in front of a strange man made +him turn red--and posing as The Oskaloosa Kid! Bless +my soul; but he's a humorist--a regular, natural born +one." + +Bridge found that his clothing had dried to some ex- +tent during the night; so, after a brisk rub, he put on +the warmed garments and though some were still a trifle +damp he felt infinitely more comfortable than he had for +many hours. + +Outside the house he came upon the girl and the +youth standing in the sunshine of a bright, new day. +They were talking together in a most animated man- +ner, and as he approached wondering what the two had +found of so great common interest he discovered that +the discussion hinged upon the relative merits of ham +and bacon as a breakfast dish. + +"Oh, my heart it is just achin'," quoted Bridge, + + "For a little bite of bacon, + +"A hunk of bread, a little mug of brew; + + "I'm tired of seein' scenery, + +"Just lead me to a beanery + + "Where there's something more than only air to + + chew." + +The two looked up, smiling. "You're a funny kind of +tramp, to be quoting poetry," said The Oskaloosa Kid, +"even if it is Knibbs'." + +"Almost as funny," replied Bridge, "as a burglar who +recognizes Knibbs when he hears him." + +The Oskaloosa Kid flushed. "He wrote for us of the +open road," he replied quickly. "I don't know of any +other class of men who should enjoy him more." + +"Or any other class that is less familiar with him," re- +torted Bridge; "but the burning question just now is +pots, not poetry--flesh pots. I'm hungry. I could eat a +cow." + +The girl pointed to an adjacent field. "Help yourself," +she said. + +"That happens to be a bull," said Bridge. "I was +particular to mention cow, which, in this instance, is +proverbially less dangerous than the male, and much +better eating. + +"'We kept a-rambling all the time. I rustled grub, he +rustled rhyme-- + +"'Blind baggage, hoof it, ride or climb--we always +put it through.' Who's going to rustle the grub?" + +The girl looked at The Oskaloosa Kid. "You don't +seem like a tramp at all, to talk to," she said; "but I +suppose you are used to asking for food. I couldn't do it +--I should die if I had to." + +The Oskaloosa Kid looked uncomfortable. "So should +--" he commenced, and then suddenly subsided. "Of +course I'd just as soon," he said. "You two stay here--I'll +be back in a minute." + +They watched him as he walked down to the road +and until he disappeared over the crest of the hill a +short distance from the Squibbs' house. + +"I like him," said the girl, turning toward Bridge. + +"So do I," replied the man. + +"There must be some good in him," she continued, +"even if he is such a desperate character; but I know +he's not The Oskaloosa Kid. Do you really suppose he +robbed a house last night and then tried to kill that +Dopey person?" + +Bridge shook his head. "I don't know," he said; "but +I am inclined to believe that he is more imaginative +than criminal. He certainly shot up the Dopey person; +but I doubt if he ever robbed a house." + +While they waited, The Oskaloosa Kid trudged along +the muddy road to the nearest farm house, which lay a +full mile beyond the Squibbs' home. As he approached +the door a lank, sallow man confronted him with a sus- +picious eye. + +"Good morning," greeted The Oskaloosa Kid. + +The man grunted. + +"I want to get something to eat," explained the youth. + +If the boy had hurled a dynamite bomb at him the +result could have been no more surprising. The lank, +sallow man went up into the air, figuratively. He went +up a mile or more, and on the way down he reached his +hand inside the kitchen door and brought it forth en- +veloping the barrel of a shot gun. + +"Durn ye!" he cried. "I'll lam ye! Get offen here. I +knows ye. Yer one o' that gang o' bums that come here +last night, an' now you got the gall to come back beggin' +for food, eh? I'll lam ye!" and he raised the gun to his +shoulder. + +The Oskaloosa Kid quailed but he held his ground. +"I wasn't here last night," he cried, "and I'm not begging +for food--I want to buy some. I've got plenty of money," +in proof of which assertion he dug into a side pocket +and brought forth a large roll of bills. The man lowered +his gun. + +"Wy didn't ye say so in the first place then?" he +growled. "How'd I know you wanted to buy it, eh? +Where'd ye come from anyhow, this early in the morn- +in'? What's yer name, eh? What's yer business, that's +what Jeb Case'd like to know, eh?" He snapped his +words out with the rapidity of a machine gun, nor +waited for a reply to one query before launching the +next. "What do ye want to buy, eh? How much money +ye got? Looks suspicious. That's a sight o' money yew got +there, eh? Where'dje get it?" + +"It's mine," said The Oskaloosa Kid, "and I want to +buy some eggs and milk and ham and bacon and flour +and onions and sugar and cream and strawberries and +tea and coffee and a frying pan and a little oil stove, +if you have one to spare, and--" + +Jeb Case's jaw dropped and his eyes widened. "You're +in the wrong pasture, bub," he remarked feelingly. +"What yer lookin' fer is Sears, Roebuck & Company." + +The Oskaloosa Kid flushed up to the tips of his ears. +"But can't you sell me something?" he begged. + +"I might let ye have some milk an' eggs an' butter an' +a leetle bacon an' mebby my ol' woman's got a loaf left +from her last bakin'; but we ain't been figgerin' on sup- +plyin' grub fer the United States army ef that's what yew +be buyin' fer." + +A frowsy, rat-faced woman and a gawky youth of four- +teen stuck their heads out the doorway at either side of +the man. "I ain't got nothin' to sell," snapped the woman; +but as she spoke her eyes fell upon the fat bank roll in +the youth's hand. "Or, leastwise," she amended, "I ain't +got much more'n we need an' the price o' stuff's gone +up so lately that I'll hev to ask ye more'n I would of +last fall. 'Bout what did ye figger on wantin'?" + +"Anything you can spare," said the youth. "There are +three of us and we're awful hungry." + +"Where yew stoppin'?" asked the woman. + +"We're at the old Squibbs' place," replied The Kid. +"We got caught by the storm last night and had to put +up there." + +"The Squibbs' place!" ejaculated the woman. "Yew +didn't stop there over night?" + +"Yes we did," replied the youth. + +"See anything funny?" asked Mrs. Case. + +"We didn't SEE anything," replied The Oskaloosa Kid; +"but we heard things. At least we didn't see what we +heard; but we saw a dead man on the floor when we +went in and this morning he was gone." + +The Cases shuddered. "A dead man!" ejaculated Jeb +Case. "Yew seen him?" + +The Kid nodded. + +"I never tuk much stock in them stories," said Jeb, +with a shake of his head; "but ef you SEEN it! Gosh! Thet +beats me. Come on M'randy, les see what we got to +spare," and he turned into the kitchen with his wife. + +The lanky boy stepped, out and planting himself in +front of The Oskaloosa Kid proceeded to stare at him. +"Yew seen it?" he asked in awestruck tone. + +"Yes," said the Kid in a low voice, and bending close +toward the other; "it had bloody froth on its lips!" + +The Case boy shrank back. "An' what did yew hear?" +he asked, a glutton for thrills. + +"Something that dragged a chain behind it and came +up out of the cellar and tried to get in our room on the +second floor," explained the youth. "It almost got us, +too," he added, "and it did it all night." + +"Whew," whistled the Case boy. "Gosh!" Then he +scratched his head and looked admiringly at the youth. +"What mought yer name be?" he asked. + +"I'm The Oskaloosa Kid," replied the youth, unable to +resist the admiration of the other's fond gaze. "Look +here!" and he fished a handful of jewelry from one of +his side pockets; "this is some of the swag I stole last +night when I robbed a house." + +Case Jr., opened his mouth and eyes so wide that +there was little left of his face. "But that's nothing," +bragged The Kid. "I shot a man, too." + +"Last night?" whispered the boy. + +"Yep," replied the bad man, tersely. + +"Gosh!" said the young Mr. Case, but there was that +in his facial expression which brought to The Oskaloosa +Kid a sudden regret that he had thus rashly confided in +a stranger. + +"Say," said The Kid, after a moment's strained silence. +"Don't tell anyone, will you? If you'll promise I'll give +you a dollar," and he hunted through his roll of bills for +one of that lowly denomination. + +"All right," agreed the Case boy. "I won't say a word +--where's the dollar?" + +The youth drew a bill from his roll and handed it to +the other. "If you tell," he whispered, and he bent close +toward the other's ear and spoke in a menacing tone; +"If you tell, I'll kill you!" + +"Gosh!" said Willie Case. + +At this moment Case pere and mere emerged from +the kitchen loaded with provender. "Here's enough an' +more'n enough, I reckon," said Jeb Case. "We got eggs, +butter, bread, bacon, milk, an' a mite o' garden sass." + +"But we ain't goin' to charge you nothin' fer the gar- +den sass," interjected Mrs. Case. + +"That's awfully nice of you," replied The Kid. "How +much do I owe you for the rest of it?" + +"Oh," said Jeb Case, rubbing his chin, eyeing the big +roll of bills and wondering just the limit he might +raise to, "I reckon 'bout four dollars an' six bits." + +The Oskaloosa Kid peeled a five dollar bill from his +roll and proffered it to the farmer. "I'm ever so much +obliged," he said, "and you needn't mind about any +change. I thank you so much." With which he took the +several packages and pails and turned toward the road. + +"Yew gotta return them pails!" shouted Mrs. Case af- +ter him. + +"Oh, of course," replied The Kid. + +"Gosh!" exclaimed Mr. Case, feelingly. "I wisht I'd +asked six bits more--I mought jest as well o' got it as not. +Gosh, eh?" + +"Gosh!" murmured Willie Case, fervently. + +Back down the sticky road plodded The Oskaloosa +Kid, his arms heavy and his heart light, for, was he not +'bringing home the bacon,' literally as well as figuratively. +As he entered the Squibbs' gateway he saw the girl and +Bridge standing upon the verandah waiting his coming, +and as he approached them and they caught a nearer +view of his great burden of provisions they hailed him +with loud acclaim. + +"Some artist!" cried the man. "And to think that I +doubted your ability to make a successful touch! For- +give me! You are the ne plus ultra, non est cumquidibus, +in hoc signo vinces, only and original kind of hand-out +compellers." + +"How in the world did you do it?" asked the girl, +rapturously. + +"Oh, it's easy when you know how," replied The Oska- +loosa Kid carelessly, as, with the help of the others, he +carried the fruits of his expedition into the kitchen. Here +Bridge busied himself about the stove, adding more +wood to the fire and scrubbing a portion of the top plate +as clean as he could get it with such crude means as he +could discover about the place. + +The youth he sent to the nearby brook for water after +selecting the least dirty of the several empty tin cans +lying about the floor of the summer kitchen. He warned +against the use of the water from the old well and while +the boy was away cut a generous portion of the bacon +into long, thin strips. + +Shortly after, the water coming to the boil, Bridge +lowered three eggs into it, glanced at his watch, greased +one of the new cleaned stove lids with a piece of bacon +rind and laid out as many strips of bacon as the lid +would accommodate. Instantly the room was filled with +the delicious odor of frying bacon. + +"M-m-m-m!" gloated The Oskaloosa Kid. "I wish I +had bo--asked for more. My! but I never smelled any- +thing so good as that in all my life. Are you going to +boil only three eggs? I could eat a dozen." + +"The can'll only hold three at a time," explained +Bridge. "We'll have some more boiling while we are +eating these." He borrowed his knife from the girl, who +was slicing and buttering bread with it, and turned the +bacon swiftly and deftly with the point, then he glanced +at his watch. "The three minutes are up," he announced +and, with a couple of small, flat sticks saved for the +purpose from the kindling wood, withdrew the eggs one +at a time from the can. + +"But we have no cups!" exclaimed The Oskaloosa Kid, +in sudden despair. + +Bridge laughed. "Knock an end off your egg and the +shell will answer in place of a cup. Got a knife?" + +The Kid didn't. Bridge eyed him quizzically. "You +must have done most of your burgling near home," he +commented. + +"I'm not a burglar!" cried the youth indignantly. +Somehow it was very different when this nice voiced man +called him a burglar from bragging of the fact himself +to such as The Sky Pilot's villainous company, or the +awestruck, open-mouthed Willie Case whose very ex- +pression invited heroics. + +Bridge made no reply, but his eyes wandered to the +right hand side pocket of the boy's coat. Instantly the +latter glanced guiltily downward to flush redly at the +sight of several inches of pearl necklace protruding +accusingly therefrom. The girl, a silent witness of +the occurrence, was brought suddenly and painfully to a +realization of her present position and recollection of +the happenings of the preceding night. For the time she +had forgotten that she was alone in the company of a +tramp and a burglar--how much worse either might be +she could only guess. + +The breakfast, commenced so auspiciously, continued +in gloomy silence. At least the girl and The Oskaloosa +Kid were silent and gloom steeped. Bridge was thought- +ful but far from morose. His spirits were unquenchable. + +"I am afraid," he said, "that I shall have to replace +James. His defection is unforgivable, and he has mis- +placed the finger-bowls." + +The youth and the girl forced wan smiles; but neither +spoke. Bridge drew a pouch of tobacco and some papers +from an inside pocket. + + "'I had the makings and I smoked + + "'And wondered over different things, + + "'Thinkin' as how this old world joked + + "'In callin' only some men kings + + "'While I sat there a-blowin' rings.'" + +He paused to kindle a sliver of wood at the stove. +"In these parlous times," he spoke as though to himself, +"one must economize. They are taking a quarter of an +ounce out of each five cents worth of chewing, I am told; +so doubtless each box must be five or six matches short +of full count. Even these papers seem thinner than of +yore and they will only sell one book to a customer at +that. Indeed Sherman was right." + +The youth and the girl remained occupied with their +own thoughts, and after a moment's silence the vaga- +bond resumed: + + "'Me? I was king of anywhere, + + "'Peggin' away at nothing, hard. + + "'Havin' no pet, particular care; + + "'Havin' no trouble, or no pard; + + "'"Just me," filled up my callin' card.' +"Say, do you know I've learned to love this Knibbs per- +son. I used to think of him as a poor attic prune grind- +ing away in his New York sky parlor, writing his verse +of the things he longed for but had never known; until, +one day, I met a fellow between Victorville and Cajon +pass who knew His Knibbs, and come to find out this +Knibbs is a regular fellow. His attic covers all God's coun- +try that is out of doors and he knows the road from La +Bajada hill to Barstow a darned sight better than he +knows Broadway." + +There was no answering sympathy awakened in either +of his listeners--they remained mute. Bridge rose and +stretched. He picked up his knife, wiped off the blade, +closed it and slipped it into a trousers' pocket. Then he +walked toward the door. At the threshold he paused +and turned. "'Good-bye girls! I'm through,'" he quoted +and passed out into the sunlight. + +Instantly the two within were on their feet and follow- +ing him. + +"Where are you going?" cried The Oskaloosa Kid. +"You're not going to leave us, are you?" + +"Oh, please don't!" pleaded the girl. + +"I don't know," said Bridge, solemnly, "whether I'm +safe in remaining in your society or not. This Oskaloosa +Kid is a bad proposition; and as for you, young lady, I +rather imagine that the town constable is looking for you +right now." + +The girl winced. "Please don't," she begged. "I haven't +done anything wicked, honestly! But I want to get away +so that they can't question me. I was in the car when +they killed him; but I had nothing to do with it. It is +just because of my father that I don't want them to find +me. It would break his heart." + +As the three stood back of the Squibbs' summer +kitchen Fate, in the guise of a rural free delivery carrier +and a Ford, passed by the front gate. A mile beyond he +stopped at the Case mail box where Jeb and his son +Willie were, as usual, waiting his coming, for the rural +free delivery man often carries more news than is con- +tained in his mail sacks. + +"Mornin' Jeb," he called, as he swerved his light car +from the road and drew up in front of the Case gate. + +"Mornin', Jim!" returned Mr. Case. "Nice rain we had +last night. What's the news?" + +"Plenty! Plenty!" exclaimed the carrier. "Lived here +nigh onto forty year, man an' boy, an' never seen such +work before in all my life." + +"How's that?" questioned the farmer, scenting some- +thing interesting. + +"Ol' man Baggs's murdered last night," announced the +carrier, watching eagerly for the effect of his announce- +ment. + +"Gosh!" gasped Willie Case. "Was he shot?" It was +almost a scream. + +"I dunno," replied Jim. "He's up to the horspital now, +an' the doc says he haint one chance in a thousand." + +"Gosh!" exclaimed Mr. Case. + +"But thet ain't all," continued Jim. "Reggie Paynter +was murdered last night, too; right on the pike south of +town. They threw his corpse outen a ottymobile." + +"By gol!" cried Jeb Case; "I hearn them devils go by +last night 'bout midnight er after. 'T woke me up. They +must o' ben goin' sixty mile an hour. Er say," he stopped +to scratch his head. "Mebby it was tramps. They must a +ben a score on 'em round here yesterday and las' night +an' agin this mornin'. I never seed so dum many bums +in my life." + +"An' thet ain't all," went on the carrier, ignoring the +others comments. "Oakdale's all tore up. Abbie Prim's +disappeared and Jonas Prim's house was robbed jest +about the same time Ol' man Baggs 'uz murdered, er +most murdered--chances is he's dead by this time any- +how. Doc said he hadn't no chance." + +"Gosh!" It was a pater-filius duet. + +"But thet ain't all," gloated Jim. "Two of the persons in +the car with Reggie Paynter were recognized, an' who +do you think one of 'em was, eh? Why one of 'em was +Abbie Prim an' tother was a slick crook from Toledo er +Noo York that's called The Oskaloosie Kid. By gum, I'll +bet they get 'em in no time. Why already Jonas Prim's +got a regular dee-dectiff down from Chicago, an' the +board o' select-men's offered a re-ward o' fifty dollars fer +the arrest an' conviction of the perpetrators of these +dastardly crimes!" + +"Gosh!" cried Willie Case. "I know--"; but then he +paused. If he told all he knew he saw plainly that either +the carrier or his father would profit by it and collect the +reward. Fifty dollars!! Willie gasped. + +"Well," said Jim, "I gotta be on my way. Here's the +Tribune--there ain't nothin' more fer ye. So long! Gid- +dap!" and he was gone. + +"I don' see why he don't carry a whip," mused Jeb +Case. "A-gidappin' to that there tin lizzie," he muttered +disgustedly, "jes' like it was as good as a hoss. But I +mind the time, the fust day he got the dinged thing, he +gets out an' tries to lead it by Lem Smith's threshin' ma- +chine." + +Jeb Case preferred an audience worthy his mettle; +but Willie was better than no one, yet when he turned +to note the effect of his remarks on his son, Willie was +no where to be seen. If Jeb had but known it his +young hopeless was already in the loft of the hay barn +deep in a small, red-covered book entitled: "HOW TO +BE A DETECTIVE." + +Bridge, who had had no intention of deserting his help- +less companions, appeared at last to yield reluctantly to +their pleas. That indefinable something about the youth +which appealed strongly to the protective instinct in the +man, also assured him that the other's mask of criminal- +ity was for the most part assumed even though the stor- +ies of the two yeggmen and the loot bulging pockets +argued to the contrary. There was the chance, however, +that the boy had really taken the first step upon the +road toward a criminal career, and if such were the case +Bridge felt morally obligated to protect his new found +friend from arrest, secure in the reflection that his own +precept and example would do more to lead him back +into the path of rectitude than would any police magis- +trate or penal institute. + +For the girl he felt a deep pity. In the past he had +had knowledge of more than one other small-town girl +led into wrong doing through the deadly monotony and +flagrant hypocrisy of her environment. Himself highly +imaginative and keenly sensitive, he realized with what +depth of horror the girl anticipated a return to her home +and friends after the childish escapade which had cul- +minated, even through no fault of hers, in criminal +tragedy of the most sordid sort. + +As the three held a council of war at the rear of the +deserted house they were startled by the loud squeaking +of brake bands on the road in front. Bridge ran quickly +into the kitchen and through to the front room where he +saw three men alighting from a large touring car which +had drawn up before the sagging gate. As the foremost +man, big and broad shouldered, raised his eyes to the +building Bridge smothered an exclamation of surprise +and chagrin, nor did he linger to inspect the other mem- +bers of the party; but turned and ran quickly back to his +companions. + +"We've got to beat it!" he whispered; "they've brought +Burton himself down here." + +"Who's Burton?" demanded the youth. + +"He's the best operative west of New York City," +replied Bridge, as he moved rapidly toward an out- +house directly in rear of the main building. + +Once behind the small, dilapidated structure which +had once probably housed farm implements, Bridge +paused and looked about. "They'll search here," he +prophesied, and then; "Those woods look good to me." + +The Squibbs' woods, growing rank in the damp ravine +at the bottom of the little valley, ran to within a hun- +dred feet of the out-building. Dense undergrowth +choked the ground to a height of eight or ten feet +around the boles of the close set trees. If they could +gain the seclusion of that tangled jungle there was little +likelihood of their being discovered, provided they were +not seen as they passed across the open space between +their hiding place and the wood. + +"We'd better make a break for it," advised Bridge, and +a moment later the three moved cautiously toward the +wood, keeping the out-house between themselves and +the farm house. Almost in front of them as they neared +the wood they saw a well defined path leading into the +thicket. Single-file they entered, to be almost instantly +hidden from view, not only from the house but from +any other point more than a dozen paces away, for the +path was winding, narrow and closely walled by the +budding verdure of the new Spring. Birds sang or twit- +tered about them, the mat of dead leaves oozed spongily +beneath their feet, giving forth no sound as they passed, +save a faint sucking noise as a foot was lifted from each +watery seat. + +Bridge was in the lead, moving steadily forward that +they might put as much distance as possible between +themselves and the detective should the latter chance to +explore the wood. They had advanced a few hundred +yards when the path crossed through a small clearing +the center of which was destitute of fallen leaves. Here +the path was beaten into soft mud and as Bridge came +to it he stopped and bent his gaze incredulously upon +the ground. The girl and the youth, halting upon either +side, followed the direction of his eyes with theirs. The +girl gave a little, involuntary gasp, and the boy grasped +Bridge's hand as though fearful of losing him. The man +turned a quizzical glance at each of them and smiled, +though a bit ruefully. + +"It beats me," he said. + +"What can it be?" whispered the boy. + +"Oh, let's go back," begged the girl. + +"And go along to father with Burton?" asked Bridge. + +The girl trembled and shook her head. "I would rather +die," she said, firmly. "Come, let's go on." + +The cause of their perturbation was imprinted deeply +in the mud of the pathway--the irregular outlines of an +enormous, naked, human foot--a great, uncouth foot that +bespoke a monster of another world. While, still more +uncanny, in view of what they had heard in the farm +house during the previous night, there lay, sometimes +partially obliterated by the footprints of the THING, +the impress of a small, bare foot--a woman's or a child's +--and over both an irregular scoring that might have +been wrought by a dragging chain! + +In the loft of his father's hay barn Willie Case delved +deep into the small red-covered volume, HOW TO BE +A DETECTIVE; but though he turned many pages and +flitted to and fro from preface to conclusion he met only +with disappointment. The pictures of noted bank burg- +lars and confidence men aided him not one whit, for in +none of them could he descry the slightest resemblance +to the smooth faced youth of the early morning. In fact, +so totally different were the types shown in the little +book that Willie was forced to scratch his head and ex- +claim "Gosh!" many times in an effort to reconcile the +appearance of the innocent boy to the hardened, crimi- +nal faces he found portrayed upon the printed pages. + +"But, by gol!" he exclaimed mentally, "he said he was +The Oskaloosie Kid, 'n' that he shot a man last night; +but what I'd like to know is how I'm goin' to shadder +him from this here book. Here it says: 'If the criminal +gets on a street car and then jumps off at the next +corner the good detective will know that his man is +aware that he is being shadowed, and will stay on the +car and telephone his office at the first opportunity.' +'N'ere it sez: 'If your man gets into a carriage don't +run up an' jump on the back of it; but simply hire an- +other carriage and follow.' How in hek kin I foller this +book?" wailed Willie. "They ain't no street cars 'round +here. I ain't never see a street car, 'n'as fer a carriage, I +reckon he means bus, they's only one on 'em in Oakdale +'n'if they waz forty I'd like to know how in hek I'd hire +one when I ain't got no money. I reckon I threw away +my four-bits on this book--it don't tell a feller nothin' +'bout false whiskers, wigs 'n' the like," and he tossed +the book disgustedly into a corner, rose and descended +to the barnyard. Here he busied himself about some +task that should have been attended to a week before, +and which even now was not destined to be completed +that day, since Willie had no more than set himself to it +than his attention was distracted by the sudden appear- +ance of a touring car being brought to a stop in front of +the gate. + +Instantly Willie dropped his irksome labor and +slouched lazily toward the machine, the occupants of +which were descending and heading for the Case front +door. Jeb Case met them before they reached the porch +and Willie lolled against a pillar listening eagerly to all +that was said. + +The most imposing figure among the strangers was +the same whom Bridge had seen approaching the +Squibbs' house a short time before. It was he who acted +as spokesman for the newcomers. + +"As you may know," he said, after introducing him- +self, "a number of crimes were committed in and around +Oakdale last night. We are searching for clews to the +perpetrators, some of whom must still be in the neigh- +borhood. Have you seen any strange or suspicious char- +acters around lately?" + +"I should say we hed," exclaimed Jeb emphatically. + +"I seen the wo'st lookin' gang o' bums come outen my +hay barn this mornin' thet I ever seed in my life. They +must o' ben upward of a dozen on 'em. They waz makin' +fer the house when I steps in an' grabs my ol' shot +gun. I hollered at 'em not to come a step nigher 'n' I +guess they seed it wa'n't safe monkeyin' with me; so +they skidaddled." + +"Which way did they go?" asked Burton. + +"Off down the road yonder; but I don't know which +way they turned at the crossin's, er ef they kept straight +on toward Millsville." + +Burton asked a number of questions in an effort to +fix the identity of some of the gang, warned Jeb to tele- +phone him at Jonas Prim's if he saw anything further of +the strangers, and then retraced his steps toward the +car. Not once had Jeb mentioned the youth who had +purchased supplies from him that morning, and the +reason was that Jeb had not considered the young man +of sufficient importance, having cataloged him mentally +as an unusually early specimen of the summer camper +with which he was more or less familiar. + +Willie, on the contrary, realized the importance of +their morning customer, yet just how he was to cash in +on his knowledge was not yet entirely clear. He was al- +ready convinced that HOW TO BE A DETECTIVE +would help him not at all, and with the natural suspicion +of ignorance he feared to divulge his knowledge to the +city detective for fear that the latter would find the +means to cheat him out of the princely reward offered +by the Oakdale village board. He thought of going at +once to the Squibbs' house and placing the desperate +criminals under arrest; but as fear throttled the idea in +its infancy he cast about for some other plan. + +Even as he stood there thinking the great detective +and his companions were entering the automobile to +drive away. In a moment they would be gone. Were they +not, after all, the very men, the only men, in fact, to +assist him in his dilemma? At least he could test them +out. If necessary he would divide the reward with +them! Running toward the road Willie shouted to the +departing sleuth. The car, moving slowly forward in low, +came again to rest. Willie leaped to the running board. + +"If I tell you where the murderer is," he whispered +hoarsely, "do I git the $50.00?" + +Detective Burton was too old a hand to ignore even +the most seemingly impossible of aids. He laid a kindly +hand on Willie's shoulder. "You bet you do," he replied +heartily, "and what's more I'll add another fifty to it. +What do you know?" + +"I seen the murderer this mornin'," Willie was gasp- +ing with excitement and elation. Already the one hun- +dred dollars was as good as his. One hundred dollars! +Willie "Goshed!" mentally even as he told his tale. "He +come to our house an' bought some vittles an' stuff. Paw +didn't know who he wuz; but when Paw went inside he +told me he was The Oskaloosie Kid 'n' thet he robbed a +house last night and killed a man, 'n' he had a whole +pocket full o' money, 'n' he said he'd kill me ef I told." + +Detective Burton could scarce restrain a smile as he +listened to this wildly improbable tale, yet his profes- +sional instinct was too keen to permit him to cast aside +as worthless the faintest evidence until he had proven +it to be worthless. He stepped from the car again and +motioning to Willie to follow him returned to the Case +yard where Jeb was already coming toward the gate, +having noted the interest which his son was arousing +among the occupants of the car. Willie pulled at the +detective's sleeve. "Don't tell Paw about the reward," +he begged; "he'll keep it all hisself." + +Burton reassured the boy with a smile and a nod, +and then as he neared Jeb he asked him if a young +man had been at his place that morning asking for +food. + +"Sure," replied Jeb; "but he didn't 'mount to nothin'. +One o' these here summer camper pests. He paid fer all +he got. Had a roll o' bills 's big as ye fist. Little feller he +were, not much older 'n' Willie." + +"Did you know that he told your son that he was The +Oskaloosa Kid and that he had robbed a house and +killed a man last night?" + +"Huh?" exclaimed Jeb. Then he turned and cast one +awful look at Willie--a look large with menace. + +"Honest, Paw," pleaded the boy. "I was a-scairt to +tell you, 'cause he said he'd kill me ef I told." + +Jeb scratched his head. "Yew know what you'll get ef +you're lyin' to me," he threatened. + +"I believe he's telling the truth," said detective Bur- +ton. "Where is the man now?" he asked Willie. + +"Down to the Squibbs' place," and Willie jerked a +dirty thumb toward the east. + +"Not now," said Burton; "we just came from there; +but there has been someone there this morning, for +there is still a fire in the kitchen range. Does anyone live +there?" + +"I should say not," said Willie emphatically; "the +place is haunted." + +"Thet's right," interjected Jeb. "Thet's what they do +say, an' this here Oskaloosie Kid said they heered things +las' night an' seed a dead man on the floor, didn't he +M'randy?" M'randy nodded her head. + +"But I don't take no stock in what Willie's ben tellin' +ye," she continued, "'n' ef his paw don't lick him I +will. I told him tell I'm good an' tired o' talkin' thet one +liar 'round a place wuz all I could stand," and she cast a +meaning glance at her husband. + +"Honest, Maw, I ain't a-lyin'," insisted Willie. "Wot +do you suppose he give me this fer, if it wasn't to keep +me from talkin'," and the boy drew a crumpled one dol- +lar bill from his pocket. It was worth the dollar to escape +a thrashing. + +"He give you thet?" asked his mother. Willie nodded +assent. + +"'N' thet ain't all he had neither," he said. "Beside +all them bills he showed me a whole pocket full o' +jewlry, 'n' he had a string o' things thet I don't know +jest what you call 'em; but they looked like they was +made outen the inside o' clam shells only they was all +round like marbles." + +Detective Burton raised his eyebrows. "Miss Prim's +pearl necklace," he commented to the man at his side. +The other nodded. "Don't punish your son, Mrs. Case," +he said to the woman. "I believe he has discovered a +great deal that will help us in locating the man we want. +Of course I am interested principally in finding Miss +Prim--her father has engaged me for that purpose; but +I think the arrest of the perpetrators of any of last +night's crimes will put us well along on the trail of the +missing young lady, as it is almost a foregone conclusion +that there is a connection between her disappearance +and some of the occurrences which have so excited +Oakdale. I do not mean that she was a party to any +criminal act; but it is more than possible that she was ab- +ducted by the same men who later committed the other +crimes." + +The Cases hung open-mouthed upon his words, while +his companions wondered at the loquaciousness of this +ordinarily close-mouthed man, who, as a matter of fact, +was but attempting to win the confidence of the boy +on the chance that even now he had not told all that +he knew; but Willie had told all. + +Finding, after a few minutes further conversation, +that he could glean no additional information the de- +tective returned to his car and drove west toward Mills- +ville on the assumption that the fugitives would seek +escape by the railway running through that village. +Only thus could he account for their turning off the +main pike. The latter was now well guarded all the +way to Payson; while the Millsville road was still open. + +No sooner had he departed than Willie Case disap- +peared, nor did he answer at noon to the repeated +ringing of the big, farm dinner bell. + +Half way between the Case farm and Millsville de- +tective Burton saw, far ahead along the road, two figures +scale a fence and disappear behind the fringing black- +berry bushes which grew in tangled profusion on either +side. When they came abreast of the spot he ordered +the driver to stop; but though he scanned the open field +carefully he saw no sign of living thing. + +"There are two men hiding behind those bushes," he +said to his companions in a low whisper. "One of you +walk ahead about fifty yards and the other go back the +same distance and then climb the fence. When I see you +getting over I'll climb it here. They can't get away from +us." To the driver he said: "You have a gun. If they +make a break go after 'em. You can shoot if they don't +stop when you tell 'em to." + +The two men walked in opposite directions along the +road, and when Burton saw them turn in and start to +climb the fence he vaulted over the panel directly op- +posite the car. He had scarcely alighted upon the other +side when his eyes fell upon the disreputable figures of +two tramps stretched out upon their backs and snoring +audibly. Burton grinned. + +"You two sure can go to sleep in a hurry," he said. +One of the men opened his eyes and sat up. When he +saw who it was that stood over him he grinned sheep- +ishly. + +"Can't a guy lie down fer a minute in de bushes wid- +out bein' pinched?" he asked. The other man now sat up +and viewed the newcomer, while from either side Bur- +ton's companions closed in on the three. + +"Wot's de noise?" inquired the second tramp, looking +from one to another of the intruders. "We ain't done +nothin'." + +"Of course not, Charlie," Burton assured him gaily. +"Who would ever suspect that you or The General +would do anything; but somebody did something in +Oakdale last night and I want to take you back there +and have a nice, long talk with you. Put your hands +up!" + +"We--." + +"Put 'em up!" snapped Burton, and when the four +grimy fists had been elevated he signalled to his com- +panions to search the two men. + +Nothing more formidable than knives, dope, and a +needle were found upon them. + +"Say," drawled Dopey Charlie. "We knows wot we +knows; but hones' to gawd we didn't have nothin' to do +wid it. We knows the guy that pulled it off--we spent +las' night wid him an' his pal an' a skoit. He creased +me, here," and Charlie unbuttoned his clothing and ex- +posed to view the bloody scratch of The Oskaloosa +Kid's bullet. "On de level, Burton, we wern't in on it. +Dis guy was at dat Squibbs' place wen we pulls in dere +outen de rain. He has a pocket full o' kale an' sparklers +an' tings, and he goes fer to shoot me up wen I tries +to get away." + +"Who was he?" asked Burton. + +"He called hisself de Oskaloosa Kid," replied Charlie. +"A guy called Bridge was wid him. You know him?" + +"I've heard of him; but he's straight," replied Burton. +"Who was the skirt?" + +"I dunno," said Charlie; "but she was gassin' 'bout her +pals croakin' a guy an' trunin' 'im outten a gas wagon, +an' dis Oskaloosa Kid he croaks some old guy in Oak- +dale las' night. Mebby he ain't a bad 'un though!" + +"Where are they now?" asked Burton. + +"We got away from 'em at the Squibbs' place this +mornin'," said Charlie. + +"Well," said Burton, "you boes come along with me. +If you ain't done nothing the worst you'll get'll be +three squares and a place to sleep for a few days. I +want you where I can lay my hands on you when I +need a couple of witnesses," and he herded them over +the fence and into the machine. As he himself was about +to step in he felt suddenly of his breast pocket. + +"What's the matter?" asked one of his companions. + +"I've lost my note book," replied Burton; "it must +have dropped out of my pocket when I jumped the +fence. Just wait a minute while I go look for it," and +he returned to the fence, vaulted it and disappeared be- +hind the bushes. + +It was fully five minutes before he returned but when +he did there was a look of satisfaction on his face. + +"Find it?" asked his principal lieutenant. + +"Yep," replied Burton. "I wouldn't have lost it for +anything." + +Bridge and his companions had made their way along +the wooded path for perhaps a quarter of a mile when +the man halted and drew back behind the foliage of a +flowering bush. With raised finger he motioned the oth- +ers to silence and then pointed through the branches +ahead. The boy and the girl, tense with excitement, +peered past the man into a clearing in which stood a log +shack, mud plastered; but it was not the hovel which +held their mute attention--it was rather the figure of a +girl, bare headed and bare footed, who toiled stub- +bornly with an old spade at a long, narrow excavation. + +All too suggestive in itself was the shape of the hole +the girl was digging; there was no need of the silent +proof of its purpose which lay beside her to tell the +watchers that she worked alone in the midst of the for- +est solitude upon a human grave. The thing wrapped +in an old quilt lay silently waiting for the making of its +last bed. + +And as the three watched her other eyes watched +them and the digging girl--wide, awestruck eyes, filled +with a great terror, yet now and again half closing in +the shrewd expression of cunning that is a hall mark of +crafty ignorance. + +And as they watched, their over-wrought nerves sud- +denly shuddered to the grewsome clanking of a chain +from the dark interior of the hovel. + +The youth, holding tight to Bridge's sleeve, strove to +pull him away. + +"Let's go back," he whispered in a voice that trembled +so that he could scarce control it. + +"Yes, please," urged the girl. "Here is another path +leading toward the north. We must be close to a road. +Let's get away from here." + +The digger paused and raised her head, listening, as +though she had caught the faint, whispered note of hu- +man voices. She was a black haired girl of nineteen or +twenty, dressed in a motley of flowered calico and silk, +with strings of gold and silver coins looped around her +olive neck. Her bare arms were encircled by bracelets-- +some cheap and gaudy, others well wrought from gold +and silver. From her ears depended ornaments fash- +ioned from gold coins. Her whole appearance was bar- +baric, her occupation cast a sinister haze about her; and +yet her eyes seemed fashioned for laughter and her lips +for kissing. + +The watchers remained motionless as the girl peered +first in one direction and then in another, seeking an ex- +planation of the sounds which had disturbed her. Her +brows were contracted into a scowl of apprehension +which remained even after she returned to her labors, +and that she was ill at ease was further evidenced by +the frequent pauses she made to cast quick glances to- +ward the dense tanglewood surrounding the clearing. + +At last the grave was dug. The girl climbed out and +stood looking down upon the quilt wrapped thing at +her feet. For a moment she stood there as silent and +motionless as the dead. Only the twittering of birds dis- +turbed the quiet of the wood. Bridge felt a soft hand +slipped into his and slender fingers grip his own, He +turned his eyes to see the boy at his side gazing with +wide eyes and trembling lips at the tableau within the +clearing. Involuntarily the man's hand closed tightly +upon the youth's. + +And as they stood thus the silence was shattered by +a loud and human sneeze from the thicket not fifty feet +from where they stood. Instantly the girl in the clearing +was electrified into action. Like a tigress charging those +who stalked her she leaped swiftly across the clearing +toward the point from which the disturbance had come. +There was an answering commotion in the underbrush +as the girl crashed through, a slender knife gleaming in +her hand. + +Bridge and his companions heard the sounds of a +swift and short pursuit followed by voices, one master- +ful, the other frightened and whimpering; and a moment +afterward the girl reappeared dragging a boy with her +--a wide-eyed, terrified, country boy who begged and +blubbered to no avail. + +Beside the dead man the girl halted and then turned +on her captive. In her right hand she still held the +menacing blade. + +"What you do there watching me for?" she demanded. +"Tell me the truth, or I kill you," and she half raised +the knife that he might profit in his decision by this +most potent of arguments. + +The boy cowered. "I didn't come fer to watch you," +he whimpered. "I'm lookin' for somebody else. I'm goin' +to be a dee-tectiff, an' I'm shadderin' a murderer;" and +he gasped and stammered: "But not you. I'm lookin' for +another murderer." + +For the first time the watchers saw a faint smile +touch the girl's lips. + +"What other murderer?" she asked. "Who has been +murdered?" + +"Two an' mebby three in Oakdale last night," said +Willie Case more glibly now that a chance for dissemi- +nating gossip momentarily outweighed his own fears. +"Reginald Paynter was murdered an' ol' man Baggs an' +Abigail Prim's missin'. Like es not she's been murdered +too, though they do say as she had a hand in it, bein' +seen with Paynter an' The Oskaloosie Kid jest afore the +murder." + +As the boy's tale reached the ears of the three hidden +in the underbrush Bridge glanced quickly at his com- +panions. He saw the boy's horror-stricken expression fol- +low the announcement of the name of the murdered +Paynter, and he saw the girl flush crimson. + +Without urging, Willie Case proceeded with his story. +He told of the coming of The Oskaloosa Kid to his +father's farm that morning and of seeing some of the +loot and hearing the confession of robbery and killing +in Oakdale the night before. Bridge looked down at the +youth beside him; but the other's face was averted and +his eyes upon the ground. Then Willie told of the arrival +of the great detective, of the reward that had been of- +fered and of his decision to win it and become rich +and famous in a single stroke. As he reached the end +of his narrative he leaned close to the girl, whispering +in her ear the while his furtive gaze wandered toward +the spot where the three lay concealed. + +Bridge shrugged his shoulders as the palpable infer- +ence of that cunning glance was borne in upon him. +The boy's voice had risen despite his efforts to hold it to +a low whisper for what with the excitement of the ad- +venture and his terror of the girl with the knife he had +little or no control of himself, yet it was evident that he +did not realize that practically every word he had +spoken had reached the ears of the three in hiding and +that his final precaution as he divulged the information +to the girl was prompted by an excess of timidity and +secretiveness. + +The eyes of the girl widened in surprise and fear +as she learned that three watchers lay concealed at +the verge of the clearing. She bent a long, searching +look in the direction indicated by the boy and then +turned her eyes quickly toward the hut as though to +summon aid. At the same moment Bridge stepped from +hiding into the clearing. His pleasant 'Good morning!' +brought the girl around, facing him. + +"What you want?" she snapped. + +"I want you and this young man," said Bridge, his +voice now suddenly stern. "We have been watching you +and followed you from the Squibbs house. We found the +dead man there last night;" Bridge nodded toward the +quilt enveloped thing upon the ground; "and we sus- +pect that you had an accomplice." Here he frowned +meaningly upon Willie Case. The youth trembled and +stammered. + +"I never seen her afore," he cried. "I don' know +nothin' about it. Honest I don't." But the girl did not +quail. + +"You get out," she commanded. "You a bad man. Kill, +steal. He know; he tell me. You get out or I call Beppo. +He keel you. He eat you." + +"Come, come, now, my dear," urged Bridge, "be calm. +Let us get at the root of this thing. Your young friend +accuses me of being a murderer, does he? And he tells +about murders in Oakdale that I have not even heard +of. It seems to me that he must have some guilty knowl- +edge himself of these affairs. Look at him and look at +me. Notice his ears, his chin, his forehead, or rather the +places where his chin and forehead should be, and then +look once more at me. Which of us might be a murderer +and which a detective? I ask you. + +"And as for yourself. I find you here in the depths of +the wood digging a lonely grave for a human corpse. +I ask myself: was this man murdered? but I do not say +that he was murdered. I wait for an explanation from +you, for you do not look a murderer, though I cannot +say as much for your desperate companion." + +The girl looked straight into Bridge's eyes for a full +minute before she replied as though endeavoring to +read his inmost soul. + +"I do not know this boy," she said. "That is the truth. +He was spying on me, and when I found him he told +me that you and your companions were thieves and +murderers and that you were hiding there watching me. +You tell me the truth, all the truth, and I will tell you +the truth. I have nothing to fear. If you do not tell me +the truth I shall know it. Will you?" + +"I will," replied Bridge, and then turning toward the +brush he called: "Come here!" and presently a boy and a +girl, dishevelled and fearful, crawled forth into sight. +Willie Case's eyes went wide as they fell upon the +Oskaloosa Kid. + +Quickly and simply Bridge told the girl the story of +the past night, for he saw that by enlisting her sym- +pathy he might find an avenue of escape for his com- +panions, or at least a haven of refuge where they might +hide until escape was possible. "And then," he said in +conclusion, "when the searchers arrived we followed +the foot prints of yourself and the bear until we came +upon you digging this grave." + +Bridge's companions and Willie Case looked their sur- +prise at his mention of a bear; but the gypsy girl only +nodded her head as she had occasionally during his nar- +rative. + +"I believe you," said the girl. "It is not easy to de- +ceive Giova. Now I tell you. This here," she pointed +toward the dead man, "he my father. He bad man. +Steal; kill; drink; fight; but always good to Giova. Good +to no one else but Beppo. He afraid Beppo. Even our +people drive us out he, my father, so bad man. We wan- +der 'round country mak leetle money when Beppo +dance; mak lot money when HE steal. Two days he no +come home. I go las' night look for him. Sometimes he +too drunk come home he sleep Squeebs. I go there. I +find heem dead. He have fits, six, seven year. He die fit. +Beppo stay guard heem. I carry heem home. Giova +strong, he no very large man. Beppo come too. I bury +heem. No one know we leeve here. Pretty soon I go +way with Beppo. Why tell people he dead. Who care? +Mak lot trouble for Giova whose heart already ache +plenty. No one love heem, only Beppo and Giova. No +one love Giova, only Beppo; but some day Beppo he +keel Giova now HE is dead, for Beppo vera large, strong +bear--fierce bear--ogly bear. Even Giova who love Bep- +po is afraid Beppo. Beppo devil bear! Beppo got evil +eye. + +"Well," said Bridge, "I guess, Giova, that you and we +are in the same boat. We haven't any of us done any- +thing so very bad but it would be embarrassing to +have to explain to the police what we have done," here +he glanced at The Oskaloosa Kid and the girl standing +beside the youth. "Suppose we form a defensive alli- +ance, eh? We'll help you and you help us. What do you +say?" + +"All right," acquiesced Giova; "but what we do with +this?" and she jerked her thumb toward Willie Case. + +"If he don't behave we'll feed him to Beppo," sug- +gested Bridge. + +Willie shook in his boots, figuratively speaking, for in +reality he shook upon his bare feet. "Lemme go," he +wailed, "an' I won't tell nobody nothin'." + +"No," said Bridge, "you don't go until we're safely +out of here. I wouldn't trust that vanishing chin of +yours as far as I could throw Beppo by the tail." + +"Wait!" exclaimed The Oskaloosa Kid. "I have it!" + +"What have you?" asked Bridge. + +"Listen!" cried the boy excitedly. "This boy has been +offered a hundred dollars for information leading to the +arrest and conviction of the men who robbed and mur- +dered in Oakdale last night. I'll give him a hundred +dollars if he'll go away and say nothing about us." + +"Look here, son," said Bridge, "every time you open +your mouth you put your foot in it. The less you adver- +tise the fact that you have a hundred dollars the better +off you'll be. I don't know how you come by so much +wealth; but in view of several things which occurred +last night I should not be crazy, were I you, to have to +make a true income tax return. Somehow I have faith in +you; but I doubt if any minion of the law would be +similarly impressed." + +The Oskaloosa Kid appeared hurt and crestfallen. +Giova shot a suspicious glance at him. The other girl in- +voluntarily drew away. Bridge noted the act and shook +his head. "No," he said, "we mustn't judge one another +hastily, Miss Prim, and I take it you are Miss Prim?" +The girl made a half gesture of denial, started to speak, +hesitated and then resumed. "I would rather not say +who I am, please," she said. + +"Well," said the man, "let's take one another at face +value for a while, without digging too deep into the +past; and now for our plans. This wood will be searched; +but I don't see how we are to get out of it before dark as +the roads are doubtless pretty well patrolled, or at least +every farmer is on the lookout for suspicious strangers. +So we might as well make the best of it here for the +rest of the day. I think we're reasonably safe for the +time being--if we keep Willie with us." + +Willie had been an interested auditor of all that +passed between his captors. He was obviously terrified; +but his terror did not prevent him from absorbing all +that he heard, nor from planning how he might utilize +the information. He saw not only one reward but sev- +eral and a glorious publicity which far transcended the +most sanguine of his former dreams. He saw his picture +not only in the Oakdale Tribune but in the newspapers +of every city of the country. Assuming a stern and arro- +gant expression, or rather what he thought to be such, +he posed, mentally, for the newspaper cameramen; and +such is the power of association of ideas that he was +presently strolling nonchalantly before a battery of mo- +tion picture machines. "Gee!" he murmured, "wont the +other fellers be sore! I s'ppose Pinkerton'll send for me +'bout the first thing 'n' offer me twenty fi' dollars a week, +er mebbie more 'n thet. Gol durn, ef I don't hold out +fer thirty! Gee!" Words, thoughts even, failed him. + +As the others planned they rather neglected Willie +and when they came to assisting Giova in lowering her +father into the grave and covering him over with earth +they quite forgot Willie entirely. It was The Oskaloosa +Kid who first thought of him. "Where's the boy?" he +cried suddenly. The others looked quickly about the +clearing, but no Willie was to be seen. + +Bridge shook his head ruefully. "We'll have to get out +of this in a hurry now," he said. "That little defective will +have the whole neighborhood on us in an hour." + +"Oh, what can we do?" cried the girl. "They mustn't +find us! I should rather die than be found here with--" +She stopped abruptly, flushed scarlet as the other three +looked at her in silence, and then: "I am sorry," she said. +"I didn't know what I was saying. I am so frightened. +You have all been good to me." + +"I tell you what we do." It was Giova speaking in the +masterful voice of one who has perfect confidence in his +own powers. "I know fine way out. This wood circle +back south through swamp mile, mile an' a half. The +road past Squeebs an' Case's go right through it. I know +path there I fin' myself. We on'y have to cross road, that +only danger. Then we reach leetle stream south of +woods, stream wind down through Payson. We all go +Gypsies. I got lot clothing in house. We all go Gypsies, +an' when we reach Payson we no try hide--jus' come +out on street with Beppo. Mak' Beppo dance. No one +think we try hide. Then come night we go 'way. Find +more wood an' leetle lake other side Payson. I know +place. We hide there long time. No one ever fin' us +there. We tell two, three, four people in Payson we go +Oakdale. They look Oakdale for us if they wan' fin' us. +They no think look where we go. See?" + +"Oh, I can't go to Payson," exclaimed the other girl. +"Someone would be sure to recognize me." + +"You come in house with me," Giova assured her, "I +feex you so your own mother no know you. You mens +come too. I geeve you what to wear like Gypsy mens. +We got lots things. My father, him he steal many things +from our people after they drive us out. He go back +by nights an' steal." + +The three followed her toward the little hovel since +there seemed no better plan than that which she had +offered. Giova and the other girl were in the lead, fol- +lowed by Bridge and the boy. The latter turned to the +man and placed a hand upon his arm. "Why don't you +leave us," he asked. "You have done nothing. No one is +looking for you. Why don't you go your way and save +yourself from suspicion." + +Bridge did not reply. + +"I believe," the youth went on, "that you are doing +it for me; but why I can't guess." + +"Maybe I am," Bridge half acknowledged. "You're a +good little kid, but you need someone to look after you. +It would be easier though if you'd tell me the truth +about yourself, which you certainly haven't up to now." + +"Please don't ask me," begged the boy. "I can't; hon- +estly I can't." + +"Is it as bad as that?" asked the man. + +"Oh, its worse," cried The Oskaloosa Kid. "It's a thou- +sand times worse. Don't make me tell you, for if I do +tell I shall have to leave you, and--and, oh, Bridge, I +don't want to leave you--ever!" + +They had reached the door of the cabin now and +were looking in past the girl who had halted there as +Giova entered. Before them was a small room in which +a large, vicious looking brown bear was chained. + +"Behold our ghost of last night!" exclaimed Bridge. +"By George! though, I'd as soon have hunted a real +ghost in the dark as to have run into this fellow." + +"Did you know last night that it was a bear?" asked +the Kid. "You told Giova that you followed the foot- +prints of herself and her bear; but you had not said any- +thing about a bear to us." + +"I had an idea last night," explained Bridge, "that +the sounds were produced by some animal dragging a +chain; but I couldn't prove it and so I said nothing, and +then this morning while we were following the trail I +made up my mind that it was a bear. There were two +facts which argued that such was the case. The first is +that I don't believe in ghosts and that even if I did I +would not expect a ghost to leave footprints in the mud, +and the other is that I knew that the footprints of a bear +are strangely similar to those of the naked feet of man. +Then when I saw the Gypsy girl I was sure that what +we had heard last night was nothing more nor less than +a trained bear. The dress and appearance of the dead +man lent themselves to a furtherance of my belief and +the wisp of brown hair clutched in his fingers added still +further proof." + +Within the room the bear was now straining at his +collar and growling ferociously at the strangers. Giova +crossed the room, scolding him and at the same time +attempting to assure him that the newcomers were +friends; but the wicked expression upon the beast's face +gave no indication that he would ever accept them as +aught but enemies. + +It was a breathless Willie who broke into his mother's +kitchen wide eyed and gasping from the effects of ex- +citement and a long, hard run. + +"Fer lan' sakes!" exclaimed Mrs. Case. "Whatever in +the world ails you?" + +"I got 'em; I got 'em!" cried Willie, dashing for the +telephone. + +"Fer lan' sakes! I should think you did hev 'em," re- +torted his mother as she trailed after him in the direc- +tion of the front hall. "'N' whatever you got, you got 'em +bad. Now you stop right where you air 'n' tell me what- +ever you got. 'Taint likely its measles, fer you've hed +them three times, 'n' whoopin' cough ain't 'them,' it's 'it,' +'n'--." Mrs. Case paused and gasped--horrified. "Fer lan' +sakes, Willie Case, you come right out o' this house this +minute ef you got anything in your head." She made a +grab for Willie's arm; but the boy dodged and reached +the telephone. + +"Shucks!" he cried. "I ain't got nothin' in my head," +nor did either sense the unconscious humor of the state- +ment. "What I got is a gang o' thieves an' murderers, an' +I'm callin' up thet big city deetectiff to come arter 'em." + +Mrs. Case sank into a chair, prostrated by the weight +of her emotions, while Willie took down the receiver af- +ter ringing the bell to attract central. Finally he ob- +tained his connection, which was with Jonas Prim's bank +where detective Burton was making his headquarters. +Here he learned that Burton had not returned; but fi- +nally gave his message reluctantly to Jonas Prim after +exacting a promise from that gentleman that he would +be personally responsible for the payment of the reward. +What Willie Case told Jonas Prim had the latter in a +machine, with half a dozen deputy sheriffs and speed- +ing southward from Oakdale inside of ten minutes. + +A short distance out from town they met detective +Burton with his two prisoners. After a hurried consulta- +tion Dopey Charlie and The General were unloaded +and started on the remainder of their journey afoot un- +der guard of two of the deputies, while Burton's com- +panions turned and followed the other car, Burton tak- +ing a seat beside Prim. + +"He said that he could take us right to where Abigail +is," Mr. Prim was explaining to Burton, "and that this +Oskaloosa Kid is with her, and another man and a for- +eign looking girl. He told a wild story about seeing +them burying a dead man in the woods back of +Squibbs' place. I don't know how much to believe, or +whether to believe any of it; but we can't afford not +to run down every clew. I can't believe that my daugh- +ter is wilfully consorting with such men. She always +has been full of life and spirit; but she's got a clean +mind, and her little escapades have always been en- +tirely harmless--at worst some sort of boyish prank. I +simply won't believe it until I see it with my own eyes. +If she's with them she's being held by force." + +Burton made no reply. He was not a man to jump to +conclusions. His success was largely due to the fact +that he assumed nothing; but merely ran down each +clew quickly yet painstakingly until he had a foundation +of fact upon which to operate. His theory was that the +simplest way is always the best way and so he never be- +fogged the main issue with any elaborate system of de- +ductive reasoning based on guesswork. Burton never +guessed. He assumed that it was his business to KNOW, +nor was he on any case long before he did know. He +was employed now to find Abigail Prim. Each of the sev- +eral crimes committed the previous night might or might +not prove a clew to her whereabouts; but each must be +run down in the process of elimination before Burton +could feel safe in abandoning it. + +Already he had solved one of them to his satisfac- +tion; and Dopey Charlie and The General were, all un- +known to themselves, on the way to the gallows for the +murder of Old John Baggs. When Burton had found +them simulating sleep behind the bushes beside the road +his observant eyes had noticed something that resem- +bled a hurried cache. The excuse of a lost note book had +taken him back to investigate and to find the loot of the +Baggs's crime wrapped in a bloody rag and hastily +buried in a shallow hole. + +When Burton and Jonas Prim arrived at the Case farm +they were met by a new Willie. A puffed and important +young man swaggered before them as he retold his tale +and led them through the woods toward the spot where +they were to bag their prey. The last hundred yards was +made on hands and knees; but when the party arrived +at the clearing there was no one in sight, only the hovel +stood mute and hollow-eyed before them. + +"They must be inside," whispered Willie to the detec- +tive. + +Burton passed a whispered word to his followers. +Stealthily they crept through the underbrush until the +cabin was surrounded; then, at a signal from their leader +they rose and advanced upon the structure. + +No evidence of life indicated their presence had been +noted, and Burton came to the very door of the cabin +unchallenged. The others saw him pause an instant +upon the threshold and then pass in. They closed be- +hind him. Three minutes later he emerged, shaking his +head. + +"There is no one here," he announced. + +Willie Case was crestfallen. "But they must be," he +pleaded. "They must be. I saw 'em here just a leetle +while back." + +Burton turned and eyed the boy sternly. Willie +quailed. "I seen 'em," he cried. "Hones' I seen 'em. They +was here just a few minutes ago. Here's where they bur- +rit the dead man," and he pointed to the little mound of +earth near the center of the clearing. + +"We'll see," commented Burton, tersely, and he sent +two of his men back to the Case farm for spades. When +they returned a few minutes' labor revealed that so +much of Willie's story was true, for a quilt wrapped +corpse was presently unearthed and lying upon the +ground beside its violated grave. Willie's stock rose once +more to par. + +In an improvised litter they carried the dead man +back to Case's farm where they left him after notifying +the coroner by telephone. Half of Burton's men were +sent to the north side of the woods and half to the road +upon the south of the Squibbs' farm. There they sep- +arated and formed a thin line of outposts about the +entire area north of the road. If the quarry was within +it could not escape without being seen. In the mean +time Burton telephoned to Oakdale for reinforcements, +as it would require fifty men at least to properly beat the +tangled underbrush of the wood. + + o o o + + +In a clump of willows beside the little stream which +winds through the town of Payson a party of four halted +on the outskirts of the town. There were two men, two +young women and a huge brown bear. The men and +women were, obviously, Gypsies. Their clothing, their +head-dress, their barbaric ornamentation proclaimed the +fact to whoever might pass; but no one passed. + +"I think," said Bridge, "that we will just stay where we +are until after dark. We haven't passed or seen a human +being since we left the cabin. No one can know that +we are here and if we stay here until late to-night we +should be able to pass around Payson unseen and reach +the wood to the south of town. If we do meet anyone +to-night we'll stop them and inquire the way to Oakdale +--that'll throw them off the track." + +The others acquiesced in his suggestion; but there +were queries about food to be answered. It seemed that +all were hungry and that the bear was ravenous. + +"What does he eat?" Bridge asked of Giova. + +"Mos' anything," replied the girl. "He like garbage +fine. Often I take him into towns late, ver' late at night +an' he eat swill. I do that to-night. Beppo, he got to be +fed or he eat Giova. I go feed Beppo, you go get food +for us; then we all meet at edge of wood just other side +town near old mill." + +During the remainder of the afternoon and well after +dark the party remained hidden in the willows. Then +Giova started out with Beppo in search of garbage cans, +Bridge bent his steps toward a small store upon the +outskirts of town where food could be purchased, The +Oskaloosa Kid having donated a ten dollar bill for the +stocking of the commissariat, and the youth and the +girl made their way around the south end of the town +toward the meeting place beside the old mill. + +As Bridge moved through the quiet road at the out- +skirts of the little town he let his mind revert to the +events of the past twenty four hours and as he pon- +dered each happening since he met the youth in the +dark of the storm the preceding night he asked him- +self why he had cast his lot with these strangers. In his +years of vagabondage Bridge had never crossed that in- +visible line which separates honest men from thieves and +murderers and which, once crossed, may never be re- +crossed. Chance and necessity had thrown him often +among such men and women; but never had he been of +them. The police of more than one city knew Bridge-- +they knew him, though, as a character and not as a +criminal. A dozen times he had been arraigned upon +suspicion; but as many times had he been released with +a clean bill of morals until of late Bridge had become al- +most immune from arrest. The police who knew him +knew that he was straight and they knew, too, that he +would give no information against another man. For +this they admired him as did the majority of the crim- +inals with whom he had come in contact during his +rovings. + +The present crisis, however, appeared most unprom- +ising to Bridge. Grave crimes had been committed in +Oakdale, and here was Bridge conniving in the escape +of at least two people who might readily be under po- +lice suspicion. It was difficult for the man to bring him- +self to believe that either the youth or the girl was in +any way actually responsible for either of the murders; +yet it appeared that the latter had been present when a +murder was committed and now by attempting to elude +the police had become an accessory after the fact, since +she possessed knowledge of the identity of the actual +murderer; while the boy, by his own admission, had +committed a burglary. + +Bridge shook his head wearily. Was he not himself +an accessory after the fact in the matter of two crimes +at least? These new friends, it seemed, were about to +topple him into the abyss which he had studiously +avoided for so long a time. But why should he permit +it? What were they to him? + +A freight train was puffing into the siding at the Pay- +son station. Bridge could hear the complaining brakes +a mile away. It would be easy to leave the town and his +dangerous companions far behind him; but even as the +thought forced its way into his mind another obtruded +itself to shoulder aside the first. It was recollection of the +boy's words: "Oh, Bridge, I don't want to leave you-- +ever." + +"I couldn't do it," mused Bridge. "I don't know just +why; but I couldn't. That kid has certainly got me. The +first thing someone knows I'll be starting a foundlings' +home. There is no question but that I am the soft +mark, and I wonder why it is--why a kid I never saw +before last night has a strangle hold on my heart that I +can't shake loose--and don't want to. Now if it was a +girl I could understand it." Bridge stopped suddenly in +the middle of the road. From his attitude he might have +been startled either by a surprising noise or by a surpris- +ing thought. For a minute he stood motionless; then he +shook his head again and proceeded along his way to- +ward the little store; evidently if he had heard anything +he was assured that it constituted no menace. + +As he entered the store to make his purchases a fox- +eyed man saw him and stepped quickly behind the +huge stove which had not as yet been taken down for +the summer. Bridge made his purchases, the volume of +which required a large gunny-sack for transportation, +and while he was thus occupied the fox-eyed man clung +to his coign of vantage, himself unnoticed by the pur- +chaser. When Bridge departed the other followed him, +keeping in the shadow of the trees which bordered the +street. Around the edge of town and down a road which +led southward the two went until Bridge passed through +a broken fence and halted beside an abandoned mill. +The watcher saw his quarry set down his burden, seat +himself beside it and proceed to roll a cigaret; then he +faded away in the darkness and Bridge was alone. + +Five or ten minutes later two slender figures ap- +peared dimly out of the north. They approached timidly, +stopping often and looking first this way and then that +and always listening. When they arrived opposite the +mill Bridge saw them and gave a low whistle. Immedi- +ately the two passed through the fence and approached +him. + +"My!" exclaimed one, "I thought we never would get +here; but we didn't see a soul on the road. Where is +Giova?" + +"She hadn't come yet," replied Bridge, "and she may +not. I don't see how a girl can browse around a town +like this with a big bear at night and not be seen, and +if she is seen she'll be followed--it would be too much +of a treat for the rubes ever to be passed up--and if +she's followed she won't come here. At least I hope she +won't." + +"What's that?" exclaimed The Oskaloosa Kid. Each +stood in silence, listening. + +The girl shuddered. "Even now that I know what it +is it makes me creep," she whispered, as the faint clank- +ing of a distant chain came to their ears. + +"We ought to be used to it by this time, Miss Prim," +said Bridge. "We heard it all last night and a good +part of to-day." + +The girl made no comment upon the use of the name +which he had applied to her, and in the darkness he +could not see her features, nor did he see the odd ex- +pression upon the boy's face as he heard the name +addressed to her. Was he thinking of the nocturnal +raid he so recently had made upon the boudoir of Miss +Abigail Prim? Was he pondering the fact that his pock- +ets bulged to the stolen belongings of that young lady? +But whatever was passing in his mind he permitted +none of it to pass his lips. + +As the three stood waiting in silence Giova came pres- +ently among them, the beast Beppo lumbering awk- +wardly at her side. + +"Did he find anything to eat?" asked the man. + +"Oh, yes," exclaimed Giova. "He fill up now. That mak +him better nature. Beppo not so ugly now." + +"Well, I'm glad of that," said Bridge. "I haven't been +looking forward much to his company through the +woods to-night--especially while he was hungry!" + +Giova laughed a low, musical little laugh. "I don' +think he no hurt you anyway," she said. "Now he know +you my frien'." + +"I hope you are quite correct in your surmise," re- +plied Bridge. "But even so I'm not taking any chances." + + o o o + + +Willie Case had been taken to Payson to testify be- +fore the coroner's jury investigating the death of Giova's +father, and with the dollar which The Oskaloosa Kid +had given him in the morning burning in his pocket had +proceeded to indulge in an orgy of dissipation the mo- +ment that he had been freed from the inquest. Ice +cream, red pop, peanuts, candy, and soda water may +have diminished his appetite but not his pride and self- +satisfaction as he sat alone and by night for the first +time in a public eating place. Willie was now a man of +the world, a bon vivant, as he ordered ham and eggs +from the pretty waitress of The Elite Restaurant on +Broadway; but at heart he was not happy for never be- +fore had he realized what a great proportion of his anat- +omy was made up of hands and feet. As he glanced +fearfully at the former, silhouetted against the white of +the table cloth, he flushed scarlet, assured as he was that +the waitress who had just turned away toward the +kitchen with his order was convulsed with laughter +and that every other eye in the establishment was glued +upon him. To assume an air of nonchalance and thereby +impress and disarm his critics Willie reached for a tooth- +pick in the little glass holder near the center of the ta- +ble and upset the sugar bowl. Immediately Willie +snatched back the offending hand and glared ferociously +at the ceiling. He could feel the roots of his hair being +consumed in the heat of his skin. A quick side glance +that required all his will power to consummate showed +him that no one appeared to have noticed his faux pas +and Willie was again slowly returning to normal when +the proprietor of the restaurant came up from behind +and asked him to remove his hat. + +Never had Willie Case spent so frightful a half hour +as that within the brilliant interior of The Elite Restau- +rant. Twenty-three minutes of this eternity was con- +sumed in waiting for his order to be served and seven +minutes in disposing of the meal and paying his check. +Willie's method of eating was in itself a sermon on +efficiency--there was no lost motion--no waste of time. +He placed his mouth within two inches of his plate +after cutting his ham and eggs into pieces of a size that +would permit each mouthful to enter without wedging; +then he mixed his mashed potatoes in with the result +and working his knife and fork alternately with bewild- +ering rapidity shot a continuous stream of food into his +gaping maw. + +In addition to the meat and potatoes there was one +vegetable in a side-dish and as dessert four prunes. The +meat course gone Willie placed the vegetable dish on +the empty plate, seized a spoon in lieu of knife and +fork and--presto! the side-dish was empty. Whereupon +the prune dish was set in the empty side-dish--four deft +motions and there were no prunes--in the dish. The en- +tire feat had been accomplished in 6:34 1/2, setting a +new world's record for red-headed farmer boys with one +splay foot. + +In the remaining twenty five and one half seconds +Willie walked what seemed to him a mile from his seat +to the cashier's desk and at the last instant bumped into +a waitress with a trayful of dishes. Clutched tightly in +Willie's hand was thirty five cents and his check with a +like amount written upon it. Amid the crash of crockery +which followed the collision Willie slammed check and +money upon the cashier's desk and fled. Nor did he +pause until in the reassuring seclusion of a dark side- +street. There Willie sank upon the curb alternately cold +with fear and hot with shame, weak and panting, and +into his heart entered the iron of class hatred, searing +it to the core. + +Fortunately for youth it recuperates rapidly from mor- +tal blows, and so it was that another half hour found +Willie wandering up and down Broadway but at the +far end of the street from The Elite Restaurant. A mo- +tion picture theater arrested his attention; and pres- +ently, parting with one of his two remaining dimes, he +entered. The feature of the bill was a detective melo- +drama. Nothing in the world could have better suited +Willie's psychic needs. It recalled his earlier feats of +the day, in which he took pardonable pride, and raised +him once again to a self-confidence he had not felt since +be entered the ever to be hated Elite Restaurant. + +The show over Willie set forth afoot for home. A +long walk lay ahead of him. This in itself was bad +enough; but what lay at the end of the long walk was +infinitely worse, as Willie's father had warned him to +return immediately after the inquest, in time for milk- +ing, preferably. Before he had gone two blocks from the +theater Willie had concocted at least three tales to ac- +count for his tardiness, either one of which would have +done credit to the imaginative powers of a Rider Hag- +gard or a Jules Verne; but at the end of the third +block he caught a glimpse of something which drove +all thoughts of home from his mind and came but +barely short of driving his mind out too. He was ap- +proaching the entrance to an alley. Old trees grew in the +parkway at his side. At the street corner a half block +away a high flung arc swung gently from its support- +ing cables, casting a fair light upon the alley's mouth, +and just emerging from behind the nearer fence Willie +Case saw the huge bulk of a bear. Terrified, Willie +jumped behind a tree; and then, fearful lest the animal +might have caught sight or scent of him he poked his +head cautiously around the side of the bole just in +time to see the figure of a girl come out of the alley be- +hind the bear. Willie recognized her at the first glance-- +she was the very girl he had seen burying the dead man +in the Squibbs woods. Instantly Willie Case was trans- +formed again into the shrewd and death defying sleuth. +At a safe distance he followed the girl and the bear +through one alley after another until they came out upon +the road which leads south from Payson. He was across +the road when she joined Bridge and his companions. +When they turned toward the old mill he followed them, +listening close to the rotting clapboards for any chance +remark which might indicate their future plans. He +heard them debating the wisdom of remaining where +they were for the night or moving on to another loca- +tion which they had evidently decided upon but no +clew to which they dropped. + +"The objection to remaining here," said Bridge, "is +that we can't make a fire to cook by--it would be too +plainly visible from the road." + +"But I can no fin' road by dark," explained Giova. "It +bad road by day, ver' much worse by night. Beppo no +come 'cross swamp by night. No, we got stay here til +morning." + +"All right," replied Bridge, "we can eat some of this +canned stuff and have our ham and coffee after we +reach camp tomorrow morning, eh?" + +"And now that we've gotten through Payson safely," +suggested The Oskaloosa Kid, "let's change back into +our own clothes. This disguise makes me feel too con- +spicuous." + +Willie Case had heard enough. His quarry would re- +main where it was over night, and a moment later Willie +was racing toward Payson and a telephone as fast as his +legs would carry him. + +In an old brick structure a hundred yards below the +mill where the lighting machinery of Payson had been +installed before the days of the great central power- +plant a hundred miles away four men were smoking as +they lay stretched upon the floor. + +"I tell you I seen him," asserted one of the party. "I +follered this Bridge guy from town to the mill. He was +got up like a Gyp; but I knew him all right, all right. +This scenery of his made me tink there was something +phoney doin', or I wouldn't have trailed him, an' its a +good ting I done it, fer he hadn't ben there five min- +utes before along comes The Kid an' a skirt and pretty +soon a nudder chicken wid a calf on a string, er mebbie +it was a sheep--it was pretty husky lookin' fer a sheep +though. An' I sticks aroun' a minute until I hears this +here Bridge guy call the first skirt 'Miss Prim.'" + +He ceased speaking to note the effect of his words on +his hearers. They were electrical. The Sky Pilot sat up +straight and slapped his thigh. Soup Face opened his +mouth, letting his pipe fall out into his lap, setting fire +to his ragged trousers. Dirty Eddie voiced a characteris- +tic obscenity. + +"So you sees," went on Columbus Blackie, "we got a +chanct to get both the dame and The Kid. Two of us +can take her to Oakdale an' claim the reward her old +man's offerin' an' de odder two can frisk de Kid, an'-- +an'--." + +"An' wot?" queried The Sky Pilot. + +"Dere's de swamp handy," suggested Soup Face. + +"I was tinkin' of de swamp," said Columbus Blackie. + +"Eddie and I will return Miss Prim to her bereaved +parents," interrupted The Sky Pilot. "You, Blackie, and +Soup Face can arrange matters with The Oskaloosa Kid. +I don't care for details. We will all meet in Toledo as +soon as possible and split the swag. We ought to make +a cleaning on this job, boes." + +"You split a mout'ful then," said Columbus Blackie. + +They fell to discussing way and means. + +"We'd better wait until they're asleep," counseled +The Sky Pilot. "Two of us can tackle this Bridge and +hand him the k.o. quick. Eddie and Soup Face had +better attend to that. Blackie can nab The Kid an' I'll +annex Miss Abigail Prim. The lady with the calf we +don't want. We'll tell her we're officers of the law an' +that she'd better duck with her live stock an' keep her +trap shut if she don't want to get mixed up with a mur- +der trial." + + o o o + + +Detective Burton was at the county jail in Oakdale +administering the third degree to Dopey Charlie and +The General when there came a long distance telephone +call for him. + +"Hello!" said the voice at the other end of the line; +"I'm Willie Case, an' I've found Miss Abigail Prim." + +"Again?" queried Burton. + +"Really," asserted Willie. "I know where she's goin' to +be all night. I heard 'em say so. The Oskaloosie Kid's +with her an' annuder guy an' the girl I seen with the +dead man in Squibbs' woods an' they got a BEAR!" It +was almost a shriek. "You'd better come right away +an' bring Mr. Prim. I'll meet you on the ol' Toledo road +right south of Payson, an' say, do I get the whole re- +ward?" + +"You'll get whatever's coming to you, son," replied +Burton. "You say there are two men and two women-- +are you sure that is all?" + +"And the bear," corrected Willie. + +"All right, keep quiet and wait for me," cautioned +Burton. "You'll know me by the spot light on my car-- +I'll have it pointed straight up into the air. When you +see it coming get into the middle of the road and wave +your hands to stop us. Do you understand?" + +"Yes," said Willie. + +"And don't talk to anyone," Burton again cautioned +him. + +A few minutes later Burton left Oakdale with his two +lieutenants and a couple of the local policemen, the car +turning south toward Payson and moving at ever ac- +celerating speed as it left the town streets behind it and +swung smoothly onto the country road. + + o o o + + +It was after midnight when four men cautiously ap- +proached the old mill. There was no light nor any sign of +life within as they crept silently through the doorless +doorway. Columbus Blackie was in the lead. He flashed +a quick light around the interior revealing four forms +stretched upon the floor, deep in slumber. Into the +blacker shadows of the far end of the room the man +failed to shine his light for the first flash had shown +him those whom he sought. Picking out their quarry the +intruders made a sudden rush upon the sleepers. + +Bridge awoke to find two men attempting to rain +murderous blows upon his head. Wiry, strong and full +of the vigor of a clean life, he pitted against their +greater numbers and cowardly attack a defense which +was infinitely more strenuous than they had expected. + +Columbus Blackie leaped for The Oskaloosa Kid, +while The Sky Pilot seized upon Abigail Prim. No one +paid any attention to Giova, nor, with the noise and con- +fusion, did the intruders note the sudden clanking of a +chain from out the black depths of the room's further +end, or the splintering of a half decayed studding. + +Soup Face entangling himself about Bridge's legs suc- +ceeded in throwing the latter to the floor while Dirty +Eddie kicked viciously at the prostrate man's head. The +Sky Pilot seized Abigail Prim about the waist and +dragged her toward the doorway and though the girl +fought valiantly to free herself her lesser muscles were +unable to cope successfully with those of the man. Co- +lumbus Blackie found his hands full with The Oskaloosa +Kid. Again and again the youth struck him in the face; +but the man persisted, beating down the slim hands +and striking viciously at body and head until, at last, +the boy, half stunned though still struggling, was +dragged from the room. + +Simultaneously a series of frightful growls reverber- +ated through the deserted mill. A huge body cata- +pulted into the midst of the fighters. Abigail Prim +screamed. "The bear!" she cried. "The bear is loose!" + +Dirty Eddie was the first to feel the weight of Beppo's +wrath. His foot drawn back to implant a vicious kick in +Bridge's face he paused at the girl's scream and at the +same moment a huge thing reared up before him. Just +for an instant he sensed the terrifying presence of some +frightful creature, caught the reflected gleam of two +savage eyes and felt the hot breath from distended +jaws upon his cheek, then Beppo swung a single terrific +blow which caught the man upon the side of the head +to spin him across the floor and drop him in a crumpled +heap against the wall, with a fractured skull. Dirty +Eddie was out. Soup Face, giving voice to a scream more +bestial than human, rose to his feet and fled in the oppo- +site direction. + +Beppo paused and looked about. He discovered +Bridge lying upon the floor and sniffed at him. The +man lay perfectly quiet. He had heard that often times +a bear will not molest a creature which it thinks dead. +Be that as it may Beppo chanced at that moment to +glance toward the doorway. There, silhouetted against +the lesser darkness without, he saw the figures of Co- +lumbus Blackie and The Oskaloosa Kid and with a +growl he charged them. The two were but a few paces +outside the doorway when the full weight of the great +bear struck Columbus Blackie between the shoulders. +Down went the man and as he fell he released his hold +upon the youth who immediately turned and ran for the +road. + +The momentum of the bear carried him past the body +of his intended victim who, frightened but uninjured, +scrambled to his feet and dashed toward the rear of the +mill in the direction of the woods and distant swamp. +Beppo, recovering from his charge, wheeled in time to +catch a glimpse of his quarry after whom he made with +all the awkwardness that was his birthright and with +the speed of a race horse. + +Columbus Blackie, casting a terrified glance rear- +ward, saw his Nemesis flashing toward him, and dodged +around a large tree. Again Beppo shot past the man +while the latter, now shrieking for help, raced madly +in a new direction. + +Bridge had arisen and come out of the mill. He called +aloud for The Oskaloosa Kid. Giova answered him from +a small tree. "Climb!" she cried. "Climb a tree! Ever'one +climb a small tree. Beppo he go mad. He keel ever'one. +Run! Climb! He keel me. Beppo he got evil-eye." + +Along the road from the north came a large touring +car, swinging from side to side in its speed. Its brilliant +headlights illuminated the road far ahead. They picked +out The Sky Pilot and Abigail Prim, they found The +Oskaloosa Kid climbing a barbed wire fence and then +with complaining brakes the car came to a sudden stop. +Six men leaped from the machine and rounded up the +three they had seen. Another came running toward +them. It was Soup Face, so thoroughly terrified that he +would gladly have embraced a policeman in uniform, +could the latter have offered him protection. + +A boy accompanied the newcomers. "There he is!" he +screamed, pointing at The Oskaloosa Kid. "There he is! +And you've got Miss Prim, too, and when do I get the +reward?" + +"Shut up!" said one of the men. + +"Watch this bunch," said Burton to one of his lieuten- +ants, "while we go after the rest of them. There are some +over by the mill. I can hear them." + +From the woods came a fearfilled scream mingled +with the savage growls of a beast. + +"It's the bear," shrilled Willie Case, and ran toward +the automobile. + +Bridge ran forward to meet Burton. "Get that girl and +the kid into your machine and beat it!" he cried. "There's +a bear loose here, a regular devil of a bear. You can't do +a thing unless you have rifles. Have you?" + +"Who are you?" asked the detective. + +"He's one of the gang," yelled Willie Case from the +fancied security of the tonneau. "Seize him!" He wanted +to add: "My men"; but somehow his nerve failed him at +the last moment; however he had the satisfaction of +thinking it. + +Bridge was placed in the car with Abigail Prim, The +Oskaloosa Kid, Soup Face and The Sky Pilot. Burton +sent the driver back to assist in guarding them; then he +with the remaining three, two of whom were armed +with rifles, advanced toward the mill. Beyond it they +heard the growling of the bear at a little distance in the +wood; but the man no longer made any outcry. From +a tree Giova warned them back. + +"Come down!" commanded Burton, and sent her +back to the car. + +The driver turned his spot light upon the wood be- +yond the mill and presently there came slowly forward +into its rays the lumbering bulk of a large bear. The +light bewildered him and he paused, growling. His left +shoulder was partially exposed. + +"Aim for his chest, on the left side," whispered Bur- +ton. The two men raised their rifles. There were two re- +ports in close succession. Beppo fell forward without a +sound and then rolled over on his side. Giova covered +her face with her hands and sobbed. + +"He ver' bad, ugly bear," she said brokenly; "but he +all I have to love." + +Bridge extended a hand and patted her bowed head. +In the eyes of The Oskaloosa Kid there glistened some- +thing perilously similar to tears. + +In the woods back of the mill Burton and his men +found the mangled remains of Columbus Blackie, and +when they searched the interior of the structure they +brought forth the unconscious Dirty Eddie. As the car +already was taxed to the limit of its carrying capacity +Burton left two of his men to march The Kid and Bridge +to the Payson jail, taking the others with him to Oak- +dale. He was also partially influenced in this decision by +the fear that mob violence would be done the principals +by Oakdale's outraged citizens. At Payson he stopped +long enough at the town jail to arrange for the reception +of the two prisoners, to notify the coroner of the death +of Columbus Blackie and the whereabouts of his body +and to place Dirty Eddie in the hospital. He then tele- +phoned Jonas Prim that his daughter was safe and would +be returned to him in less than an hour. + +By the time Bridge and The Oskaloosa Kid reached +Payson the town was in an uproar. A threatening crowd +met them a block from the jail; but Burton's men were +armed with rifles which they succeeded in convincing +the mob they would use if their prisoners were molested. +The telephone, however, had carried the word to Oak- +dale; so that before Burton arrived there a dozen auto- +mobile loads of indignant citizens were racing south to- +ward Payson. + +Bridge and The Oskaloosa Kid were hustled into the +single cell of the Payson jail. A bench ran along two +sides of the room. A single barred window let out upon +the yard behind the structure. The floor was littered +with papers, and a single electric light bulb relieved the +gloom of the unsavory place. + +The Oskaloosa Kid sank, trembling, upon one of the +hard benches. Bridge rolled a cigaret. At his feet lay a +copy of that day's Oakdale Tribune. A face looked up +from the printed page into his eyes. He stooped and +took up the paper. The entire front page was devoted to +the various crimes which had turned peaceful Oakdale +inside out in the past twenty four hours. There were +reproductions of photographs of John Baggs, Reginald +Paynter, Abigail Prim, Jonas Prim, and his wife, with a +large cut of the Prim mansion, a star marking the bou- +doir of the missing daughter of the house. As Bridge +examined the various pictures an odd expression en- +tered his eyes--it was a mixture of puzzlement, incredu- +lity, and relief. Tossing the paper aside he turned to- +ward The Oskaloosa Kid. They could hear the sullen +murmur of the crowd in front of the jail. + +"If they get any booze," he said, "they'll take us out +of here and string us up. If you've got anything to say +that would tend to convince them that you did not kill +Paynter I advise you to call the guard and tell the truth, +for if the mob gets us they might hang us first and listen +afterward--a mob is not a nice thing. Beppo was an angel +of mercy by comparison with one." + +"Could you convince them that you had no part in +any of these crimes?" asked the boy. "I know that you +didn't; but could you prove it to a mob?" + +"No," said Bridge. "A mob is not open to reason. If +they get us I shall hang, unless someone happens to +think of the stake." + +The boy shuddered. + +"Will you tell the truth?" asked the man. + +"I will go with you," replied the boy, "and take what- +ever you get." + +"Why?" asked Bridge. + +The youth flushed; but did not reply, for there came +from without a sudden augmentation of the murmur- +ings of the mob. Automobile horns screamed out upon +the night. The two heard the chugging of motors, the +sound of brakes and the greetings of new arrivals. The +reinforcements had arrived from Oakdale. + +A guard came to the grating of the cell door. "The +bunch from Oakdale has come," he said. "If I was you +I'd say my prayers. Old man Baggs is dead. No one +never had no use for him while he was alive, but the +whole county's het up now over his death. They're +bound to get you, an' while I didn't count 'em all I +seen about a score o' ropes. They mean business." + +Bridge turned toward the boy. "Tell the truth," he +said. "Tell this man." + +The youth shook his head. "I have killed no one," said +he. "That is the truth. Neither have you; but if they +are going to murder you they can murder me too, for +you stuck to me when you didn't have to; and I am go- +ing to stick to you, and there is some excuse for me be- +cause I have a reason--the best reason in the world." + +"What is it?" asked Bridge. + +The Oskaloosa Kid shook his head, and once more he +flushed. + +"Well," said the guard, with a shrug of his shoulders, +"it's up to you guys. If you want to hang, why hang and +be damned. We'll do the best we can 'cause it's our duty +to protect you; but I guess at that hangin's too good fer +you, an' we ain't a-goin' to get shot keepin' you from get- +tin' it." + +"Thanks," said Bridge. + +The uproar in front of the jail had risen in volume +until it was difficult for those within to make themselves +heard without shouting. The Kid sat upon his bench and +buried his face in his hands. Bridge rolled another smoke. +The sound of a shot came from the front room of the +jail, immediately followed by a roar of rage from the +mob and a deafening hammering upon the jail door. +A moment later this turned to the heavy booming of a +battering ram and the splintering of wood. The frail +structure quivered beneath the onslaught. + +The prisoners could hear the voices of the guards +and the jailer raised in an attempt to reason with the +unreasoning mob, and then came a final crash and the +stamping of many feet upon the floor of the outer +room. + +Burton's car drew up before the doorway of the Prim +home in Oakdale. The great detective alighted and +handed down the missing Abigail. Then be directed that +the other prisoners be taken to the county jail. + +Jonas Prim and his wife awaited Abigail's return in +the spacious living room at the left of the reception +hall. The banker was nervous. He paced to and fro the +length of the room. Mrs. Prim fanned herself vigorously +although the heat was far from excessive. They heard +the motor draw up in front of the house; but they did +not venture into the reception hall or out upon the +porch, though for different reasons. Mrs. Prim because +it would not have been PROPER; Jonas because he could +not trust himself to meet his daughter, whom he had +thought lost, in the presence of a possible crowd which +might have accompanied her home. + +They heard the closing of an automobile door and +the sound of foot steps coming up the concrete walk. +The Prim butler was already waiting at the doorway +with the doors swung wide to receive the prodigal +daughter of the house of Prim. A slender figure with +bowed head ascended the steps, guided and assisted by +the detective. She did not look up at the expectant but- +ler waiting for the greeting he was sure Abigail would +have for him; but passed on into the reception hall. + +"Your father and Mrs. Prim are in the living room," +announced the butler, stepping forward to draw aside +the heavy hangings. + +The girl, followed by Burton, entered the brightly +lighted room. + +"I am very glad, Mr. Prim," said the latter, "to be +able to return Miss Prim to you so quickly and un- +harmed." + +The girl looked up into the face of Jonas Prim. The +man voiced an exclamation of surprise and annoyance. +Mrs. Prim gasped and sank upon a sofa. The girl stood +motionless, her eyes once again bent upon the floor. + +"What's the matter?" asked Burton. "What's wrong?" + +"Everything is wrong, Mr. Burton," Jonas Prim's voice +was crisp and cold. "This is not my daughter." + +Burton looked his surprise and discomfiture. He turned +upon the girl. + +"What do you mean--" he started; but she interrupted +him. + +"You are going to ask what I mean by posing as Miss +Prim," she said. "I have never said that I was Miss Prim. +You took the word of an ignorant little farmer's boy and +I did not deny it when I found that you intended bring- +ing me to Mr. Prim, for I wanted to see him. I wanted +to ask him to help me. I have never met him, or his +daughter either; but my father and Mr. Prim have been +friends for many years. + +"I am Hettie Penning," she continued, addressing +Jonas Prim. "My father has always admired you and +from what he has told me I knew that you would listen +to me and do what you could for me. I could not bear +to think of going to the jail in Payson, for Payson is my +home. Everybody would have known me. It would have +killed my father. Then I wanted to come myself and +tell you, after reading the reports and insinuations in the +paper, that your daughter was not with Reginald Payn- +ter when he was killed. She had no knowledge of the +crime and as far as I know may not have yet. I have +not seen her and do not know where she is; but I was +present when Mr. Paynter was killed. I have known him +for years and have often driven with him. He stopped +me yesterday afternoon on the street in Payson and +talked with me. He was sitting in a car in front of the +bank. After we had talked a few minutes two men came +out of the bank. Mr. Paynter introduced them to me. He +said they were driving out into the country to look at a +piece of property--a farm somewhere north of Oakdale +--and that on the way back they were going to stop at +The Crossroads Inn for dinner. He asked me if I +wouldn't like to come along--he kind of dared me to, +because, as you know, The Crossroads has rather a bad +reputation. + +"Father had gone to Toledo on business, and very +foolishly I took his dare. Everything went all right un- +til after we left The Inn, although one of the men--his +companion referred to him once or twice as The Oska- +loosa Kid--attempted to be too familiar with me. Mr. +Paynter prevented him on each occasion, and they had +words over me; but after we left the inn, where they +had all drunk a great deal, this man renewed his atten- +tions and Mr. Paynter struck him. Both of them were +drunk. After that it all happened so quickly that I could +scarcely follow it. The man called Oskaloosa Kid drew +a revolver but did not fire, instead he seized Mr. Paynter +by the coat and whirled him around and then he struck +him an awful blow behind the ear with the butt of the +weapon. + +"After that the other two men seemed quite sobered. +They discussed what would be the best thing to do and +at last decided to throw Mr. Paynter's body out of the +machine, for it was quite evident that he was dead. First +they rifled his pockets, and joked as they did it, one of +them saying that they weren't getting as much as they +had planned on; but that a little was better than noth- +ing. They took his watch, jewelry, and a large roll of +bills. We passed around the east side of Oakdale and +came back into the Toledo road. A little way out of town +they turned the machine around and ran back for about +half a mile; then they turned about a second time. I +don't know why they did this. They threw the body out +while the machine was moving rapidly; but I was so +frightened that I can't say whether it was before or after +they turned about the second time. + +"In front of the old Squibbs place they shot at me and +threw me out; but the bullet missed me. I have not seen +them since and do not know where they went. I am +ready and willing to aid in their conviction; but, please +Mr. Prim, won't you keep me from being sent back to +Payson or to jail. I have done nothing criminal and I +won't run away." + +"How about the robbery of Miss Prim's room and the +murder of Old Man Baggs?" asked Burton. "Did they +pull both of those off before they killed Paynter or af- +ter?" + +"They had nothing to do with either unless they did +them after they threw me out of the car, which must +have been long after midnight," replied the girl. + +"And the rest of the gang, those that were arrested +with you," continued the detective, "how about them? +All angels, I suppose." + +"There was only Bridge and the boy they called The +Oskaloosa Kid, though he isn't the same one that mur- +dered poor Mr. Paynter, and the Gypsy girl, Giova, +that were with me. The others were tramps who came +into the old mill and attacked us while we were asleep. +I don't know who they were. The girl could have had +nothing to do with any of the crimes. We came upon +her this morning burying her father in the woods back +of the Squibbs' place. The man died of epilepsy last +night. Bridge and the boy were taking refuge from the +storm at the Squibbs place when I was thrown from +the car. They heard the shot and came to my rescue. I +am sure they had nothing to do with--with--" she hesi- +tated. + +"Tell the truth," commanded Burton. "It will go hard +with you if you don't. What made you hesitate? You +know something about those two--now out with it." + +"The boy robbed Mr. Prim's home--I saw some of +the money and jewelry--but Bridge was not with him. +They just happened to meet by accident during the +storm and came to the Squibbs place together. They +were kind to me, and I hate to tell anything that would +get the boy in trouble. That is the reason I hesitated. +He seemed such a nice boy! It is hard to believe that +he is a criminal, and Bridge was always so considerate. +He looks like a tramp; but he talks and acts like a gentle- +man." + +The telephone bell rang briskly, and a moment later +the butler stepped into the room to say that Mr. Burton +was wanted on the wire. He returned to the living +room in two or three minutes. + +"That clears up some of it," he said as be entered. +"The sheriff just had a message from the chief at Toledo +saying that The Oskaloosa Kid is dying in a hospital +there following an automobile accident. He knew he +was done for and sent for the police. When they came he +told them he had killed a man by the name of Paynter +at Oakdale last night and the chief called up to ask +what we knew about it. The Kid confessed to clear his +pal who was only slightly injured in the smash-up. His +story corroborates Miss Penning's in every detail, he also +said that after killing Paynter he had shot a girl witness +and thrown her from the car to prevent her squealing." + +Once again the telephone bell rang, long and insist- +ently. The butler almost ran into the room. "Payson +wants you, sir," he cried to Burton, "in a hurry, sir, it's a +matter of life and death, sir!" + +Burton sprang to the phone. When he left it he only +stopped at the doorway of the living room long enough +to call in: "A mob has the two prisoners at Payson and +are about to lynch them, and, my God, they're innocent. +We all know now who killed Paynter and I have known +since morning who murdered Baggs, and it wasn't +either of those men; but they've found Miss Prim's jew- +elry on the fellow called Bridge and they've gone +crazy--they say he murdered her and the young one +did for Paynter. I'm going to Payson," and dashed from +the house. + +"Wait," cried Jonas Prim, "I'm going with you," and +without waiting to find a hat he ran quickly after the de- +tective. Once in the car he leaned forward urging the +driver to greater speed. + +"God in heaven!" he almost cried, "the fools are go- +ing to kill the only man who can tell me anything about +Abigail." + + o o o + + +With oaths and threats the mob, brainless and heart- +less, cowardly, bestial, filled with the lust for blood, +pushed and jammed into the narrow corridor before +the cell door where the two prisoners awaited their +fate. The single guard was brushed away. A dozen +men wielding three railroad ties battered upon the grat- +ing of the door, swinging the ties far back and then in +unison bringing them heavily forward against the puny +iron. + +Bridge spoke to them once. "What are you going to do +with us?" he asked. + +"We're goin' to hang you higher 'n' Haman, you +damned kidnappers an' murderers," yelled a man in the +crowd. + +"Why don't you give us a chance?" asked Bridge in an +even tone, unaltered by fear or excitement. "You've +nothing on us. As a matter of fact we are both inno- +cent--" + +"Oh, shut your damned mouth," interrupted another +of the crowd. + +Bridge shrugged his shoulders and turned toward the +youth who stood very white but very straight in a far +corner of the cell. The man noticed the bulging pock- +ets of the ill fitting coat; and, for the first time that +night, his heart stood still in the face of fear; but not for +himself. + +He crossed to the youth's side and put his arm around +the slender figure. "There's no use arguing with them," +he said. "They've made up their minds, or what they +think are minds, that we're guilty; but principally they're +out for a sensation. They want to see something die, +and we're it. I doubt if anything could stop them now; +they'd think we'd cheated them if we suddenly proved +beyond doubt that we were innocent." + +The boy pressed close to the man. "God help me to be +brave," he said, "as brave as you are. We'll go together, +Bridge, and on the other side you'll learn something +that'll surprise you. I believe there is 'another side,' +don't you, Bridge?" + +"I've never thought much about it," said Bridge; "but +at a time like this I rather hope so--I'd like to come back +and haunt this bunch of rat brained rubes." + +His arm slipped down the other's coat and his hand +passed quickly behind the boy from one side to the +other; then the door gave and the leaders of the mob +were upon them. A gawky farmer seized the boy and +struck him cruelly across the mouth. It was Jeb Case. + +"You beast!" cried Bridge. "Can't you see that that-- +that's--only a child? If I don't live long enough to give +you yours here, I'll come back and haunt you to your +grave." + +"Eh?" ejaculated Jeb Case; but his sallow face turned +white, and after that he was less rough with his prisoner. + +The two were dragged roughly from the jail. The +great crowd which had now gathered fought to get a +close view of them, to get hold of them, to strike them, +to revile them; but the leaders kept the others back lest +all be robbed of the treat which they had planned. +Through town they haled them and out along the road +toward Oakdale. There was some talk of taking them to +the scene of Paynter's supposed murder; but wiser heads +counselled against it lest the sheriff come with a posse +of deputies and spoil their fun. + +Beneath a great tree they halted them, and two ropes +were thrown over a stout branch. One of the leaders +started to search them; and when he drew his hands out +of Bridge's side pockets his eyes went wide, and he +gave a cry of elation which drew excited inquiries from +all sides. + +"By gum!" he cried, "I reckon we ain't made no mis- +take here, boys. Look ahere!" and he displayed two +handsful of money and jewelry. + +"Thet's Abbie Prim's stuff," cried one. + +The boy beside Bridge turned wide eyes upon the +man. "Where did you get it?" he cried. "Oh, Bridge, +why did you do it? Now they will kill you," and he +turned to the crowd. "Oh, please listen to me," he +begged. "He didn't steal those things. Nobody stole +them. They are mine. They have always belonged to +me. He took them out of my pocket at the jail because +he thought that I had stolen them and he wanted to +take the guilt upon himself; but they were not stolen, +I tell you--they are mine! they are mine! they are mine!" + +Another new expression came into Bridge's eyes as he +listened to the boy's words; but he only shook his head. +It was too late, and Bridge knew it. + +Men were adjusting ropes about their necks. "Be- +fore you hang us," said Bridge quietly, "would you mind +explaining just what we're being hanged for--it's sort of +comforting to know, you see." + +"Thet's right," spoke up one of the crowd. "Thet's fair. +We want to do things fair and square. Tell 'em the +charges, an' then ask 'em ef they got anything to say +afore they're hung." + +This appealed to the crowd--the last statements of +the doomed men might add another thrill to the eve- +ning's entertainment. + +"Well," said the man who had searched them. "There +might o' been some doubts about you before, but they +aint none now. You're bein' hung fer abductin' of an' +most likely murderin' Miss Abigail Prim." + +The boy screamed and tried to interrupt; but Jeb +Case placed a heavy and soiled hand over his mouth. +The spokesman continued. "This slicker admitted he was +The Oskaloosa Kid, 'n' thet he robbed a house an' shot a +man las' night; 'n' they ain't no tellin' what more he's +ben up to. He tole Jeb Case's Willie 'bout it; an' bragged +on it, by gum. 'Nenny way we know Paynter and Abi- +gail Prim was last seed with this here Oskaloosa Kid, +durn him." + +"Thanks," said Bridge politely, "and now may I make +my final statement before going to meet my maker?" + +"Go on," growled the man. + +"You won't interrupt me?" + +"Naw, go on." + +"All right! You damn fools have made up your minds +to hang us. I doubt if anything I can say to you will +alter your determination for the reason that if all the +brains in this crowd were collected in one individual he +still wouldn't have enough with which to weigh the +most obvious evidence intelligently, but I shall present +the evidence, and you can tell some intelligent people +about it tomorrow. + +"In the first place it is impossible that I murdered Abi- +gail Prim, and in the second place my companion is not +The Oskaloosa Kid and was not with Mr. Paynter last +night. The reason I could not have murdered Miss Prim +is because Miss Prim is not dead. These jewels were not +stolen from Miss Prim, she took them herself from her +own home. This boy whom you are about to hang is +not a boy at all--it is Miss Prim, herself. I guessed her +secret a few minutes ago and was convinced when she +cried that the jewels and money were her own. I don't +know why she wishes to conceal her identity; but I +can't stand by and see her lynched without trying to +save her." + +The crowd scoffed in incredulity. "There are some +women here," said Bridge. "Turn her over to them. +They'll tell you, at least that she is not a man." + +Some voices were raised in protest, saying that it +was a ruse to escape, while others urged that the women +take the youth. Jeb Case stepped toward the subject +of dispute. "I'll settle it durned quick," he announced +and reached forth to seize the slim figure. With a sud- +den wrench Bridge tore himself loose from his captors +and leaped toward the farmer, his right flew straight +out from the shoulder and Jeb Case went down with a +broken jaw. Almost simultaneously a car sped around a +curve from the north and stopped suddenly in rear of +the mob. Two men leaped out and shouldered their +way through. One was the detective, Burton; the other +was Jonas Prim. + +"Where are they?" cried the latter. "God help you if +you've killed either of them, for one of them must know +what became of Abigail." + +He pushed his way up until he faced the prisoners. +The Oskaloosa Kid gave him a single look of surprise and +then sprang toward him with outstretched arms. + +"Oh, daddy, daddy!" she cried, "don't let them kill +him." + +The crowd melted away from the immediate vicinity +of the prisoners. None seemed anxious to appear in the +forefront as a possible leader of a mob that had so +nearly lynched the only daughter of Jonas Prim. Bur- +ton slipped the noose from about the girl's neck and +then turned toward her companion. In the light from +the automobile lamps the man's face was distinctly visi- +ble to the detective for the first time that night, and as +Burton looked upon it he stepped back with an ex- +clamation of surprise. + +"You?" he almost shouted. "Gad, man! where have +you been? Your father's spent twenty thousand dollars +trying to find you." + +Bridge shook his head. "I'm sorry, Dick," he said, +"but I'm afraid it's too late. The open road's gotten into +my blood, and there's only one thing that--well--" he +shook his head and smiled ruefully--"but there ain't a +chance." His eyes travelled to the slim figure sitting so +straight in the rear seat of Jonas Prim's car. + +Suddenly the little head turned in his direction. +"Hurry, Bridge," admonished The Oskaloosa Kid, "you're +coming home with us." + + +The man stepped toward the car, shaking his head. +"Oh, no, Miss Prim," he said, "I can't do that. Here's +your 'swag.'" And he smiled as he passed over her jewels +and money. + +Mr. Prim's eyes widened; he looked suspiciously at +Bridge. Abigail laughed merrily. "I stole them myself, +Dad," she explained, "and then Mr. Bridge took them +from me in the jail to make the mob think he had +stolen them and not I-- he didn't know then that I was +a girl, did you?" + +"It was in the jail that I first guessed; but I didn't +quite realize who you were until you said that the jewels +were yours--then I knew. The picture in the paper gave +me the first inkling that you were a girl, for you looked +so much like the one of Miss Prim. Then I commenced to +recall little things, until I wondered that I hadn't known +from the first that you were a girl; but you made a bully +boy!" and they both laughed. "And now good-by, and +may God bless you!" His voice trembled ever so little, +and he extended his hand. The girl drew back. + +"I want you to come with us," she said. "I want Father +to know you and to know how you have cared for me. +Wont you come--for me?" + +"I couldn't refuse, if you put it that way," replied +Bridge; and he climbed into the car. As the machine +started off a boy leaped to the running-board. + +"Hey!" he yelled, "where's my reward? I want my re- +ward. I'm Willie Case." + +"Oh!" exclaimed Bridge. "I gave your reward to your +father--maybe he'll split it with you. Go ask him." And +the car moved off. + +"You see," said Burton, with a wry smile, "how simple +is the detective's job. Willie is a natural-born detective. +He got everything wrong from A to Izzard, yet if it +hadn't been for Willie we might not have cleared up +the mystery so soon." + +"It isn't all cleared up yet," said Jonas Prim. "Who +murdered Baggs?" + +"Two yeggs known as Dopey Charlie and the Gen- +eral," replied Burton. "They are in the jail at Oakdale; +but they don't know yet that I know they are guilty. +They think they are being held merely as suspects in +the case of your daughter's disappearance, whereas I +have known since morning that they were implicated +in the killing of Baggs; for after I got them in the car +I went behind the bushes where we discovered them +and dug up everything that was missing from Baggs' +house, as nearly as is known--currency, gold and +bonds." + +"Good!" exclaimed Mr. Prim. + +On the trip back to Oakdale, Abigail Prim cuddled +in the back seat beside her father, told him all that she +could think to tell of Bridge and his goodness to her. + +"But the man didn't know you were a girl," suggested +Mr. Prim. + +"There were two other girls with us, both very pretty," +replied Abigail, "and he was as courteous and kindly to +them as a man could be to a woman. I don't care any- +thing about his clothes, Daddy; Bridge is a gentleman +born and raised--anyone could tell it after half an hour +with him." + +Bridge sat on the front seat with the driver and one +of Burton's men, while Burton, sitting in the back seat +next to the girl, could not but overhear her conversa- +tion. + +"You are right," he said. "Bridge, as you call him, is a +gentleman. He comes of one of the finest families of Vir- +ginia and one of the wealthiest. You need have no +hesitancy, Mr. Prim, in inviting him into your home." + +For a while the three sat in silence; and then Jonas +Prim turned to his daughter. "Gail," he said, "before we +get home I wish you'd tell me why you did this thing. +I think you'd rather tell me before we see Mrs. P." + +"It was Sam Benham, Daddy," whispered the girl. "I +couldn't marry him. I'd rather die, and so I ran away. I +was going to be a tramp; but I had no idea a tramp's +existence was so adventurous. You won't make me marry +him, Daddy, will you? I wouldn't be happy, Daddy." + +"I should say not, Gail; you can be an old maid all +your life if you want to." + +"But I don't want to--I only want to choose my own +husband," replied Abigail. + +Mrs. Prim met them all in the living-room. At sight of +Abigail in the ill-fitting man's clothing she raised her +hands in holy horror; but she couldn't see Bridge at +all, until Burton found an opportunity to draw her to +one side and whisper something in her ear, after which +she was graciousness personified to the dusky Bridge, in- +sisting that he spend a fortnight with them to recuper- +ate. + +Between them, Burton and Jonas Prim fitted Bridge +out as he had not been dressed in years, and with the +feel of fresh linen and pressed clothing, even if ill fitting, +a sensation of comfort and ease pervaded him which the +man would not have thought possible from such a source +an hour before. + +He smiled ruefully as Burton looked him over. "I ven- +ture to say," he drawled, "that there are other things in +the world besides the open road." + +Burton smiled. + +It was midnight when the Prims and their guests arose +from the table. Hettie Penning was with them, and ev- +eryone present had been sworn to secrecy about her +share in the tragedy of the previous night. On the mor- +row she would return to Payson and no one there the +wiser; but first she had Burton send to the jail for Giova, +who was being held as a witness, and Giova promised +to come and work for the Pennings. + +At last Bridge stole a few minutes alone with Abi- +gail, or, to be more strictly a truthful historian, Abigail +outgeneraled the others of the company and drew +Bridge out upon the veranda. + +"Tell me," demanded the girl, "why you were so kind +to me when you thought me a worthless little scamp of a +boy who had robbed some one's home." + +"I couldn't have told you a few hours ago," said Bridge. +"I used to wonder myself why I should feel toward a +boy as I felt toward you,--it was inexplicable,--and then +when I knew that you were a girl, I understood, for I +knew that I loved you and had loved you from the mo- +ment that we met there in the dark and the rain be- +side the Road to Anywhere." + +"Isn't it wonderful?" murmured the girl, and she had +other things in her heart to murmur; but a man's lips +smothered hers as Bridge gathered her into his arms and +strained her to him. + + + + + +End of The Project Gutenberg Etext of The Oakdale Affair + + +PAGE PARA. LINE ORIGINAL CHANGED TO + 10 6 emminent eminent + 15 4 2 it's warmth its warmth + 15 5 13 promisculously promiscuously + 16 1 3 appelation appellation + 19 3 it's scope its scope + 21 6 by with seasons by seasons + 25 1 8 Prim manage Prim menage + 25 2 20 then, suspicious, then, suspicions, + 28 12 even his even this + 34 6 1 it's quality its quality + 37 3 10 have any- have any + 38 4 4 tin tear. tin ear. + 39 2 6 Squibbs farm Squibbs' farm + 40 2 2 his absence, his absence," + 47 5 1 sudden, clanking sudden clanking + 47 8 3 its the thing it's the thing + 48 5 2 was moment's was a moment's + 59 9 4 bird aint bird ain't + 60 8 3 dum misery dumb misery + 71 2 dead Squibbs dead Squibb + 74 1 2 tend during tent during + 75 7 3 Squibbs house Squibbs' house + 76 1 6 Squibbs home. Squibbs' home. + 76 8 4 business, thats business, that's + 78 1 1 Squibbs place Squibbs' place + 78 2 1 Squibbs place!" Squibbs' place!" + 80 6 4 Squibbs gateway Squibbs' gateway + 84 6 1 Squibb's summer Squibbs' summer + 85 6 1 thet aint thet ain't + 85 7 5 on em on 'em + 85 8 1 An' thet aint An' thet ain't + 85 10 1 But thet aint But thet ain't + 85 10 3 of em of 'em + 85 10 3 of em of 'em + 86 2 2 there aint there ain't + 87 5 others' mask other's mask + 88 6 1 Squibbs woods Squibbs' woods + 91 2 "They aint "They ain't + 91 3 I aint I ain't + 91 2 3 Squibbs house Squibbs' house + 91 6 aint got ain't got + 92 6 it wa'nt safe it wa'n't safe + 92 4 10 Squibbs house Squibbs' house + 94 2 1 to nothin. to nothin'. + 94 8 1 Squibbs place," Squibbs' place," + 97 4 2 "We aint "We ain't + 98 1 8 Squibbs place Squibbs' place + 98 3 1 hiself de hisself de + 98 5 4 he aint he ain't + 98 7 1 Squibbs place Squibbs' place + 98 8 2 you aint you ain't +107 4 3 wont tell won't tell +113 3 5 its measles it's measles +113 3 6 cough aint cough ain't +113 3 6 its 'it,' it's 'it,' +113 4 1 I aint I ain't +114 2 6 Squibb's place Squibbs' place +114 2 13 simply wont simply won't +116 6 3 few minutes few minutes' +116 7 5 Squibb's farm Squibbs' farm +121 4 she wont she won't +121 5 wont." won't." +128 7 4 can knab can nab +134 2 2 an upraor. an uproar. +136 8 5 we aint we ain't +139 2 8 had all drank had all drunk +141 3 9 Squibb's place. Squibbs' place. +146 1 its sort of it's sort of +146 2 3 nings entertainment ning's entertainment +146 4 5 aint no tellin' ain't no tellin' +146 7 1 "You wont "You won't +151 2 4 wont make won't make +152 1 2 Nettie Penning Hettie Penning + + + +End of The Project Gutenberg Etext of The Oakdale Affair + diff --git a/old/oakda10.zip b/old/oakda10.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..1a4d66f --- /dev/null +++ b/old/oakda10.zip diff --git a/old/oakda10h.htm b/old/oakda10h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..bab65f3 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/oakda10h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,6223 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="iso-8859-1"?> +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> + <head> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1" /> + <title> + The Project Gutenberg eBook of "The Oakdale Affair", by Edgar Rice Burroughs. + </title> + + <style type="text/css"> +/*<![CDATA[ XML blockout */ + +body { margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; max-width: 40em; } +h1,h2 { text-align: center; } +hr { width: 33%; margin-top: 5em; margin-bottom: 5em; + margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; } +hr.tiny { width: 10%; margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; } +p { margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: justify; + text-indent: 1em; } +.poem { text-align: center; } +.poem .stanza { margin-left: 28%; margin-right: auto; + text-align: left; } +.stanza div { line-height: 1.4em; margin-top: 0em; + text-align: left; margin-left: 2em; + text-indent: -2em; } +.poem .in1 {margin-left: 3em;} +table { width: 100%; } + + /* XML end ]]>*/ + </style> + </head> +<body> + +<pre> +The Project Gutenberg Etext of The Oakdale Affair, by Burroughs +Number eight in our Edgar Rice Burroughs Series + +Please take a look at the important information in this header. +We encourage you to keep this file on your own disk, keeping an +electronic path open for the next readers. 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FOR PUBLIC DOMAIN ETEXTS*Ver.04.29.93*END* +</pre> + +<div> +<br /><br /> + +<hr /> + + +<h1>THE OAKDALE AFFAIR</h1> + +<br /><br /> + +<h2>EDGAR RICE BURROUGHS</h2> + + +<hr /> + + +<br /><br /> + +<h2>Chapter One</h2> + + +<p>The house on the hill showed lights only upon the first +floor—in the spacious reception hall, the dining room, +and those more or less mysterious purlieus thereof from +which emanate disagreeable odors and agreeable foods.</p> + +<p>From behind a low bush across the wide lawn a pair +of eyes transferred to an alert brain these simple perceptions +from which the brain deduced with Sherlockian +accuracy and Raffleian purpose that the family of +the president of The First National Bank of—Oh, let's +call it Oakdale—was at dinner, that the servants were below +stairs and the second floor deserted.</p> + +<p>The owner of the eyes had but recently descended +from the quarters of the chauffeur above the garage +which he had entered as a thief in the night and quitted +apparelled in a perfectly good suit of clothes belonging +to the gentlemanly chauffeur and a soft, checked +cap which was now pulled well down over a pair of +large brown eyes in which a rather strained expression +might have suggested to an alienist a certain neophytism +which even the stern set of well shaped lips could +not effectually belie.</p> + +<p>Apparently this was a youth steeling himself against +a natural repugnance to the dangerous profession he had +espoused; and when, a moment later, he stepped out +into the moonlight and crossed the lawn toward the +house, the slender, graceful lines which the ill-fitting +clothes could not entirely conceal carried the conviction +of youth if not of innocence.</p> + +<p>The brazen assurance with which the lad crossed the +lawn and mounted the steps to the verandah suggested +a familiarity with the habits and customs of the inmates +of the house upon the hill which bespoke long and careful +study of the contemplated job. An old timer could +not have moved with greater confidence. No detail +seemed to have escaped his cunning calculation. Though +the door leading from the verandah into the reception +hall swung wide to the balmy airs of late Spring the +prowler passed this blatant invitation to the hospitality +of the House of Prim. It was as though he knew that +from his place at the head of the table, with his back +toward the great fire place which is the pride of the +Prim dining hall, Jonas Prim commands a view of the +major portion of the reception hall.</p> + +<p>Stooping low the youth passed along the verandah to +a window of the darkened library—a French window +which swung open without noise to his light touch. Stepping +within he crossed the room to a door which opened +at the foot of a narrow stairway—a convenient little stairway +which had often let the Hon. Jonas Prim to pass +from his library to his second floor bed-room unnoticed +when Mrs. Prim chanced to be entertaining the feminine +elite of Oakdale across the hall. A convenient little +stairway for retiring husbands and diffident burglars—yes, +indeed!</p> + +<p>The darkness of the upper hallway offered no obstacle +to this familiar housebreaker. He passed the tempting +luxury of Mrs. Prim's boudoir, the chaste elegance of +Jonas Prim's bed-room with all the possibilities of forgotten +wallets and negotiable papers, setting his course +straight for the apartments of Abigail Prim, the spinster +daughter of the First National Bank of Oakdale. Or +should we utilize a more charitable and at the same time +more truthful word than spinster? I think we should, +since Abigail was but nineteen and quite human, despite +her name.</p> + +<p>Upon the dressing table of Abigail reposed much silver +and gold and ivory, wrought by clever artisans into +articles of great beauty and some utility; but with scarce +a glance the burglar passed them by, directing his course +straight across the room to a small wall safe cleverly +hidden by a bit of tapestry.</p> + +<p>How, Oh how, this suggestive familiarity with the +innermost secrets of a virgin's sacred apartments upon +the part of one so obviously of the male persuasion and, +by his all too apparent calling, a denizen of that underworld +of which no Abigail should have intimate knowledge? +Yet, truly and with scarce a faint indication of +groping, though the room was dark, the marauder +walked directly to the hidden safe, swung back the +tapestry in its frame, turned the knob of the combination +and in a moment opened the circular door of the +strong box.</p> + +<p>A fat roll of bills and a handful of jewelry he transferred +to the pockets of his coat. Some papers which his +hand brushed within the safe he pushed aside as though +preadvised of their inutility to one of his calling. Then +he closed the safe door, closed the tapestry upon it +and turned toward a dainty dressing table. From a +drawer in this exquisite bit of Sheraton the burglar took +a small, nickel plated automatic, which he slipped into +an inside breast pocket of his coat, nor did he touch +another article therein or thereon, nor hesitate an instant +in the selection of the drawer to be rifled. His +knowledge of the apartment of the daughter of the +house of Prim was little short of uncanny. Doubtless the +fellow was some plumber's apprentice who had made +good use of an opportunity to study the lay of the land +against a contemplated invasion of these holy precincts.</p> + +<p>But even the most expert of second story men nod +and now that all seemed as though running on greased +rails a careless elbow raked a silver candle-stick from +the dressing table to the floor where it crashed with a +resounding din that sent cold shivers up the youth's +spine and conjured in his mind a sudden onslaught of +investigators from the floor below.</p> + +<p>The noise of the falling candlestick sounded to the +taut nerved house-breaker as might the explosion of a +stick of dynamite during prayer in a meeting house. +That all Oakdale had heard it seemed quite possible, +while that those below stairs were already turning questioning +ears, and probably inquisitive footsteps, upward +was almost a foregone conclusion.</p> + +<p>Adjoining Miss Prim's boudoir was her bath and before +the door leading from the one to the other was a +cretonne covered screen behind which the burglar now +concealed himself the while he listened in rigid apprehension +for the approach of the enemy; but the only +sound that came to him from the floor below was the +deep laugh of Jonas Prim. A profound sigh of relief escaped +the beardless lips; for that laugh assured the +youth that, after all, the noise of the fallen candlestick +had not alarmed the household.</p> + +<p>With knees that still trembled a bit he crossed the +room and passed out into the hallway, descended the +stairs, and stood again in the library. Here he paused +a moment listening to the voices which came from the +dining room. Mrs. Prim was speaking. "I feel quite relieved +about Abigail," she was saying. "I believe that at +last she sees the wisdom and the advantages of an +alliance with Mr. Benham, and it was almost with enthusiasm +that she left this morning to visit his sister. +I am positive that a week or two of companionship +with him will impress upon her the fine qualities of his +nature. We are to be congratulated, Jonas, upon settling +our daughter so advantageously both in the matter of +family and wealth."</p> + +<p>Jonas Prim grunted. "Sam Benham is old enough to +be the girl's father," he growled. "If she wants him, all +right; but I can't imagine Abbie wanting a bald-headed +husband with rheumatism. I wish you'd let her alone, +Pudgy, to find her own mate in her own way—someone +nearer her own age."</p> + +<p>"The child is not old enough to judge wisely for herself," +replied Mrs. Prim. "It was my duty to arrange a +proper alliance; and, Jonas, I will thank you not to call +me Pudgy—it is perfectly ridiculous for a woman of my +age—and position."</p> + +<p>The burglar did not hear Mr. Prim's reply for he had +moved across the library and passed out onto the verandah. +Once again he crossed the lawn, taking advantage +of the several trees and shrubs which dotted it, +scaled the low stone wall at the side and was in the +concealing shadows of the unlighted side street which +bounds the Prim estate upon the south. The streets of +Oakdale are flanked by imposing battalions of elm and +maple which over-arch and meet above the thoroughfares; +and now, following an early Spring, their foliage +eclipsed the infrequent arclights to the eminent satisfaction +of those nocturnal wayfarers who prefer neither +publicity nor the spot light. Of such there are few within +the well ordered precincts of lawabiding Oakdale; but +to-night there was at least one and this one was deeply +grateful for the gloomy walks along which he hurried +toward the limits of the city.</p> + +<p>At last he found himself upon a country road with +the odors of Spring in his nostrils and the world before +him. The night noises of the open country fell strangely +upon his ears accentuating rather than relieving the myriad +noted silence of Nature. Familiar sounds became +unreal and weird, the deep bass of innumerable bull +frogs took on an uncanny humanness which sent a half +shudder through the slender frame. The burglar felt a +sad loneliness creeping over him. He tried whistling in +an effort to shake off the depressing effects of this seeming +solitude through which he moved; but there remained +with him still the hallucination that he moved +alone through a strange, new world peopled by invisible +and unfamiliar forms—menacing shapes which lurked in +waiting behind each tree and shrub.</p> + +<p>He ceased his whistling and went warily upon the +balls of his feet, lest he unnecessarily call attention to +his presence. If the truth were to be told it would chronicle +the fact that a very nervous and frightened burglar +sneaked along the quiet and peaceful country road outside +of Oakdale. A lonesome burglar, this, who so craved +the companionship of man that he would almost have +welcomed joyously the detaining hand of the law had +it fallen upon him in the guise of a flesh and blood police +officer from Oakdale.</p> + +<p>In leaving the city the youth had given little thought +to the practicalities of the open road. He had thought, +rather vaguely, of sleeping in a bed of new clover in +some hospitable fence corner; but the fence corners +looked very dark and the wide expanse of fields beyond +suggested a mysterious country which might be +peopled by almost anything but human beings.</p> + +<p>At a farm house the youth hesitated and was almost +upon the verge of entering and asking for a night's lodging +when a savage voiced dog shattered the peace of +the universe and sent the burglar along the road at a +rapid run.</p> + +<p>A half mile further on a straw stack loomed large +within a fenced enclosure. The youth wormed his way +between the barbed wires determined at last to let +nothing prevent him from making a cozy bed in the +deep straw beside the stack. With courage radiating +from every pore he strode toward the stack. His walk +was almost a swagger, for thus does youth dissemble +the bravery it yearns for but does not possess. He almost +whistled again; but not quite, since it seemed an +unnecessary provocation to disaster to call particular +attention to himself at this time. An instant later he was +extremely glad that he had refrained, for as he approached +the stack a huge bulk slowly loomed from behind +it; and silhouetted against the moonlit sky he saw +the vast proportions of a great, shaggy bull. The burglar +tore the inside of one trousers' leg and the back of his +coat in his haste to pass through the barbed wire fence +onto the open road. There he paused to mop the perspiration +from his forehead, though the night was now +far from warm.</p> + +<p>For another mile the now tired and discouraged +house-breaker plodded, heavy footed, the unending +road. Did vain compunction stir his youthful breast? Did +he regret the safe respectability of the plumber's apprentice? +Or, if he had not been a plumber's apprentice did +he yearn to once again assume the unharried peace of +whatever legitimate calling had been his before he bent +his steps upon the broad boulevard of sin? We think he +did.</p> + +<p>And then he saw through the chinks and apertures +in the half ruined wall of what had once been a hay +barn the rosy flare of a genial light which appeared to +announce in all but human terms that man, red blooded +and hospitable, forgathered within. No growling dogs, +no bulking bulls contested the short stretch of weed +grown ground between the road and the disintegrating +structure; and presently two wide, brown eyes were +peering through a crack in the wall of the abandoned +building. What they saw was a small fire built upon +the earth floor in the center of the building and around +the warming blaze the figures of six men. Some reclined +at length upon old straw; others squatted, Turk fashion. + All were smoking either disreputable pipes or rolled +cigarets. Blear-eyed and foxy-eyed, bearded and stubbled +cheeked, young and old, were the men the youth +looked upon. All were more or less dishevelled and +filthy; but they were human. They were not dogs, or +bulls, or croaking frogs. The boy's heart went out to +them. Something that was almost a sob rose in his +throat, and then he turned the corner of the building +and stood in the doorway, the light from the fire playing +upon his lithe young figure clothed in its torn and ill-fitting +suit and upon his oval face and his laughing +brown eyes. For several seconds he stood there looking +at the men around the fire. None of them had noticed +him.</p> + +<p>"Tramps!" thought the youth. "Regular tramps." He +wondered that they had not seen him, and then, clearing +his throat, he said: "Hello, tramps!"</p> + +<p>Six heads snapped up or around. Six pairs of eyes, +blear or foxy, were riveted upon the boyish figure of +the housebreaker. "Wotinel!" ejaculated a frowzy gentleman +in a frock coat and golf cap. "Wheredju blow +from?" inquired another. "'Hello, tramps'!" mimicked a +third.</p> + +<p>The youth came slowly toward the fire. "I saw your +fire," he said, "and I thought I'd stop. I'm a tramp, too, +you know."</p> + +<p>"Oh," sighed the elderly person in the frock coat. +"He's a tramp, he is. An' does he think gents like us has +any time for tramps? An' where might he be trampin', +sonny, without his maw?"</p> + +<p>The youth flushed. "Oh say!" he cried; "you needn't +kid me just because I'm new at it. You all had to start +sometime. I've always longed for the free life of a tramp; +and if you'll let me go along with you for a little while, +and teach me, I'll not bother you; and I'll do whatever +you say."</p> + +<p>The elderly person frowned. "Beat it, kid!" he commanded. +"We ain't runnin' no day nursery. These you +see here is all the real thing. Maybe we asks fer a handout +now and then; but that ain't our reg'lar lay. You +ain't swift enough to travel with this bunch, kid, so +you'd better duck. Why we gents, here, if we was added +up is wanted in about twenty-seven cities fer about everything +from rollin' a souse to crackin' a box and +croakin' a bull. You gotta do something before you can +train wid gents like us, see?" The speaker projected a +stubbled jaw, scowled horridly and swept a flattened +palm downward and backward at a right angle to a +hairy arm in eloquent gesture of finality.</p> + +<p>The boy had stood with his straight, black eyebrows +puckered into a studious frown, drinking in every word. +Now he straightened up. "I guess I made a mistake," he +said, apologetically. "You ain't tramps at all. You're +thieves and murderers and things like that." His eyes +opened a bit wider and his voice sank to a whisper as +the words passed his lips. "But you haven't so much on +me, at that," he went on, "for I'm a regular burglar, +too," and from the bulging pockets of his coat he drew +two handfuls of greenbacks and jewelry. The eyes of +the six registered astonishment, mixed with craft and +greed. "I just robbed a house in Oakdale," explained the +boy. "I usually rob one every night."</p> + +<p>For a moment his auditors were too surprised to voice +a single emotion; but presently one murmured, soulfully: +"Pipe de swag!" He of the frock coat, golf cap, and +years waved a conciliatory hand. He tried to look at the +boy's face; but for the life of him he couldn't raise his +eyes above the dazzling wealth clutched in the fingers +of those two small, slim hands. From one dangled a +pearl necklace which alone might have ransomed, if +not a king, at least a lesser member of a royal family, +while diamonds, rubies, sapphires, and emeralds scintillated +in the flaring light of the fire. Nor was the fistful of +currency in the other hand to be sneezed at. There were +greenbacks, it is true; but there were also yellowbacks +with the reddish gold of large denominations. The Sky +Pilot sighed a sigh that was more than half gasp.</p> + +<p>"Can't yuh take a kid?" he inquired. "I knew youse +all along. Yuh can't fool an old bird like The Sky Pilot +—eh, boys?" and he turned to his comrades for confirmation.</p> + +<p>"He's The Oskaloosa Kid," exclaimed one of the company. +"I'd know 'im anywheres."</p> + +<p>"Pull up and set down," invited another.</p> + +<p>The boy stuffed his loot back into his pockets and +came closer to the fire. Its warmth felt most comfortable, +for the Spring night was growing chill. He looked +about him at the motley company, some half-spruce in +clothing that suggested a Kuppenmarx label and a not +too far association with a tailor's goose, others in rags, +all but one unshaven and all more or less dirty—for +the open road is close to Nature, which is principally +dirt.</p> + +<p>"Shake hands with Dopey Charlie," said The Sky Pilot, +whose age and corpulency appeared to stamp him +with the hall mark of authority. The youth did as he +was bid, smiling into the sullen, chalk-white face and +taking the clammy hand extended toward him. Was it a +shudder that passed through the lithe, young figure or +was it merely a subconscious recognition of the final passing +of the bodily cold before the glowing warmth of the +blaze? "And Soup Face," continued The Sky Pilot. A +battered wreck half rose and extended a pudgy hand. +Red whiskers, matted in little tangled wisps which suggested +the dried ingredients of an infinite procession +of semi-liquid refreshments, rioted promiscuously over a +scarlet countenance.</p> + +<p>"Pleased to meetcha," sprayed Soup Face. It was a +strained smile which twisted the rather too perfect +mouth of The Oskaloosa Kid, an appellation which we +must, perforce, accept since the youth did not deny it.</p> + +<p>Columbus Blackie, The General, and Dirty Eddie +were formally presented. As Dirty Eddie was, physically, +the cleanest member of the band the youth wondered +how he had come by his sobriquet—that is, he +wondered until he heard Dirty Eddie speak, after which +he was no longer in doubt. The Oskaloosa Kid, self-confessed +'tramp' and burglar, flushed at the lurid obscenity +of Dirty Eddie's remarks.</p> + +<p>"Sit down, bo," invited Soup Face. "I guess you're a +regular all right. Here, have a snifter?" and he pulled +a flask from his side pocket, holding it toward The Oskaloosa +Kid.</p> + +<p>"Thank you, but;—er—I'm on the wagon, you know," +declined the youth.</p> + +<p>"Have a smoke?" suggested Columbus Blackie. "Here's +the makin's."</p> + +<p>The change in the attitude of the men toward him +pleased The Oskaloosa Kid immensely. They were treating +him as one of them, and after the lonely walk through +the dark and desolate farm lands human companionship +of any kind was to him as the proverbial straw to the +man who rocked the boat once too often.</p> + +<p>Dopey Charlie and The General, alone of all the +company, waxed not enthusiastic over the advent of +The Oskaloosa Kid and his priceless loot. These two sat +scowling and whispering in the back-ground. "Dat's a +wrong guy," muttered the former to the latter. "He's a +stool pigeon or one of dese amatoor mugs."</p> + +<p>"It's the pullin' of that punk graft that got my goat," +replied The General. "I never seen a punk yet that didn't +try to make you think he was a wise guy an' dis stiff +don't belong enough even to pull a spiel that would fool +a old ladies' sewin' circle. I don't see wot The Sky Pilot's +cozyin' up to him fer."</p> + +<p>"You don't?" scoffed Dopey Charlie. "Didn't you lamp +de oyster harness? To say nothin' of de mitful of rocks +and kale."</p> + +<p>"That 'ud be all right, too," replied the other, "if we +could put the guy to sleep; but The Sky Pilot won't +never stand for croakin' nobody. He's too scared of his +neck. We'll look like a bunch o' wise ones, won't we? +lettin' a stranger sit in now—after last night. Hell!" he +suddenly exploded. "Don't you know that you an' me +stand to swing if any of de bunch gets gabby in front +of dis phoney punk?"</p> + +<p>The two sat silent for a while, The General puffing on +a short briar, Dopey Charlie inhaling deep draughts +from a cigarette, and both glaring through narrowed lids +at the boy warming himself beside the fire where the +others were attempting to draw him out the while they +strove desperately but unavailingly to keep their eyes +from the two bulging sidepockets of their guest's coat.</p> + +<p>Soup Face, who had been assiduously communing +with a pint flask, leaned close to Columbus Blackie, placing +his whiskers within an inch or so of the other's nose +as was his habit when addressing another, and whispered, +relative to the pearl necklace: "Not a cent less +'n fifty thou, bo!"</p> + +<p>"Fertheluvomike!" ejaculated Blackie, drawing back +and wiping a palm quickly across his lips. "Get a plumber +first if you want to kiss me—you leak."</p> + +<p>"He thinks you need a shower bath," said Dirty Eddie, +laughing.</p> + +<p>"The trouble with Soup Face," explained The Sky Pilot, +"is that he's got a idea he's a human atomizer an' +that the rest of us has colds."</p> + +<p>"Well, I don't want no atomizer loaded with rot-gut +and garlic shot in my mug," growled Blackie. "What +Soup Face needs is to be learned ettyket, an' if he +comes that on me again I'm goin' to push his mush +through the back of his bean."</p> + +<p>An ugly light came into the blear eyes of Soup Face. +Once again he leaned close to Columbus Blackie. +"Not a cent less 'n fifty thou, you tinhorn!" he bellowed, +belligerent and sprayful.</p> + +<p>Blackie leaped to his feet, with an oath—a frightful, +hideous oath—and as he rose he swung a heavy fist to +Soup Face's purple nose. The latter rolled over backward; +but was upon his feet again much quicker than one +would have expected in so gross a bulk, and as he came +to his feet a knife flashed in his hand. With a sound that +was more bestial than human he ran toward Blackie; +but there was another there who had anticipated his intentions. +As the blow was struck The Sky Pilot had +risen; and now he sprang forward, for all his age and +bulk as nimble as a cat, and seized Soup Face by the +wrist. A quick wrench brought a howl of pain to the +would-be assassin, and the knife fell to the floor.</p> + +<p>"You gotta cut that if you travel with this bunch," +said The Sky Pilot in a voice that was new to The Oskaloosa +Kid; "and you, too, Blackie," he continued. "The +rough stuff don't go with me, see?" He hurled Soup +Face to the floor and resumed his seat by the fire.</p> + +<p>The youth was astonished at the physical strength of +this old man, seemingly so softened by dissipation; but it +showed him the source of The Sky Pilot's authority and +its scope, for Columbus Blackie and Soup Face quitted +their quarrel immediately.</p> + +<p>Dirty Eddie rose, yawned and stretched. "Me fer +the hay," he announced, and lay down again with his +feet toward the fire. Some of the others followed his +example. "You'll find some hay in the loft there," said +The Sky Pilot to The Oskaloosa Kid. "Bring it down an' +make your bed here by me, there's plenty room."</p> + +<p>A half hour later all were stretched out upon the hard +dirt floor upon improvised beds of rotted hay; but not +all slept. The Oskaloosa Kid, though tired, found himself +wider awake than he ever before had been. Apparently +sleep could never again come to those heavy eyes. +There passed before his mental vision a panorama of +the events of the night. He smiled as he inaudibly voiced +the name they had given him, the right to which he had +not seen fit to deny. "The Oskaloosa Kid." The boy +smiled again as he felt the 'swag' hard and lumpy in +his pockets. It had given him prestige here that he could +not have gained by any other means; but he mistook +the nature of the interest which his display of stolen +wealth had aroused. He thought that the men now +looked upon him as a fellow criminal to be accepted into +the fraternity through achievement; whereas they suffered +him to remain solely in the hope of transferring +his loot to their own pockets.</p> + +<p>It is true that he puzzled them. Even The Sky Pilot, +the most astute and intelligent of them all, was at a loss +to fathom The Oskaloosa Kid. Innocence and unsophistication +flaunted their banners in almost every act and +speech of The Oskaloosa Kid. The youth reminded him +in some ways of members of a Sunday school which had +flourished in the dim vistas of his past when, as an ordained +minister of the Gospel, he had earned the sobriquet +which now identified him. But the concrete +evidence of the valuable loot comported not with The +Sky Pilot's idea of a Sunday school boy's lark. The young +fellow was, unquestionably, a thief; but that he had ever +before consorted with thieves his speech and manners +belied.</p> + +<p>"He's got me," murmured The Sky Pilot; "but he's got +the stuff on him, too; and all I want is to get it off of +him without a painful operation. Tomorrow'll do," and +he shifted his position and fell asleep.</p> + +<p>Dopey Charlie and The General did not, however, +follow the example of their chief. They remained very +wide awake, a little apart from the others, where their +low whispers could not be overheard.</p> + +<p>"You better do it," urged The General, in a soft, insinuating +voice. "You're pretty slick with the toad stabber, +an' any way one more or less won't count."</p> + +<p>"We can go to Sout' America on dat stuff an' live +like gents," muttered Dopey Charlie. "I'm goin' to cut +out de Hop an' buy a farm an' a ottymobeel and—"</p> + +<p>"Come out of it," admonished The General. "If we're +lucky we'll get as far as Cincinnati, get a stew on and +get pinched. Den one of us'll hang an' de other get stir +fer life."</p> + +<p>The General was a weasel faced person of almost +any age between thirty-five and sixty. Sometimes he +could have passed for a hundred and ten. He had won +his military title as a boy in the famous march of Coxey's +army on Washington, or, rather, the title had been conferred +upon him in later years as a merited reward of +service. The General, profiting by the precepts of his +erstwhile companions in arms, had never soiled his military +escutcheon by labor, nor had he ever risen to the +higher planes of criminality. Rather as a mediocre pick-pocket +and a timorous confidence man had he eked out +a meager existence, amply punctuated by seasons +of straight bumming and intervals spent as the guest of +various inhospitably hospitable states. Now, for the first +time in his life, The General faced the possibility of a +serious charge; and his terror made him what he never +before had been, a dangerous criminal.</p> + +<p>"You're a cheerful guy," commented Dopey Charlie; +"but you may be right at dat. Dey can't hang a guy any +higher fer two 'an they can fer one an' dat's no pipe; +so wots de use. Wait till I take a shot—it'll be easier," +and he drew a small, worn case from an inside pocket, +bared his arm to the elbow and injected enough morphine +to have killed a dozen normal men.</p> + +<p>From a pile of mouldy hay across the barn the youth, +heavy eyed but sleepless, watched the two through half +closed lids. A qualm of disgust sent a sudden shudder +through his slight frame. For the first time he almost regretted +having embarked upon a life of crime. He had +seen that the two men were conversing together earnestly, +though he could over-hear nothing they said, and +that he had been the subject of their nocturnal colloquy, +for several times a glance or a nod in his direction assured +him of this. And so he lay watching them—not +that he was afraid, he kept reassuring himself, but +through curiosity. Why should he be afraid? Was it not +a well known truth that there was honor among thieves?</p> + +<p>But the longer he watched the heavier grew his lids. +Several times they closed to be dragged open again only +by painful effort. Finally came a time that they remained +closed and the young chest rose and fell in the regular +breathing of slumber.</p> + +<p>The two ragged, rat-hearted creatures rose silently +and picked their way, half-crouched, among the sleepers +sprawled between them and The Oskaloosa Kid. In the +hand of Dopey Charlie gleamed a bit of shiny steel and +in his heart were fear and greed. The fear was engendered +by the belief that the youth might be an amateur +detective. Dopey Charlie had had one experience of +such and he knew that it was easily possible for them to +blunder upon evidence which the most experienced of +operatives might pass over unnoticed, and the loot bulging +pockets furnished a sufficient greed motive in themselves.</p> + +<p>Beside the boy kneeled the man with the knife. He +did not raise his hand and strike a sudden, haphazard +blow. Instead he placed the point carefully, though +lightly, above the victim's heart, and then, suddenly, bore +his weight upon the blade.</p> + +<p>Abigail Prim always had been a thorn in the flesh of her +stepmother—a well-meaning, unimaginative, ambitious, +and rather common woman. Coming into the Prim home +as house-keeper shortly after the death of Abigail's +mother, the second Mrs. Prim had from the first looked +upon Abigail principally as an obstacle to be overcome. +She had tried to 'do right by her'; but she had never +given the child what a child most needs and most +craves—love and understanding. Not loving Abigail, the +house-keeper could, naturally, not give her love; and as +for understanding her one might as reasonably have expected +an adding machine to understand higher mathematics.</p> + +<p>Jonas Prim loved his daughter. There was nothing, +within reason, that money could buy which he would +not have given her for the asking; but Jonas Prim's love, +as his life, was expressed in dollar signs, while the love +which Abigail craved is better expressed by any other +means at the command of man.</p> + +<p>Being misunderstood and, to all outward appearances +of sentiment and affection, unloved had not in any way +embittered Abigail's remarkably joyous temperament. +made up for it in some measure by getting all the fun +and excitement out of life which she could discover +therein, or invent through the medium of her own resourceful +imagination.</p> + +<p>But recently the first real sorrow had been thrust into +her young life since the half-forgotten mother had been +taken from her. The second Mrs. Prim had decided that +it was her 'duty' to see that Abigail, having finished +school and college, was properly married. As a matchmaker +the second Mrs. Prim was as a Texas steer in a +ten cent store. It was nothing to her that Abigail did +not wish to marry anyone, or that the man of Mrs. +Prim's choice, had he been the sole surviving male in +the Universe, would have still been as far from Abigail's +choice as though he had been an inhabitant of one of +Orion's most distant planets.</p> + +<p>As a matter of fact Abigail Prim detested Samuel +Benham because he represented to her everything in +life which she shrank from—age, avoirdupois, infirmity, +baldness, stupidity, and matrimony. He was a prosaic +old bachelor who had amassed a fortune by the simple +means of inheriting three farms upon which an industrial +city subsequently had been built. Necessity rather +than foresight had compelled him to hold on to his property; +and six weeks of typhoid, arriving and departing, +had saved him from selling out at a low figure. The first +time he found himself able to be out and attend to business +he likewise found himself a wealthy man, and ever +since he had been growing wealthier without personal +effort.</p> + +<p>All of which is to render evident just how impossible a +matrimonial proposition was Samuel Benham to a bright, +a beautiful, a gay, an imaginative, young, and a witty +girl such as Abigail Prim, who cared less for money than +for almost any other desirable thing in the world.</p> + +<p>Nagged, scolded, reproached, pestered, threatened, +Abigail had at last given a seeming assent to her stepmother's +ambition; and had forthwith been packed off +on a two weeks visit to the sister of the bride-groom +elect. After which Mr. Benham was to visit Oakdale as +a guest of the Prims, and at a dinner for which cards already +had been issued—so sure was Mrs. Jonas Prim of +her position of dictator of the Prim menage—the engagement +was to be announced.</p> + +<p>It was some time after dinner on the night of Abigail's +departure that Mrs. Prim, following a habit achieved by +years of housekeeping, set forth upon her rounds to see +that doors and windows were properly secured for the +night. A French window and its screen opening upon +the verandah from the library she found open. "The +house will be full of mosquitoes!" she ejaculated mentally +as she closed them both with a bang and made them +fast. "I should just like to know who left them open. +Upon my word, I don't know what would become of +this place if it wasn't for me. Of all the shiftlessness!" +and she turned and flounced upstairs. In Abigail's room +she flashed on the center dome light from force of habit, +although she knew that the room had been left in proper +condition after the girl's departure earlier in the day. +The first thing amiss that her eagle eye noted was the +candlestick lying on the floor beside the dressing table. +As she stooped to pick it up she saw the open drawer +from which the small automatic had been removed, and +then, suspicions, suddenly aroused, as suddenly became +fear; and Mrs. Prim almost dove across the room to the +hidden wall safe. A moment's investigation revealed the +startling fact that the safe was unlocked and practically +empty. It was then that Mrs. Jonas Prim screamed.</p> + +<p>Her scream brought Jonas and several servants upon +the scene. A careful inspection of the room disclosed the +fact that while much of value had been ignored the burglar +had taken the easily concealed contents of the wall +safe which represented fully ninety percentum of the +value of the personal property in Abigail Prim's apartments.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Prim scowled suspiciously upon the servants. +Who else, indeed, could have possessed the intimate +knowledge which the thief had displayed. Mrs. Prim +saw it all. The open library window had been but a +clever blind to hide the fact that the thief had worked +from the inside and was now doubtless in the house at +that very moment.</p> + +<p>"Jonas," she directed, "call the police at once, and see +that no one, absolutely no one, leaves this house until +they have been here and made a full investigation."</p> + +<p>"Shucks, Pudgy!" exclaimed Mr. Prim. "You don't think +the thief is waiting around here for the police, do you?"</p> + +<p>"I think that if you get the police here at once, Jonas, +we shall find both the thief and the loot under our very +roof," she replied, not without asperity.</p> + +<p>"You don't mean—" he hesitated. "Why, Pudgy, you +don't mean you suspect one of the servants?"</p> + +<p>"Who else could have known?" asked Mrs. Prim. The +servants present looked uncomfortable and cast sheepish +eyes of suspicion at one another.</p> + +<p>"It's all tommy rot!" ejaculated Mr. Prim; "but I'll call +the police, because I got to report the theft. It's some +slick outsider, that's who it is," and he started down +stairs toward the telephone. Before he reached it the bell +rang, and when he had hung up the receiver after the +conversation the theft seemed a trivial matter. In fact +he had almost forgotten it, for the message had been +from the local telegraph office relaying a wire they had +just received from Mr. Samuel Benham.</p> + +<p>"I say, Pudgy," he cried, as he took the steps two at +a time for the second floor, "here's a wire from Benham +saying Gail didn't come on that train and asking when +he's to expect her."</p> + +<p>"Impossible!" ejaculated Mrs. Prim. "I certainly saw +her aboard the train myself. Impossible!"</p> + +<p>Jonas Prim was a man of action. Within half an hour +he had set in motion such wheels as money and influence +may cause to revolve in search of some clew to the +whereabouts of the missing Abigail, and at the same +time had reported the theft of jewels and money from +his home; but in doing this he had learned that other +happenings no less remarkable in their way had taken +place in Oakdale that very night.</p> + +<p>The following morning all Oakdale was thrilled as its +fascinated eves devoured the front page of Oakdale's ordinarily +dull daily. Never had Oakdale experienced a +plethora of home-grown thrills; but it came as near to +it that morning, doubtless, as it ever had or ever will. +Not since the cashier of The Merchants and Farmers +Bank committed suicide three years past had Oakdale +been so wrought up, and now that historic and classical +event paled into insignificance in the glaring brilliancy +of a series of crimes and mysteries of a single night such +as not even the most sanguine of Oakdale's thrill lovers +could have hoped for.</p> + +<p>There was, first, the mysterious disappearance of Abigail +Prim, the only daughter of Oakdale's wealthiest citizen; +there was the equally mysterious robbery of the +Prim home. Either one of these would have been sufficient +to have set Oakdale's multitudinous tongues wagging +for days; but they were not all. Old John Baggs, the +city's best known miser, had suffered a murderous assault +in his little cottage upon the outskirts of town, +and was even now lying at the point of death in The +Samaritan Hospital. That robbery had been the motive +was amply indicated by the topsy-turvy condition of the +contents of the three rooms which Baggs called home. +As the victim still was unconscious no details of the +crime were obtainable. Yet even this atrocious deed had +been capped by one yet more hideous.</p> + +<p>Reginald Paynter had for years been looked upon +half askance and yet with a certain secret pride by Oakdale. +He was her sole bon vivant in the true sense of +the word, whatever that may be. He was always spoken +of in the columns of The Oakdale Tribune as 'that well +known man-about-town,' or 'one of Oakdale's most prominent +clubmen.' Reginald Paynter had been, if not the +only, at all events the best dressed man in town. His +clothes were made in New York. This in itself had been +sufficient to have set him apart from all the other males +of Oakdale. He was widely travelled, had an independent +fortune, and was far from unhandsome. For years +he had been the hope and despair of every Oakdale +mother with marriageable daughters. The Oakdale +fathers, however, had not been so keen about Reginald. +Men usually know more about the morals of men than +do women. There were those who, if pressed, would +have conceded that Reginald had no morals.</p> + +<p>But what place has an obituary in a truthful tale of +adventure and mystery! Reginald Paynter was dead. His +body had been found beside the road just outside the +city limits at mid-night by a party of automobilists returning +from a fishing trip. The skull was crushed back +of the left ear. The position of the body as well as the +marks in the road beside it indicated that the man had +been hurled from a rapidly moving automobile. The fact +that his pockets had been rifled led to the assumption +that he had been killed and robbed before being dumped +upon the road.</p> + +<p>Now there were those in Oakdale, and they were +many, who endeavored to connect in some way these +several events of horror, mystery, and crime. In the first +place it seemed quite evident that the robbery at the +Prim home, the assault upon Old Baggs, and the murder +of Paynter had been the work of the same man; but +how could such a series of frightful happenings be in any +way connected with the disappearance of Abigail Prim? +Of course there were many who knew that Abigail and +Reginald were old friends; and that the former had, on +frequent occasions, ridden abroad in Reginald's French +roadster, that he had escorted her to parties and been, +at various times, a caller at her home; but no less had +been true of a dozen other perfectly respectable young +ladies of Oakdale. Possibly it was only Abigail's added +misfortune to have disappeared upon the eve of the +night of Reginald's murder.</p> + +<p>But later in the day when word came from a nearby +town that Reginald had been seen in a strange touring +car with two unknown men and a girl, the gossips commenced +to wag their heads. It was mentioned, casually +of course, that this town was a few stations along the +very road upon which Abigail had departed the previous +afternoon for that destination which she had not reached. +It was likewise remarked that Reginald, the two strange +men and the GIRL had been first noticed after the time of +arrival of the Oakdale train! What more was needed? +Absolutely nothing more. The tongues ceased wagging +in order that they might turn hand-springs.</p> + +<p>Find Abigail Prim, whispered some, and the mystery +will be solved. There were others charitable enough to +assume that Abigail had been kidnapped by the same +men who had murdered Paynter and wrought the other +lesser deeds of crime in peaceful Oakdale. The Oakdale +Tribune got out an extra that afternoon giving a resume +of such evidence as had appeared in the regular edition +and hinting at all the numerous possibilities suggested +by such matter as had come to hand since. Even fear +of old Jonas Prim and his millions had not been enough +to entirely squelch the newspaper instinct of the Tribune's +editor. Never before had he had such an opportunity +and he made the best of it, even repeating the +vague surmises which had linked the name of Abigail +to the murder of Reginald Paynter.</p> + +<p>Jonas Prim was too busy and too worried to pay any +attention to the Tribune or its editor. He already had +the best operative that the best detective agency in the +nearest metropolis could furnish. The man had come to +Oakdale, learned all that was to be learned there, and +forthwith departed.</p> + +<p>This, then, will be about all concerning Oakdale for +the present. We must leave her to bury her own dead.</p> + +<p>The sudden pressure of the knife point against the +breast of the Oskaloosa Kid awakened the youth with +a startling suddenness which brought him to his feet before +a second vicious thrust reached him. For a time he +did not realize how close he had been to death or that +he had been saved by the chance location of the automatic +pistol in his breast pocket—the very pistol he had +taken from the dressing table of Abigail Prim's boudoir.</p> + +<p>The commotion of the attack and escape brought the +other sleepers to heavy-eyed wakefulness. They saw +Dopey Charlie advancing upon the Kid, a knife in his +hand. Behind him slunk The General, urging the other +on. The youth was backing toward the doorway. The +tableau persisted but for an instant. Then the would-be +murderer rushed madly upon his victim, the latter's +hand leaped from beneath the breast of his torn coat—there +was a flash of flame, a staccato report and Dopey +Charlie crumpled to the ground, screaming. In the same +instant The Oskaloosa Kid wheeled and vanished into +the night.</p> + +<p>It had all happened so quickly that the other members +of the gang, awakened from deep slumber, had only +time to stumble to their feet before it was over. The +Sky Pilot, ignoring the screaming Charlie, thought only +of the loot which had vanished with the Oskaloosa Kid.</p> + +<p>"Come on! We gotta get him," he cried, as he ran +from the barn after the fugitive. The others, all but +Dopey Charlie, followed in the wake of their leader. +The wounded man, his audience departed, ceased +screaming and, sitting up, fell to examining himself. To +his surprise he discovered that he was not dead. A further +and more minute examination disclosed the additional +fact that he was not even badly wounded. The +bullet of The Kid had merely creased the flesh over +the ribs beneath his right arm. With a grunt that might +have been either disgust or relief he stumbled to his +feet and joined in the pursuit.</p> + +<p>Down the road toward the south ran The Oskaloosa +Kid with all the fleetness of youth spurred on by terror. +In five minutes he had so far outdistanced his pursuers +that The Sky Pilot leaped to the conclusion that the +quarry had left the road to hide in an adjoining field. +The resultant halt and search upon either side of the +road delayed the chase to a sufficient extent to award +the fugitive a mile lead by the time the band resumed +the hunt along the main highway. The men were determined +to overhaul the youth not alone because of +the loot upon his person but through an abiding suspicion +that he might indeed be what some of them feared +he was—an amateur detective—and there were at least +two among them who had reason to be especially fearful +of any sort of detective from Oakdale.</p> + +<p>They no longer ran; but puffed arduously along the +smooth road, searching with troubled and angry eyes to +right and left and ahead of them as they went.</p> + +<p>The Oskaloosa Kid puffed, too; but he puffed a mile +away from the searchers and he walked more rapidly +than they, for his muscles were younger and his wind +unimpaired by dissipation. For a time he carried the +small automatic in his hand; but later, hearing no evidence +of pursuit, he returned it to the pocket in his coat +where it had lain when it had saved him from death beneath +the blade of the degenerate Charlie.</p> + +<p>For an hour he continued walking rapidly along the +winding country road. He was very tired; but he dared +not pause to rest. Always behind him he expected the +sudden onslaught of the bearded, blear-eyed followers +of The Sky Pilot. Terror goaded him to supreme physical +effort. Recollection of the screaming man sinking to the +earthen floor of the hay barn haunted him. He was a +murderer! He had slain a fellow man. He winced and +shuddered, increasing his gait until again he almost ran +—ran from the ghost pursuing him through the black +night in greater terror than he felt for the flesh and +blood pursuers upon his heels.</p> + +<p>And Nature drew upon her sinister forces to add to +the fear which the youth already felt. Black clouds obscured +the moon blotting out the soft kindliness of the +greening fields and transforming the budding branches +of the trees to menacing and gloomy arms which appeared +to hover with clawlike talons above the dark and +forbidding road. The wind soughed with gloomy and increasing +menace, a sudden light flared across the southern +sky followed by the reverberation of distant thunder.</p> + +<p>Presently a great rain drop was blown against the +youth's face; the vividness of the lightning had increased; +the rumbling of the thunder had grown to the proportions +of a titanic bombardment; but he dared not pause +to seek shelter.</p> + +<p>Another flash of lightning revealed a fork in the road +immediately ahead—to the left ran the broad, smooth +highway, to the right a dirt road, overarched by trees, +led away into the impenetrable dark.</p> + +<p>The fugitive paused, undecided. Which way should +he turn? The better travelled highway seemed less mysterious +and awesome, yet would his pursuers not naturally +assume that he had followed it? Then, of course, +the right hand road was the road for him. Yet still he +hesitated, for the right hand road was black and forbidding; +suggesting the entrance to a pit of unknown horrors.</p> + +<p>As he stood there with the rain and the wind, the +thunder and the lightning, horror of the past and terror +of the future his only companions there broke suddenly +through the storm the voice of a man just ahead and +evidently approaching along the highway.</p> + +<p>The youth turned to flee; but the thought of the men +tracking him from that direction brought him to a sudden +halt. There was only the road to the right, then, +after all. Cautiously he moved toward it, and at the +same time the words of the voice came clearly through +the night:</p> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> + <div>"'. . . as, swinging heel and toe,</div> + <div>'We tramped the road to Anywhere, the magic road to Anywhere,</div> + <div>'The tragic road to Anywhere, such dear, dim years ago.'"</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p>The voice seemed reassuring—its quality and the annunciation +of the words bespoke for its owner considerable +claim to refinement. The youth had halted again, +but he now crouched to one side fearing to reveal his +presence because of the bloody crime he thought he had +committed; yet how he yearned to throw himself upon +the compassion of this fine voiced stranger! How his +every fibre cried out for companionship in this night of +his greatest terror; but he would have let the invisible +minstrel pass had not Fate ordained to light the scene +at that particular instant with a prolonged flare of +sheet lightning, revealing the two wayfarers to one another.</p> + +<p>The youth saw a slight though well built man in +ragged clothes and disreputable soft hat. The image was +photographed upon his brain for life—the honest, laughing +eyes, the well moulded features harmonizing so well +with the voice, and the impossible garments which +marked the man hobo and bum as plainly as though he +wore a placard suspended from his neck.</p> + +<p>The stranger halted. Once more darkness enveloped +them. "Lovely evening for a stroll," remarked the man. +"Running out to your country place? Isn't there danger +of skidding on these wet roads at night? I told James, +just before we started, to be sure to see that the chains +were on all around; but he forgot them. James is very +trying sometimes. Now he never showed up this evening +and I had to start out alone, and he knows perfectly +well that I detest driving after dark in the rain."</p> + +<p>The youth found himself smiling. His fear had suddenly +vanished. No one could harbor suspicion of the +owner of that cheerful voice.</p> + +<p>"I didn't know which road to take," he ventured, in +explanation of his presence at the cross road.</p> + +<p>"Oh," exclaimed the man, "are there two roads here? +I was looking for this fork and came near passing it in +the dark. It was a year ago since I came this way; but I +recall a deserted house about a mile up the dirt road. It +will shelter us from the inclemencies of the weather."</p> + +<p>"Oh!" cried the youth. "Now I know where I am. In +the dark and the storm and after all that has happened +to me tonight nothing seemed natural. It was just as +though I was in some strange land; but I know now. +Yes, there is a deserted house a little less than a mile +from here; but you wouldn't want to stop there at night. +They tell some frightful stories about it. It hasn't been +occupied for over twenty years—not since the Squibbs +were found murdered there—the father, mother three +sons, and a daughter. They never discovered the murderer, +and the house has stood vacant and the farm unworked +almost continuously since. A couple of men tried +working it; but they didn't stay long. A night or so was +enough for them and their families. I remember hearing +as a little—er—child stories of the frightful things +that happened there in the house where the Squibbs +were murdered—things that happened after dark when +the lights were out. Oh, I wouldn't even pass that place +on a night like this."</p> + +<p>The man smiled. "I slept there alone one rainy night +about a year ago," he said. "I didn't see or hear anything +unusual. Such stories are ridiculous; and even if +there was a little truth in them, noises can't harm you as +much as sleeping out in the storm. I'm going to encroach +once more upon the ghostly hospitality of the +Squibbs. Better come with me."</p> + +<p>The youth shuddered and drew back. From far behind +came faintly the shout of a man.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I'll go," exclaimed the boy. "Let's hurry," and he +started off at a half-run toward the dirt road.</p> + +<p>The man followed more slowly. The darkness hid the +quizzical expression of his eyes. He, too, had heard the +faint shout far to the rear. He recalled the boy's "after +all that has happened to me tonight," and he shrewdly +guessed that the latter's sudden determination to brave +the horrors of the haunted house was closely connected +with the hoarse voice out of the distance.</p> + +<p>When he had finally come abreast of the youth after +the latter, his first panic of flight subsided, had reduced +his speed, he spoke to him in his kindly tones.</p> + +<p>"What was it that happened to you to-night?" he +asked. "Is someone following you? You needn't be afraid +of me. I'll help you if you've been on the square. If +you haven't, you still needn't fear me, for I won't peach +on you. What is it? Tell me."</p> + +<p>The youth was on the point of unburdening his soul +to this stranger with the kindly voice and the honest +eyes; but a sudden fear stayed his tongue. If he told all +it would be necessary to reveal certain details that he +could not bring himself to reveal to anyone, and so he +commenced with his introduction to the wayfarers in the +deserted hay barn. Briefly he told of the attack upon +him, of his shooting of Dopey Charlie, of the flight and +pursuit. "And now," he said in conclusion, "that you +know I'm a murderer I suppose you won't have any +more to do with me, unless you turn me over to the +authorities to hang." There was almost a sob in his voice, +so real was his terror.</p> + +<p>The man threw an arm across his companion's shoulder. +"Don't worry, kid," he said. "You're not a murderer +even if you did kill Dopey Charlie, which I hope you +did. You're a benefactor of the human race. I have known +Charles for years. He should have been killed long since. +Furthermore, as you shot in self defence no jury would +convict you. I fear, however, that you didn't kill him. +You say you could hear his screams as long as you were +within earshot of the barn—dead men don't scream, you +know."</p> + +<p>"How did you know my name?" asked the youth. </p> + +<p>"I don't," replied the man.</p> + +<p>"But you called me 'Kid' and that's my name—I'm +The Oskaloosa Kid."</p> + +<p>The man was glad that the darkness hid his smile of +amusement. He knew The Oskaloosa Kid well, and he +knew him as an ex-pug with a pock marked face, a bullet +head, and a tin ear. The flash of lightning had revealed, +upon the contrary, a slender boy with smooth +skin, an oval face, and large dark eyes.</p> + +<p>"Ah," he said, "so you are The Oskaloosa Kid! I am +delighted, sir, to make your acquaintance. Permit me +to introduce myself: my name is Bridge. If James were +here I should ask him to mix one of his famous cocktails +that we might drink to our mutual happiness and +the longevity of our friendship."</p> + +<p>"I am glad to know you, Mr. Bridge," said the youth. +"Oh, I can't tell you how glad I am to know you. I was +so lonely and so afraid," and he pressed closer to the +older man whose arm still encircled his shoulder, though +at first he had been inclined to draw away in some confusion.</p> + +<p>Talking together the two moved on along the dark +road. The storm had settled now into a steady rain +with infrequent flashes of lightning and peals of thunder. +There had been no further indications of pursuit; +but Bridge argued that The Sky Pilot, being wise with +the wisdom of the owl and cunning with the cunning of +the fox, would doubtless surmise that a fugitive would +take to the first road leading away from the main artery, +and that even though they heard nothing it would be +safe to assume that the gang was still upon the boy's +trail. "And it's a bad bunch, too," he continued. "I've +known them all for years. The Sky Pilot has the reputation +of never countenancing a murder; but that is because +he is a sly one. His gang kills; but when they kill +under The Sky Pilot they do it so cleverly that no trace +of the crime remains. Their victim disappears—that is +all."</p> + +<p>The boy trembled. "You won't let them get me?" he +pleaded, pressing closer to the man. The only response +was a pressure of the arm about the shoulders of The +Oskaloosa Kid.</p> + +<p>Over a low hill they followed the muddy road and +down into a dark and gloomy ravine. In a little open +space to the right of the road a flash of lightning revealed +the outlines of a building a hundred yards from +the rickety and decaying fence which bordered the +Squibbs' farm and separated it from the road.</p> + +<p>"Here we are!" cried Bridge, "and spooks or no spooks +we'll find a dry spot in that old ruin. There was a stove +there last year and it's doubtless there yet. A good fire +to dry our clothes and warm us up will fit us for a bully +good sleep, and I'll wager a silk hat that The Oskaloosa +Kid is a mighty sleepy kid, eh?"</p> + +<p>The boy admitted the allegation and the two turned +in through the gateway, stepping over the fallen gate +and moving through knee high weeds toward the forbidding +structure in the distance. A clump of trees surrounded +the house, their shade adding to the almost utter +blackness of the night.</p> + +<p>The two had reached the verandah when Bridge, +turning, saw a brilliant light flaring through the night +above the crest of the hill they had just topped in their +descent into the ravine, or, to be more explicit, the small +valley, where stood the crumbling house of Squibbs. The +purr of a rapidly moving motor rose above the rain, the +light rose, fell, swerved to the right and to the left.</p> + +<p>"Someone must be in a hurry," commented Bridge.</p> + +<p>"I suppose it is James, anxious to find you and explain +his absence," suggested The Oskaloosa Kid. They +both laughed.</p> + +<p>"Gad!" cried Bridge, as the car topped the hill and +plunged downward toward them, "I'd hate to ride behind +that fellow on a night like this, and over a dirt +road at that!"</p> + +<p>As the car swung onto the straight road before the +house a flash of lightning revealed dimly the outlines of +a rapidly moving touring car with lowered top. Just as +the machine came opposite the Squibbs' gate a woman's +scream mingled with the report of a pistol from the tonneau +and the watchers upon the verandah saw a dark +bulk hurled from the car, which sped on with undiminished +speed, climbed the hill beyond and disappeared +from view.</p> + +<p>Bridge started on a run toward the gateway, followed +by the frightened Kid. In the ditch beside the road they +found in a dishevelled heap the body of a young woman. +The man lifted the still form in his arms. The youth +wondered at the great strength of the slight figure. "Let +me help you carry her," he volunteered; but Bridge +needed no assistance. "Run ahead and open the door for +me," he said, as he bore his burden toward the house.</p> + +<p>Forgetful, in the excitement of the moment, of his +terror of the horror ridden ruin, The Oskaloosa Kid hastened +ahead, mounted the few steps to the verandah, +crossed it and pushed open the sagging door. Behind +him came Bridge as the youth entered the dark interior. +A half dozen steps he took when his foot struck against +a soft and yielding mass. Stumbling, he tried to regain +his equilibrium only to drop full upon the thing beneath +him. One open palm, extended to ease his fall, +fell upon the upturned features of a cold and clammy +face. With a shriek of horror The Kid leaped to his feet +and shrank, trembling, back.</p> + +<p>"What is it? What's the matter?" cried Bridge, with +whom The Kid had collided in his precipitate retreat.</p> + +<p>"O-o-o!" groaned The Kid, shuddering. "It's dead! It's +dead!"</p> + +<p>"What's dead?" demanded Bridge.</p> + +<p>"There's a dead man on the floor, right ahead of us," +moaned The Kid.</p> + +<p>"You'll find a flash lamp in the right hand pocket of my +coat," directed Bridge. "Take it and make a light."</p> + +<p>With trembling fingers the Kid did as he was bid, +and when after much fumbling he found the button a +slim shaft of white light, fell downward upon the upturned +face of a man cold in death—a little man, +strangely garbed, with gold rings in his ears, and long +black hair matted in the death sweat of his brow. His +eyes were wide and, even in death, terror filled, his features +were distorted with fear and horror. His fingers, +clenched in the rigidity of death, clutched wisps of +dark brown hair. There were no indications of a wound +or other violence upon his body, that either the Kid or +Bridge could see, except the dried remains of bloody +froth which flecked his lips.</p> + +<p>Bridge still stood holding the quiet form of the girl +in his arms, while The Kid, pressed close to the man's +side, clutched one arm with a fierce intensity which bespoke +at once the nervous terror which filled him and +the reliance he placed upon his new found friend.</p> + +<p>To their right, in the faint light of the flash lamp, a +narrow stairway was revealed leading to the second +story. Straight ahead was a door opening upon the blackness +of a rear apartment. Beside the foot of the stairway +was another door leading to the cellar steps.</p> + +<p>Bridge nodded toward the rear room. "The stove is +in there," he said. "We'd better go on and make a fire. +Draw your pistol—whoever did this has probably beat +it; but it's just as well to be on the safe side."</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid," said The Oskaloosa Kid. "Let's leave +this frightful place. It's just as I told you it was; just as I +always heard."</p> + +<p>"We can't leave this woman, my boy," replied Bridge. +"She isn't dead. We can't leave her, and we can't take +her out into the storm in her condition. We must stay. +Come! buck up. There's nothing to fear from a dead +man, and—"</p> + +<p>He never finished the sentence. From the depths of +the cellar came the sound of a clanking chain. Something +scratched heavily upon the wooden steps. Whatever +it was it was evidently ascending, while behind it +clanked the heavy links of a dragged chain.</p> + +<p>The Oskaloosa Kid cast a wide eyed glance of terror +at Bridge. His lips moved in an attempt to speak; but +fear rendered him inarticulate. Slowly, ponderously the +THING ascended the dark stairs from the gloom ridden +cellar of the deserted ruin. Even Bridge paled a trifle. +The man upon the floor appeared to have met an unnatural +death—the frightful expression frozen upon the +dead face might even indicate something verging upon +the supernatural. The sound of the THING climbing +out of the cellar was indeed uncanny—so uncanny that +Bridge discovered himself looking about for some means +of escape. His eyes fell upon the stairway leading to the +second floor.</p> + +<p>"Quick!" he whispered. "Up the stairs! You go first; +I'll follow."</p> + +<p>The Kid needed no second invitation. With a bound +he was half way up the rickety staircase; but a glance +ahead at the darkness above gave him pause while he +waited for Bridge to catch up with him. Coming more +slowly with his burden the man followed the boy, while +from below the clanking of the chain warned them that +the THING was already at the top of the cellar stairs.</p> + +<p>"Flash the lamp down there," directed Bridge. "Let's +have a look at it, whatever it is."</p> + +<p>With trembling hands The Oskaloosa Kid directed the +lens over the edge of the swaying and rotting bannister, +his finger slipped from the lighting button plunging +them all into darkness. In his frantic effort to find the +button and relight the lamp the worst occurred—he fumbled +the button and the lamp slipped through his fingers, +falling over the bannister to the floor below. Instantly +the sound of the dragging chain ceased; but the +silence was even more horrible than the noise which had +preceded it.</p> + +<p>For a long minute the two at the head of the stairs +stood in tense silence listening for a repetition of the +gruesome sounds from below. The youth was frankly +terrified; he made no effort to conceal the fact; but +pressed close to his companion, again clutching his arm +tightly. Bridge could feel the trembling of the slight figure, +the spasmodic gripping of the slender fingers and +hear the quick, short, irregular breathing. A sudden impulse +to throw a protecting arm about the boy seized +him—an impulse which he could not quite fathom, and +one to which he could not respond because of the body +of the girl he carried.</p> + +<p>He bent toward the youth. "There are matches in my +coat pocket," he whispered, "—the same pocket in which +you found the flash lamp. Strike one and we'll look for a +room here where we can lay the girl."</p> + +<p>The boy fumbled gropingly in search of the matches. +It was evident to the man that it was only with the +greatest exertion of will power that he controlled his +muscles at all; but at last he succeeded in finding and +striking one. At the flare of the light there was a sound +from below—a scratching sound and the creaking of +boards as beneath a heavy body; then came the clanking +of the chain once more, and the bannister against +which they leaned shook as though a hand had been +laid upon it below them. The youth stifled a shriek and +simultaneously the match went out; but not before +Bridge had seen in the momentary flare of light a partially +open door at the far end of the hall in which they +stood.</p> + +<p>Beneath them the stairs creaked now and the chain +thumped slowly from one to another as it was dragged +upward toward them.</p> + +<p>"Quick!" called Bridge. "Straight down the hall and +into the room at the end." The man was puzzled. He +could not have been said to have been actually afraid, +and yet the terror of the boy was so intense, so real, that +it could scarce but have had its suggestive effect upon +the other; and, too, there was an uncanny element of +the supernatural in what they had seen and heard in +the deserted house—the dead man on the floor below, the +inexplicable clanking of a chain by some unseen THING +from the depth of the cellar upward toward them; and, +to heighten the effect of these, there were the grim stories +of unsolved tragedy and crime. All in all Bridge +could not have denied that he was glad of the room at +the end of the hall with its suggestion of safety in the +door which might be closed against the horrors of the +hall and the Stygian gloom below stairs.</p> + +<p>The Oskaloosa Kid was staggering ahead of him, +scarce able to hold his body erect upon his shaking +knees—his gait seemed pitifully slow to the unarmed +man carrying the unconscious girl and listening to the +chain dragging ever nearer and nearer behind; but at +last they reached the doorway and passed through it +into the room.</p> + +<p>"Close the door," directed Bridge as he crossed toward +the center of the room to lay his burden upon the floor, +but there was no response to his instructions—only a gasp +and the sound of a body slumping to the rotting boards. +With an exclamation of chagrin the man dropped the +girl and swung quickly toward the door. Halfway down +the hall he could hear the chain rattling over loose planking, +the THING, whatever it might be, was close upon +them. Bridge slammed-to the door and with a shoulder +against it drew a match from his pocket and lighted it. +Although his clothing was soggy with rain he knew that +his matches would still be dry, for this pocket and its +flap he had ingeniously lined with waterproof material +from a discarded slicker he had found—years of tramping +having taught him the discomforts of a fireless camp.</p> + +<p>In the resultant light the man saw with a quick glance +a large room furnished with an old walnut bed, dresser, +and commode; two lightless windows opened at the far +end toward the road, Bridge assumed; and there was +no door other than that against which he leaned. In +the last flicker of the match the man scanned the door +itself for a lock and, to his relief, discovered a bolt—old +and rusty it was, but it still moved in its sleeve. An instant +later it was shot—just as the sound of the dragging +chain ceased outside. Near the door was the great bed, +and this Bridge dragged before it as an additional barricade; +then, bearing nothing more from the hallway, +he turned his attention to the two unconscious forms upon +the floor. Unhesitatingly he went to the boy first +though had he questioned himself he could not have told +why; for the youth, undoubtedly, had only swooned, +while the girl had been the victim of a murderous assault +and might even be at the point of death.</p> + +<p>What was the appeal to the man in the pseudo Oskaloosa +Kid? He had scarce seen the boy's face, yet the +terrified figure had aroused within him, strongly, the +protective instinct. Doubtless it was the call of youth +and weakness which find, always, an answering assurance +in the strength of a strong man.</p> + +<p>As Bridge groped toward the spot where the boy had +fallen his eyes, now become accustomed to the darkness +of the room, saw that the youth was sitting up. +"Well?" he asked. "Feeling better?"</p> + +<p>"Where is it? Oh, God! Where is it?" cried the boy. +"It will come in here and kill us as it killed that—that—down +stairs."</p> + +<p>"It can't get in," Bridge assured him. "I've locked the +door and pushed the bed in front of it. Gad! I feel like +an old maid looking under the bed for burglars."</p> + +<p>From the hall came a sudden clanking of the chain +accompanied by a loud pounding upon the bare floor. +With a scream the youth leaped to his feet and almost +threw himself upon Bridge. His arms were about the +man's neck, his face buried in his shoulder.</p> + +<p>"Oh, don't—don't let it get me!" he cried.</p> + +<p>"Brace up, son," Bridge admonished him. "Didn't I +tell you that it can't get in?"</p> + +<p>"How do you know it can't get in?" whimpered the +youth. "It's the thing that murdered the man down stairs—it's +the thing that murdered the Squibbs—right here in +this room. It got in to them—what is to prevent its getting +in to us. What are doors to such a THING?"</p> + +<p>"Come! come! now," Bridge tried to soothe him. "You +have a case of nerves. Lie down here on this bed and +try to sleep. Nothing shall harm you, and when you +wake up it will be morning and you'll laugh at your +fears."</p> + +<p>"Lie on THAT bed!" The voice was almost a shriek. +"That is the bed the Squibbs were murdered in—the +old man and his wife. No one would have it, and so it +has remained here all these years. I would rather die +than touch the thing. Their blood is still upon it."</p> + +<p>"I wish," said Bridge a trifle sternly, "that you would +try to control yourself a bit. Hysteria won't help us any. +Here we are, and we've to make the best of it. Besides +we must look after this young woman—she may be dying, +and we haven't done a thing to help her."</p> + +<p>The boy, evidently shamed, released his hold upon +Bridge and moved away. "I am sorry," he said. "I'll +try to do better; but, Oh! I was so frightened. You cannot +imagine how frightened I was."</p> + +<p>"I had imagined," said Bridge, "from what I had +heard of him that it would be a rather difficult thing to +frighten The Oskaloosa Kid—you have, you know, rather +a reputation for fearlessness."</p> + +<p>The darkness hid the scarlet flush which mantled +The Kid's face. There was a moment's silence as Bridge +crossed to where the young woman still lay upon the +floor where he had deposited her. Then The Kid spoke. +"I'm sorry," he said, "that I made a fool of myself. You +have been so brave, and I have not helped at all. I +shall do better now."</p> + +<p>"Good," said Bridge, and stooped to raise the young +woman in his arms and deposit her upon the bed. +Then he struck another match and leaned close to examine +her. The flare of the sulphur illuminated the room +and shot two rectangles of light against the outer blackness +where the unglazed windows stared vacantly upon +the road beyond, bringing to a sudden halt a little company +of muddy and bedraggled men who slipped, cursing, +along the slimy way.</p> + +<p>Bridge felt the youth close beside him as he bent +above the girl upon the bed.</p> + +<p>"Is she dead?" the lad whispered.</p> + +<p>"No," replied Bridge, "and I doubt if she's badly +hurt." His hands ran quickly over her limbs, bending and +twisting them gently; he unbuttoned her waist, getting +the boy to strike and hold another match while he examined +the victim for signs of a bullet wound.</p> + +<p>"I can't find a scratch on her," he said at last. "She's +suffering from shock alone, as far as I can judge. Say, +she's pretty, isn't she?"</p> + +<p>The youth drew himself rather stiffly erect. "Her features +are rather coarse, I think," he replied. There was a +peculiar quality to the tone which caused Bridge to turn +a quick look at the boy's face, just as the match flickered +and went out. The darkness hid the expression +upon Bridge's face, but his conviction that the girl was +pretty was unaltered. The light of the match had revealed +an oval face surrounded by dark, dishevelled +tresses, red, full lips, and large, dark eyes.</p> + +<p>Further discussion of the young woman was discouraged +by a repetition of the clanking of the chain without. + Now it was receding along the hallway toward +the stairs and presently, to the infinite relief of The Oskaloosa +Kid, the two heard it descending to the lower +floor.</p> + +<p>"What was it, do you think?" asked the boy, his voice +still trembling upon the verge of hysteria.</p> + +<p>"I don't know," replied Bridge. "I've never been a believer +in ghosts and I'm not now; but I'll admit that it +takes a whole lot of—"</p> + +<p>He did not finish the sentence for a moan from the +bed diverted his attention to the injured girl, toward +whom he now turned. As they listened for a repetition +of the sound there came another—that of the creaking of +the old bed slats as the girl moved upon the mildewed +mattress. Dimly, through the darkness, Bridge saw that +the victim of the recent murderous assault was attempting +to sit up. He moved closer and leaned above her.</p> + +<p>"I wouldn't exert myself," he said. "You've just suffered +an accident, and it's better that you remain quiet."</p> + +<p>"Who are you?" asked the girl, a note of suppressed +terror in her voice. "You are not—?"</p> + +<p>"I am no one you know," replied Bridge. "My friend +and I chanced to be near when you fell from the car—" +with that innate refinement which always belied his vocation +and his rags Bridge chose not to embarrass the +girl by a too intimate knowledge of the thing which +had befallen her, preferring to leave to her own volition +the making of any explanation she saw fit, or of none—"and +we carried you in here out of the storm."</p> + +<p>The girl was silent for a moment. "Where is 'here'?" +she asked presently. "They drove so fast and it was so +dark that I had no idea where we were, though I know +that we left the turnpike."</p> + +<p>"We are at the old Squibbs place," replied the man. +He could see that the girl was running one hand gingerly +over her head and face, so that her next question +did not surprise him.</p> + +<p>"Am I badly wounded?" she asked. "Do you think that +I am going to die?" The tremor in her voice was pathetic +—it was the voice of a frightened and wondering child. +Bridge heard the boy behind him move impulsively forward +and saw him kneel on the bed beside the girl.</p> + +<p>"You are not badly hurt," volunteered The Oskaloosa +Kid. "Bridge couldn't find a mark on you—the bullet +must have missed you."</p> + +<p>"He was holding me over the edge of the car when +he fired." The girl's voice reflected the physical shudder +which ran through her frame at the recollection. "Then +he threw me out almost simultaneously. I suppose he +thought that he could not miss at such close range." +For a time she was silent again, sitting stiffly erect. +Bridge could feel rather than see wide, tense eyes staring +out through the darkness upon scenes, horrible perhaps, +that were invisible to him and the Kid.</p> + +<p>Suddenly the girl turned and threw herself face downward +upon the bed. "O, God!" she moaned. "Father! +Father! It will kill you—no one will believe me—they +will think that I am bad. I didn't do it! I didn't do it! +I've been a silly little fool; but I have never been a bad +girl—and—-and—I had nothing to do with that awful +thing that happened to-night."</p> + +<p>Bridge and the boy realized that she was not talking +to them—that for the moment she had lost sight of their +presence—she was talking to that father whose heart +would be breaking with the breaking of the new day, +trying to convince him that his little girl had done no +wrong.</p> + +<p>Again she sat up, and when she spoke there was no +tremor in her voice.</p> + +<p>"I may die," she said. "I want to die. I do not see how +I can go on living after last night; but if I do die I want +my father to know that I had nothing to do with it and +that they tried to kill me because I wouldn't promise to +keep still. It was the little one who murdered him—the +one they called 'Jimmie' and 'The Oskaloosa Kid.' The +big one drove the car—his name was 'Terry.' After they +killed him I tried to jump out—I had been sitting in +front with Terry—and then they dragged me over into +the tonneau and later—the Oskaloosa Kid tried to kill me +too, and threw me out."</p> + +<p>Bridge heard the boy at his side gulp. The girl went +on.</p> + +<p>"To-morrow you will know about the murder—everyone +will know about it; and I will be missed; and there +will be people who saw me in the car with them, for +someone must have seen me. Oh, I can't face it! I want +to die. I will die! I come of a good family. My father is +a prominent man. I can't go back and stand the disgrace +and see him suffer, as he will suffer, for I was all +he had—his only child. I can't bear to tell you my name +—you will know it soon enough—but please find some +way to let my father know all that I have told you—I +swear that it is the truth—by the memory of my dead +mother, I swear it!"</p> + +<p>Bridge laid a hand upon the girl's shoulder. "If you +are telling us the truth," he said, "you have only a silly +escapade with strange men upon your conscience. You +must not talk of dying now—your duty is to your father. +If you take your own life it will be a tacit admission of +guilt and will only serve to double the burden of sorrow +and ignominy which your father is bound to feel when +this thing becomes public, as it certainly must if a murder +has been done. The only way in which you can +atone for your error is to go back and face the consequences +with him—do not throw it all upon him; that +would be cowardly."</p> + +<p>The girl did not reply; but that the man's words had +impressed her seemed evident. For a while each was +occupied with his own thoughts; which were presently +disturbed by the sound of footsteps upon the floor below—the +muffled scraping of many feet followed a moment +later by an exclamation and an oath, the words +coming distinctly through the loose and splintered flooring.</p> + +<p>"Pipe the stiff," exclaimed a voice which The Oskaloosa +Kid recognized immediately as that of Soup Face. </p> + +<p>"The Kid musta croaked him," said another.</p> + +<p>A laugh followed this evidently witty sally.</p> + +<p>"The guy probably lamped the swag an' died of heart +failure," suggested another.</p> + +<p>The men were still laughing when the sound of a +clanking chain echoed dismally from the cellar. Instantly +silence fell upon the newcomers upon the first +floor, followed by a—"Wotinel's that?" Two of the men +had approached the staircase and started to ascend it. +Slowly the uncanny clanking drew closer to the first +floor. The girl on the bed turned toward Bridge.</p> + +<p>"What is it?" she gasped.</p> + +<p>"We don't know," replied the man. "It followed us up +here, or rather it chased us up; and then went down +again just before you regained consciousness. I imagine +we shall hear some interesting developments from below."</p> + +<p>"It's The Sky Pilot and his gang," whispered The Oskaloosa Kid.</p> + +<p>"It's The Oskaloosa Kid," came a voice from below.</p> + +<p>"But wot was that light upstairs then?" queried another.</p> + +<p>"An' wot croaked this guy here?" asked a third. "It +wasn't nothin' nice—did you get the expression on his +mug an' the red foam on his lips? I tell youse there's +something in this house beside human bein's. I know the +joint—its hanted—they's spooks in it. Gawd! there it is +now," as the clanking rose to the head of the cellar +stairs; and those above heard a sudden rush of footsteps +as the men broke for the open air—all but the +two upon the stairway. They had remained too long +and now, their retreat cut off, they scrambled, cursing +and screaming, to the second floor.</p> + +<p>Along the hallway they rushed to the closed door at +the end—the door of the room in which the three listened +breathlessly—hurling themselves against it in violent +effort to gain admission.</p> + +<p>"Who are you and what do you want?" cried Bridge.</p> + +<p>"Let us in! Let us in!" screamed two voices. "Fer +God's sake let us in. Can't you hear IT? It'll be comin' +up here in a minute."</p> + +<p>The sound of the dragging chain could be heard at intervals +upon the floor below. It seemed to the tense listeners +above to pause beside the dead man as though +hovering in gloating exultation above its gruesome prey +and then it moved again, this time toward the stairway +where they all heard it ascending with a creepy slowness +which wrought more terribly upon tense nerves +than would a sudden rush.</p> + +<p>"The mills of the Gods grind slowly," quoted Bridge.</p> + +<p>"Oh, don't!" pleaded The Oskaloosa Kid.</p> + +<p>"Let us in," screamed the men without. "Fer the luv +o' Mike have a heart! Don't leave us out here! IT's +comin'! IT's comin'!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, let the poor things in," pleaded the girl on the +bed. She was, herself, trembling with terror.</p> + +<p>"No funny business, now, if I let you in," commanded +Bridge.</p> + +<p>"On the square," came the quick and earnest reply.</p> + +<p>The THING had reached the head of the stairs when +Bridge dragged the bed aside and drew the bolt. Instantly +two figures hurled themselves into the room but +turned immediately to help Bridge resecure the doorway.</p> + +<p>Just as it had done before, when Bridge and The +Oskaloosa Kid had taken refuge there with the girl, +the THING moved down the hallway to the closed door. +The dragging chain marked each foot of its advance. If it +made other sounds they were drowned by the clanking +of the links over the time roughened flooring.</p> + +<p>Within the room the five were frozen into utter silence, +and beyond the door an equal quiet prevailed for +a long minute; then a great force made the door creak +and a weird scratching sounded high up upon the old +fashioned panelling. Bridge heard a smothered gasp +from the boy beside him, followed instantly by a flash of +flame and the crack of a small caliber automatic; The +Oskaloosa Kid had fired through the door.</p> + +<p>Bridge seized the boy's arm and wrenched the weapon +from him. "Be careful!" he cried. "You'll hurt someone. +You didn't miss the girl much that time—she's on the bed +right in front of the door."</p> + +<p>The Oskaloosa Kid pressed closer to the man as +though he sought protection from the unknown menace +without. The girl sprang from the bed and crossed to +the opposite side of the room. A flash of lightning illuminated +the chamber for an instant and the roof of the verandah +without. The girl noted the latter and the open +window.</p> + +<p>"Look!" she cried. "Suppose it went out of another +window upon this porch. It could get us so easily that +way!"</p> + +<p>"Shut up, you fool!" whispered one of the two newcomers. +"It might hear you." The girl subsided into silence.</p> + +<p>There was no sound from the hallway.</p> + +<p>"I reckon you croaked IT," suggested the second newcomer, +hopefully; but, as though the THING without +had heard and understood, the clanking of the chain +recommenced at once; but now it was retreating along +the hallway, and soon they heard it descending the +stairs.</p> + +<p>Sighs of relief escaped more than a single pair of lips. +"IT didn't hear me," whispered the girl.</p> + +<p>Bridge laughed. "We're a nice lot of babies seeing +things at night," he scoffed.</p> + +<p>"If you're so nervy why don't you go down an' see wot +it is?" asked one of the late arrivals.</p> + +<p>"I believe I shall," replied Bridge and pulled the bed +away from the door.</p> + +<p>Instantly a chorus of protests arose, the girl and The +Oskaloosa Kid being most insistent. What was the use? +What good could he accomplish? It might be nothing; +yet on the other hand what had brought death so horribly +to the cold clay on the floor below? At last their +pleas prevailed and Bridge replaced the bed before the +door.</p> + +<p>For two hours the five sat about the room waiting for +daylight. There could be no sleep for any of them. Occasionally +they spoke, usually advancing and refuting suggestions +as to the identity of the nocturnal prowler below-stairs. +The THING seemed to have retreated again +to the cellar, leaving the upper floor to the five strangely +assorted prisoners and the first floor to the dead man.</p> + +<p>During the brief intervals of conversation the girl repeated +snatches of her story and once she mentioned +The Oskaloosa Kid as the murderer of the unnamed victim. +The two men who had come last pricked up their +ears at this and Bridge felt the boy's hand just touch his +arm as though in mute appeal for belief and protection. +The man half smiled.</p> + +<p>"We seen The Oskaloosa Kid this evenin'" volunteered +one of the newcomers.</p> + +<p>"You did?" exclaimed the girl. "Where?"</p> + +<p>"He'd just pulled off a job in Oakdale an' had his +pockets bulgin' wid sparklers an' kale. We was follerin' +him an' when we seen your light up here we t'ought it +was him."</p> + +<p>The Oskaloosa Kid shrank closer to Bridge. At last he +recognized the voice of the speaker. While he had known +that the two were of The Sky Pilot's band he had not +been sure of the identity of either; but now it was borne +in upon him that at least one of them was the last person +on earth he cared to be cooped up in a small, unlighted +room with, and a moment later when one of +the two rolled a 'smoke' and lighted it he saw in the +flare of the flame the features of both Dopey Charlie +and The General. The Oskaloosa Kid gasped once more +for the thousandth time that night.</p> + +<p>It had been Dopey Charlie who lighted the cigaret +and in the brief illumination his friend The General had +grasped the opportunity to scan the features of the +other members of the party. Schooled by long years of +repression he betrayed none of the surprise or elation +he felt when he recognized the features of The Oskaloosa Kid.</p> + +<p>If The General was elated The Oskaloosa Kid was at +once relieved and terrified. Relieved by ocular proof +that he was not a murderer and terrified by the immediate +presence of the two who had sought his life.</p> + +<p>His cigaret drawing well Dopey Charlie resumed: +"This Oskaloosa Kid's a bad actor," he volunteered. "The +little shrimp tried to croak me; but he only creased my +ribs. I'd like to lay my mits on him. I'll bet there won't +be no more Oskaloosa Kid when I get done wit him."</p> + +<p>The boy drew Bridge's ear down toward his own lips. +"Let's go," he said. "I don't hear anything more downstairs, +or maybe we could get out on this roof and slide +down the porch pillars."</p> + +<p>Bridge laid a strong, warm hand on the small, cold +one of his new friend.</p> + +<p>"Don't worry, Kid," he said. "I'm for you."</p> + +<p>The two other men turned quickly in the direction of +the speaker.</p> + +<p>"Is de Kid here?" asked Dopey Charlie.</p> + +<p>"He is, my degenerate friend," replied Bridge; "and +furthermore he's going to stay here and be perfectly +safe. Do you grasp me?"</p> + +<p>"Who are you?" asked The General.</p> + +<p>"That is a long story," replied Bridge; "but if you +chance to recall Dink and Crumb you may also be able +to visualize one Billy Burke and Billy Byrne and his side +partner, Bridge. Yes? Well, I am the side partner."</p> + +<p>Before the yeggman could make reply the girl spoke +up quickly. "This man cannot be The Oskaloosa Kid," she +said. "It was The Oskaloosa Kid who threw me from the +car."</p> + +<p>"How do you know he ain't?" queried The General. +"Youse was knocked out when these guys picks you up. +It's so dark in here you couldn't reco'nize no one. How do +you know this here bird ain't The Oskaloosa Kid, eh?"</p> + +<p>"I have heard both these men speak," replied the +girl; "their voices were not those of any men I have +known. If one of them is The Oskaloosa Kid then there +must be two men called that. Strike a match and you +will see that you are mistaken."</p> + +<p>The General fumbled in an inside pocket for a package +of matches carefully wrapped against possible damage +by rain. Presently he struck one and held the light +in the direction of The Kid's face while he and the +girl and Dopey Charlie leaned forward to scrutinize the +youth's features.</p> + +<p>"It's him all right," said Dopey Charlie.</p> + +<p>"You bet it is," seconded The General.</p> + +<p>"Why he's only a boy," ejaculated the girl. "The one +who threw me from the machine was a man."</p> + +<p>"Well, this one said he was The Oskaloosa Kid," persisted +The General.</p> + +<p>"An' he shot me up," growled Dopey Charlie.</p> + +<p>"It's too bad he didn't kill you," remarked Bridge +pleasantly. "You're a thief and probably a murderer into +the bargain—you tried to kill this boy just before he shot +you."</p> + +<p>"Well wots he?" demanded Dopey Charlie. "He's a +thief—he said he was—look in his pockets—they're +crammed wid swag, an' he's a gun-man, too, or he +wouldn't be packin' a gat. I guess he ain't got nothin' +on me."</p> + +<p>The darkness hid the scarlet flush which mounted to +the boy's cheeks—so hot that he thought it must surely +glow redly through the night. He waited in dumb misery +for Bridge to demand the proof of his guilt. Earlier in +the evening he had flaunted the evidence of his crime in +the faces of the six hobos; but now he suddenly felt a +great shame that his new found friend should believe +him a house-breaker.</p> + +<p>But Bridge did not ask for any substantiation of Charlie's +charges, he merely warned the two yeggmen that +they would have to leave the boy alone and in the +morning, when the storm had passed and daylight had +lessened the unknown danger which lurked below-stairs, +betake themselves upon their way.</p> + +<p>"And while we're here together in this room you two +must sit over near the window," he concluded. "You've +tried to kill the boy once to-night; but you're not going +to try it again—I'm taking care of him now."</p> + +<p>"You gotta crust, bo," observed Dopey Charlie, belligerently. +"I guess me an' The General'll sit where we +damn please, an' youse can take it from me on the side +that we're goin' to have ours out of The Kid's haul. If +you tink you're goin' to cop the whole cheese you got +another tink comin'."</p> + +<p>"You are banking," replied Bridge, "on the well known +fact that I never carry a gun; but you fail to perceive, +owing to the Stygian gloom which surrounds us, that +I have the Kid's automatic in my gun hand and that +the business end of it is carefully aiming in your direction."</p> + +<p>"Cheese it," The General advised his companion; and +the two removed themselves to the opposite side of the +apartment, where they whispered, grumblingly, to one +another.</p> + +<p>The girl, the boy, and Bridge waited as patiently as +they could for the coming of the dawn, talking of the +events of the night and planning against the future. +Bridge advised the girl to return at once to her father; +but this she resolutely refused to do, admitting with utmost +candor that she lacked the courage to face her +friends even though her father might still believe in +her.</p> + +<p>The youth begged that he might accompany Bridge +upon the road, pleading that his mother was dead and +that he could not return home after his escapade. And +Bridge could not find it in his heart to refuse him, for +the man realized that the boyish waif possessed a subtile +attraction, as forceful as it was inexplicable. Not +since he had followed the open road in company with +Billy Byrne had Bridge met one with whom he might +care to 'Pal' before The Kid crossed his path on the +dark and storm swept pike south of Oakdale.</p> + +<p>In Byrne, mucker, pugilist, and MAN, Bridge had +found a physical and moral counterpart of himself, for +the slender Bridge was muscled as a Greek god, while +the stocky Byrne, metamorphosed by the fire of a woman's +love, possessed all the chivalry of the care free +tramp whose vagabondage had never succeeded in submerging +the evidences of his cultural birthright.</p> + +<p>In the youth Bridge found an intellectual equal with +the added charm of a physical dependent. The man did +not attempt to fathom the evident appeal of the other's +tacitly acknowledged cowardice; he merely knew that +he would not have had the youth otherwise if he could +not have changed him. Ordinarily he accepted male +cowardice with the resignation of surfeited disgust; but +in the case of The Oskaloosa Kid he realized a certain +artless charm which but tended to strengthen his liking +for the youth, so brazen and unaffected was the +boy's admission of his terror of both the real and the +unreal menaces of this night of horror.</p> + +<p>That the girl also was well bred was quite evident +to Bridge, while both the girl and the youth realized the +refinement of the strange companion and protector +which Fate had ordered for them, while they also saw +in one another social counterparts of themselves. Thus, +as the night dragged its slow course, the three came to +trust each other more entirely and to speculate upon the +strange train of circumstances which had brought them +thus remarkably together—the thief, the murderer's accomplice, +and the vagabond.</p> + +<p>It was during a period of thoughtful silence when the +night was darkest just before the dawn and the rain +had settled to a dismal drizzle unrelieved by lightning +or by thunder that the five occupants of the room were +suddenly startled by a strange pattering sound from +the floor below. It was as the questioning fall of a child's +feet upon the uncarpeted boards in the room beneath +them. Frozen to silent rigidity, the five sat straining every +faculty to catch the minutest sound from the black +void where the dead man lay, and as they listened there +came up to them, mingled with the inexplicable footsteps, +the hollow reverberation from the dank cellar—the +hideous dragging of the chain behind the nameless +horror which had haunted them through the interminable +eons of the ghastly night.</p> + +<p>Up, up, up it came toward the first floor. The pattering +of the feet ceased. The clanking rose until the five +heard the scraping of the chain against the door frame +at the head of the cellar stairs. They heard it pass across +the floor toward the center of the room and then, loud +and piercing, there rang out against the silence of the +awful night a woman's shriek.</p> + +<p>Instantly Bridge leaped to his feet. Without a word +he tore the bed from before the door.</p> + +<p>"What are you doing?" cried the girl in a muffled +scream.</p> + +<p>"I am going down to that woman," said Bridge, and +he drew the bolt, rusty and complaining, from its corroded seat.</p> + +<p>"No!" screamed the girl, and seconding her the youth +sprang to his feet and threw his arms about Bridge. </p> + +<p>"Please! Please!" he cried. "Oh, please don't leave me."</p> + +<p>The girl also ran to the man's side and clutched him +by the sleeve.</p> + +<p>"Don't go!" she begged. "Oh, for God's sake, don't +leave us here alone!"</p> + +<p>"You heard a woman scream didn't you?" asked +Bridge. "Do you suppose I can stay in up here when a +woman may be facing death a few feet below me?"</p> + +<p>For answer the girl but held more tightly to his arm +while the youth slipped to the floor and embraced the +man's knees in a vicelike hold which he could not break +without hurting his detainer.</p> + +<p>"Come! Come!" expostulated Bridge. "Let me go."</p> + +<p>"Wait!" begged the girl. "Wait until you know that it is +a human voice that screams through this horrible place."</p> + +<p>The youth only strained his hold tighter about the +man's legs. Bridge felt a soft cheek pressed to his knee; +and, for some unaccountable reason, the appeal was +stronger than the pleading of the girl. Slowly Bridge realized +that he could not leave this defenseless youth +alone even though a dozen women might be menaced +by the uncanny death below. With a firm hand he shot +the bolt. "Leave go of me," he said; "I shan't leave you +unless she calls for help in articulate words."</p> + +<p>The boy rose and, trembling, pressed close to the +man who, involuntarily, threw a protecting arm about +the slim figure. The girl, too, drew nearer, while the two +yeggmen rose and stood in rigid silence by the window. +From below came an occasional rattle of the chain, followed +after a few minutes by the now familiar clanking +as the iron links scraped across the flooring. Mingled +with the sound of the chain there rose to them what +might have been the slow and ponderous footsteps of a +heavy man, dragging painfully across the floor. For a +few moments they heard it, and then all was silent.</p> + +<p>For a dozen tense minutes the five listened; but there +was no repetition of any sound from below. Suddenly +the girl breathed a deep sigh, and the spell of terror was +broken. Bridge felt rather than heard the youth sobbing +softly against his breast, while across the room The General +gave a quick, nervous laugh which he as immediately +suppressed as though fearful unnecessarily of +calling attention to their presence. The other vagabond +fumbled with his hypodermic needle and the narcotic +which would quickly give his fluttering nerves the quiet +they craved.</p> + +<p>Bridge, the boy, and the girl shivered together in their +soggy clothing upon the edge of the bed, feeling now in +the cold dawn the chill discomfort of which the excitement +of the earlier hours of the night had rendered them +unconscious. The youth coughed.</p> + +<p>"You've caught cold," said Bridge, his tone almost selfreproachful, +as though he were entirely responsible for +the boy's condition. "We're a nice aggregation of mollycoddles—five +of us sitting half frozen up here with a +stove on the floor below, and just because we heard a +noise which we couldn't explain and hadn't the nerve to +investigate." He rose. "I'm going down, rustle some wood +and build a fire in that stove—you two kids have got to +dry those clothes of yours and get warmed up or we'll +have a couple of hospital cases on our hands."</p> + +<p>Once again rose a chorus of pleas and objections. Oh, +wouldn't he wait until daylight? See! the dawn was +even then commencing to break. They didn't dare go +down and they begged him not to leave them up there +alone.</p> + +<p>At this Dopey Charlie spoke up. The 'hop' had commenced +to assert its dominion over his shattered nervous +system instilling within him a new courage and a feeling +of utter well-being. "Go on down," said he to Bridge. +"The General an' I'll look after the kids—won't we bo?"</p> + +<p>"Sure," assented The General; "we'll take care of 'em."</p> + +<p>"I'll tell you what we'll do," said Bridge; "we'll leave +the kids up here and we three'll go down. They won't +go, and I wouldn't leave them up here with you two +morons on a bet."</p> + +<p>The General and Dopey Charlie didn't know what +a moron was but they felt quite certain from Bridge's +tone of voice that a moron was not a nice thing, and +anyway no one could have bribed them to descend into +the darkness of the lower floor with the dead man and +the grisly THING that prowled through the haunted +chambers; so they flatly refused to budge an inch.</p> + +<p>Bridge saw in the gradually lighting sky the near approach +of full daylight; so he contented himself with +making the girl and the youth walk briskly to and fro +in the hope that stimulated circulation might at least partially +overcome the menace of the damp clothing and +the chill air, and thus they occupied the remaining hour +of the night.</p> + +<p>From below came no repetition of the inexplicable +noises of that night of terror and at last, with every object +plainly discernible in the light of the new day, +Bridge would delay no longer; but voiced his final determination +to descend and make a fire in the old kitchen +stove. Both the boy and the girl insisted upon accompanying +him. For the first time each had an opportunity +to study the features of his companions of the night. +Bridge found in the girl and the youth two dark eyed, +good-looking young people. In the girl's face was, perhaps, +just a trace of weakness; but it was not the face +of one who consorts habitually with criminals. The man +appraised her as a pretty, small-town girl who had been +led into a temporary escapade by the monotony of +village life, and he would have staked his soul that she +was not a bad girl.</p> + +<p>The boy, too, looked anything other than the role he +had been playing. Bridge smiled as he looked at the +clear eyes, the oval face, and the fine, sensitive mouth +and thought of the youth's claim to the crime battered +sobriquet of The Oskaloosa Kid. The man wondered if +the mystery of the clanking chain would prove as harmlessly +infantile as these two whom some accident of hilarious +fate had cast in the roles of debauchery and +crime.</p> + +<p>Aloud, he said: "I'll go first, and if the spook materializes +you two can beat it back into the room." And +to the two tramps: "Come on, boes, we'll all take a look +at the lower floor together, and then we'll get a good fire +going in the kitchen and warm up a bit."</p> + +<p>Down the hall they went, Bridge leading with the +boy and girl close at his heels while the two yeggs +brought up the rear. Their footsteps echoed through the +deserted house; but brought forth no answering clanking +from the cellar. The stairs creaked beneath the +unaccustomed weight of so many bodies as they descended +toward the lower floor. Near the bottom Bridge +came to a questioning halt. The front room lay entirely +within his range of vision, and as his eyes swept it he +gave voice to a short exclamation of surprise.</p> + +<p>The youth and the girl, shivering with cold and nervous +excitement, craned their necks above the man's +shoulder.</p> + +<p>"O-h-h!" gasped The Oskaloosa Kid. "He's gone," and, +sure enough, the dead man had vanished.</p> + +<p>Bridge stepped quickly down the remaining steps, +entered the rear room which had served as dining room +and kitchen, inspected the two small bedrooms off this +room, and the summer kitchen beyond. All were empty; +then he turned and re-entering the front room bent his +steps toward the cellar stairs. At the foot of the stairway +leading to the second floor lay the flash lamp that +the boy had dropped the night before. Bridge stooped, +picked it up and examined it. It was uninjured and with +it in his hand he continued toward the cellar door.</p> + +<p>"Where are you going?" asked The Oskaloosa Kid.</p> + +<p>"I'm going to solve the mystery of that infernal clanking," +he replied.</p> + +<p>"You are not going down into that dark cellar!" It was +an appeal, a question, and a command; and it quivered +gaspingly upon the verge of hysteria.</p> + +<p>Bridge turned and looked into the youth's face. The +man did not like cowardice and his eyes were stern as +he turned them on the lad from whom during the few +hours of their acquaintance he had received so many +evidences of cowardice; but as the clear brown eyes of +the boy met his the man's softened and he shook his +head perplexedly. What was there about this slender +stripling which so disarmed criticism?</p> + +<p>"Yes," he replied, "I am going down. I doubt if I +shall find anything there; but if I do it is better to come +upon it when I am looking for it than to have it come +upon us when we are not expecting it. If there is to be +any hunting I prefer to be hunter rather than hunted."</p> + +<p>He wheeled and placed a foot upon the cellar stairs. +The youth followed him.</p> + +<p>"What are you going to do?" asked the man.</p> + +<p>"I am going with you," said the boy. "You think I am +a coward because I am afraid; but there is a vast difference +between cowardice and fear."</p> + +<p>The man made no reply as he resumed the descent of +the stairs, flashing the rays of the lamp ahead of him; +but he pondered the boy's words and smiled as he admitted +mentally that it undoubtedly took more courage +to do a thing in the face of fear than to do it if fear were +absent. He felt a strange elation that this youth should +choose voluntarily to share his danger with him, for in +his roaming life Bridge had known few associates for +whom he cared.</p> + +<p>The beams of the little electric lamp, moving from +side to side, revealed a small cellar littered with refuse +and festooned with cob-webs. At one side tottered the +remains of a series of wooden racks upon which pans of +milk had doubtless stood to cool in a long gone, happier +day. Some of the uprights had rotted away so that a +part of the frail structure had collapsed to the earthen +floor. A table with one leg missing and a crippled chair +constituted the balance of the contents of the cellar +and there was no living creature and no chain nor any +other visible evidence of the presence which had +clanked so lugubriously out of the dark depths during +the vanished night. The boy breathed a heartfelt sigh of +relief and Bridge laughed, not without a note of relief +either.</p> + +<p>"You see there is nothing," he said—"nothing except +some firewood which we can use to advantage. I regret +that James is not here to attend me; but since he is not +you and I will have to carry some of this stuff upstairs," +and together they returned to the floor above, their +arms laden with pieces of the dilapidated milk rack. The +girl was awaiting them at the head of the stairs while the +two tramps whispered together at the opposite side of +the room.</p> + +<p>It took Bridge but a moment to have a roaring fire +started in the old stove in the kitchen, and as the warmth +rolled in comforting waves about them the five felt for +the first time in hours something akin to relief and well +being. With the physical relaxation which the heat induced +came a like relaxation of their tongues and temporary +forgetfulness of their antagonisms and individual +apprehensions. Bridge was the only member of the +group whose conscience was entirely free. He was not +'wanted' anywhere, he had no unexpiated crimes to +harry his mind, and with the responsibilities of the night +removed he fell naturally into his old, carefree manner. +He hazarded foolish explanations of the uncanny noises +of the night and suggested various theories to account +for the presence and the mysterious disappearance of the +dead man.</p> + +<p>The General, on the contrary, seriously maintained +that the weird sounds had emanated from the ghost of +the murdered man who was, unquestionably, none other +than the long dead Squibb returned to haunt his former +home, and that the scream had sprung from the ghostly +lungs of his slain wife or daughter.</p> + +<p>"I wouldn't spend anudder night in this dump," he +concluded, "for both them pockets full of swag The +Oskaloosa Kid's packin' around."</p> + +<p>Immediately all eyes turned upon the flushing youth. +The girl and Bridge could not prevent their own gazes +from wandering to the bulging coat pockets, the owner +of which moved uneasily, at last shooting a look of defiance, +not unmixed with pleading, at Bridge.</p> + +<p>"He's a bad one," interjected Dopey Charlie, a glint +of cunning in his ordinarily glassy eyes. "He flashes a +couple o' mitsful of sparklers, chesty-like, and allows as +how he's a regular burglar. Then he pulls a gun on me, +as wasn't doin' nothin' to him, and 'most croaks me. It's +even money that if anyone's been croaked in Oakdale +last night they won't have to look far for the guy that +done it. Least-wise they won't have to look far if he +doesn't come across," and Dopey Charlie looked meaningly +and steadily at the side pockets of The Oskaloosa +Kid.</p> + +<p>"I think," said Bridge, after a moment of general silence, +"that you two crooks had better beat it. Do you +get me?" and he looked from Dopey Charlie to The General +and back again.</p> + +<p>"We don't go," said Dopey Charlie, belligerently, "until +we gets half the Kid's swag."</p> + +<p>"You go now," said Bridge, "without anybody's swag," +and he drew the boy's automatic from his side pocket. +"You go now and you go quick—beat it!"</p> + +<p>The two rose and shuffled toward the door. "We'll get +you, you colledge Lizzy," threatened Dopey Charlie, +"an' we'll get that phoney punk, too."</p> + +<p>"'And speed the parting guest,'" quoted Bridge, firing +a shot that splintered the floor at the crook's feet. +When the two hoboes had departed the others huddled +again close to the stove until Bridge suggested that he +and The Oskaloosa Kid retire to another room while the +girl removed and dried her clothing; but she insisted +that it was not wet enough to matter since she had been +covered by a robe in the automobile until just a moment +before she had been hurled out.</p> + +<p>"Then, after you are warmed up," said Bridge, "you +can step into this other room while the kid and I strip +and dry our things, for there's no question but that we +are wet enough."</p> + +<p>At the suggestion the kid started for the door. "Oh, +no," he insisted; "it isn't worth while. I am almost dry +now, and as soon as we get out on the road I'll be all +right. I—I—I like wet clothes," he ended, lamely.</p> + +<p>Bridge looked at him questioningly; but did not urge +the matter. "Very well," he said; "you probably know +what you like; but as for me, I'm going to pull off every +rag and get good and dry."</p> + +<p>The girl had already quitted the room and now The +Kid turned and followed her. Bridge shook his head. +"I'll bet the little beggar never was away from his +mother before in his life," he mused; "why the mere +thought of undressing in front of a strange man made +him turn red—and posing as The Oskaloosa Kid! Bless +my soul; but he's a humorist—a regular, natural born +one."</p> + +<p>Bridge found that his clothing had dried to some extent +during the night; so, after a brisk rub, he put on +the warmed garments and though some were still a trifle +damp he felt infinitely more comfortable than he had for +many hours.</p> + +<p>Outside the house he came upon the girl and the +youth standing in the sunshine of a bright, new day. +They were talking together in a most animated manner, +and as he approached wondering what the two had +found of so great common interest he discovered that +the discussion hinged upon the relative merits of ham +and bacon as a breakfast dish.</p> + +<p>"Oh, my heart it is just achin'," quoted Bridge,</p> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> + <div>"For a little bite of bacon,</div> + <div>"A hunk of bread, a little mug of brew;</div> + <div>"I'm tired of seein' scenery,</div> + <div>"Just lead me to a beanery</div> + <div>"Where there's something more than only air to chew."</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p>The two looked up, smiling. "You're a funny kind of +tramp, to be quoting poetry," said The Oskaloosa Kid, +"even if it is Knibbs'."</p> + +<p>"Almost as funny," replied Bridge, "as a burglar who +recognizes Knibbs when he hears him."</p> + +<p>The Oskaloosa Kid flushed. "He wrote for us of the +open road," he replied quickly. "I don't know of any +other class of men who should enjoy him more."</p> + +<p>"Or any other class that is less familiar with him," retorted +Bridge; "but the burning question just now is +pots, not poetry—flesh pots. I'm hungry. I could eat a +cow."</p> + +<p>The girl pointed to an adjacent field. "Help yourself," +she said.</p> + +<p>"That happens to be a bull," said Bridge. "I was +particular to mention cow, which, in this instance, is +proverbially less dangerous than the male, and much +better eating.</p> + +<p>"'We kept a-rambling all the time. I rustled grub, he +rustled rhyme—</p> + +<p>"'Blind baggage, hoof it, ride or climb—we always +put it through.' Who's going to rustle the grub?"</p> + +<p>The girl looked at The Oskaloosa Kid. "You don't +seem like a tramp at all, to talk to," she said; "but I +suppose you are used to asking for food. I couldn't do it—I +should die if I had to."</p> + +<p>The Oskaloosa Kid looked uncomfortable. "So should—" +he commenced, and then suddenly subsided. "Of +course I'd just as soon," he said. "You two stay here—I'll +be back in a minute."</p> + +<p>They watched him as he walked down to the road +and until he disappeared over the crest of the hill a +short distance from the Squibbs' house.</p> + +<p>"I like him," said the girl, turning toward Bridge.</p> + +<p>"So do I," replied the man.</p> + +<p>"There must be some good in him," she continued, +"even if he is such a desperate character; but I know +he's not The Oskaloosa Kid. Do you really suppose he +robbed a house last night and then tried to kill that +Dopey person?"</p> + +<p>Bridge shook his head. "I don't know," he said; "but +I am inclined to believe that he is more imaginative +than criminal. He certainly shot up the Dopey person; +but I doubt if he ever robbed a house."</p> + +<p>While they waited, The Oskaloosa Kid trudged along +the muddy road to the nearest farm house, which lay a +full mile beyond the Squibbs' home. As he approached +the door a lank, sallow man confronted him with a suspicious +eye.</p> + +<p>"Good morning," greeted The Oskaloosa Kid.</p> + +<p>The man grunted.</p> + +<p>"I want to get something to eat," explained the youth.</p> + +<p>If the boy had hurled a dynamite bomb at him the +result could have been no more surprising. The lank, +sallow man went up into the air, figuratively. He went +up a mile or more, and on the way down he reached his +hand inside the kitchen door and brought it forth enveloping +the barrel of a shot gun.</p> + +<p>"Durn ye!" he cried. "I'll lam ye! Get offen here. I +knows ye. Yer one o' that gang o' bums that come here +last night, an' now you got the gall to come back beggin' +for food, eh? I'll lam ye!" and he raised the gun to his +shoulder.</p> + +<p>The Oskaloosa Kid quailed but he held his ground. +"I wasn't here last night," he cried, "and I'm not begging +for food—I want to buy some. I've got plenty of money," +in proof of which assertion he dug into a side pocket +and brought forth a large roll of bills. The man lowered +his gun.</p> + +<p>"Wy didn't ye say so in the first place then?" he +growled. "How'd I know you wanted to buy it, eh? +Where'd ye come from anyhow, this early in the mornin'? +What's yer name, eh? What's yer business, that's +what Jeb Case'd like to know, eh?" He snapped his +words out with the rapidity of a machine gun, nor +waited for a reply to one query before launching the +next. "What do ye want to buy, eh? How much money +ye got? Looks suspicious. That's a sight o' money yew got +there, eh? Where'dje get it?"</p> + +<p>"It's mine," said The Oskaloosa Kid, "and I want to +buy some eggs and milk and ham and bacon and flour +and onions and sugar and cream and strawberries and +tea and coffee and a frying pan and a little oil stove, +if you have one to spare, and—"</p> + +<p>Jeb Case's jaw dropped and his eyes widened. "You're +in the wrong pasture, bub," he remarked feelingly. +"What yer lookin' fer is Sears, Roebuck & Company."</p> + +<p>The Oskaloosa Kid flushed up to the tips of his ears. +"But can't you sell me something?" he begged.</p> + +<p>"I might let ye have some milk an' eggs an' butter an' +a leetle bacon an' mebby my ol' woman's got a loaf left +from her last bakin'; but we ain't been figgerin' on supplyin' +grub fer the United States army ef that's what yew +be buyin' fer."</p> + +<p>A frowsy, rat-faced woman and a gawky youth of fourteen +stuck their heads out the doorway at either side of +the man. "I ain't got nothin' to sell," snapped the woman; +but as she spoke her eyes fell upon the fat bank roll in +the youth's hand. "Or, leastwise," she amended, "I ain't +got much more'n we need an' the price o' stuff's gone +up so lately that I'll hev to ask ye more'n I would of +last fall. 'Bout what did ye figger on wantin'?"</p> + +<p>"Anything you can spare," said the youth. "There are +three of us and we're awful hungry."</p> + +<p>"Where yew stoppin'?" asked the woman.</p> + +<p>"We're at the old Squibbs' place," replied The Kid. +"We got caught by the storm last night and had to put +up there."</p> + +<p>"The Squibbs' place!" ejaculated the woman. "Yew +didn't stop there over night?"</p> + +<p>"Yes we did," replied the youth.</p> + +<p>"See anything funny?" asked Mrs. Case.</p> + +<p>"We didn't SEE anything," replied The Oskaloosa Kid; +"but we heard things. At least we didn't see what we +heard; but we saw a dead man on the floor when we +went in and this morning he was gone."</p> + +<p>The Cases shuddered. "A dead man!" ejaculated Jeb +Case. "Yew seen him?"</p> + +<p>The Kid nodded.</p> + +<p>"I never tuk much stock in them stories," said Jeb, +with a shake of his head; "but ef you SEEN it! Gosh! Thet +beats me. Come on M'randy, les see what we got to +spare," and he turned into the kitchen with his wife.</p> + +<p>The lanky boy stepped, out and planting himself in +front of The Oskaloosa Kid proceeded to stare at him. +"Yew seen it?" he asked in awestruck tone.</p> + +<p>"Yes," said the Kid in a low voice, and bending close +toward the other; "it had bloody froth on its lips!"</p> + +<p>The Case boy shrank back. "An' what did yew hear?" +he asked, a glutton for thrills.</p> + +<p>"Something that dragged a chain behind it and came +up out of the cellar and tried to get in our room on the +second floor," explained the youth. "It almost got us, +too," he added, "and it did it all night."</p> + +<p>"Whew," whistled the Case boy. "Gosh!" Then he +scratched his head and looked admiringly at the youth. +"What mought yer name be?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"I'm The Oskaloosa Kid," replied the youth, unable to +resist the admiration of the other's fond gaze. "Look +here!" and he fished a handful of jewelry from one of +his side pockets; "this is some of the swag I stole last +night when I robbed a house."</p> + +<p>Case Jr., opened his mouth and eyes so wide that +there was little left of his face. "But that's nothing," +bragged The Kid. "I shot a man, too."</p> + +<p>"Last night?" whispered the boy.</p> + +<p>"Yep," replied the bad man, tersely.</p> + +<p>"Gosh!" said the young Mr. Case, but there was that +in his facial expression which brought to The Oskaloosa +Kid a sudden regret that he had thus rashly confided in +a stranger.</p> + +<p>"Say," said The Kid, after a moment's strained silence. +"Don't tell anyone, will you? If you'll promise I'll give +you a dollar," and he hunted through his roll of bills for +one of that lowly denomination.</p> + +<p>"All right," agreed the Case boy. "I won't say a word—where's +the dollar?"</p> + +<p>The youth drew a bill from his roll and handed it to +the other. "If you tell," he whispered, and he bent close +toward the other's ear and spoke in a menacing tone; +"If you tell, I'll kill you!"</p> + +<p>"Gosh!" said Willie Case.</p> + +<p>At this moment Case pere and mere emerged from +the kitchen loaded with provender. "Here's enough an' +more'n enough, I reckon," said Jeb Case. "We got eggs, +butter, bread, bacon, milk, an' a mite o' garden sass."</p> + +<p>"But we ain't goin' to charge you nothin' fer the garden +sass," interjected Mrs. Case.</p> + +<p>"That's awfully nice of you," replied The Kid. "How +much do I owe you for the rest of it?"</p> + +<p>"Oh," said Jeb Case, rubbing his chin, eyeing the big +roll of bills and wondering just the limit he might +raise to, "I reckon 'bout four dollars an' six bits."</p> + +<p>The Oskaloosa Kid peeled a five dollar bill from his +roll and proffered it to the farmer. "I'm ever so much +obliged," he said, "and you needn't mind about any +change. I thank you so much." With which he took the +several packages and pails and turned toward the road.</p> + +<p>"Yew gotta return them pails!" shouted Mrs. Case after him.</p> + +<p>"Oh, of course," replied The Kid.</p> + +<p>"Gosh!" exclaimed Mr. Case, feelingly. "I wisht I'd +asked six bits more—I mought jest as well o' got it as not. +Gosh, eh?"</p> + +<p>"Gosh!" murmured Willie Case, fervently.</p> + +<p>Back down the sticky road plodded The Oskaloosa +Kid, his arms heavy and his heart light, for, was he not +'bringing home the bacon,' literally as well as figuratively. +As he entered the Squibbs' gateway he saw the girl and +Bridge standing upon the verandah waiting his coming, +and as he approached them and they caught a nearer +view of his great burden of provisions they hailed him +with loud acclaim.</p> + +<p>"Some artist!" cried the man. "And to think that I +doubted your ability to make a successful touch! Forgive +me! You are the ne plus ultra, non est cumquidibus, +in hoc signo vinces, only and original kind of hand-out +compellers."</p> + +<p>"How in the world did you do it?" asked the girl, +rapturously.</p> + +<p>"Oh, it's easy when you know how," replied The Oskaloosa +Kid carelessly, as, with the help of the others, he +carried the fruits of his expedition into the kitchen. Here +Bridge busied himself about the stove, adding more +wood to the fire and scrubbing a portion of the top plate +as clean as he could get it with such crude means as he +could discover about the place.</p> + +<p>The youth he sent to the nearby brook for water after +selecting the least dirty of the several empty tin cans +lying about the floor of the summer kitchen. He warned +against the use of the water from the old well and while +the boy was away cut a generous portion of the bacon +into long, thin strips.</p> + +<p>Shortly after, the water coming to the boil, Bridge +lowered three eggs into it, glanced at his watch, greased +one of the new cleaned stove lids with a piece of bacon +rind and laid out as many strips of bacon as the lid +would accommodate. Instantly the room was filled with +the delicious odor of frying bacon.</p> + +<p>"M-m-m-m!" gloated The Oskaloosa Kid. "I wish I +had bo—asked for more. My! but I never smelled anything +so good as that in all my life. Are you going to +boil only three eggs? I could eat a dozen."</p> + +<p>"The can'll only hold three at a time," explained +Bridge. "We'll have some more boiling while we are +eating these." He borrowed his knife from the girl, who +was slicing and buttering bread with it, and turned the +bacon swiftly and deftly with the point, then he glanced +at his watch. "The three minutes are up," he announced +and, with a couple of small, flat sticks saved for the purpose +from the kindling wood, withdrew the eggs one +at a time from the can.</p> + +<p>"But we have no cups!" exclaimed The Oskaloosa Kid, +in sudden despair.</p> + +<p>Bridge laughed. "Knock an end off your egg and the +shell will answer in place of a cup. Got a knife?"</p> + +<p>The Kid didn't. Bridge eyed him quizzically. "You +must have done most of your burgling near home," he +commented.</p> + +<p>"I'm not a burglar!" cried the youth indignantly. Somehow +it was very different when this nice voiced man +called him a burglar from bragging of the fact himself +to such as The Sky Pilot's villainous company, or the +awestruck, open-mouthed Willie Case whose very expression +invited heroics.</p> + +<p>Bridge made no reply, but his eyes wandered to the +right hand side pocket of the boy's coat. Instantly the +latter glanced guiltily downward to flush redly at the +sight of several inches of pearl necklace protruding accusingly +therefrom. The girl, a silent witness of the occurrence, +was brought suddenly and painfully to a +realization of her present position and recollection of +the happenings of the preceding night. For the time she +had forgotten that she was alone in the company of a +tramp and a burglar—how much worse either might be +she could only guess.</p> + +<p>The breakfast, commenced so auspiciously, continued +in gloomy silence. At least the girl and The Oskaloosa +Kid were silent and gloom steeped. Bridge was thoughtful +but far from morose. His spirits were unquenchable.</p> + +<p>"I am afraid," he said, "that I shall have to replace +James. His defection is unforgivable, and he has misplaced +the finger-bowls."</p> + +<p>The youth and the girl forced wan smiles; but neither +spoke. Bridge drew a pouch of tobacco and some papers +from an inside pocket.</p> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> + <div>"'I had the makings and I smoked</div> + <div class="in1">"'And wondered over different things,</div> + <div>"'Thinkin' as how this old world joked</div> + <div class="in1">"'In callin' only some men kings</div> + <div>"'While I sat there a-blowin' rings.'"</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p>He paused to kindle a sliver of wood at the stove. +"In these parlous times," he spoke as though to himself, +"one must economize. They are taking a quarter of an +ounce out of each five cents worth of chewing, I am told; +so doubtless each box must be five or six matches short +of full count. Even these papers seem thinner than of +yore and they will only sell one book to a customer at +that. Indeed Sherman was right."</p> + +<p>The youth and the girl remained occupied with their +own thoughts, and after a moment's silence the vagabond +resumed:</p> + +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> + <div>"'Me? I was king of anywhere,</div> + <div class="in1">"'Peggin' away at nothing, hard. </div> + <div>"'Havin' no pet, particular care;</div> + <div class="in1">"'Havin' no trouble, or no pard;</div> + <div>"'"Just me," filled up my callin' card.'</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p>"Say, do you know I've learned to love this Knibbs person. +I used to think of him as a poor attic prune grinding +away in his New York sky parlor, writing his verse +of the things he longed for but had never known; until, +one day, I met a fellow between Victorville and Cajon +pass who knew His Knibbs, and come to find out this +Knibbs is a regular fellow. His attic covers all God's country +that is out of doors and he knows the road from La +Bajada hill to Barstow a darned sight better than he +knows Broadway."</p> + +<p>There was no answering sympathy awakened in either +of his listeners—they remained mute. Bridge rose and +stretched. He picked up his knife, wiped off the blade, +closed it and slipped it into a trousers' pocket. Then he +walked toward the door. At the threshold he paused +and turned. "'Good-bye girls! I'm through,'" he quoted +and passed out into the sunlight.</p> + +<p>Instantly the two within were on their feet and following him.</p> + +<p>"Where are you going?" cried The Oskaloosa Kid. +"You're not going to leave us, are you?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, please don't!" pleaded the girl.</p> + +<p>"I don't know," said Bridge, solemnly, "whether I'm +safe in remaining in your society or not. This Oskaloosa +Kid is a bad proposition; and as for you, young lady, I +rather imagine that the town constable is looking for you +right now."</p> + +<p>The girl winced. "Please don't," she begged. "I haven't +done anything wicked, honestly! But I want to get away +so that they can't question me. I was in the car when +they killed him; but I had nothing to do with it. It is +just because of my father that I don't want them to find +me. It would break his heart."</p> + +<p>As the three stood back of the Squibbs' summer +kitchen Fate, in the guise of a rural free delivery carrier +and a Ford, passed by the front gate. A mile beyond he +stopped at the Case mail box where Jeb and his son +Willie were, as usual, waiting his coming, for the rural +free delivery man often carries more news than is contained +in his mail sacks.</p> + +<p>"Mornin' Jeb," he called, as he swerved his light car +from the road and drew up in front of the Case gate.</p> + +<p>"Mornin', Jim!" returned Mr. Case. "Nice rain we had +last night. What's the news?"</p> + +<p>"Plenty! Plenty!" exclaimed the carrier. "Lived here +nigh onto forty year, man an' boy, an' never seen such +work before in all my life."</p> + +<p>"How's that?" questioned the farmer, scenting something +interesting.</p> + +<p>"Ol' man Baggs's murdered last night," announced the +carrier, watching eagerly for the effect of his announcement.</p> + +<p>"Gosh!" gasped Willie Case. "Was he shot?" It was +almost a scream.</p> + +<p>"I dunno," replied Jim. "He's up to the horspital now, +an' the doc says he haint one chance in a thousand."</p> + +<p>"Gosh!" exclaimed Mr. Case.</p> + +<p>"But thet ain't all," continued Jim. "Reggie Paynter +was murdered last night, too; right on the pike south of +town. They threw his corpse outen a ottymobile."</p> + +<p>"By gol!" cried Jeb Case; "I hearn them devils go by +last night 'bout midnight er after. 'T woke me up. They +must o' ben goin' sixty mile an hour. Er say," he stopped +to scratch his head. "Mebby it was tramps. They must a +ben a score on 'em round here yesterday and las' night +an' agin this mornin'. I never seed so dum many bums +in my life."</p> + +<p>"An' thet ain't all," went on the carrier, ignoring the +others comments. "Oakdale's all tore up. Abbie Prim's +disappeared and Jonas Prim's house was robbed jest +about the same time Ol' man Baggs 'uz murdered, er +most murdered—chances is he's dead by this time anyhow. +Doc said he hadn't no chance."</p> + +<p>"Gosh!" It was a pater-filius duet.</p> + +<p>"But thet ain't all," gloated Jim. "Two of the persons in +the car with Reggie Paynter were recognized, an' who +do you think one of 'em was, eh? Why one of 'em was +Abbie Prim an' tother was a slick crook from Toledo er +Noo York that's called The Oskaloosie Kid. By gum, I'll +bet they get 'em in no time. Why already Jonas Prim's +got a regular dee-dectiff down from Chicago, an' the +board o' select-men's offered a re-ward o' fifty dollars fer +the arrest an' conviction of the perpetrators of these +dastardly crimes!"</p> + +<p>"Gosh!" cried Willie Case. "I know—"; but then he +paused. If he told all he knew he saw plainly that either +the carrier or his father would profit by it and collect the +reward. Fifty dollars!! Willie gasped.</p> + +<p>"Well," said Jim, "I gotta be on my way. Here's the +Tribune—there ain't nothin' more fer ye. So long! Giddap!" +and he was gone.</p> + +<p>"I don' see why he don't carry a whip," mused Jeb +Case. "A-gidappin' to that there tin lizzie," he muttered +disgustedly, "jes' like it was as good as a hoss. But I +mind the time, the fust day he got the dinged thing, he +gets out an' tries to lead it by Lem Smith's threshin' machine."</p> + +<p>Jeb Case preferred an audience worthy his mettle; +but Willie was better than no one, yet when he turned +to note the effect of his remarks on his son, Willie was +no where to be seen. If Jeb had but known it his +young hopeless was already in the loft of the hay barn +deep in a small, red-covered book entitled: "HOW TO +BE A DETECTIVE."</p> + +<p>Bridge, who had had no intention of deserting his helpless +companions, appeared at last to yield reluctantly to +their pleas. That indefinable something about the youth +which appealed strongly to the protective instinct in the +man, also assured him that the other's mask of criminality +was for the most part assumed even though the stories +of the two yeggmen and the loot bulging pockets +argued to the contrary. There was the chance, however, +that the boy had really taken the first step upon the +road toward a criminal career, and if such were the case +Bridge felt morally obligated to protect his new found +friend from arrest, secure in the reflection that his own +precept and example would do more to lead him back +into the path of rectitude than would any police magistrate +or penal institute.</p> + +<p>For the girl he felt a deep pity. In the past he had +had knowledge of more than one other small-town girl +led into wrong doing through the deadly monotony and +flagrant hypocrisy of her environment. Himself highly +imaginative and keenly sensitive, he realized with what +depth of horror the girl anticipated a return to her home +and friends after the childish escapade which had culminated, +even through no fault of hers, in criminal +tragedy of the most sordid sort.</p> + +<p>As the three held a council of war at the rear of the +deserted house they were startled by the loud squeaking +of brake bands on the road in front. Bridge ran quickly +into the kitchen and through to the front room where he +saw three men alighting from a large touring car which +had drawn up before the sagging gate. As the foremost +man, big and broad shouldered, raised his eyes to the +building Bridge smothered an exclamation of surprise +and chagrin, nor did he linger to inspect the other members +of the party; but turned and ran quickly back to his +companions.</p> + +<p>"We've got to beat it!" he whispered; "they've brought +Burton himself down here."</p> + +<p>"Who's Burton?" demanded the youth.</p> + +<p>"He's the best operative west of New York City," +replied Bridge, as he moved rapidly toward an outhouse +directly in rear of the main building.</p> + +<p>Once behind the small, dilapidated structure which +had once probably housed farm implements, Bridge +paused and looked about. "They'll search here," he +prophesied, and then; "Those woods look good to me."</p> + +<p>The Squibbs' woods, growing rank in the damp ravine +at the bottom of the little valley, ran to within a hundred +feet of the out-building. Dense undergrowth +choked the ground to a height of eight or ten feet +around the boles of the close set trees. If they could +gain the seclusion of that tangled jungle there was little +likelihood of their being discovered, provided they were +not seen as they passed across the open space between +their hiding place and the wood.</p> + +<p>"We'd better make a break for it," advised Bridge, and +a moment later the three moved cautiously toward the +wood, keeping the out-house between themselves and +the farm house. Almost in front of them as they neared +the wood they saw a well defined path leading into the +thicket. Single-file they entered, to be almost instantly +hidden from view, not only from the house but from +any other point more than a dozen paces away, for the +path was winding, narrow and closely walled by the +budding verdure of the new Spring. Birds sang or twittered +about them, the mat of dead leaves oozed spongily +beneath their feet, giving forth no sound as they passed, +save a faint sucking noise as a foot was lifted from each +watery seat.</p> + +<p>Bridge was in the lead, moving steadily forward that +they might put as much distance as possible between +themselves and the detective should the latter chance to +explore the wood. They had advanced a few hundred +yards when the path crossed through a small clearing +the center of which was destitute of fallen leaves. Here +the path was beaten into soft mud and as Bridge came +to it he stopped and bent his gaze incredulously upon +the ground. The girl and the youth, halting upon either +side, followed the direction of his eyes with theirs. The +girl gave a little, involuntary gasp, and the boy grasped +Bridge's hand as though fearful of losing him. The man +turned a quizzical glance at each of them and smiled, +though a bit ruefully.</p> + +<p>"It beats me," he said.</p> + +<p>"What can it be?" whispered the boy.</p> + +<p>"Oh, let's go back," begged the girl.</p> + +<p>"And go along to father with Burton?" asked Bridge.</p> + +<p>The girl trembled and shook her head. "I would rather +die," she said, firmly. "Come, let's go on."</p> + +<p>The cause of their perturbation was imprinted deeply +in the mud of the pathway—the irregular outlines of an +enormous, naked, human foot—a great, uncouth foot that +bespoke a monster of another world. While, still more +uncanny, in view of what they had heard in the farm +house during the previous night, there lay, sometimes +partially obliterated by the footprints of the THING, +the impress of a small, bare foot—a woman's or a child's +—and over both an irregular scoring that might have +been wrought by a dragging chain!</p> + +<p>In the loft of his father's hay barn Willie Case delved +deep into the small red-covered volume, HOW TO BE +A DETECTIVE; but though he turned many pages and +flitted to and fro from preface to conclusion he met only +with disappointment. The pictures of noted bank burglars +and confidence men aided him not one whit, for in +none of them could he descry the slightest resemblance +to the smooth faced youth of the early morning. In fact, +so totally different were the types shown in the little +book that Willie was forced to scratch his head and exclaim +"Gosh!" many times in an effort to reconcile the +appearance of the innocent boy to the hardened, criminal +faces he found portrayed upon the printed pages.</p> + +<p>"But, by gol!" he exclaimed mentally, "he said he was +The Oskaloosie Kid, 'n' that he shot a man last night; +but what I'd like to know is how I'm goin' to shadder +him from this here book. Here it says: 'If the criminal +gets on a street car and then jumps off at the next +corner the good detective will know that his man is +aware that he is being shadowed, and will stay on the +car and telephone his office at the first opportunity.' +'N'ere it sez: 'If your man gets into a carriage don't +run up an' jump on the back of it; but simply hire another +carriage and follow.' How in hek kin I foller this +book?" wailed Willie. "They ain't no street cars 'round +here. I ain't never see a street car, 'n'as fer a carriage, I +reckon he means bus, they's only one on 'em in Oakdale +'n'if they waz forty I'd like to know how in hek I'd hire +one when I ain't got no money. I reckon I threw away +my four-bits on this book—it don't tell a feller nothin' +'bout false whiskers, wigs 'n' the like," and he tossed +the book disgustedly into a corner, rose and descended +to the barnyard. Here he busied himself about some +task that should have been attended to a week before, +and which even now was not destined to be completed +that day, since Willie had no more than set himself to it +than his attention was distracted by the sudden appearance +of a touring car being brought to a stop in front of +the gate.</p> + +<p>Instantly Willie dropped his irksome labor and +slouched lazily toward the machine, the occupants of +which were descending and heading for the Case front +door. Jeb Case met them before they reached the porch +and Willie lolled against a pillar listening eagerly to all +that was said.</p> + +<p>The most imposing figure among the strangers was +the same whom Bridge had seen approaching the +Squibbs' house a short time before. It was he who acted +as spokesman for the newcomers.</p> + +<p>"As you may know," he said, after introducing himself, +"a number of crimes were committed in and around +Oakdale last night. We are searching for clews to the +perpetrators, some of whom must still be in the neighborhood. +Have you seen any strange or suspicious characters +around lately?"</p> + +<p>"I should say we hed," exclaimed Jeb emphatically.</p> + +<p>"I seen the wo'st lookin' gang o' bums come outen my +hay barn this mornin' thet I ever seed in my life. They +must o' ben upward of a dozen on 'em. They waz makin' +fer the house when I steps in an' grabs my ol' shot +gun. I hollered at 'em not to come a step nigher 'n' I +guess they seed it wa'n't safe monkeyin' with me; so +they skidaddled."</p> + +<p>"Which way did they go?" asked Burton.</p> + +<p>"Off down the road yonder; but I don't know which +way they turned at the crossin's, er ef they kept straight +on toward Millsville."</p> + +<p>Burton asked a number of questions in an effort to +fix the identity of some of the gang, warned Jeb to telephone +him at Jonas Prim's if he saw anything further of +the strangers, and then retraced his steps toward the +car. Not once had Jeb mentioned the youth who had +purchased supplies from him that morning, and the +reason was that Jeb had not considered the young man +of sufficient importance, having cataloged him mentally +as an unusually early specimen of the summer camper +with which he was more or less familiar.</p> + +<p>Willie, on the contrary, realized the importance of +their morning customer, yet just how he was to cash in +on his knowledge was not yet entirely clear. He was already +convinced that HOW TO BE A DETECTIVE +would help him not at all, and with the natural suspicion +of ignorance he feared to divulge his knowledge to the +city detective for fear that the latter would find the +means to cheat him out of the princely reward offered +by the Oakdale village board. He thought of going at +once to the Squibbs' house and placing the desperate +criminals under arrest; but as fear throttled the idea in +its infancy he cast about for some other plan.</p> + +<p>Even as he stood there thinking the great detective +and his companions were entering the automobile to +drive away. In a moment they would be gone. Were they +not, after all, the very men, the only men, in fact, to +assist him in his dilemma? At least he could test them +out. If necessary he would divide the reward with +them! Running toward the road Willie shouted to the +departing sleuth. The car, moving slowly forward in low, +came again to rest. Willie leaped to the running board.</p> + +<p>"If I tell you where the murderer is," he whispered +hoarsely, "do I git the $50.00?"</p> + +<p>Detective Burton was too old a hand to ignore even +the most seemingly impossible of aids. He laid a kindly +hand on Willie's shoulder. "You bet you do," he replied +heartily, "and what's more I'll add another fifty to it. +What do you know?"</p> + +<p>"I seen the murderer this mornin'," Willie was gasping +with excitement and elation. Already the one hundred +dollars was as good as his. One hundred dollars! +Willie "Goshed!" mentally even as he told his tale. "He +come to our house an' bought some vittles an' stuff. Paw +didn't know who he wuz; but when Paw went inside he +told me he was The Oskaloosie Kid 'n' thet he robbed a +house last night and killed a man, 'n' he had a whole +pocket full o' money, 'n' he said he'd kill me ef I told."</p> + +<p>Detective Burton could scarce restrain a smile as he +listened to this wildly improbable tale, yet his professional +instinct was too keen to permit him to cast aside +as worthless the faintest evidence until he had proven +it to be worthless. He stepped from the car again and +motioning to Willie to follow him returned to the Case +yard where Jeb was already coming toward the gate, +having noted the interest which his son was arousing +among the occupants of the car. Willie pulled at the +detective's sleeve. "Don't tell Paw about the reward," +he begged; "he'll keep it all hisself."</p> + +<p>Burton reassured the boy with a smile and a nod, +and then as he neared Jeb he asked him if a young +man had been at his place that morning asking for +food.</p> + +<p>"Sure," replied Jeb; "but he didn't 'mount to nothin'. +One o' these here summer camper pests. He paid fer all +he got. Had a roll o' bills 's big as ye fist. Little feller he +were, not much older 'n' Willie."</p> + +<p>"Did you know that he told your son that he was The +Oskaloosa Kid and that he had robbed a house and +killed a man last night?"</p> + +<p>"Huh?" exclaimed Jeb. Then he turned and cast one +awful look at Willie—a look large with menace.</p> + +<p>"Honest, Paw," pleaded the boy. "I was a-scairt to +tell you, 'cause he said he'd kill me ef I told."</p> + +<p>Jeb scratched his head. "Yew know what you'll get ef +you're lyin' to me," he threatened.</p> + +<p>"I believe he's telling the truth," said detective Burton. +"Where is the man now?" he asked Willie.</p> + +<p>"Down to the Squibbs' place," and Willie jerked a +dirty thumb toward the east.</p> + +<p>"Not now," said Burton; "we just came from there; +but there has been someone there this morning, for +there is still a fire in the kitchen range. Does anyone live +there?"</p> + +<p>"I should say not," said Willie emphatically; "the +place is haunted."</p> + +<p>"Thet's right," interjected Jeb. "Thet's what they do +say, an' this here Oskaloosie Kid said they heered things +las' night an' seed a dead man on the floor, didn't he +M'randy?" M'randy nodded her head.</p> + +<p>"But I don't take no stock in what Willie's ben tellin' +ye," she continued, "'n' ef his paw don't lick him I +will. I told him tell I'm good an' tired o' talkin' thet one +liar 'round a place wuz all I could stand," and she cast a +meaning glance at her husband.</p> + +<p>"Honest, Maw, I ain't a-lyin'," insisted Willie. "Wot +do you suppose he give me this fer, if it wasn't to keep +me from talkin'," and the boy drew a crumpled one dollar +bill from his pocket. It was worth the dollar to escape +a thrashing.</p> + +<p>"He give you thet?" asked his mother. Willie nodded +assent.</p> + +<p>"'N' thet ain't all he had neither," he said. "Beside +all them bills he showed me a whole pocket full o' +jewlry, 'n' he had a string o' things thet I don't know +jest what you call 'em; but they looked like they was +made outen the inside o' clam shells only they was all +round like marbles."</p> + +<p>Detective Burton raised his eyebrows. "Miss Prim's +pearl necklace," he commented to the man at his side. +The other nodded. "Don't punish your son, Mrs. Case," +he said to the woman. "I believe he has discovered a +great deal that will help us in locating the man we want. +Of course I am interested principally in finding Miss +Prim—her father has engaged me for that purpose; but +I think the arrest of the perpetrators of any of last +night's crimes will put us well along on the trail of the +missing young lady, as it is almost a foregone conclusion +that there is a connection between her disappearance +and some of the occurrences which have so excited +Oakdale. I do not mean that she was a party to any +criminal act; but it is more than possible that she was abducted +by the same men who later committed the other +crimes."</p> + +<p>The Cases hung open-mouthed upon his words, while +his companions wondered at the loquaciousness of this +ordinarily close-mouthed man, who, as a matter of fact, +was but attempting to win the confidence of the boy +on the chance that even now he had not told all that +he knew; but Willie had told all.</p> + +<p>Finding, after a few minutes further conversation, +that he could glean no additional information the detective +returned to his car and drove west toward Millsville +on the assumption that the fugitives would seek +escape by the railway running through that village. +Only thus could he account for their turning off the +main pike. The latter was now well guarded all the +way to Payson; while the Millsville road was still open.</p> + +<p>No sooner had he departed than Willie Case disappeared, +nor did he answer at noon to the repeated +ringing of the big, farm dinner bell.</p> + +<p>Half way between the Case farm and Millsville detective +Burton saw, far ahead along the road, two figures +scale a fence and disappear behind the fringing blackberry +bushes which grew in tangled profusion on either +side. When they came abreast of the spot he ordered +the driver to stop; but though he scanned the open field +carefully he saw no sign of living thing.</p> + +<p>"There are two men hiding behind those bushes," he +said to his companions in a low whisper. "One of you +walk ahead about fifty yards and the other go back the +same distance and then climb the fence. When I see you +getting over I'll climb it here. They can't get away from +us." To the driver he said: "You have a gun. If they +make a break go after 'em. You can shoot if they don't +stop when you tell 'em to."</p> + +<p>The two men walked in opposite directions along the +road, and when Burton saw them turn in and start to +climb the fence he vaulted over the panel directly opposite +the car. He had scarcely alighted upon the other +side when his eyes fell upon the disreputable figures of +two tramps stretched out upon their backs and snoring +audibly. Burton grinned.</p> + +<p>"You two sure can go to sleep in a hurry," he said. +One of the men opened his eyes and sat up. When he +saw who it was that stood over him he grinned sheepishly.</p> + +<p>"Can't a guy lie down fer a minute in de bushes widout +bein' pinched?" he asked. The other man now sat up +and viewed the newcomer, while from either side Burton's +companions closed in on the three.</p> + +<p>"Wot's de noise?" inquired the second tramp, looking +from one to another of the intruders. "We ain't done +nothin'."</p> + +<p>"Of course not, Charlie," Burton assured him gaily. +"Who would ever suspect that you or The General +would do anything; but somebody did something in +Oakdale last night and I want to take you back there +and have a nice, long talk with you. Put your hands +up!"</p> + +<p>"We—."</p> + +<p>"Put 'em up!" snapped Burton, and when the four +grimy fists had been elevated he signalled to his companions +to search the two men.</p> + +<p>Nothing more formidable than knives, dope, and a +needle were found upon them.</p> + +<p>"Say," drawled Dopey Charlie. "We knows wot we +knows; but hones' to gawd we didn't have nothin' to do +wid it. We knows the guy that pulled it off—we spent +las' night wid him an' his pal an' a skoit. He creased +me, here," and Charlie unbuttoned his clothing and exposed +to view the bloody scratch of The Oskaloosa +Kid's bullet. "On de level, Burton, we wern't in on it. +Dis guy was at dat Squibbs' place wen we pulls in dere +outen de rain. He has a pocket full o' kale an' sparklers +an' tings, and he goes fer to shoot me up wen I tries +to get away."</p> + +<p>"Who was he?" asked Burton.</p> + +<p>"He called hisself de Oskaloosa Kid," replied Charlie. +"A guy called Bridge was wid him. You know him?"</p> + +<p>"I've heard of him; but he's straight," replied Burton. +"Who was the skirt?"</p> + +<p>"I dunno," said Charlie; "but she was gassin' 'bout her +pals croakin' a guy an' trunin' 'im outten a gas wagon, +an' dis Oskaloosa Kid he croaks some old guy in Oakdale +las' night. Mebby he ain't a bad 'un though!"</p> + +<p>"Where are they now?" asked Burton.</p> + +<p>"We got away from 'em at the Squibbs' place this +mornin'," said Charlie.</p> + +<p>"Well," said Burton, "you boes come along with me. +If you ain't done nothing the worst you'll get'll be +three squares and a place to sleep for a few days. I +want you where I can lay my hands on you when I +need a couple of witnesses," and he herded them over +the fence and into the machine. As he himself was about +to step in he felt suddenly of his breast pocket.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter?" asked one of his companions.</p> + +<p>"I've lost my note book," replied Burton; "it must +have dropped out of my pocket when I jumped the +fence. Just wait a minute while I go look for it," and +he returned to the fence, vaulted it and disappeared behind +the bushes.</p> + +<p>It was fully five minutes before he returned but when +he did there was a look of satisfaction on his face.</p> + +<p>"Find it?" asked his principal lieutenant.</p> + +<p>"Yep," replied Burton. "I wouldn't have lost it for +anything."</p> + +<p>Bridge and his companions had made their way along +the wooded path for perhaps a quarter of a mile when +the man halted and drew back behind the foliage of a +flowering bush. With raised finger he motioned the others +to silence and then pointed through the branches +ahead. The boy and the girl, tense with excitement, +peered past the man into a clearing in which stood a log +shack, mud plastered; but it was not the hovel which +held their mute attention—it was rather the figure of a +girl, bare headed and bare footed, who toiled stubbornly +with an old spade at a long, narrow excavation.</p> + +<p>All too suggestive in itself was the shape of the hole +the girl was digging; there was no need of the silent +proof of its purpose which lay beside her to tell the +watchers that she worked alone in the midst of the forest +solitude upon a human grave. The thing wrapped +in an old quilt lay silently waiting for the making of its +last bed.</p> + +<p>And as the three watched her other eyes watched +them and the digging girl—wide, awestruck eyes, filled +with a great terror, yet now and again half closing in +the shrewd expression of cunning that is a hall mark of +crafty ignorance.</p> + +<p>And as they watched, their over-wrought nerves suddenly +shuddered to the grewsome clanking of a chain +from the dark interior of the hovel.</p> + +<p>The youth, holding tight to Bridge's sleeve, strove to +pull him away.</p> + +<p>"Let's go back," he whispered in a voice that trembled +so that he could scarce control it.</p> + +<p>"Yes, please," urged the girl. "Here is another path +leading toward the north. We must be close to a road. +Let's get away from here."</p> + +<p>The digger paused and raised her head, listening, as +though she had caught the faint, whispered note of human +voices. She was a black haired girl of nineteen or +twenty, dressed in a motley of flowered calico and silk, +with strings of gold and silver coins looped around her +olive neck. Her bare arms were encircled by bracelets—some +cheap and gaudy, others well wrought from gold +and silver. From her ears depended ornaments fashioned +from gold coins. Her whole appearance was barbaric, +her occupation cast a sinister haze about her; and +yet her eyes seemed fashioned for laughter and her lips +for kissing.</p> + +<p>The watchers remained motionless as the girl peered +first in one direction and then in another, seeking an explanation +of the sounds which had disturbed her. Her +brows were contracted into a scowl of apprehension +which remained even after she returned to her labors, +and that she was ill at ease was further evidenced by +the frequent pauses she made to cast quick glances toward +the dense tanglewood surrounding the clearing.</p> + +<p>At last the grave was dug. The girl climbed out and +stood looking down upon the quilt wrapped thing at +her feet. For a moment she stood there as silent and +motionless as the dead. Only the twittering of birds disturbed +the quiet of the wood. Bridge felt a soft hand +slipped into his and slender fingers grip his own, He +turned his eyes to see the boy at his side gazing with +wide eyes and trembling lips at the tableau within the +clearing. Involuntarily the man's hand closed tightly +upon the youth's.</p> + +<p>And as they stood thus the silence was shattered by +a loud and human sneeze from the thicket not fifty feet +from where they stood. Instantly the girl in the clearing +was electrified into action. Like a tigress charging those +who stalked her she leaped swiftly across the clearing +toward the point from which the disturbance had come. +There was an answering commotion in the underbrush +as the girl crashed through, a slender knife gleaming in +her hand.</p> + +<p>Bridge and his companions heard the sounds of a +swift and short pursuit followed by voices, one masterful, +the other frightened and whimpering; and a moment +afterward the girl reappeared dragging a boy with her—a +wide-eyed, terrified, country boy who begged and +blubbered to no avail.</p> + +<p>Beside the dead man the girl halted and then turned +on her captive. In her right hand she still held the +menacing blade.</p> + +<p>"What you do there watching me for?" she demanded. +"Tell me the truth, or I kill you," and she half raised +the knife that he might profit in his decision by this +most potent of arguments.</p> + +<p>The boy cowered. "I didn't come fer to watch you," +he whimpered. "I'm lookin' for somebody else. I'm goin' +to be a dee-tectiff, an' I'm shadderin' a murderer;" and +he gasped and stammered: "But not you. I'm lookin' for +another murderer."</p> + +<p>For the first time the watchers saw a faint smile +touch the girl's lips.</p> + +<p>"What other murderer?" she asked. "Who has been +murdered?"</p> + +<p>"Two an' mebby three in Oakdale last night," said +Willie Case more glibly now that a chance for disseminating +gossip momentarily outweighed his own fears. +"Reginald Paynter was murdered an' ol' man Baggs an' +Abigail Prim's missin'. Like es not she's been murdered +too, though they do say as she had a hand in it, bein' +seen with Paynter an' The Oskaloosie Kid jest afore the +murder."</p> + +<p>As the boy's tale reached the ears of the three hidden +in the underbrush Bridge glanced quickly at his companions. +He saw the boy's horror-stricken expression follow +the announcement of the name of the murdered +Paynter, and he saw the girl flush crimson.</p> + +<p>Without urging, Willie Case proceeded with his story. +He told of the coming of The Oskaloosa Kid to his +father's farm that morning and of seeing some of the +loot and hearing the confession of robbery and killing +in Oakdale the night before. Bridge looked down at the +youth beside him; but the other's face was averted and +his eyes upon the ground. Then Willie told of the arrival +of the great detective, of the reward that had been offered +and of his decision to win it and become rich +and famous in a single stroke. As he reached the end +of his narrative he leaned close to the girl, whispering +in her ear the while his furtive gaze wandered toward +the spot where the three lay concealed.</p> + +<p>Bridge shrugged his shoulders as the palpable inference +of that cunning glance was borne in upon him. +The boy's voice had risen despite his efforts to hold it to +a low whisper for what with the excitement of the adventure +and his terror of the girl with the knife he had +little or no control of himself, yet it was evident that he +did not realize that practically every word he had +spoken had reached the ears of the three in hiding and +that his final precaution as he divulged the information +to the girl was prompted by an excess of timidity and +secretiveness.</p> + +<p>The eyes of the girl widened in surprise and fear +as she learned that three watchers lay concealed at +the verge of the clearing. She bent a long, searching +look in the direction indicated by the boy and then +turned her eyes quickly toward the hut as though to +summon aid. At the same moment Bridge stepped from +hiding into the clearing. His pleasant 'Good morning!' +brought the girl around, facing him.</p> + +<p>"What you want?" she snapped.</p> + +<p>"I want you and this young man," said Bridge, his +voice now suddenly stern. "We have been watching you +and followed you from the Squibbs house. We found the +dead man there last night;" Bridge nodded toward the +quilt enveloped thing upon the ground; "and we suspect +that you had an accomplice." Here he frowned +meaningly upon Willie Case. The youth trembled and +stammered.</p> + +<p>"I never seen her afore," he cried. "I don' know +nothin' about it. Honest I don't." But the girl did not +quail.</p> + +<p>"You get out," she commanded. "You a bad man. Kill, +steal. He know; he tell me. You get out or I call Beppo. +He keel you. He eat you."</p> + +<p>"Come, come, now, my dear," urged Bridge, "be calm. +Let us get at the root of this thing. Your young friend +accuses me of being a murderer, does he? And he tells +about murders in Oakdale that I have not even heard +of. It seems to me that he must have some guilty knowledge +himself of these affairs. Look at him and look at +me. Notice his ears, his chin, his forehead, or rather the +places where his chin and forehead should be, and then +look once more at me. Which of us might be a murderer +and which a detective? I ask you.</p> + +<p>"And as for yourself. I find you here in the depths of +the wood digging a lonely grave for a human corpse. +I ask myself: was this man murdered? but I do not say +that he was murdered. I wait for an explanation from +you, for you do not look a murderer, though I cannot +say as much for your desperate companion."</p> + +<p>The girl looked straight into Bridge's eyes for a full +minute before she replied as though endeavoring to +read his inmost soul.</p> + +<p>"I do not know this boy," she said. "That is the truth. +He was spying on me, and when I found him he told +me that you and your companions were thieves and +murderers and that you were hiding there watching me. +You tell me the truth, all the truth, and I will tell you +the truth. I have nothing to fear. If you do not tell me +the truth I shall know it. Will you?"</p> + +<p>"I will," replied Bridge, and then turning toward the +brush he called: "Come here!" and presently a boy and a +girl, dishevelled and fearful, crawled forth into sight. +Willie Case's eyes went wide as they fell upon the +Oskaloosa Kid.</p> + +<p>Quickly and simply Bridge told the girl the story of +the past night, for he saw that by enlisting her sympathy +he might find an avenue of escape for his companions, +or at least a haven of refuge where they might +hide until escape was possible. "And then," he said in +conclusion, "when the searchers arrived we followed +the foot prints of yourself and the bear until we came +upon you digging this grave."</p> + +<p>Bridge's companions and Willie Case looked their surprise +at his mention of a bear; but the gypsy girl only +nodded her head as she had occasionally during his narrative.</p> + +<p>"I believe you," said the girl. "It is not easy to deceive +Giova. Now I tell you. This here," she pointed +toward the dead man, "he my father. He bad man. +Steal; kill; drink; fight; but always good to Giova. Good +to no one else but Beppo. He afraid Beppo. Even our +people drive us out he, my father, so bad man. We wander +'round country mak leetle money when Beppo +dance; mak lot money when HE steal. Two days he no +come home. I go las' night look for him. Sometimes he +too drunk come home he sleep Squeebs. I go there. I +find heem dead. He have fits, six, seven year. He die fit. +Beppo stay guard heem. I carry heem home. Giova +strong, he no very large man. Beppo come too. I bury +heem. No one know we leeve here. Pretty soon I go +way with Beppo. Why tell people he dead. Who care? +Mak lot trouble for Giova whose heart already ache +plenty. No one love heem, only Beppo and Giova. No +one love Giova, only Beppo; but some day Beppo he +keel Giova now HE is dead, for Beppo vera large, strong +bear—fierce bear—ogly bear. Even Giova who love Beppo +is afraid Beppo. Beppo devil bear! Beppo got evil +eye.</p> + +<p>"Well," said Bridge, "I guess, Giova, that you and we +are in the same boat. We haven't any of us done anything +so very bad but it would be embarrassing to +have to explain to the police what we have done," here +he glanced at The Oskaloosa Kid and the girl standing +beside the youth. "Suppose we form a defensive alliance, +eh? We'll help you and you help us. What do you +say?"</p> + +<p>"All right," acquiesced Giova; "but what we do with +this?" and she jerked her thumb toward Willie Case.</p> + +<p>"If he don't behave we'll feed him to Beppo," suggested Bridge.</p> + +<p>Willie shook in his boots, figuratively speaking, for in +reality he shook upon his bare feet. "Lemme go," he +wailed, "an' I won't tell nobody nothin'."</p> + +<p>"No," said Bridge, "you don't go until we're safely +out of here. I wouldn't trust that vanishing chin of +yours as far as I could throw Beppo by the tail."</p> + +<p>"Wait!" exclaimed The Oskaloosa Kid. "I have it!"</p> + +<p>"What have you?" asked Bridge.</p> + +<p>"Listen!" cried the boy excitedly. "This boy has been +offered a hundred dollars for information leading to the +arrest and conviction of the men who robbed and murdered +in Oakdale last night. I'll give him a hundred +dollars if he'll go away and say nothing about us."</p> + +<p>"Look here, son," said Bridge, "every time you open +your mouth you put your foot in it. The less you advertise +the fact that you have a hundred dollars the better +off you'll be. I don't know how you come by so much +wealth; but in view of several things which occurred +last night I should not be crazy, were I you, to have to +make a true income tax return. Somehow I have faith in +you; but I doubt if any minion of the law would be +similarly impressed."</p> + +<p>The Oskaloosa Kid appeared hurt and crestfallen. +Giova shot a suspicious glance at him. The other girl involuntarily +drew away. Bridge noted the act and shook +his head. "No," he said, "we mustn't judge one another +hastily, Miss Prim, and I take it you are Miss Prim?" +The girl made a half gesture of denial, started to speak, +hesitated and then resumed. "I would rather not say +who I am, please," she said.</p> + +<p>"Well," said the man, "let's take one another at face +value for a while, without digging too deep into the +past; and now for our plans. This wood will be searched; +but I don't see how we are to get out of it before dark as +the roads are doubtless pretty well patrolled, or at least +every farmer is on the lookout for suspicious strangers. +So we might as well make the best of it here for the +rest of the day. I think we're reasonably safe for the +time being—if we keep Willie with us."</p> + +<p>Willie had been an interested auditor of all that +passed between his captors. He was obviously terrified; +but his terror did not prevent him from absorbing all +that he heard, nor from planning how he might utilize +the information. He saw not only one reward but several +and a glorious publicity which far transcended the +most sanguine of his former dreams. He saw his picture +not only in the Oakdale Tribune but in the newspapers +of every city of the country. Assuming a stern and arrogant +expression, or rather what he thought to be such, +he posed, mentally, for the newspaper cameramen; and +such is the power of association of ideas that he was +presently strolling nonchalantly before a battery of motion +picture machines. "Gee!" he murmured, "wont the +other fellers be sore! I s'ppose Pinkerton'll send for me +'bout the first thing 'n' offer me twenty fi' dollars a week, +er mebbie more 'n thet. Gol durn, ef I don't hold out +fer thirty! Gee!" Words, thoughts even, failed him.</p> + +<p>As the others planned they rather neglected Willie +and when they came to assisting Giova in lowering her +father into the grave and covering him over with earth +they quite forgot Willie entirely. It was The Oskaloosa +Kid who first thought of him. "Where's the boy?" he +cried suddenly. The others looked quickly about the +clearing, but no Willie was to be seen.</p> + +<p>Bridge shook his head ruefully. "We'll have to get out +of this in a hurry now," he said. "That little defective will +have the whole neighborhood on us in an hour."</p> + +<p>"Oh, what can we do?" cried the girl. "They mustn't +find us! I should rather die than be found here with—" +She stopped abruptly, flushed scarlet as the other three +looked at her in silence, and then: "I am sorry," she said. +"I didn't know what I was saying. I am so frightened. +You have all been good to me."</p> + +<p>"I tell you what we do." It was Giova speaking in the +masterful voice of one who has perfect confidence in his +own powers. "I know fine way out. This wood circle +back south through swamp mile, mile an' a half. The +road past Squeebs an' Case's go right through it. I know +path there I fin' myself. We on'y have to cross road, that +only danger. Then we reach leetle stream south of +woods, stream wind down through Payson. We all go +Gypsies. I got lot clothing in house. We all go Gypsies, +an' when we reach Payson we no try hide—jus' come +out on street with Beppo. Mak' Beppo dance. No one +think we try hide. Then come night we go 'way. Find +more wood an' leetle lake other side Payson. I know +place. We hide there long time. No one ever fin' us +there. We tell two, three, four people in Payson we go +Oakdale. They look Oakdale for us if they wan' fin' us. +They no think look where we go. See?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I can't go to Payson," exclaimed the other girl. +"Someone would be sure to recognize me."</p> + +<p>"You come in house with me," Giova assured her, "I +feex you so your own mother no know you. You mens +come too. I geeve you what to wear like Gypsy mens. +We got lots things. My father, him he steal many things +from our people after they drive us out. He go back +by nights an' steal."</p> + +<p>The three followed her toward the little hovel since +there seemed no better plan than that which she had +offered. Giova and the other girl were in the lead, followed +by Bridge and the boy. The latter turned to the +man and placed a hand upon his arm. "Why don't you +leave us," he asked. "You have done nothing. No one is +looking for you. Why don't you go your way and save +yourself from suspicion."</p> + +<p>Bridge did not reply.</p> + +<p>"I believe," the youth went on, "that you are doing +it for me; but why I can't guess."</p> + +<p>"Maybe I am," Bridge half acknowledged. "You're a +good little kid, but you need someone to look after you. +It would be easier though if you'd tell me the truth +about yourself, which you certainly haven't up to now."</p> + +<p>"Please don't ask me," begged the boy. "I can't; honestly +I can't."</p> + +<p>"Is it as bad as that?" asked the man.</p> + +<p>"Oh, its worse," cried The Oskaloosa Kid. "It's a thousand +times worse. Don't make me tell you, for if I do +tell I shall have to leave you, and—and, oh, Bridge, I +don't want to leave you—ever!"</p> + +<p>They had reached the door of the cabin now and +were looking in past the girl who had halted there as +Giova entered. Before them was a small room in which +a large, vicious looking brown bear was chained.</p> + +<p>"Behold our ghost of last night!" exclaimed Bridge. +"By George! though, I'd as soon have hunted a real +ghost in the dark as to have run into this fellow."</p> + +<p>"Did you know last night that it was a bear?" asked +the Kid. "You told Giova that you followed the footprints +of herself and her bear; but you had not said anything +about a bear to us."</p> + +<p>"I had an idea last night," explained Bridge, "that +the sounds were produced by some animal dragging a +chain; but I couldn't prove it and so I said nothing, and +then this morning while we were following the trail I +made up my mind that it was a bear. There were two +facts which argued that such was the case. The first is +that I don't believe in ghosts and that even if I did I +would not expect a ghost to leave footprints in the mud, +and the other is that I knew that the footprints of a bear +are strangely similar to those of the naked feet of man. +Then when I saw the Gypsy girl I was sure that what +we had heard last night was nothing more nor less than +a trained bear. The dress and appearance of the dead +man lent themselves to a furtherance of my belief and +the wisp of brown hair clutched in his fingers added still +further proof."</p> + +<p>Within the room the bear was now straining at his +collar and growling ferociously at the strangers. Giova +crossed the room, scolding him and at the same time +attempting to assure him that the newcomers were +friends; but the wicked expression upon the beast's face +gave no indication that he would ever accept them as +aught but enemies.</p> + +<p>It was a breathless Willie who broke into his mother's +kitchen wide eyed and gasping from the effects of excitement +and a long, hard run.</p> + +<p>"Fer lan' sakes!" exclaimed Mrs. Case. "Whatever in +the world ails you?"</p> + +<p>"I got 'em; I got 'em!" cried Willie, dashing for the +telephone.</p> + +<p>"Fer lan' sakes! I should think you did hev 'em," retorted +his mother as she trailed after him in the direction +of the front hall. "'N' whatever you got, you got 'em +bad. Now you stop right where you air 'n' tell me whatever +you got. 'Taint likely its measles, fer you've hed +them three times, 'n' whoopin' cough ain't 'them,' it's 'it,' +'n'—." Mrs. Case paused and gasped—horrified. "Fer lan' +sakes, Willie Case, you come right out o' this house this +minute ef you got anything in your head." She made a +grab for Willie's arm; but the boy dodged and reached +the telephone.</p> + +<p>"Shucks!" he cried. "I ain't got nothin' in my head," +nor did either sense the unconscious humor of the statement. +"What I got is a gang o' thieves an' murderers, an' +I'm callin' up thet big city deetectiff to come arter 'em."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Case sank into a chair, prostrated by the weight +of her emotions, while Willie took down the receiver after +ringing the bell to attract central. Finally he obtained +his connection, which was with Jonas Prim's bank +where detective Burton was making his headquarters. +Here he learned that Burton had not returned; but finally +gave his message reluctantly to Jonas Prim after +exacting a promise from that gentleman that he would +be personally responsible for the payment of the reward. +What Willie Case told Jonas Prim had the latter in a +machine, with half a dozen deputy sheriffs and speeding +southward from Oakdale inside of ten minutes.</p> + +<p>A short distance out from town they met detective +Burton with his two prisoners. After a hurried consultation +Dopey Charlie and The General were unloaded +and started on the remainder of their journey afoot under +guard of two of the deputies, while Burton's companions +turned and followed the other car, Burton taking +a seat beside Prim.</p> + +<p>"He said that he could take us right to where Abigail +is," Mr. Prim was explaining to Burton, "and that this +Oskaloosa Kid is with her, and another man and a foreign +looking girl. He told a wild story about seeing +them burying a dead man in the woods back of +Squibbs' place. I don't know how much to believe, or +whether to believe any of it; but we can't afford not +to run down every clew. I can't believe that my daughter +is wilfully consorting with such men. She always +has been full of life and spirit; but she's got a clean +mind, and her little escapades have always been entirely +harmless—at worst some sort of boyish prank. I +simply won't believe it until I see it with my own eyes. +If she's with them she's being held by force."</p> + +<p>Burton made no reply. He was not a man to jump to +conclusions. His success was largely due to the fact +that he assumed nothing; but merely ran down each +clew quickly yet painstakingly until he had a foundation +of fact upon which to operate. His theory was that the +simplest way is always the best way and so he never befogged +the main issue with any elaborate system of deductive +reasoning based on guesswork. Burton never +guessed. He assumed that it was his business to KNOW, +nor was he on any case long before he did know. He +was employed now to find Abigail Prim. Each of the several +crimes committed the previous night might or might +not prove a clew to her whereabouts; but each must be +run down in the process of elimination before Burton +could feel safe in abandoning it.</p> + +<p>Already he had solved one of them to his satisfaction; +and Dopey Charlie and The General were, all unknown +to themselves, on the way to the gallows for the +murder of Old John Baggs. When Burton had found +them simulating sleep behind the bushes beside the road +his observant eyes had noticed something that resembled +a hurried cache. The excuse of a lost note book had +taken him back to investigate and to find the loot of the +Baggs's crime wrapped in a bloody rag and hastily +buried in a shallow hole.</p> + +<p>When Burton and Jonas Prim arrived at the Case farm +they were met by a new Willie. A puffed and important +young man swaggered before them as he retold his tale +and led them through the woods toward the spot where +they were to bag their prey. The last hundred yards was +made on hands and knees; but when the party arrived +at the clearing there was no one in sight, only the hovel +stood mute and hollow-eyed before them.</p> + +<p>"They must be inside," whispered Willie to the detective.</p> + +<p>Burton passed a whispered word to his followers. +Stealthily they crept through the underbrush until the +cabin was surrounded; then, at a signal from their leader +they rose and advanced upon the structure.</p> + +<p>No evidence of life indicated their presence had been +noted, and Burton came to the very door of the cabin +unchallenged. The others saw him pause an instant +upon the threshold and then pass in. They closed behind +him. Three minutes later he emerged, shaking his +head.</p> + +<p>"There is no one here," he announced.</p> + +<p>Willie Case was crestfallen. "But they must be," he +pleaded. "They must be. I saw 'em here just a leetle +while back."</p> + +<p>Burton turned and eyed the boy sternly. Willie +quailed. "I seen 'em," he cried. "Hones' I seen 'em. They +was here just a few minutes ago. Here's where they burrit +the dead man," and he pointed to the little mound of +earth near the center of the clearing.</p> + +<p>"We'll see," commented Burton, tersely, and he sent +two of his men back to the Case farm for spades. When +they returned a few minutes' labor revealed that so +much of Willie's story was true, for a quilt wrapped +corpse was presently unearthed and lying upon the +ground beside its violated grave. Willie's stock rose once +more to par.</p> + +<p>In an improvised litter they carried the dead man +back to Case's farm where they left him after notifying +the coroner by telephone. Half of Burton's men were +sent to the north side of the woods and half to the road +upon the south of the Squibbs' farm. There they separated +and formed a thin line of outposts about the +entire area north of the road. If the quarry was within +it could not escape without being seen. In the mean +time Burton telephoned to Oakdale for reinforcements, +as it would require fifty men at least to properly beat the +tangled underbrush of the wood.</p> + +<hr class="tiny" /> + + +<p>In a clump of willows beside the little stream which +winds through the town of Payson a party of four halted +on the outskirts of the town. There were two men, two +young women and a huge brown bear. The men and +women were, obviously, Gypsies. Their clothing, their +head-dress, their barbaric ornamentation proclaimed the +fact to whoever might pass; but no one passed.</p> + +<p>"I think," said Bridge, "that we will just stay where we +are until after dark. We haven't passed or seen a human +being since we left the cabin. No one can know that +we are here and if we stay here until late to-night we +should be able to pass around Payson unseen and reach +the wood to the south of town. If we do meet anyone +to-night we'll stop them and inquire the way to Oakdale—that'll +throw them off the track."</p> + +<p>The others acquiesced in his suggestion; but there +were queries about food to be answered. It seemed that +all were hungry and that the bear was ravenous.</p> + +<p>"What does he eat?" Bridge asked of Giova.</p> + +<p>"Mos' anything," replied the girl. "He like garbage +fine. Often I take him into towns late, ver' late at night +an' he eat swill. I do that to-night. Beppo, he got to be +fed or he eat Giova. I go feed Beppo, you go get food +for us; then we all meet at edge of wood just other side +town near old mill."</p> + +<p>During the remainder of the afternoon and well after +dark the party remained hidden in the willows. Then +Giova started out with Beppo in search of garbage cans, +Bridge bent his steps toward a small store upon the +outskirts of town where food could be purchased, The +Oskaloosa Kid having donated a ten dollar bill for the +stocking of the commissariat, and the youth and the +girl made their way around the south end of the town +toward the meeting place beside the old mill.</p> + +<p>As Bridge moved through the quiet road at the outskirts +of the little town he let his mind revert to the +events of the past twenty four hours and as he pondered +each happening since he met the youth in the +dark of the storm the preceding night he asked himself +why he had cast his lot with these strangers. In his +years of vagabondage Bridge had never crossed that invisible +line which separates honest men from thieves and +murderers and which, once crossed, may never be recrossed. +Chance and necessity had thrown him often +among such men and women; but never had he been of +them. The police of more than one city knew Bridge—they +knew him, though, as a character and not as a +criminal. A dozen times he had been arraigned upon +suspicion; but as many times had he been released with +a clean bill of morals until of late Bridge had become almost +immune from arrest. The police who knew him +knew that he was straight and they knew, too, that he +would give no information against another man. For +this they admired him as did the majority of the criminals +with whom he had come in contact during his +rovings.</p> + +<p>The present crisis, however, appeared most unpromising +to Bridge. Grave crimes had been committed in +Oakdale, and here was Bridge conniving in the escape +of at least two people who might readily be under police +suspicion. It was difficult for the man to bring himself +to believe that either the youth or the girl was in +any way actually responsible for either of the murders; +yet it appeared that the latter had been present when a +murder was committed and now by attempting to elude +the police had become an accessory after the fact, since +she possessed knowledge of the identity of the actual +murderer; while the boy, by his own admission, had +committed a burglary.</p> + +<p>Bridge shook his head wearily. Was he not himself +an accessory after the fact in the matter of two crimes +at least? These new friends, it seemed, were about to +topple him into the abyss which he had studiously +avoided for so long a time. But why should he permit +it? What were they to him?</p> + +<p>A freight train was puffing into the siding at the Payson +station. Bridge could hear the complaining brakes +a mile away. It would be easy to leave the town and his +dangerous companions far behind him; but even as the +thought forced its way into his mind another obtruded +itself to shoulder aside the first. It was recollection of the +boy's words: "Oh, Bridge, I don't want to leave you—ever."</p> + +<p>"I couldn't do it," mused Bridge. "I don't know just +why; but I couldn't. That kid has certainly got me. The +first thing someone knows I'll be starting a foundlings' +home. There is no question but that I am the soft +mark, and I wonder why it is—why a kid I never saw +before last night has a strangle hold on my heart that I +can't shake loose—and don't want to. Now if it was a +girl I could understand it." Bridge stopped suddenly in +the middle of the road. From his attitude he might have +been startled either by a surprising noise or by a surprising +thought. For a minute he stood motionless; then he +shook his head again and proceeded along his way toward +the little store; evidently if he had heard anything +he was assured that it constituted no menace.</p> + +<p>As he entered the store to make his purchases a fox-eyed +man saw him and stepped quickly behind the +huge stove which had not as yet been taken down for +the summer. Bridge made his purchases, the volume of +which required a large gunny-sack for transportation, +and while he was thus occupied the fox-eyed man clung +to his coign of vantage, himself unnoticed by the purchaser. +When Bridge departed the other followed him, +keeping in the shadow of the trees which bordered the +street. Around the edge of town and down a road which +led southward the two went until Bridge passed through +a broken fence and halted beside an abandoned mill. +The watcher saw his quarry set down his burden, seat +himself beside it and proceed to roll a cigaret; then he +faded away in the darkness and Bridge was alone.</p> + +<p>Five or ten minutes later two slender figures appeared +dimly out of the north. They approached timidly, +stopping often and looking first this way and then that +and always listening. When they arrived opposite the +mill Bridge saw them and gave a low whistle. Immediately +the two passed through the fence and approached +him.</p> + +<p>"My!" exclaimed one, "I thought we never would get +here; but we didn't see a soul on the road. Where is +Giova?"</p> + +<p>"She hadn't come yet," replied Bridge, "and she may +not. I don't see how a girl can browse around a town +like this with a big bear at night and not be seen, and +if she is seen she'll be followed—it would be too much +of a treat for the rubes ever to be passed up—and if +she's followed she won't come here. At least I hope she +won't."</p> + +<p>"What's that?" exclaimed The Oskaloosa Kid. Each +stood in silence, listening.</p> + +<p>The girl shuddered. "Even now that I know what it +is it makes me creep," she whispered, as the faint clanking +of a distant chain came to their ears.</p> + +<p>"We ought to be used to it by this time, Miss Prim," +said Bridge. "We heard it all last night and a good +part of to-day."</p> + +<p>The girl made no comment upon the use of the name +which he had applied to her, and in the darkness he +could not see her features, nor did he see the odd expression +upon the boy's face as he heard the name +addressed to her. Was he thinking of the nocturnal +raid he so recently had made upon the boudoir of Miss +Abigail Prim? Was he pondering the fact that his pockets +bulged to the stolen belongings of that young lady? +But whatever was passing in his mind he permitted +none of it to pass his lips.</p> + +<p>As the three stood waiting in silence Giova came presently +among them, the beast Beppo lumbering awkwardly at her side.</p> + +<p>"Did he find anything to eat?" asked the man.</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes," exclaimed Giova. "He fill up now. That mak +him better nature. Beppo not so ugly now."</p> + +<p>"Well, I'm glad of that," said Bridge. "I haven't been +looking forward much to his company through the +woods to-night—especially while he was hungry!"</p> + +<p>Giova laughed a low, musical little laugh. "I don' +think he no hurt you anyway," she said. "Now he know +you my frien'."</p> + +<p>"I hope you are quite correct in your surmise," replied +Bridge. "But even so I'm not taking any chances."</p> + +<hr class="tiny" /> + + +<p>Willie Case had been taken to Payson to testify before +the coroner's jury investigating the death of Giova's +father, and with the dollar which The Oskaloosa Kid +had given him in the morning burning in his pocket had +proceeded to indulge in an orgy of dissipation the moment +that he had been freed from the inquest. Ice +cream, red pop, peanuts, candy, and soda water may +have diminished his appetite but not his pride and self-satisfaction +as he sat alone and by night for the first +time in a public eating place. Willie was now a man of +the world, a bon vivant, as he ordered ham and eggs +from the pretty waitress of The Elite Restaurant on +Broadway; but at heart he was not happy for never before +had he realized what a great proportion of his anatomy +was made up of hands and feet. As he glanced +fearfully at the former, silhouetted against the white of +the table cloth, he flushed scarlet, assured as he was that +the waitress who had just turned away toward the +kitchen with his order was convulsed with laughter +and that every other eye in the establishment was glued +upon him. To assume an air of nonchalance and thereby +impress and disarm his critics Willie reached for a toothpick +in the little glass holder near the center of the table +and upset the sugar bowl. Immediately Willie +snatched back the offending hand and glared ferociously +at the ceiling. He could feel the roots of his hair being +consumed in the heat of his skin. A quick side glance +that required all his will power to consummate showed +him that no one appeared to have noticed his faux pas +and Willie was again slowly returning to normal when +the proprietor of the restaurant came up from behind +and asked him to remove his hat.</p> + +<p>Never had Willie Case spent so frightful a half hour +as that within the brilliant interior of The Elite Restaurant. +Twenty-three minutes of this eternity was consumed +in waiting for his order to be served and seven +minutes in disposing of the meal and paying his check. +Willie's method of eating was in itself a sermon on +efficiency—there was no lost motion—no waste of time. +He placed his mouth within two inches of his plate +after cutting his ham and eggs into pieces of a size that +would permit each mouthful to enter without wedging; +then he mixed his mashed potatoes in with the result +and working his knife and fork alternately with bewildering +rapidity shot a continuous stream of food into his +gaping maw.</p> + +<p>In addition to the meat and potatoes there was one +vegetable in a side-dish and as dessert four prunes. The +meat course gone Willie placed the vegetable dish on +the empty plate, seized a spoon in lieu of knife and +fork and—presto! the side-dish was empty. Whereupon +the prune dish was set in the empty side-dish—four deft +motions and there were no prunes—in the dish. The entire +feat had been accomplished in 6:34 1/2, setting a +new world's record for red-headed farmer boys with one +splay foot.</p> + +<p>In the remaining twenty five and one half seconds +Willie walked what seemed to him a mile from his seat +to the cashier's desk and at the last instant bumped into +a waitress with a trayful of dishes. Clutched tightly in +Willie's hand was thirty five cents and his check with a +like amount written upon it. Amid the crash of crockery +which followed the collision Willie slammed check and +money upon the cashier's desk and fled. Nor did he +pause until in the reassuring seclusion of a dark sidestreet. +There Willie sank upon the curb alternately cold +with fear and hot with shame, weak and panting, and +into his heart entered the iron of class hatred, searing +it to the core.</p> + +<p>Fortunately for youth it recuperates rapidly from mortal +blows, and so it was that another half hour found +Willie wandering up and down Broadway but at the +far end of the street from The Elite Restaurant. A motion +picture theater arrested his attention; and presently, +parting with one of his two remaining dimes, he +entered. The feature of the bill was a detective melodrama. +Nothing in the world could have better suited +Willie's psychic needs. It recalled his earlier feats of +the day, in which he took pardonable pride, and raised +him once again to a self-confidence he had not felt since +he entered the ever to be hated Elite Restaurant.</p> + +<p>The show over Willie set forth afoot for home. A +long walk lay ahead of him. This in itself was bad +enough; but what lay at the end of the long walk was +infinitely worse, as Willie's father had warned him to +return immediately after the inquest, in time for milking, +preferably. Before he had gone two blocks from the +theater Willie had concocted at least three tales to account +for his tardiness, either one of which would have +done credit to the imaginative powers of a Rider Haggard +or a Jules Verne; but at the end of the third +block he caught a glimpse of something which drove +all thoughts of home from his mind and came but +barely short of driving his mind out too. He was approaching +the entrance to an alley. Old trees grew in the +parkway at his side. At the street corner a half block +away a high flung arc swung gently from its supporting +cables, casting a fair light upon the alley's mouth, +and just emerging from behind the nearer fence Willie +Case saw the huge bulk of a bear. Terrified, Willie +jumped behind a tree; and then, fearful lest the animal +might have caught sight or scent of him he poked his +head cautiously around the side of the bole just in +time to see the figure of a girl come out of the alley behind +the bear. Willie recognized her at the first glance—she +was the very girl he had seen burying the dead man +in the Squibbs woods. Instantly Willie Case was transformed +again into the shrewd and death defying sleuth. +At a safe distance he followed the girl and the bear +through one alley after another until they came out upon +the road which leads south from Payson. He was across +the road when she joined Bridge and his companions. +When they turned toward the old mill he followed them, +listening close to the rotting clapboards for any chance +remark which might indicate their future plans. He +heard them debating the wisdom of remaining where +they were for the night or moving on to another location +which they had evidently decided upon but no +clew to which they dropped.</p> + +<p>"The objection to remaining here," said Bridge, "is +that we can't make a fire to cook by—it would be too +plainly visible from the road."</p> + +<p>"But I can no fin' road by dark," explained Giova. "It +bad road by day, ver' much worse by night. Beppo no +come 'cross swamp by night. No, we got stay here til +morning."</p> + +<p>"All right," replied Bridge, "we can eat some of this +canned stuff and have our ham and coffee after we +reach camp tomorrow morning, eh?"</p> + +<p>"And now that we've gotten through Payson safely," +suggested The Oskaloosa Kid, "let's change back into +our own clothes. This disguise makes me feel too conspicuous."</p> + +<p>Willie Case had heard enough. His quarry would remain +where it was over night, and a moment later Willie +was racing toward Payson and a telephone as fast as his +legs would carry him.</p> + +<p>In an old brick structure a hundred yards below the +mill where the lighting machinery of Payson had been +installed before the days of the great central power-plant +a hundred miles away four men were smoking as +they lay stretched upon the floor.</p> + +<p>"I tell you I seen him," asserted one of the party. "I +follered this Bridge guy from town to the mill. He was +got up like a Gyp; but I knew him all right, all right. +This scenery of his made me tink there was something +phoney doin', or I wouldn't have trailed him, an' its a +good ting I done it, fer he hadn't ben there five minutes +before along comes The Kid an' a skirt and pretty +soon a nudder chicken wid a calf on a string, er mebbie +it was a sheep—it was pretty husky lookin' fer a sheep +though. An' I sticks aroun' a minute until I hears this +here Bridge guy call the first skirt 'Miss Prim.'"</p> + +<p>He ceased speaking to note the effect of his words on +his hearers. They were electrical. The Sky Pilot sat up +straight and slapped his thigh. Soup Face opened his +mouth, letting his pipe fall out into his lap, setting fire +to his ragged trousers. Dirty Eddie voiced a characteristic +obscenity.</p> + +<p>"So you sees," went on Columbus Blackie, "we got a +chanct to get both the dame and The Kid. Two of us +can take her to Oakdale an' claim the reward her old +man's offerin' an' de odder two can frisk de Kid, an'—an'—."</p> + +<p>"An' wot?" queried The Sky Pilot.</p> + +<p>"Dere's de swamp handy," suggested Soup Face.</p> + +<p>"I was tinkin' of de swamp," said Columbus Blackie.</p> + +<p>"Eddie and I will return Miss Prim to her bereaved +parents," interrupted The Sky Pilot. "You, Blackie, and +Soup Face can arrange matters with The Oskaloosa Kid. +I don't care for details. We will all meet in Toledo as +soon as possible and split the swag. We ought to make +a cleaning on this job, boes."</p> + +<p>"You split a mout'ful then," said Columbus Blackie.</p> + +<p>They fell to discussing way and means.</p> + +<p>"We'd better wait until they're asleep," counseled +The Sky Pilot. "Two of us can tackle this Bridge and +hand him the k.o. quick. Eddie and Soup Face had +better attend to that. Blackie can nab The Kid an' I'll +annex Miss Abigail Prim. The lady with the calf we +don't want. We'll tell her we're officers of the law an' +that she'd better duck with her live stock an' keep her +trap shut if she don't want to get mixed up with a murder trial."</p> + +<hr class="tiny" /> + + +<p>Detective Burton was at the county jail in Oakdale +administering the third degree to Dopey Charlie and +The General when there came a long distance telephone +call for him.</p> + +<p>"Hello!" said the voice at the other end of the line; +"I'm Willie Case, an' I've found Miss Abigail Prim."</p> + +<p>"Again?" queried Burton.</p> + +<p>"Really," asserted Willie. "I know where she's goin' to +be all night. I heard 'em say so. The Oskaloosie Kid's +with her an' annuder guy an' the girl I seen with the +dead man in Squibbs' woods an' they got a BEAR!" It +was almost a shriek. "You'd better come right away +an' bring Mr. Prim. I'll meet you on the ol' Toledo road +right south of Payson, an' say, do I get the whole reward?"</p> + +<p>"You'll get whatever's coming to you, son," replied +Burton. "You say there are two men and two women—are +you sure that is all?"</p> + +<p>"And the bear," corrected Willie.</p> + +<p>"All right, keep quiet and wait for me," cautioned +Burton. "You'll know me by the spot light on my car—I'll +have it pointed straight up into the air. When you +see it coming get into the middle of the road and wave +your hands to stop us. Do you understand?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Willie.</p> + +<p>"And don't talk to anyone," Burton again cautioned +him.</p> + +<p>A few minutes later Burton left Oakdale with his two +lieutenants and a couple of the local policemen, the car +turning south toward Payson and moving at ever accelerating +speed as it left the town streets behind it and +swung smoothly onto the country road.</p> + +<hr class="tiny" /> + + +<p>It was after midnight when four men cautiously approached +the old mill. There was no light nor any sign of +life within as they crept silently through the doorless +doorway. Columbus Blackie was in the lead. He flashed +a quick light around the interior revealing four forms +stretched upon the floor, deep in slumber. Into the +blacker shadows of the far end of the room the man +failed to shine his light for the first flash had shown +him those whom he sought. Picking out their quarry the +intruders made a sudden rush upon the sleepers.</p> + +<p>Bridge awoke to find two men attempting to rain +murderous blows upon his head. Wiry, strong and full +of the vigor of a clean life, he pitted against their +greater numbers and cowardly attack a defense which +was infinitely more strenuous than they had expected.</p> + +<p>Columbus Blackie leaped for The Oskaloosa Kid, +while The Sky Pilot seized upon Abigail Prim. No one +paid any attention to Giova, nor, with the noise and confusion, +did the intruders note the sudden clanking of a +chain from out the black depths of the room's further +end, or the splintering of a half decayed studding.</p> + +<p>Soup Face entangling himself about Bridge's legs succeeded +in throwing the latter to the floor while Dirty +Eddie kicked viciously at the prostrate man's head. The +Sky Pilot seized Abigail Prim about the waist and +dragged her toward the doorway and though the girl +fought valiantly to free herself her lesser muscles were +unable to cope successfully with those of the man. Columbus +Blackie found his hands full with The Oskaloosa +Kid. Again and again the youth struck him in the face; +but the man persisted, beating down the slim hands +and striking viciously at body and head until, at last, +the boy, half stunned though still struggling, was +dragged from the room.</p> + +<p>Simultaneously a series of frightful growls reverberated +through the deserted mill. A huge body catapulted +into the midst of the fighters. Abigail Prim +screamed. "The bear!" she cried. "The bear is loose!"</p> + +<p>Dirty Eddie was the first to feel the weight of Beppo's +wrath. His foot drawn back to implant a vicious kick in +Bridge's face he paused at the girl's scream and at the +same moment a huge thing reared up before him. Just +for an instant he sensed the terrifying presence of some +frightful creature, caught the reflected gleam of two +savage eyes and felt the hot breath from distended +jaws upon his cheek, then Beppo swung a single terrific +blow which caught the man upon the side of the head +to spin him across the floor and drop him in a crumpled +heap against the wall, with a fractured skull. Dirty +Eddie was out. Soup Face, giving voice to a scream more +bestial than human, rose to his feet and fled in the opposite +direction.</p> + +<p>Beppo paused and looked about. He discovered +Bridge lying upon the floor and sniffed at him. The +man lay perfectly quiet. He had heard that often times +a bear will not molest a creature which it thinks dead. +Be that as it may Beppo chanced at that moment to +glance toward the doorway. There, silhouetted against +the lesser darkness without, he saw the figures of Columbus +Blackie and The Oskaloosa Kid and with a +growl he charged them. The two were but a few paces +outside the doorway when the full weight of the great +bear struck Columbus Blackie between the shoulders. +Down went the man and as he fell he released his hold +upon the youth who immediately turned and ran for the +road.</p> + +<p>The momentum of the bear carried him past the body +of his intended victim who, frightened but uninjured, +scrambled to his feet and dashed toward the rear of the +mill in the direction of the woods and distant swamp. +Beppo, recovering from his charge, wheeled in time to +catch a glimpse of his quarry after whom he made with +all the awkwardness that was his birthright and with +the speed of a race horse.</p> + +<p>Columbus Blackie, casting a terrified glance rearward, +saw his Nemesis flashing toward him, and dodged +around a large tree. Again Beppo shot past the man +while the latter, now shrieking for help, raced madly +in a new direction.</p> + +<p>Bridge had arisen and come out of the mill. He called +aloud for The Oskaloosa Kid. Giova answered him from +a small tree. "Climb!" she cried. "Climb a tree! Ever'one +climb a small tree. Beppo he go mad. He keel ever'one. +Run! Climb! He keel me. Beppo he got evil-eye."</p> + +<p>Along the road from the north came a large touring +car, swinging from side to side in its speed. Its brilliant +headlights illuminated the road far ahead. They picked +out The Sky Pilot and Abigail Prim, they found The +Oskaloosa Kid climbing a barbed wire fence and then +with complaining brakes the car came to a sudden stop. +Six men leaped from the machine and rounded up the +three they had seen. Another came running toward +them. It was Soup Face, so thoroughly terrified that he +would gladly have embraced a policeman in uniform, +could the latter have offered him protection.</p> + +<p>A boy accompanied the newcomers. "There he is!" he +screamed, pointing at The Oskaloosa Kid. "There he is! +And you've got Miss Prim, too, and when do I get the +reward?"</p> + +<p>"Shut up!" said one of the men.</p> + +<p>"Watch this bunch," said Burton to one of his lieutenants, +"while we go after the rest of them. There are some +over by the mill. I can hear them."</p> + +<p>From the woods came a fearfilled scream mingled +with the savage growls of a beast.</p> + +<p>"It's the bear," shrilled Willie Case, and ran toward +the automobile.</p> + +<p>Bridge ran forward to meet Burton. "Get that girl and +the kid into your machine and beat it!" he cried. "There's +a bear loose here, a regular devil of a bear. You can't do +a thing unless you have rifles. Have you?"</p> + +<p>"Who are you?" asked the detective.</p> + +<p>"He's one of the gang," yelled Willie Case from the +fancied security of the tonneau. "Seize him!" He wanted +to add: "My men"; but somehow his nerve failed him at +the last moment; however he had the satisfaction of +thinking it.</p> + +<p>Bridge was placed in the car with Abigail Prim, The +Oskaloosa Kid, Soup Face and The Sky Pilot. Burton +sent the driver back to assist in guarding them; then he +with the remaining three, two of whom were armed +with rifles, advanced toward the mill. Beyond it they +heard the growling of the bear at a little distance in the +wood; but the man no longer made any outcry. From +a tree Giova warned them back.</p> + +<p>"Come down!" commanded Burton, and sent her +back to the car.</p> + +<p>The driver turned his spot light upon the wood beyond +the mill and presently there came slowly forward +into its rays the lumbering bulk of a large bear. The +light bewildered him and he paused, growling. His left +shoulder was partially exposed.</p> + +<p>"Aim for his chest, on the left side," whispered Burton. +The two men raised their rifles. There were two reports +in close succession. Beppo fell forward without a +sound and then rolled over on his side. Giova covered +her face with her hands and sobbed.</p> + +<p>"He ver' bad, ugly bear," she said brokenly; "but he +all I have to love."</p> + +<p>Bridge extended a hand and patted her bowed head. +In the eyes of The Oskaloosa Kid there glistened something +perilously similar to tears.</p> + +<p>In the woods back of the mill Burton and his men +found the mangled remains of Columbus Blackie, and +when they searched the interior of the structure they +brought forth the unconscious Dirty Eddie. As the car +already was taxed to the limit of its carrying capacity +Burton left two of his men to march The Kid and Bridge +to the Payson jail, taking the others with him to Oakdale. +He was also partially influenced in this decision by +the fear that mob violence would be done the principals +by Oakdale's outraged citizens. At Payson he stopped +long enough at the town jail to arrange for the reception +of the two prisoners, to notify the coroner of the death +of Columbus Blackie and the whereabouts of his body +and to place Dirty Eddie in the hospital. He then telephoned +Jonas Prim that his daughter was safe and would +be returned to him in less than an hour.</p> + +<p>By the time Bridge and The Oskaloosa Kid reached +Payson the town was in an uproar. A threatening crowd +met them a block from the jail; but Burton's men were +armed with rifles which they succeeded in convincing +the mob they would use if their prisoners were molested. +The telephone, however, had carried the word to Oakdale; +so that before Burton arrived there a dozen automobile +loads of indignant citizens were racing south toward +Payson.</p> + +<p>Bridge and The Oskaloosa Kid were hustled into the +single cell of the Payson jail. A bench ran along two +sides of the room. A single barred window let out upon +the yard behind the structure. The floor was littered +with papers, and a single electric light bulb relieved the +gloom of the unsavory place.</p> + +<p>The Oskaloosa Kid sank, trembling, upon one of the +hard benches. Bridge rolled a cigaret. At his feet lay a +copy of that day's Oakdale Tribune. A face looked up +from the printed page into his eyes. He stooped and +took up the paper. The entire front page was devoted to +the various crimes which had turned peaceful Oakdale +inside out in the past twenty four hours. There were +reproductions of photographs of John Baggs, Reginald +Paynter, Abigail Prim, Jonas Prim, and his wife, with a +large cut of the Prim mansion, a star marking the boudoir +of the missing daughter of the house. As Bridge +examined the various pictures an odd expression entered +his eyes—it was a mixture of puzzlement, incredulity, +and relief. Tossing the paper aside he turned toward +The Oskaloosa Kid. They could hear the sullen +murmur of the crowd in front of the jail.</p> + +<p>"If they get any booze," he said, "they'll take us out +of here and string us up. If you've got anything to say +that would tend to convince them that you did not kill +Paynter I advise you to call the guard and tell the truth, +for if the mob gets us they might hang us first and listen +afterward—a mob is not a nice thing. Beppo was an angel +of mercy by comparison with one."</p> + +<p>"Could you convince them that you had no part in +any of these crimes?" asked the boy. "I know that you +didn't; but could you prove it to a mob?"</p> + +<p>"No," said Bridge. "A mob is not open to reason. If +they get us I shall hang, unless someone happens to +think of the stake."</p> + +<p>The boy shuddered.</p> + +<p>"Will you tell the truth?" asked the man.</p> + +<p>"I will go with you," replied the boy, "and take whatever you +get."</p> + +<p>"Why?" asked Bridge.</p> + +<p>The youth flushed; but did not reply, for there came +from without a sudden augmentation of the murmurings +of the mob. Automobile horns screamed out upon +the night. The two heard the chugging of motors, the +sound of brakes and the greetings of new arrivals. The +reinforcements had arrived from Oakdale.</p> + +<p>A guard came to the grating of the cell door. "The +bunch from Oakdale has come," he said. "If I was you +I'd say my prayers. Old man Baggs is dead. No one +never had no use for him while he was alive, but the +whole county's het up now over his death. They're +bound to get you, an' while I didn't count 'em all I +seen about a score o' ropes. They mean business."</p> + +<p>Bridge turned toward the boy. "Tell the truth," he +said. "Tell this man."</p> + +<p>The youth shook his head. "I have killed no one," said +he. "That is the truth. Neither have you; but if they +are going to murder you they can murder me too, for +you stuck to me when you didn't have to; and I am going +to stick to you, and there is some excuse for me because +I have a reason—the best reason in the world."</p> + +<p>"What is it?" asked Bridge.</p> + +<p>The Oskaloosa Kid shook his head, and once more he +flushed.</p> + +<p>"Well," said the guard, with a shrug of his shoulders, +"it's up to you guys. If you want to hang, why hang and +be damned. We'll do the best we can 'cause it's our duty +to protect you; but I guess at that hangin's too good fer +you, an' we ain't a-goin' to get shot keepin' you from gettin' it."</p> + +<p>"Thanks," said Bridge.</p> + +<p>The uproar in front of the jail had risen in volume +until it was difficult for those within to make themselves +heard without shouting. The Kid sat upon his bench and +buried his face in his hands. Bridge rolled another smoke. +The sound of a shot came from the front room of the +jail, immediately followed by a roar of rage from the +mob and a deafening hammering upon the jail door. +A moment later this turned to the heavy booming of a +battering ram and the splintering of wood. The frail +structure quivered beneath the onslaught.</p> + +<p>The prisoners could hear the voices of the guards +and the jailer raised in an attempt to reason with the +unreasoning mob, and then came a final crash and the +stamping of many feet upon the floor of the outer +room.</p> + +<p>Burton's car drew up before the doorway of the Prim +home in Oakdale. The great detective alighted and +handed down the missing Abigail. Then be directed that +the other prisoners be taken to the county jail.</p> + +<p>Jonas Prim and his wife awaited Abigail's return in +the spacious living room at the left of the reception +hall. The banker was nervous. He paced to and fro the +length of the room. Mrs. Prim fanned herself vigorously +although the heat was far from excessive. They heard +the motor draw up in front of the house; but they did +not venture into the reception hall or out upon the +porch, though for different reasons. Mrs. Prim because +it would not have been PROPER; Jonas because he could +not trust himself to meet his daughter, whom he had +thought lost, in the presence of a possible crowd which +might have accompanied her home.</p> + +<p>They heard the closing of an automobile door and +the sound of foot steps coming up the concrete walk. +The Prim butler was already waiting at the doorway +with the doors swung wide to receive the prodigal +daughter of the house of Prim. A slender figure with +bowed head ascended the steps, guided and assisted by +the detective. She did not look up at the expectant butler +waiting for the greeting he was sure Abigail would +have for him; but passed on into the reception hall.</p> + +<p>"Your father and Mrs. Prim are in the living room," +announced the butler, stepping forward to draw aside +the heavy hangings.</p> + +<p>The girl, followed by Burton, entered the brightly +lighted room.</p> + +<p>"I am very glad, Mr. Prim," said the latter, "to be +able to return Miss Prim to you so quickly and unharmed."</p> + +<p>The girl looked up into the face of Jonas Prim. The +man voiced an exclamation of surprise and annoyance. +Mrs. Prim gasped and sank upon a sofa. The girl stood +motionless, her eyes once again bent upon the floor.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter?" asked Burton. "What's wrong?"</p> + +<p>"Everything is wrong, Mr. Burton," Jonas Prim's voice +was crisp and cold. "This is not my daughter."</p> + +<p>Burton looked his surprise and discomfiture. He turned +upon the girl.</p> + +<p>"What do you mean—" he started; but she interrupted +him.</p> + +<p>"You are going to ask what I mean by posing as Miss +Prim," she said. "I have never said that I was Miss Prim. +You took the word of an ignorant little farmer's boy and +I did not deny it when I found that you intended bringing +me to Mr. Prim, for I wanted to see him. I wanted +to ask him to help me. I have never met him, or his +daughter either; but my father and Mr. Prim have been +friends for many years.</p> + +<p>"I am Hettie Penning," she continued, addressing +Jonas Prim. "My father has always admired you and +from what he has told me I knew that you would listen +to me and do what you could for me. I could not bear +to think of going to the jail in Payson, for Payson is my +home. Everybody would have known me. It would have +killed my father. Then I wanted to come myself and +tell you, after reading the reports and insinuations in the +paper, that your daughter was not with Reginald Paynter +when he was killed. She had no knowledge of the +crime and as far as I know may not have yet. I have +not seen her and do not know where she is; but I was +present when Mr. Paynter was killed. I have known him +for years and have often driven with him. He stopped +me yesterday afternoon on the street in Payson and +talked with me. He was sitting in a car in front of the +bank. After we had talked a few minutes two men came +out of the bank. Mr. Paynter introduced them to me. He +said they were driving out into the country to look at a +piece of property—a farm somewhere north of Oakdale +—and that on the way back they were going to stop at +The Crossroads Inn for dinner. He asked me if I +wouldn't like to come along—he kind of dared me to, +because, as you know, The Crossroads has rather a bad +reputation.</p> + +<p>"Father had gone to Toledo on business, and very +foolishly I took his dare. Everything went all right until +after we left The Inn, although one of the men—his +companion referred to him once or twice as The Oskaloosa +Kid—attempted to be too familiar with me. Mr. +Paynter prevented him on each occasion, and they had +words over me; but after we left the inn, where they +had all drunk a great deal, this man renewed his attentions +and Mr. Paynter struck him. Both of them were +drunk. After that it all happened so quickly that I could +scarcely follow it. The man called Oskaloosa Kid drew +a revolver but did not fire, instead he seized Mr. Paynter +by the coat and whirled him around and then he struck +him an awful blow behind the ear with the butt of the +weapon.</p> + +<p>"After that the other two men seemed quite sobered. +They discussed what would be the best thing to do and +at last decided to throw Mr. Paynter's body out of the +machine, for it was quite evident that he was dead. First +they rifled his pockets, and joked as they did it, one of +them saying that they weren't getting as much as they +had planned on; but that a little was better than nothing. +They took his watch, jewelry, and a large roll of +bills. We passed around the east side of Oakdale and +came back into the Toledo road. A little way out of town +they turned the machine around and ran back for about +half a mile; then they turned about a second time. I +don't know why they did this. They threw the body out +while the machine was moving rapidly; but I was so +frightened that I can't say whether it was before or after +they turned about the second time.</p> + +<p>"In front of the old Squibbs place they shot at me and +threw me out; but the bullet missed me. I have not seen +them since and do not know where they went. I am +ready and willing to aid in their conviction; but, please +Mr. Prim, won't you keep me from being sent back to +Payson or to jail. I have done nothing criminal and I +won't run away."</p> + +<p>"How about the robbery of Miss Prim's room and the +murder of Old Man Baggs?" asked Burton. "Did they +pull both of those off before they killed Paynter or after?"</p> + +<p>"They had nothing to do with either unless they did +them after they threw me out of the car, which must +have been long after midnight," replied the girl.</p> + +<p>"And the rest of the gang, those that were arrested +with you," continued the detective, "how about them? +All angels, I suppose."</p> + +<p>"There was only Bridge and the boy they called The +Oskaloosa Kid, though he isn't the same one that murdered +poor Mr. Paynter, and the Gypsy girl, Giova, +that were with me. The others were tramps who came +into the old mill and attacked us while we were asleep. +I don't know who they were. The girl could have had +nothing to do with any of the crimes. We came upon +her this morning burying her father in the woods back +of the Squibbs' place. The man died of epilepsy last +night. Bridge and the boy were taking refuge from the +storm at the Squibbs place when I was thrown from +the car. They heard the shot and came to my rescue. I +am sure they had nothing to do with—with—" she hesitated.</p> + +<p>"Tell the truth," commanded Burton. "It will go hard +with you if you don't. What made you hesitate? You +know something about those two—now out with it."</p> + +<p>"The boy robbed Mr. Prim's home—I saw some of +the money and jewelry—but Bridge was not with him. +They just happened to meet by accident during the +storm and came to the Squibbs place together. They +were kind to me, and I hate to tell anything that would +get the boy in trouble. That is the reason I hesitated. +He seemed such a nice boy! It is hard to believe that +he is a criminal, and Bridge was always so considerate. +He looks like a tramp; but he talks and acts like a gentleman."</p> + +<p>The telephone bell rang briskly, and a moment later +the butler stepped into the room to say that Mr. Burton +was wanted on the wire. He returned to the living +room in two or three minutes.</p> + +<p>"That clears up some of it," he said as he entered. +"The sheriff just had a message from the chief at Toledo +saying that The Oskaloosa Kid is dying in a hospital +there following an automobile accident. He knew he +was done for and sent for the police. When they came he +told them he had killed a man by the name of Paynter +at Oakdale last night and the chief called up to ask +what we knew about it. The Kid confessed to clear his +pal who was only slightly injured in the smash-up. His +story corroborates Miss Penning's in every detail, he also +said that after killing Paynter he had shot a girl witness +and thrown her from the car to prevent her squealing."</p> + +<p>Once again the telephone bell rang, long and insistently. +The butler almost ran into the room. "Payson +wants you, sir," he cried to Burton, "in a hurry, sir, it's a +matter of life and death, sir!"</p> + +<p>Burton sprang to the phone. When he left it he only +stopped at the doorway of the living room long enough +to call in: "A mob has the two prisoners at Payson and +are about to lynch them, and, my God, they're innocent. +We all know now who killed Paynter and I have known +since morning who murdered Baggs, and it wasn't +either of those men; but they've found Miss Prim's jewelry +on the fellow called Bridge and they've gone +crazy—they say he murdered her and the young one +did for Paynter. I'm going to Payson," and dashed from +the house.</p> + +<p>"Wait," cried Jonas Prim, "I'm going with you," and +without waiting to find a hat he ran quickly after the detective. +Once in the car he leaned forward urging the +driver to greater speed.</p> + +<p>"God in heaven!" he almost cried, "the fools are going +to kill the only man who can tell me anything about +Abigail."</p> + +<hr class="tiny" /> + + +<p>With oaths and threats the mob, brainless and heartless, +cowardly, bestial, filled with the lust for blood, +pushed and jammed into the narrow corridor before +the cell door where the two prisoners awaited their +fate. The single guard was brushed away. A dozen +men wielding three railroad ties battered upon the grating +of the door, swinging the ties far back and then in +unison bringing them heavily forward against the puny +iron.</p> + +<p>Bridge spoke to them once. "What are you going to do +with us?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"We're goin' to hang you higher 'n' Haman, you +damned kidnappers an' murderers," yelled a man in the +crowd.</p> + +<p>"Why don't you give us a chance?" asked Bridge in an +even tone, unaltered by fear or excitement. "You've +nothing on us. As a matter of fact we are both innocent—"</p> + +<p>"Oh, shut your damned mouth," interrupted another +of the crowd.</p> + +<p>Bridge shrugged his shoulders and turned toward the +youth who stood very white but very straight in a far +corner of the cell. The man noticed the bulging pockets +of the ill fitting coat; and, for the first time that +night, his heart stood still in the face of fear; but not for +himself.</p> + +<p>He crossed to the youth's side and put his arm around +the slender figure. "There's no use arguing with them," +he said. "They've made up their minds, or what they +think are minds, that we're guilty; but principally they're +out for a sensation. They want to see something die, +and we're it. I doubt if anything could stop them now; +they'd think we'd cheated them if we suddenly proved +beyond doubt that we were innocent."</p> + +<p>The boy pressed close to the man. "God help me to be +brave," he said, "as brave as you are. We'll go together, +Bridge, and on the other side you'll learn something +that'll surprise you. I believe there is 'another side,' +don't you, Bridge?" </p> + +<p>"I've never thought much about it," said Bridge; "but +at a time like this I rather hope so—I'd like to come back +and haunt this bunch of rat brained rubes."</p> + +<p>His arm slipped down the other's coat and his hand +passed quickly behind the boy from one side to the +other; then the door gave and the leaders of the mob +were upon them. A gawky farmer seized the boy and +struck him cruelly across the mouth. It was Jeb Case.</p> + +<p>"You beast!" cried Bridge. "Can't you see that that—that's—only +a child? If I don't live long enough to give +you yours here, I'll come back and haunt you to your +grave."</p> + +<p>"Eh?" ejaculated Jeb Case; but his sallow face turned +white, and after that he was less rough with his prisoner.</p> + +<p>The two were dragged roughly from the jail. The +great crowd which had now gathered fought to get a +close view of them, to get hold of them, to strike them, +to revile them; but the leaders kept the others back lest +all be robbed of the treat which they had planned. +Through town they haled them and out along the road +toward Oakdale. There was some talk of taking them to +the scene of Paynter's supposed murder; but wiser heads +counselled against it lest the sheriff come with a posse +of deputies and spoil their fun.</p> + +<p>Beneath a great tree they halted them, and two ropes +were thrown over a stout branch. One of the leaders +started to search them; and when he drew his hands out +of Bridge's side pockets his eyes went wide, and he +gave a cry of elation which drew excited inquiries from +all sides.</p> + +<p>"By gum!" he cried, "I reckon we ain't made no mistake +here, boys. Look ahere!" and he displayed two +handsful of money and jewelry.</p> + +<p>"Thet's Abbie Prim's stuff," cried one.</p> + +<p>The boy beside Bridge turned wide eyes upon the +man. "Where did you get it?" he cried. "Oh, Bridge, +why did you do it? Now they will kill you," and he +turned to the crowd. "Oh, please listen to me," he +begged. "He didn't steal those things. Nobody stole +them. They are mine. They have always belonged to +me. He took them out of my pocket at the jail because +he thought that I had stolen them and he wanted to +take the guilt upon himself; but they were not stolen, +I tell you—they are mine! they are mine! they are mine!"</p> + +<p>Another new expression came into Bridge's eyes as he +listened to the boy's words; but he only shook his head. +It was too late, and Bridge knew it.</p> + +<p>Men were adjusting ropes about their necks. "Before +you hang us," said Bridge quietly, "would you mind +explaining just what we're being hanged for—it's sort of +comforting to know, you see."</p> + +<p>"Thet's right," spoke up one of the crowd. "Thet's fair. +We want to do things fair and square. Tell 'em the +charges, an' then ask 'em ef they got anything to say +afore they're hung."</p> + +<p>This appealed to the crowd—the last statements of +the doomed men might add another thrill to the evening's +entertainment.</p> + +<p>"Well," said the man who had searched them. "There +might o' been some doubts about you before, but they +aint none now. You're bein' hung fer abductin' of an' +most likely murderin' Miss Abigail Prim."</p> + +<p>The boy screamed and tried to interrupt; but Jeb +Case placed a heavy and soiled hand over his mouth. +The spokesman continued. "This slicker admitted he was +The Oskaloosa Kid, 'n' thet he robbed a house an' shot a +man las' night; 'n' they ain't no tellin' what more he's +ben up to. He tole Jeb Case's Willie 'bout it; an' bragged +on it, by gum. 'Nenny way we know Paynter and Abigail +Prim was last seed with this here Oskaloosa Kid, +durn him."</p> + +<p>"Thanks," said Bridge politely, "and now may I make +my final statement before going to meet my maker?"</p> + +<p>"Go on," growled the man.</p> + +<p>"You won't interrupt me?"</p> + +<p>"Naw, go on."</p> + +<p>"All right! You damn fools have made up your minds +to hang us. I doubt if anything I can say to you will +alter your determination for the reason that if all the +brains in this crowd were collected in one individual he +still wouldn't have enough with which to weigh the +most obvious evidence intelligently, but I shall present +the evidence, and you can tell some intelligent people +about it tomorrow.</p> + +<p>"In the first place it is impossible that I murdered Abigail +Prim, and in the second place my companion is not +The Oskaloosa Kid and was not with Mr. Paynter last +night. The reason I could not have murdered Miss Prim +is because Miss Prim is not dead. These jewels were not +stolen from Miss Prim, she took them herself from her +own home. This boy whom you are about to hang is +not a boy at all—it is Miss Prim, herself. I guessed her +secret a few minutes ago and was convinced when she +cried that the jewels and money were her own. I don't +know why she wishes to conceal her identity; but I +can't stand by and see her lynched without trying to +save her."</p> + +<p>The crowd scoffed in incredulity. "There are some +women here," said Bridge. "Turn her over to them. +They'll tell you, at least that she is not a man."</p> + +<p>Some voices were raised in protest, saying that it +was a ruse to escape, while others urged that the women +take the youth. Jeb Case stepped toward the subject +of dispute. "I'll settle it durned quick," he announced +and reached forth to seize the slim figure. With a sudden +wrench Bridge tore himself loose from his captors +and leaped toward the farmer, his right flew straight +out from the shoulder and Jeb Case went down with a +broken jaw. Almost simultaneously a car sped around a +curve from the north and stopped suddenly in rear of +the mob. Two men leaped out and shouldered their +way through. One was the detective, Burton; the other +was Jonas Prim.</p> + +<p>"Where are they?" cried the latter. "God help you if +you've killed either of them, for one of them must know +what became of Abigail."</p> + +<p>He pushed his way up until he faced the prisoners. +The Oskaloosa Kid gave him a single look of surprise and +then sprang toward him with outstretched arms.</p> + +<p>"Oh, daddy, daddy!" she cried, "don't let them kill +him."</p> + +<p>The crowd melted away from the immediate vicinity +of the prisoners. None seemed anxious to appear in the +forefront as a possible leader of a mob that had so +nearly lynched the only daughter of Jonas Prim. Burton +slipped the noose from about the girl's neck and +then turned toward her companion. In the light from +the automobile lamps the man's face was distinctly visible +to the detective for the first time that night, and as +Burton looked upon it he stepped back with an exclamation +of surprise.</p> + +<p>"You?" he almost shouted. "Gad, man! where have +you been? Your father's spent twenty thousand dollars +trying to find you."</p> + +<p>Bridge shook his head. "I'm sorry, Dick," he said, +"but I'm afraid it's too late. The open road's gotten into +my blood, and there's only one thing that—well—" he +shook his head and smiled ruefully—"but there ain't a +chance." His eyes travelled to the slim figure sitting so +straight in the rear seat of Jonas Prim's car.</p> + +<p>Suddenly the little head turned in his direction. +"Hurry, Bridge," admonished The Oskaloosa Kid, "you're +coming home with us."</p> + + +<p>The man stepped toward the car, shaking his head. +"Oh, no, Miss Prim," he said, "I can't do that. Here's +your 'swag.'" And he smiled as he passed over her jewels +and money.</p> + +<p>Mr. Prim's eyes widened; he looked suspiciously at +Bridge. Abigail laughed merrily. "I stole them myself, +Dad," she explained, "and then Mr. Bridge took them +from me in the jail to make the mob think he had +stolen them and not I—he didn't know then that I was +a girl, did you?"</p> + +<p>"It was in the jail that I first guessed; but I didn't +quite realize who you were until you said that the jewels +were yours—then I knew. The picture in the paper gave +me the first inkling that you were a girl, for you looked +so much like the one of Miss Prim. Then I commenced to +recall little things, until I wondered that I hadn't known +from the first that you were a girl; but you made a bully +boy!" and they both laughed. "And now good-by, and +may God bless you!" His voice trembled ever so little, +and he extended his hand. The girl drew back.</p> + +<p>"I want you to come with us," she said. "I want Father +to know you and to know how you have cared for me. +Wont you come—for me?"</p> + +<p>"I couldn't refuse, if you put it that way," replied +Bridge; and he climbed into the car. As the machine +started off a boy leaped to the running-board.</p> + +<p>"Hey!" he yelled, "where's my reward? I want my reward. +I'm Willie Case."</p> + +<p>"Oh!" exclaimed Bridge. "I gave your reward to your +father—maybe he'll split it with you. Go ask him." And +the car moved off.</p> + +<p>"You see," said Burton, with a wry smile, "how simple +is the detective's job. Willie is a natural-born detective. +He got everything wrong from A to Izzard, yet if it +hadn't been for Willie we might not have cleared up +the mystery so soon."</p> + +<p>"It isn't all cleared up yet," said Jonas Prim. "Who +murdered Baggs?"</p> + +<p>"Two yeggs known as Dopey Charlie and the General," +replied Burton. "They are in the jail at Oakdale; +but they don't know yet that I know they are guilty. +They think they are being held merely as suspects in +the case of your daughter's disappearance, whereas I +have known since morning that they were implicated +in the killing of Baggs; for after I got them in the car +I went behind the bushes where we discovered them +and dug up everything that was missing from Baggs' +house, as nearly as is known—currency, gold and +bonds."</p> + +<p>"Good!" exclaimed Mr. Prim.</p> + +<p>On the trip back to Oakdale, Abigail Prim cuddled +in the back seat beside her father, told him all that she +could think to tell of Bridge and his goodness to her.</p> + +<p>"But the man didn't know you were a girl," suggested +Mr. Prim.</p> + +<p>"There were two other girls with us, both very pretty," +replied Abigail, "and he was as courteous and kindly to +them as a man could be to a woman. I don't care anything +about his clothes, Daddy; Bridge is a gentleman +born and raised—anyone could tell it after half an hour +with him."</p> + +<p>Bridge sat on the front seat with the driver and one +of Burton's men, while Burton, sitting in the back seat +next to the girl, could not but overhear her conversation.</p> + +<p>"You are right," he said. "Bridge, as you call him, is a +gentleman. He comes of one of the finest families of Virginia +and one of the wealthiest. You need have no +hesitancy, Mr. Prim, in inviting him into your home."</p> + +<p>For a while the three sat in silence; and then Jonas +Prim turned to his daughter. "Gail," he said, "before we +get home I wish you'd tell me why you did this thing. +I think you'd rather tell me before we see Mrs. P."</p> + +<p>"It was Sam Benham, Daddy," whispered the girl. "I +couldn't marry him. I'd rather die, and so I ran away. I +was going to be a tramp; but I had no idea a tramp's +existence was so adventurous. You won't make me marry +him, Daddy, will you? I wouldn't be happy, Daddy."</p> + +<p>"I should say not, Gail; you can be an old maid all +your life if you want to."</p> + +<p>"But I don't want to—I only want to choose my own +husband," replied Abigail.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Prim met them all in the living-room. At sight of +Abigail in the ill-fitting man's clothing she raised her +hands in holy horror; but she couldn't see Bridge at +all, until Burton found an opportunity to draw her to +one side and whisper something in her ear, after which +she was graciousness personified to the dusky Bridge, insisting +that he spend a fortnight with them to recuperate.</p> + +<p>Between them, Burton and Jonas Prim fitted Bridge +out as he had not been dressed in years, and with the +feel of fresh linen and pressed clothing, even if ill fitting, +a sensation of comfort and ease pervaded him which the +man would not have thought possible from such a source +an hour before.</p> + +<p>He smiled ruefully as Burton looked him over. "I venture +to say," he drawled, "that there are other things in +the world besides the open road."</p> + +<p>Burton smiled.</p> + +<p>It was midnight when the Prims and their guests arose +from the table. Hettie Penning was with them, and everyone +present had been sworn to secrecy about her +share in the tragedy of the previous night. On the morrow +she would return to Payson and no one there the +wiser; but first she had Burton send to the jail for Giova, +who was being held as a witness, and Giova promised +to come and work for the Pennings.</p> + +<p>At last Bridge stole a few minutes alone with Abigail, +or, to be more strictly a truthful historian, Abigail +outgeneraled the others of the company and drew +Bridge out upon the veranda.</p> + +<p>"Tell me," demanded the girl, "why you were so kind +to me when you thought me a worthless little scamp of a +boy who had robbed some one's home."</p> + +<p>"I couldn't have told you a few hours ago," said Bridge. +"I used to wonder myself why I should feel toward a +boy as I felt toward you,—it was inexplicable,—and then +when I knew that you were a girl, I understood, for I +knew that I loved you and had loved you from the moment +that we met there in the dark and the rain beside +the Road to Anywhere."</p> + +<p>"Isn't it wonderful?" murmured the girl, and she had +other things in her heart to murmur; but a man's lips +smothered hers as Bridge gathered her into his arms and +strained her to him.</p> + +<br /><br /> + + + +<pre>End of The Project Gutenberg Etext of The Oakdale Affair</pre> + +<br /><br /> + +<table summary="Changes to the Original Text"> +<tr> + <td>PAGE</td> + <td>PARA.</td> + <td>LINE</td> + <td>ORIGINAL</td> + <td>CHANGED TO</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>10</td> + <td>6</td> + <td> </td> + <td>emminent</td> + <td>eminent</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>15</td> + <td>4</td> + <td>2</td> + <td>it's warmth</td> + <td>its warmth</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>15</td> + <td>5</td> + <td>13</td> + <td>promisculously</td> + <td>promiscuously</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>16</td> + <td>1</td> + <td>3</td> + <td>appelation</td> + <td>appellation</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>19</td> + <td>3</td> + <td> </td> + <td>it's scope</td> + <td>its scope</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>21</td> + <td>6</td> + <td> </td> + <td>by with seasons</td> + <td>by seasons</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>25</td> + <td>1</td> + <td>8</td> + <td>Prim manage</td> + <td>Prim menage</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>25</td> + <td>2</td> + <td>20</td> + <td>then, suspicious,</td> + <td>then, suspicions,</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>28</td> + <td> </td> + <td>12</td> + <td>even his</td> + <td>even this</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>34</td> + <td>6</td> + <td>1</td> + <td>it's quality</td> + <td>its quality</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>37</td> + <td>3</td> + <td>10</td> + <td>have any-</td> + <td>have any</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>38</td> + <td>4</td> + <td>4</td> + <td>tin tear.</td> + <td>tin ear.</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>39</td> + <td>2</td> + <td>6</td> + <td>Squibbs farm</td> + <td>Squibbs' farm</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>40</td> + <td>2</td> + <td>2</td> + <td>his absence,</td> + <td>his absence,"</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>47</td> + <td>5</td> + <td>1</td> + <td>sudden, clanking</td> + <td>sudden clanking</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>47</td> + <td>8</td> + <td>3</td> + <td>its the thing</td> + <td>it's the thing</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>48</td> + <td>5</td> + <td>2</td> + <td>was moment's</td> + <td>was a moment's</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>59</td> + <td>9</td> + <td>4</td> + <td>bird aint</td> + <td>bird ain't</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>60</td> + <td>8</td> + <td>3</td> + <td>dum misery</td> + <td>dumb misery</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>71</td> + <td> </td> + <td>2</td> + <td>dead Squibbs</td> + <td>dead Squibb</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>74</td> + <td>1</td> + <td>2</td> + <td>tend during</td> + <td>tent during</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>75</td> + <td>7</td> + <td>3</td> + <td>Squibbs house</td> + <td>Squibbs' house</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>76</td> + <td>1</td> + <td>6</td> + <td>Squibbs home.</td> + <td>Squibbs' home.</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>76</td> + <td>8</td> + <td>4</td> + <td>business, thats</td> + <td>business, that's</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>78</td> + <td>1</td> + <td>1</td> + <td>Squibbs place</td> + <td>Squibbs' place</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>78</td> + <td>2</td> + <td>1</td> + <td>Squibbs place!"</td> + <td>Squibbs' place!"</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>80</td> + <td>6</td> + <td>4</td> + <td>Squibbs gateway</td> + <td>Squibbs' gateway</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>84</td> + <td>6</td> + <td>1</td> + <td>Squibb's summer</td> + <td>Squibbs' summer</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>85</td> + <td>6</td> + <td>1</td> + <td>thet aint</td> + <td>thet ain't</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>85</td> + <td>7</td> + <td>5</td> + <td>on em</td> + <td>on 'em</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>85</td> + <td>8</td> + <td>1</td> + <td>An' thet aint</td> + <td>An' thet ain't</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>85</td> + <td>10</td> + <td>1</td> + <td>But thet aint</td> + <td>But thet ain't</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>85</td> + <td>10</td> + <td>3</td> + <td>of em</td> + <td>of 'em</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>85</td> + <td>10</td> + <td>3</td> + <td>of em</td> + <td>of 'em</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>86</td> + <td>2</td> + <td>2</td> + <td>there aint</td> + <td>there ain't</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>87</td> + <td> </td> + <td>5</td> + <td>others' mask</td> + <td>other's mask</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>88</td> + <td>6</td> + <td>1</td> + <td>Squibbs woods</td> + <td>Squibbs' woods</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>91</td> + <td> </td> + <td>2</td> + <td>"They aint</td> + <td>"They ain't</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>91</td> + <td> </td> + <td>3</td> + <td>I aint</td> + <td>I ain't</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>91</td> + <td>2</td> + <td>3</td> + <td>Squibbs house</td> + <td>Squibbs' house</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>91</td> + <td> </td> + <td>6</td> + <td>aint got</td> + <td>ain't got</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>92</td> + <td> </td> + <td>6</td> + <td>it wa'nt safe</td> + <td>it wa'n't safe</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>92</td> + <td>4</td> + <td>10</td> + <td>Squibbs house</td> + <td>Squibbs' house</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>94</td> + <td>2</td> + <td>1</td> + <td>to nothin.</td> + <td>to nothin'.</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>94</td> + <td>8</td> + <td>1</td> + <td>Squibbs place,"</td> + <td>Squibbs' place,"</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>97</td> + <td>4</td> + <td>2</td> + <td>"We aint</td> + <td>"We ain't</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>98</td> + <td>1</td> + <td>8</td> + <td>Squibbs place</td> + <td>Squibbs' place</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>98</td> + <td>3</td> + <td>1</td> + <td>hiself de</td> + <td>hisself de</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>98</td> + <td>5</td> + <td>4</td> + <td>he aint</td> + <td>he ain't</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>98</td> + <td>7</td> + <td>1</td> + <td>Squibbs place</td> + <td>Squibbs' place</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>98</td> + <td>8</td> + <td>2</td> + <td>you aint</td> + <td>you ain't</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>107</td> + <td>4</td> + <td>3</td> + <td>wont tell</td> + <td>won't tell</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>113</td> + <td>3</td> + <td>5</td> + <td>its measles</td> + <td>it's measles</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>113</td> + <td>3</td> + <td>6</td> + <td>cough aint</td> + <td>cough ain't</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>113</td> + <td>3</td> + <td>6</td> + <td>its 'it,'</td> + <td>it's 'it,'</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>113</td> + <td>4</td> + <td>1</td> + <td>I aint</td> + <td>I ain't</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>114</td> + <td>2</td> + <td>6</td> + <td>Squibb's place</td> + <td>Squibbs' place</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>114</td> + <td>2</td> + <td>13</td> + <td>simply wont</td> + <td>simply won't</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>116</td> + <td>6</td> + <td>3</td> + <td>few minutes</td> + <td>few minutes'</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>116</td> + <td>7</td> + <td>5</td> + <td>Squibb's farm</td> + <td>Squibbs' farm</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>121</td> + <td> </td> + <td>4</td> + <td>she wont</td> + <td>she won't</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>121</td> + <td> </td> + <td>5</td> + <td>wont."</td> + <td>won't."</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>128</td> + <td>7</td> + <td>4</td> + <td>can knab</td> + <td>can nab</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>134</td> + <td>2</td> + <td>2</td> + <td>an upraor.</td> + <td>an uproar.</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>136</td> + <td>8</td> + <td>5</td> + <td>we aint</td> + <td>we ain't</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>139</td> + <td>2</td> + <td>8</td> + <td>had all drank</td> + <td>had all drunk</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>141</td> + <td>3</td> + <td>9</td> + <td>Squibb's place.</td> + <td>Squibbs' place.</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>146</td> + <td> </td> + <td>1</td> + <td>its sort of</td> + <td>it's sort of</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>146</td> + <td>2</td> + <td>3</td> + <td>nings entertainment</td> + <td>ning's entertainment</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>146</td> + <td>4</td> + <td>5</td> + <td>aint no tellin'</td> + <td>ain't no tellin'</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>146</td> + <td>7</td> + <td>1</td> + <td>"You wont</td> + <td>"You won't</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>151</td> + <td>2</td> + <td>4</td> + <td>wont make</td> + <td>won't make</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>152</td> + <td>1</td> + <td>2</td> + <td>Nettie Penning</td> + <td>Hettie Penning</td> +</tr> +</table> + +</div> + +<pre>End of The Project Gutenberg Etext of The Oakdale Affair</pre> + +</body> +</html> diff --git a/old/oakda10h.zip b/old/oakda10h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..3591123 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/oakda10h.zip diff --git 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