Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1888-06-21

What had Lyman Childer i'm common with
those two men. How was it that he should
be shaking hands with the thief who was
caught liz the very act of plundering his
house but few weeks before!
They were unanswerable questions. The
distrust which Norris had felt once before
was back again with new force. He
Shrank from the dark speculGtions which
forced themselves into his mind What
ever motives had brought Childer to such
an association with those two frequenters
of Mike Maloncys establishment, Norris
felt that he was not the one to pry into
them. Better. even. that Abraham Stone
should continue to cv;.dc justice. than that
act Of lis should disclose unsupported depths
that would end in sorrow and humiliation
10 her toward whom his heart yeGrned in
shat moment with wonderful mingling of
pity and tcnd"rness-so young. so bright,
so Innocent, so joyous. Let Lyman Childcr
beware Of his deeds, that tho shadow of his
evil should not fail upon her
.'Sort OF wondering what could take our
straight-laccd young partner into that She
bang, eh. What would you give me to tell
YOU. I'd ought 10 be able to strike good
bargain seeing the interest you seem to
take in him.
Norris faced about with an irrepressible
start. He had heard no step, but Hiram
lngot stood at his elbow, his face well
guarded by cap and collar, his shaggy over
coat white with the falling snow, his atti-
tudc one OF easy assurance, as he laid his
hand familiarly upon the others arm.
- L reckon you've been making mount
ain out of molc-hill." he added, with an
amused laugh. . Confess now that you've
acen suspectmg our friend Lyman Of
something little short of murder or arson.
Say! what would he think If he'd seen you
come out OF the crib over there: I'm not
asking your business, but you see it might
have an ugly look"
- Have you been watching me. sir:''
I'll swear | haven't. Never was more
surprised than when / saw you dodge over
hero and go to pcoking into our friends
business. That's the way it looks to me,
whether you like it or not
- Do yom know his business thcrc!'' ques-
toned Norris. sharply. Ingot gave his
shoulders significant shrug.
Think l could make a close guess at it.
But come. if you're done playing spy let
as move or. The officer that belongs to this
beat VII De along pretty soon, and get it
into his head that there's mischief between
rs. It's an easy thing to mako mistakes of
that sort if one Judges 10y appearances"
At another tine N0rri; would have re-
scented the booh-kecpcrs ofiicious corlpan-
ion3hip, but for once the latter came us a
relief to his own troubled thoughts.
-. l shall bc glad if you can explain Chill
dcr's conduct TO mc.n he exclaimed, i'm
pulsivClr. at seems scarcely honorable
10 try 10 fathom it in this way. but how can
| help having my doubts: Did you see him
shake hands with those two men! Do you
know that one of them was Abraham Stone!
IN want to be Lyman Cnilder'S friend,
Heaven knows. though l am afraid he does
not care much for my friendship; vet how
can l help suspect,ng villainy Of some
sort:''
it WAS minute or more before the other
answered hiLi.
You're right. There is villainy, and it's
to get 10 the bottom Of it that Lyman has
iilucllicd down 10 going hand-ingl with
two raScals. You think he ought to turn
lhc fellow Stone over for hOusc-brcaking,
hut tell you. there is Il mighty sight big
ger game behind the scenes than that.
Tain'i for me 80 say what. Lyman hasn't
took me into his confidence. but he ought
10. for I'll swear that were both on the
same lay. You amt so sharp yitred as you
ought 20 be if goa don't get the idea I'm
driving at .
Toa mean thai. knowing Stone to have
been implicated in the express robbery, he
would rather fix that upon him than the
suallc. crime,
Just SO Giving him rope to hang him
SET, don't you sec: And there's the rest
ot the Gang to be rot Il through him."
But | dom soc why Childcr should be
on their tracL. cried NORRIS. in prCplcXity
Ills oyD loss was Eot an important one
he refused Ia take >ny Steps when the
matter was ircahcr than il is now:
How do yo2 know DC did: May be he
only refused to go TO work with you. and
lis likely he had his reasons for it. dare
say. now. you can't sec WIZ | should be
after them. cit,ICr. S2y. did you ever fit
that bit o. scalp into It's right place: | felt
Ike that scratch ON NY head was. atirc
when | sec th4t thing mounted under your
Licros, 0f,c'
Norris was taken perfectly abac,l. He
diu MOI l5noW U-illt to make Of thc mans
assurance. Wa, it possible that he had
been mistaken after all. aud that lngot was
only the gocG-nGturcd. meddins busybody