The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1905-07-27

ceived 1t from the young mans hand
and drew forth the weapon, which he
viewed with obvious and increasing
horror.
This settles your he said in sup
pressed and trembling tone. But
don't want it done in my house. Jump
into the rest of your clothes, and I'll
get You out somehow. I'll give you a
run for your
Don't want what done" demanded
Gerard, seizing the other by the shoul-
der.
Man, they'll hang you" cried Carey.
This is John Hunts gum"
Gerard started back, staring. but the
light Of dawning comprehension flashed
in his eyes moment later.
That's what Blair meant
"Never mind what Blair meant" in
terrupted Peter Carey. You pay at-
tention to what I mean. Get move
on. I'll let you out the back way, and
you skip for the depot. There'll be a
freight pulling out in half an hour or
so. Hide in one Of the cars II you can.
and you'll have chance"
'I'll stay right here" said Gerard.
At this moment there arose sudden
sound Of trampling feet, and voices
cried out the landlords name Carey
ran to the door and glanced along the
hail. then he turned toward Gerard.
Its too late" he whispered. what
do now do for my neck. You un-
derstand? I can't afford to seem to
shield you"
Instantly the hall resounded with
heavy steps and confused outcry.
Half a dozen men attempted to enter
the room simultaneously and blocked
their own way. A big fellow with q
tawny beard forced himself in and
Immediately called out, "Carey's got
him.
Gerard then first observed that the
landlord had drawn his revolver and
was menacing him. At the same time
Carey expressed a perfunctory disap-
proval Of the inevitable.
II won't have no violation Of law In
my housew he cried. This man ought
to be arrested and locked up legal and
REGULAR
Bring him outr' yelled dozens OF
voices in the hall
With violence, yet with more Of the
show than the substance Of 1t, Gerard
was led out Of the room and, in defer
ence to the landlords protests. out of
the house. lie made no plea and prof.
fered no defense. His mind was busy
but his lips were still.
He did not minimize his danger The
probability was that he had not more
than five minutes to live, and yet there
was chance that he might survive the
adventure altogether if he could bring
himself to approve certain course OF
action
IF this is cowardice," he said ia
himself, "Tll die first II 1t is merely
a shrewd move I'll try it."
He had heard a voice in the crowd US.
serting with foolish pride quite com.
mon In such cases: II tell you heard
the shot. 1t was few minutes past
last evening""
Gerard stopped SO suddenly that the
yellow bearded man who had him by
the right arm and scar faced fellow
who was his guard upon the other side
swung around in front Of him. He
WHenched himself loose from them and
turned to Peter Carey, who was follow.
Ing close. They were then in the mid.
die of the broad street in front OF the
hotel. Over Carey's shoulder Gerard
could see Jerry Starr, bartender OF
the hotel, forcing his way through the
crowd with rope in his hands.
'Carey," said Gerard, 'If these fel.
lows hang me will they go through my
pockets?"
II guess they'll do that first" re.
sponded Carey grimly. There was
stuff taken from the mail, and we'd
like to see If we can find any Of it.
They're looking through your room
now"
"In that case" said Gerard, you'd
better read that" And he handed Ca.
rey an envelope. you remember Civ.
ing it to me, don't your
Carey nodded.
"At what timer" asked the prisoner.
"About o'clock last evening"" an.
swered the landlord as he took the note
from the envelope.
He read it hastily, and his face flush.
ed. He turned toward the major por.
ton Of the crowd and raised his hand
to command attention.
"Boys," said he, Il guess we'd bet.
ter call a halt. Here's something you
ought to hear"
A lull in the disorder followed these
words.
"ThIs mans friend, who came with
him from the east" continued Carey
"left town last evening by the 0 O'Clock
train. as you probably know. He had
dinner about half past 6, left the hote
n little after and came back about
half past s. He packed his grip. paid
his bill and shook the town by the
o'clock train. He left this note for hi.
partner here, and gave 1t to him Just
too late for him to get over to the de
pot. Now listen to what the note says
Dear Gerard-Tve Just got word tha
II. & Co Of Denver have failed. Am 90
ing to catch the evening train II I can
You'll hnd some Of my stuff in your room
including my gun. II 1t looks different
that's all right. / swapped with join
Hunt before he went out on his last trip
Will communicate with you tomorrow
Yours, F. D. BLAIR"
There was momentary hush. ant
then Jerry Starr, still holding the rope
exclaimed: