the oakdale affair-第6部分

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　there　in　the　house　where　the　Squibbs　were　murderedthings　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　barndead　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　nameI'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　be　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　disappearsthat　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　deatha　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　be…　spoke　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　pistolwhoever　did　this　has　probably　beat　it；　but　it's　just　as　well　to　he　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　t