The Argosy, October 1906 — page 198: what you’re looking at

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

will. ‘However, he resolutely continued victim into “the. cavity he had dug. and began to shovel in the earth. Then Mandell looked around cares. ly, both with and without his binocular, to make sure he would be able to iden- tify the spot where the tragedy had oc- curred and the body buried. Yes, it was the homestead in the little hollow almost directly south of him, and on. the opposite side of the valley. He felt certain he could not be mistaken as to the locality. The summit on which he stood was familiar to him, too, for he had made more than one excursion to it. in days gone by, on account of its com- sanding position. Then he drew out his watch, and noted that it was within a few minutes of ten o'clock. Flinging the strap of his field- “alas about his shoulders, he ran_as fast as he could; down the steep hillside toe the nearest farmhouse. He soon found the owner, whom, fortunately, he knew. — = Mr. Wasner, ” he said breathlessly, “T’ll give you five dollars if you will take me to tewn as quickly as you Can. Something terrible has happened, and 1 must see the sheriff at once. I can’t tell you now what it is. All I want is to be driven to Banford post-haste.” “ All right, Mr. Mandell,” the farmer agreed, repressing his curiosity. “ Tl have the boy take you. Here, Mike,” he called to his half-grown son, “hitch up Fanny in the light buggy, and drive Mr. Mandell to town. And be quick about it!” It was only three miles, and in a little more than half an hour Robert Mandell reached the sheriff’s office, and was tell- ing his story to that astounded function- ary. A little later Mandell, the. sheriff, and three other officers were driving rapidly along the country road toward the scene of the tragedy. _ _ Their way first led over a high di- vide, then down into the broad valley across which Mandell was gazing when he witnesssed the slaying of the a . “Yonder is the hilltop, Mr. Tomp-— kins, on which I was standing when I saw the weman murdered,” dell. “Ah! I see,” the sheriff answered. said Man- 20 : better ake this.-la tae THE = A drive of a couple of miles up the valley brought them to the lane leading up to the premises they were intent on visiting. A- previous inquiry from a neighbor elicited the information that™ the name of the farmer on whom they were to call was George Harding. Tt was an anxious moment for Robert Mandell and the officers as they drove up to the little frame house, for they did not know what kind of a es might be accorded them. =—— “Be ‘ready for any emergency, men,’ the sheriff commanded. ‘“ No te what will happen when Harditig jgarns what we are about.” — The men_ set fee feeths put Hacie hands on their revolvers, and, led. by the sheriff, walked ques 82 the oe to the. house. = “As they came near a. man ste pe of the side door and stood lookfme a: visitors with mute ing ris nquiry on Ins face. No fear was depicte i there. He simply gazed ‘quizzically at the men, nene of whom were dressed like officers of the law. : “T think teas. your man, Mr. Tent kins,” Mandell whispered ‘to the sheriff. = His general appearance agrees with that of the man who committed the: crime. Act quickly, officer.” “ Hold up your ha ds, Mr. Harding,” | the sheriff commanded, covering the fel- low with his revolver, while the” other officers did the same. The man’s hands were promatly lifted above his head, while his face grew ashen, and he cried, | ae "Ate you a band of robbers?” <= Just then a woman came the doorway, pn a little. sternation. : - The officer spoke out. Se = Fandt up, madam!” an injunction that she did not hesitate to obey when she ‘saw Jee revolvers Pointed a at a i: = cee = wie Fin 7 as Is she your. wife, Mr. warding? . — comi (¢ boo cS