The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-11-24
CHAPTER XIII.

| a LhbbON In fOLlIENESS.
Within five minutes we had q bic
surprise, for the sheriff and Mr.. Bald.
win came back, and the former an
neunced that Fred and Lord Rallies
were free, having been released on bail.
When we found that Camp had gone on
the bond, ] knew that there was a
scheme of some sort in the move, and,
taking Fred aside, I warned him against
trying to recover the proxies
"They probably think that one or the
other Of you knows where the letters
are hidden" I whispered, land they'll
keep watch on you, so go slow"
He nodded and followed the sheriff
and Lord Rallies out.
The moment they we're gone Mr..
Baldwin said, II came back to give
you last chance
"That's very good Of you," I said.
"Iwarn you," he said threateningly,
1--WE are not men to be beaten There
are 80 cowboys Of mine in this town
who think you were concerned in the
holding up. By merely tipping them
the wink they'll have you cut of this,
and after they've got you outside I
wouldn't give the toss Of nickel for
your life. Now, then, will you hand
over those letters or will you go to
inside Of ten lninutes?"
I lost my temper in turn. "I'd much
prefer going to some place where I was
less sure Of meeting you, I retorted,
land, as for the cowboys, you'll have to
be as tricky with them as you want to
be with me before you'll get them to
back you up in your dirty work. -
AT this point the sheriff called back
to ask Baldwin if he was coming.
"All right" cried Baldwin and went
to the door. "This is the last call, " he
said, pausing for a moment on the
threshold.
II hope so," said I, more calmly in
manner than in feeling, have to &C.
knowledge, for didn't like tho look of
things. That they were in earnest I
felt pretty certain, for understood now
why they had let my companions out Of
Jail They didn't care to risk hanging
more than was necessary.
A long time seemed to pass after they
were gone, but in reality it wasn't
more than 10 minutes before I heard
some one steal up and softly unlock the
door. I confess the evident endeavor to
10 it quietly gave me scare, for it
seemed to me it couldn't be an above
board movement. Thinking this, pick
I'd up the box on which I had been sit
ing and prepared to make the best fight
could. It was good deal of relief,
therefore, when the door opened Just
vide enough for man to put in his
head, and I heard the sheriff's voice |
Jay softly:
Hi, 0ordonr'
Twas at the door in an instant and
lsked:
whats up?'
"They'r gettin the boys together and
ayin that you shot woman in the hold
lp"
Its an internal lie,' I said.
"Sounds that way to me-" said the
heriff, "but two-thirds Of the boys are
runk, and it's a long time since they've
nd any fun"
"Well, said, as calmly as I could,
are you going to stand by me?"
II would, Mr.. Gordon" he replied
if there was any good, but there amt !
me to get posse, and what's one
'inchester against mob of cowboys
ke them9"
IF you'll lend me your gum" said,
I'll show just what it is worth with
1t troubling you"
"I'll do better than that" said the
eriff, land that's what I'm here for.
,st sneak while there's time"
"You meant exclaimed.
That's it. I'm goin away, and I'll
ave the door unlocked. If you get
Ear, let me know your address, and
ter, If want you, ri send you
ord." he took grip on my fingers
at numbed them as If they had been
ught in an airbrake and disappeared.
slipped out after the sheriff without
IS Of time. That there wasn't much
spare was shown by o crowd with ,
ne torches down the street, collected
front Of saloon They were making
good deal Of noise, even for the west.
identity the fame WEI being famed
Vt wasting time, I strifck for the rail- .
I'd, because knew the geography Of
1t best, but still more because WANT
to got to the station. II was q big .
: to go there, but It was one was .
ling to take for tho object ! had in /
", and. since ! had to take it. IT was