Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-05-28
CHAPTER XIII.
A Lesson In Politeness.

| A Lesson In Politeness.
| Within five minutes we had big sur
prise, for the sheriff and Mr.. Baldwin
| came back, and the former announced
| that Fred and Lord Rallies were free.
| having been released on bail. When we
! found that Baldwin had gone on the bond
/ 1 knew that there was a scheme Of some
| sort in the move, and. taking Fred aside,
warned him against trying to recover
| the proxies.
| other of you knows where the letters are
hidden" whispered, and they'll keep a
watch on you; so go slow,
| He nodded and followed the sheriff and
The moment they were gone Mr.. Camp
said, Il came back to give you last
| chance"
That's very good Of you," said.
Il warn you." he muttered, threaten
| ingIy, I'VE are not men to be beaten.
There are fifty cowboys of Baldwin's in
this town who think you were concerned
them the wink they'll have you out of
this, and after they've got you outside
wouldn't give the toss of nickel for
your life. Now then. will you hand over
side of ten minutes?"
| lost my temper in turn. I'D much
prefer to going to some place where
was less sure of meeting you," retorted;
and 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 Camp If he was coming.
All right" cried Camp, and he went to
| the door. This Is the last CALL" he
! snarled. pausing for moment on the
| threshold.
Il hope So" said I, more calmly in man.
ner than in feeling, I have to acknowl-
| edge, for didn't like the looks of things.
| in al tv
| certain. for I understood now why they
| had let my companions out of Jail. They
knew that angry cowboys were a trife
undiscriminating, and didn't care to risk
hanging more than was necessary.
| A long time seemed to pass after they
| were gone, but In reality 1t wasn't more
than fifteen minutes. before heard some
one steal up and softly unlock the door.
1 confess the evident endeavor to do 1t
| quietly gave me a scare, for it seemed
to me 1T couldn't be an above-board move
ment. Thinking this, picked up the box
| on which had been sitting and prepared
to make the best fight could It was a
good deal Of relief. therefore. when the
door opened just wide enough for a man
| to put In his head, and heard the sher-
ms voice say, softly:
was at the door in an instant, and
| asked:
| Whats up?"
They're gettin' the fellers together,
and sayin' that yer shot a woman in the
/
IT'S an Internal lie" 1 said
| Sounds that way to me-" assented the
sheriff; but two-thirds of the boys are
drunk and it's long time since they've
Well" said. as calmly as could, ARE
you going to stand by me?"
Il would, Mr.. Gordon" he replied, IF
| there was any good, but there amt time
| 10 get posse, and what's one Winches-
| ter against mob Of cowboys like them ?"
| your lend me You gum" said, I'll
show Just what 1t is worth, without trou-
I'll do better than that" offered the
sheriff, and that's what I'm here for.
Just sneak while there's time"
| You mean" exclaimed.
That's It, I'm goin' away, and I'll leave
the door unlocked. II yer get clear let
| me know yer address, and later IL want
yer IN send yer word" He took grip on
! appeared. WIS
| 1 slipped out after the sheriff without loss
| OF time. That there wasn't much to spare
was shown by crowd with some torches
down the street. collected in front of a
| saloon. They were making a good deal of
| noise. even for the west; evidently the
I struck for the railroad because / knew
| the geography Of that best. but still more
because l wanted to get to the station 1t
was big risk to go there but it was one
l was willing to take for the object 1 had
in view, and, since had to take it, 1t was
safest to get through with the Job before
| the discovery was made that was no long
er in Jail.
1t didn't. take me three minutes to reach
the station. The whole place was black as
coal-dumper. except for the slices of light
which shone through the cracks Of the cur
tanned windows in the specials, the dim
light of the lamp in the station and the
glow of the row of saloons 200 feet away
I was afraid, however, that there might be
a spy lurking somewhere for it was likely
hat To
of the letters by keeping a watch on the
station and the cars. Thinking boldness
the safest course, l walked on to the plat
form without hesitation, and went into the
station. The might man. was sitting in
his chair, nodding, but he walked I'D the
moment I spoke.
Don't speak my name" I said warn
ingly. as he struggled to his feet, and then
in the fewest possible words 1 told him
what / wanted of him-to find if the pony
1 had ridden Camp or Baldwin's) was in
town and, If so, to learn where it was, and
to get the letters on the quiet from under
because / could trust him. and next be-
cause 1 had only one of the Cullens as an
alternative, and If any of them went sneak
ing round, it would be sure to attract at
tention. THE moment you have the let
ters put them in the station safe, ended,
land then get word to me-
And where'll you be, Mr.. Gordon?"
asked the man.
rs there any place about here that's
safe hiding spot for few hours?" asked.
II want to stay till I'm sure those letters
are safe, and after that I'll steal on board
the first train that comes along
l.