Phil Rushington's Search, or, The Unknown Rider of the Ring — page 10: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

= He was now on probation, however, and lia- ble to discharge in case he showed the slight- est laxity in attending to his duties. When he sent for Curly, Rush felt that he had a case against him. In a few moments Walt came in with the groom, the latter look- ing very apprehensive and uneasy. “When I took you back, Curly,” said Rush, “it was with the understanding that you were to remain with the show only so long as you acted on the square and gave us no chance to suspect you of any underhand work.” “I understand that, Mr. Rushington, and I’ve been on the square ever since you took me back. I defy any one to prove to the con- trary.” Rush held up the leather band for inspec- tion. “We had an accident while trying the new rider, Curly,” proceeded Rush. “This strap broke while the horse was taking a hurdle. The boy was not injured, however, although he might h “I don’t see how you could hold me respon- sible for the breaking of the strap, sir.” “All the horse trappings are under your charge, are they not?” “Yes, sir.” “Could any one tamper with saddles, bri- dies, or anything else, without your knowing: it?” “No, sir.” “Then how do you account for the fact that this strap was cut three- quarters of the way through ?”’ “Cut?” gasped Curly. Rush silently presented the two ends of the supposedly broken strap for the ; inspection of the groom. As could plainly be seen, the strap had been cut almost through with a sharp. pais. igs the greater part of He was an excellent man around the horses and, besides that, he seemed so thoroughly repentant that Rush finally took him_ back. cent of any intention of doing wrong. oe > \ cate pull against the uncut portion, it oo a 4 mae given way. : 55 Walt and Grout were as greatly ore % as was the epecnt, ix TD I A. aes Se 2 %.* 4 + Jie “ * Ae ee . A VR ante: SF OS ¢ ar * i , aw ¥ «» of wep nl Ee | m ton!’ exclaimed Curly. that — I do not!” = i “Tf no one could tamper with the traps . pings without your knowledge, as you haye ree just said, you must know something about — this, Curly. It will have to be explained.” “IT can’t explain it—it’s a mystery to me. s The whole matter looks bad, but I am inno- ‘ NANT Aig estat | “ f 7 + . ry * ? /- x . rs th Ca r- ™~ - 7 sow ‘ r* e ~*.” » —_ = tits _ ie gi FR: . -, Bs Stes, Si ety < — = ~ - << sir, the giving way of that strap might have killed the boy!” i # “It might, certainly. Was the strap si ao right when you cinched it about the horse Pe : “It was all right when I gave it to Reddy, “g sir. I looked it over myself.” Ba “What had Reddy to do with it?” Rush, quickly. we queried “He was helping me about the horses, sir. tS e i Mr. Arkwright’ s orders, he said.” je 4 “My orders were for him to hitch up and 2h go for that hay. The roads were muddy and He he had to take four mules to draw the load. The man that Carpenter had contracted with | =e for forage failed to deliver it, as you know, f ; Rush Ae ae “Yes, I know all about that. Reddy told ; 3 you that Mr. Arkwright had ordered him to : : help you about the horses, ae he, Curly? es “That’s what he told me.’ | Ye. “Didn’t it strike you as queer that. another F nt oe man should be sent to help you when. there Was not enough work to more Hae + Ries you yee wulag re ) “I certainly thought it was queer, Shut Xe: r ain’t supposed to know Mr. Arkwright’ Ss bus z iness.’ sete “Well, you gave the Strap to Reddy, “He put it on the horse, did he?” . . |. ;, F, “y° 7 a iv ‘_~ ant ‘ - ; ‘ ra pt.