Hawkins keeps it. I'm going along that way and
I'll interduce you. She's a pretty good talker herself," and Abner
winked with both eyes as they went out.
"Well," said Benoni, as the door closed after them. "The Bible says
Ananias was a pretty good story teller, but that gentleman seems to
have added some modern improvements."
"He's a cussed liar," said Bob Wood.
"And if Mrs. Hawkins is smart she'll make him pay in advance."
The door was thrown open full width and two men rushed in.
"Have you seen him?" cried one.
"Seen who?" asked Strout.
"He's tall--black clothes--had on a straw hat--"
"Who in thunder is he?" cried Strout.
"He's a lunatic--just escaped from the asylum. We tracked him to this
town--"
"He's gone to the hotel," said Bob Wood. "You can nab him easy there.
I'll show you the way."
The men started on the run, led by Bob Wood, and followed by all who
had been enjoying the hospitality afforded by the soap-boxes, nail-
kegs, and the red-hot stove.
"What beats me," said Hiram, "is how he knew all about the Ricker
family."
"Simple enough," said Strout with a sneer, "That ass Abner told him
the whole business. He never could keep his mouth shet. That's the
reason I wouldn't give him a job in this store."
Mr. Strout extinguished some of the lights, locked the door, and
resumed his seat by the stove.
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