Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1904-06-16
CHAPTER XVII.
Darrell UNMASKED.

his belief in Murgatroyd's guilt that
he had heretofore left McCioud entirely
out of his calculations.
Before Lenyard could follow up his
startling announcement with an ex-
planation the sallowfaced clerk
pushed into the room, paused and
looked around him, aghaSt at the dis
order.
"Where's-where's Murgatroyd?" he
asked
I'VE don't want Murgatroyd now,"
said Lenyard and drew close to the
clerk and whispered to him.
The clerk whispered a reply five
words of which Darrell happened to
overhear-"down the hall-tuckered
out" Who was down the hall and
tuckered out? Darrell reused himself
with freshened interest.
This is most astounding, young
man." said he to Lenyard, with jeer-
ing incredulity.
The truth comes that way, some
times, returned Lenyard.
But your accusation is arrant nom
sense" persisted Darrell, feigning an
cry impatience. "These gentlemen
he waved his hand toward Payton and
Merrick-"will not believe you | have
already proved my case against Murga-
| troyd."
Not exactly proved it," qualified
| the doctor. The revolver has yet to
be found and examined. In this coun-
| try five loads don't often remain in
gun for month. I'm not very hope
full about your end of it, although Dar-
| rels ruse was a clever one"
What was the ruse?" asked Len
yard.
The doctor told him, with now and
then a word from Merrick.
When the recital was finished. ex-
pressive looks flashed between the
clerk and Lenyard.
The marking of those bullets" de-
clared Lenyard. proves that McCloud
killed Sturgs.'
why in the fiends name should Nc
Cloud kill Sturgis?" asked Merrick.
at wasn't McCloud that quarreled
with Sturgis in Hawkbill's."
There couldn't have been any mo-
tive" spoke up the doctor, who seemed
to be a sticlller on that phase of the
question.
You'll not find Murgatroyds re-
volver in Murgatroyd's possession, -
insisted Lenyard doggedly. "If you
find it anywhere you'll find it in Nc
Clouds pocket Look and see."'
Come on, Merrick," said Darrell, get
ting up and raising his hands above
his head.
You'll not find it." remarked Len
yard while the marshal was making
his search; 'he wouldn't be so willing
to let you look, if he had It. He's got
rid of it somewhere"
ANY one would know the old man s
gum" observed the clerk; there amt
another like it in tEe hull of Mon
tana"
I've seen it a dozen times" said
the marshal as he returned to his chair
without finding the weapon. You've
opened this up, Lenyard, and it's up
to you to make good"
Yes" said the doctor, "and be very
careful, Roy. It's very serious mat
ter"
"It was serious for Darrell" an
swered the young man warmly, Ito
have his good name taken away from
him
Good name." echoed Darrell deris-
lively. "a gambler, gentlemen" he
went on, turning to the doctor and the
marshal, "a man who follows the cards
for living. This boy f,as a peculiar
way of looking at things"
Lenyard grew angry.
"McCloud,' said he Il told you III
Hawkbills that | wasn't done With
you
Give us your proofs" said Darrell,
shortly.
"Dr. Payton," continued the young
man, ''you know how hard have
worked to clear Darrel's name during
the last month because | felt sure of
his innocence. | did not go to you
with what | had discovered because |
was waiting to find this man McCloud.
"On the night Sturgis was muir
dered, McCloud was in that private
room, there, with Murgatroyd Muir
gatroyd had been very late in getting
back from the hills and he had found
a letter from Darrell that made him
savage ana desperate. He looked out
of the street window and saw Darrell
returning to Hawkbills after having
gone with me to the hotel
Telling McCloud to remain where
he was, Murgatroyd rushed out of the
room, but did not take his revolver
with him. Don't forget that point.
gentlemen. Strange as it may seem to
you, Murgatroyd was SO excited he
/ did not take his revolver
"McCloud picked up the weapon and
stepped to the open window He
leaned out, and down the street, in the
| glare of light from the dance-hall op-
| posite, he saw Darrell confronted by
| Sturgis. He raised the revolver, sight
ed carefully, and fired. Then he rushed
away, pushing the weapon into his
pocket; rushed out through this very
room I'm telling you, and failed to see
Jim Glenn who was standing here, 9