CHAPTER IX.

IN THE TOILS.


The dark shadow that had followed Cummings and Moriarity from the
distillery to Cook's cooper-shop was none other than the assumed Barney
O'Hara, who had aired his heels so jauntily in the saloon that
afternoon.

Watching on the outside while Chip was working Cook, he had spotted and
shadowed the two men as they came down the road.

The careless exposure of his face to Cummings through the window was the
cause of the latter's sudden attempt to catch him.

His nimble heels again stood him in good stead, and in the darkness he
easily eluded his pursuer.

Cummings gave up the chase, and returning just in time, had stopped
Chip's success by knocking him down with a slungshot and carrying him
off.

When Barney, or, rather, Sam, returned to renew his investigation, he
found the shop empty, save the intoxicated Cook.

Thinking his late pursuer and his companion had taken the alarm, and
that Chip was now doubtless shadowing them, he walked into the shop,