Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1904-06-04
CHAPTER XIV.

CHAPTER XIV.
BARRELS FIGHT WITH MURGA-
TROYD.
Darrell was a man of quick wit
Following the cards whets mans fac
ulties and makes them keen and alert.
In second his mind had explored
the depths of Murgatroyd's singular
action and had evolved startling
conclusion. McCloud was known to be
stranger In that part of the coun-
try, yet he had had Murgatroyd's re-
volver and Murgatroyd, in calling OAR
rel by the assumed name. showed that
he was acquainted with the easterner.
The conjecture which swept over
Darrell with the force of supreme con-
viction was this: Murgatroyd was the
man whose uncanny powers had
worked the great III to Junius Me-
Cloud
So Darrell followed in the track of
his enemy. A crisis was at hand and
their differences were soon to be set,
tied.
Not once did Murgatroyd turn and
look back, SO sure was he of his mas
terry over McCloud. At any time dur
ing that brief walk from HawkbilTs
to the Office Of the gambler Darrell
could have drawn that ebony-handled
revolver and pressed the trigger with
fatal effect.
But such tactics were foreign to OAR
rels nature. He would meet his enc
my face to face, with no advantage on
either side.
Before turning into the hall at
Kalipers place Darrell brushed past a
group of men, their heads together in
earnest discussion. One was the bur-
ly marshal, another was Roy Lenyard,
third was the sallow-faced clerk
whom Darrell had met in Murgatroyd's
Office and the fourth was a heayy-set,
well-dressed man with small leather
case under one arm.
At sharp word from Lenyard the
quartette broke apart and directed
their attention at Darrell Murgatroyd,
apparently, took no notice of his clerk,
nor of his three companions. but
passed into the building and up the
stairs to his darkened rooms. Darrell
stumbled after him, reaching the
landing as Murgatroyd unlocked the
door. pulled it open and stepped back,
an ominous figure in the gloom of the
upper hall.
go in," said he, CURLY.
Darrell went in and Murgatroyd fol-
lowed, locking the door after him and
putting the key in his pocket. The
darkness was relieved by light reflect
ed through the front windows from the
street, and in the semi-gloom Darrell
stood. silent, watchful, waiting
There's a chair in the corner"
Murgatroyd went on; "sit down."
The command was mutely obeyed
Murgatroyd then lighted a lamp, drew
the shades at the windows and took
chair, fixing his dark gaze on Darrell.
A year had passed since these two
men had last parted in Denver. Be-
fore that they had known each other
well. Darrell, in returning Murga-
troyd's look, searched for some sign
of lurking recognition, but found none.
The silence heightened and DarreA
swept his glance about the room The
clerks desk, with its litter of papers.
the brickwork and door of the vault
which served Murgatroyd in lieu of
bank, tall mineral cabinet against
the wall, its topmost shelf supporting
a large block of "Galena" ore, heavy
and sparkling, maps of the mining dis
trict, letter press-these passed in
slow review before the owner of the
premises saw fit to speak.
II got your letter, McCloud, but I
doubted whether you would be fool
enough to come here-here, of all
places in the world"
Darrell swerved his eyes to the
speakers face, but hesitated to trust
his voice.
Letter." he murmured, at last.
sYou must have been in one of your
spells when you wrote it." was the
sneering comment. Murgatroyd took
a folded sheet from his pocket, opened
and read: al shall be in Sandy Bar
tonight. You may look for me, for /
shall surely come" With jeering
laugh the letter was returned to the
pocket. "And here you are" added
Murgatroyd. "Allow me to tell you,
McCloud. that you're a crazy fool"
The letter was a surprise to Darrell
and he stirred restlessly.
II don't know what wild notion
brought you here" went on Murga-
troyd, 'but do know that you're go
ing to pike out of camp as quick as a
horse can carry you. Luck has IA
vored you SO far, but you're so ire
sponsible you're likely to spoil every
thing. A few words from you about
Nate Darrell and the game will be
losing proposition for both OF us.
That blow-up on the War Eagle trail
was the best thing that ever happened
for u.s. If you yield to any OF your
mad eccentricities now there's no tell