The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1886-07-31

the talk Of the village, and every
means was being taken to capture
the murderer. The reward offered
was liberal one and men were
securing the country for miles
around in the hope of catching the
villain. A week had passed and
no clue had been found.
On the night of January goth
two young men were standing or
the platform at c. awaiting the
night train, which was to carry
them to s., the station ter
miles below. 1t was clear, cold
night, and it was a relief to them
when the train cane laundering in
and they had taken their seats neal
the stove in one end of the last car
The younger of the two men
was about twenty-five years of age
He was tall and wore a small
mustache. His companion was
three years his senior. He was
shorter and full beard hid the lower
part of his face. He was the first
to speak:
"i tell you what, Fred" he said,
"the reward offered for the old
lady's assassin is a good one and
would keep us in style at Saratoga
this summer"
"Yes, you're right, Mott; but
you don't catch, me going around
looking for a cut-throat. I'd rather
stay in the one-horse place we're
bound for"
"Well," said Mott, eve won't
quarrel on that point, but you can
sest assured that I'll bag the fellow
if l get a chance"
By this time the train had
reached s., and, buttening their
coats tightly around them, Fred
Blake and his companion, Mott
Stevens, started for the hotel, which
was situated little way out of the
town on the main road. It was
about 10 o'clock when they reached
the hotel, or more properly, the inn.
The house was small one and
could not accommodate more than
q dozen at tame. But at that
season of the year it was almost
deserted by guests. So Blake and
his friend felt sure of a good room
and bed.
In one corner of the room which
the young men entered large fire
was burning in an old-fashioned
fireplace A bar running the full
length Of the room on one side, be-
hind which stood rows of bottles
and decanters of various descrip-
tons, plainly showed that it was
not temperance place.
At the further corner of the room
stood three or four round tables.
At one of these sat three men,
deeply interested in a game of
poker, and, Judging from the num-
Der of silver dollars scattered
among the chips, the game was in
good progress.
Opposite this table Blake and
Stevens seated themselves, and,
after partaking of the drinks they
had ordered, they turned their eyes
toward the poker players.
The man who sat nearest Blake
seemed to have all the money and
luck. He was about forty years
old, heavily built, and wore large
mustache and goatee.
Both of his companions were
younger than he. The one seated
opposite the man described, to
judge by the number Of winks and
signs that were passed between
them, was confederate.
After Blake had watched the
game for awhile he suddenly turned
to his friend and whispered;
"Did you see that, MOTIF"
HWhat?" asked Mott, in sur
prise.
"What l tell you that man is
fraud. If I'm not mistaken he
has got a pack of cards under the
table and is using them to fill his
hands,"
One of the gamblers dealt the
cards. Blake's eyes were riveted on
the sharper. He could see the
cards he drew with perfect ease.
HGivn mo three cards Dayclaimod