Monroe City Democrat. (Monroe City, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1904-09-22
6Copyright, lGO3, BY WnllAla wAllass CsskS

WILLIE
The clerk was alone, but of to the
right was a door, partly ajar, and
marked Private" The scratching OF
the clerks pen ceased suddenly when
he saw a stranger in the office-a
stranger with one hand behind him,
Ender his coat
'fWell?" queried the clerk.
81 have business with Murgatroyd,"
answered Darrell.
Hes out of town." said the clerk.
A shadow of disappointment crossed
barrels face as the hand was with
drawn from under the coat
"When will he rcturn?"
an time for the games at Hawk
bills"
4 few lines for him would
y. d, en- if he gets back?"
Tee on he would. He always comes
o the Office after a trip into the hills"
where can ! writc?"
Step right into his private room.
Stranger IN camp"
"Yes."
"KnOw Murgatroyd|
1--WE known him for good many
ears"
Darrell was ushered into the other
partment and the clerk placed paper,
bens and envelopes at barrels dis
Dosal. AS he seated himself, Darrell
aw a revolver lying on the desk by
he inkwGll.
The weapon had an ebony stock,
arved with a deaths head. 1t was
durgatroyd's, as Darrell we'll knew, and
y what chance had its owner gone
nto the hills without it?
The clerk noticed barrels curious
lance at the firearm.
That's the old mans" he vouch-
afed; first timeI ever knew him to go
way and forget it. Make yourself at
ome- What name did you say?'
Nathan
"AIl right, MIR. Nathan. Nothing in
his layout is too good for the old
lan's friends. If you don't see what
on want. ask for it"
5 Much Obliged"
The clerk withdrew and resumed his
enwork in the outer Office. Picking
. the pen, Darrell wrote as follows:
''Mr. Darrell presents his compliments
Mr.. Murgatroyd and desires to state
nat he is now in town awaiting Mr.
lurgatroyds pleasure. Mr.. Darrell also
/ ishes II known that he can be found
ais evening at Mr.. HawkbiIl Hender-
ms. He trusts Mr.. Murgatroyd will
nbrace his opportunity
Darrell knew his arrival in camp
ould be noised abroad and reach his
nemy's ears. Murgatroyds absence
rom Sandy Bar, therefore, made a
idden and unexpected meeting i'm
0ssibTe.
Darrell therefore desired the notifi-
alton to come through himself, in his
I swn way Having addressed the en-
4 elope, he incIosed the folded sheet,
i'd the communication on the desk
nd placed the revolver on it for
aperweight.
n Then, lighting a cigar, he leaned
= ack in the chair, wondering why fate
Duldn't be kind and send Murgatroyd
Z, him as he was then-in his enemy's
wn room with his enemy's own re-
81 Diver within easy reach. Presently
s le artfulness of Murgatroyd's charac-
"A pr suggested something and the re-
6 oliver suggested something else.
| Picking up the weapon, Darrel
ressed a spring and turned the barrel
& OWN, revealing the cylinder Six
/. artridges nestled murdcrously under
is eyes.
He listened intently. The scratch,
;ratch of the clerks pen came to him
onotonOusly.
One by one he extracted the car
ldges and then, by means Of a sharp
1inted steel letter opener he embed
I'd deeply in each lcaden slug the ini-
al "M." To replace the cartridges
I'D return the revolver to it's original
ace by the inkwell took but mo-
emit
Next, Darrell recovered the pen and
bntinued his writing
I'm the event that Mr.. Nathan Oar
!, in whose pocketboOk this message
placed, should be made a victim of
+ ul play, he respectfully suggests the
s. ilowing for the coroner's considera-
on:
First-The fact that Lester Muir
ltroyd has sworn to shoot Nathan
arrel on sight.
Second-The fact that a covert at
ok has ever been preferred by Lester
nrgatroyd to meeting in the open.
Third-The fact that the bullets in
ester Murgatroyd's revolver have been
arked with the letter "M."-Note:
be letter IN" might be mistaken for
~" and technicalities have more
- ON ouca oauad Nuroafrovd