The Irish standard., 1905-09-23


bis own lodgings and made him as
, comfortable as possible, then came to
me, knowing l was about the only
friend Nate Darrell had in the camp.
I'VE could get nothing out of Nc.
Cloud and also thought he was your
self. Your arrival on the Anaconda
stage-you, whom thought to be Nc
Cloud-all but carried me off my feet
l followed you covertiy and arranged
for DR.. Payton and the marshal to
wait in front Of Kaliper's after you
and Murgatroyd had come up here.
Glenn had told me-spurred to re-
morse at sight of the man we thought
to be you-of his discoveries here ON
the night of the murder. 1t was our
intention to confront you and Murga-
troyd with Darrell and do what we
could to get the whole truth. Coo
knows, Darrell, how much this moment
means to me-"
A mist was in the young mans eyes
He averted his face and would have
withdrawn his hands had not Darrell
chung to them.
turned Darrell with feeling, "the worth
of true friendship"
He shook the young mans hands
and released them. Turning to the
dostor and the marshal he added:
Gentlemen, you have doubted my
words"
"Confine that remark to Merrick,"
1rfN1 Ia tn Il q
half convinced all the time"
THANK you" said Darrell. '"There
is al opportunity, now, to prove every
thing | have said. AS to the explo-
sion on the War Eagle trail, the mere
fact that l am here is evidence that
that part of 1t is true"
Darrell sat down and all eyes were
fixed on McCloud. Murgatroyd leaned
Imply back in his chair and gazed va
cantly at the ceiling.
Merrick paid little attention to OAR
rel. Passing over to McCloud he
raised his head and endeavored to
,, press a flask of liquor to his lips
With sudden strength, 'McCloud
pushed the flash aside.
"Whisky and cards have been the ruin
Of me-whisky, and cards and-and
Murgatroyd."
Murgatroyd dropped his eyes from
the ceiling and fixed them ON McCloud
with a sneering smile.
Keep your devilish looks off of
mel" muttercd McCloud. in passion.
Take that man away" he went on,
addressing the others, his voice Quiver-
ing with excitement.
Murgatroyd was not taken away but
Payton drew his chair in front IL him.
You say that you are Junius Nc
Cloud?" said the doctor.
"Yes."
do you know Jack sturgis?"
mo"
you know he was murdered?"
"It's that that has haunted me and
made life hell for the last month";"
was the signing, helpless response.
you were in these rooms on the
night the murder was committcd?"
II was in that private room, there,
with Mureatroyd, the night sturgis
was shot" He tluttercd one hand
toward the other apartment.
Are you willing to tell us every
thing, here and now, Mr.. McCloud, or
would you like to consult q lawyer
irst?"
Il want no lawyers" said McCloud.
decisivcly, and IL everything is not
told now 1t may never be-"
Get pen and paper, Lenyard," said
Merrick, land sit ut the desk"
That's right" said Payton. "Take
down everything, Roy"
In a few moments Lenyard was
ready and had jotted down the sub
stance of what had already been said.
you were talking with Murgatroyd.
you say, Mr.. McCloud?" resumed DR..
Payton.
YES
you came here by appointment"
Il was in Sandy Bar and Murga-
:royd sent for me; told the stage driv-
or to tell me that was to come here
at once"
What was Murgatroyd doing when
you entered the room?"
Walking up and down like Gagged
animal. He had letter in his hand"
did he tell you anything about the
letter."
"Hc read it to me. 1t was from
Nate Darrell and said that he-Darrel-
was in town awaiting Murgatroyd's
pleasure, and could be found at Hawk
bills"
McCloud seemed to gather strength
as he proceeded. Excitement ":
buOying him up for the ordeal
you knew there was a feud be-
tween Murgatroyd and Darrel?"
"Murgatroyd told me. He said that
Darrell was in Sandy Bar and must not
get out of the camp alive. He said
that was to help him put Darrell oui
of the way"
ITO BE Continued
An Unfortunate Remark,
II certain prominent New York