Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1905-04-11
Darrell UNMAsKED.

already proved my case against Murga-
troyd."
mot 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 OAR
rel's ruse was a clever one."
What was the ruse?" asked Len
yard.
The doctor told him, with now and
then word from Merrick.
When the recital was finished, ex-
pressive looks flashed between the
clerk and Lenyard.
1.-THE marking Of those bullets" de-
clared Lenyard, "p.oves that McCloud
killed sturgiI"
Cloud kill Sturgia?" asked Merrick.
ut 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 stickler on that phase of the
question.
you'll not flnH Mrgatroyd's re-
volver in Murgatroyd's possession"
insisted Lenyard doggally. II you
find it anywhere you'll find it in Nc
Clouds pocket. Look and see."
Come on, Merriek," said Darrell, get
ting up and raising his hands above
his head.
You'll not find It," remarked Lem
yard while the marshal was making
his search; "he wouldn't be SO willing
to let you look, If he had 1t. Hess got
lid Of it somewhere"
ANY one would know the old Ipan's
gum" observed the clerk; there amt
another like 1t In the hull of Mon
tana."
1--WE seen it dozen times" said
the marshal as he returned to his chair
without finding the weapon. you've
opened this up, Lsnyard, and it's up
to you to make good"
Eyes," said the doctor, land be very
careful. Roy. It's very serious mat
ter
"1t was serious for Darrell" an
swered the young man warmly, s'to
have his good name taken away from
him"
Good name" echoed Darrell dtris-
lively. "a gambler, gentlemen" he
went on, turning to the doctor and the
marshal, "a man who follows the cards
for living. This boy has peculiar
way Of looking at things"
Lenyard grew angry.
"McCloud," said he, 81 told You in
Hawkbill's that I wasn't donet Will
YOU"
-Give us your proofs" said Darrell,
shortly.
"Dr. Payton," continued the young
mar, "you know how hard L have
worked to clear barrels name during
the last month because felt sire Of
his innocence. did not go 10 you
with what had discovered bee, ,use
was waiting to find this man MeCloud
ION the night Sturgis was muir.
dered, McCloud was in that private
room. there, with Murgatroyd. MUIR
gatroyd had been very late in ge,tins
back from the hills and he had fount
letter from Darrell that made hin
savage and desperate. He looked sou
OF the street window and saw Dari' Q
returning to Hawkbill's after havinA
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.
"McNoud picked up the weapon and
stepped to the open window. He
leaned out, and down the street, In thu
glare Of light from the Gance-hall op
! posite, he saw Darrell confronted b!
Sturgis. He uaised the revolver, sight
ed carefully, and fired. Then he rushet
away, pushing the weapon into hi
pocket; rushed out through this YER
room, I'm telling you, and failed to Sc
Jim Glenn who was standing here,
foot from the door leading into the
other room. Isn't that so, Glenn?"
Lenyard appealed to the sallow- face
clerk who was leaning against the wa
picking nervously at the sleeve o c h
coat.
THAT'S So" said Jim Glenn, "b ut
will cost me my job, and may be
whole lot of trouble besides, when Il
old man hears what I've told"
Merrick hitched his chair alon esl'
of DarreFs and the doctor TURF ed
piercing look on the clerk.
why did you keep this inforr aati'
to yourself, Glenn" he dem ande
Don't you know that it caused us
fix the crime on am innocent M An?
drove him to his death, that Is ],
what It did. Why ydidp't You Pme