Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1905-04-14
CHAPTER XVIII.
BARRELS DOUBLE.

DARhEL'S DOUBLE.
A bomb, suddenly exploded In the
midst of those in the Office, could not
have caused greater CONSERVATION than
the furious words of Murgatroyd. The
case had been proved against Murga-
troyd, then shifted to McCloud, and
now McCloud was said to be Darrell
and Darrell was known to be inno-
cent.
Merricl, as soon as he had recovered
himself little, gave vent to a hollow
groan. Lenyard stared at Darrell like
one in trance.
Gentlemen" said Darrell, who was
the first to speak, eff Mr.. Merrick will
put the irons on Murgatroyd, we will
make him prove what he says"
Merrick would not leave barrels
side, but tossed the handouts to Glenn.
Snap 'em onto him, Glenn" said
he, "I'll stay right here until we can
get head and tail to this Chinese puz-
zle. Different things have been hap
pening so quick that I'm blamed II
know whether I'm afoot or horseback.
Mebby Sturgis wasn't killed at all; and
if he was, here's Doc and me left yet.
I'm expecting some one to blow in and
prove that we did it."
In some trepidation, Jim Glenn
snapped the bracelets about his en-
ployer's wrists. Murgatroyd was then
seated near the light and Merrick
handed one Of his revolvers to Len
yard
Get close to him." said the mar
shall, "and If he makes move to bolt,
shoot him."
Like one in dream Lenyacd took
the revolver and placed himself at MUIR
gatroyd's side. Murgatroyd was deep
ly perplexed. Darrell himself seemed
to be the only one in the office who
had kept his head.
"You say am Nate Darrell, Murga-
troyd," said he. How can you prove
it,"
"Hold up your left hand" said Muir
gatroyd, there, in the lights"
Darrell did so.
anyone who knows Darrell" went
on Murgatroyd, twill know that ring
There isn't another like it in the
United States"
"It's-it's barrels ring" gasped Len
yard. II saw it that night in Hawk
bills when Darsel played that game
for me-
He took a half-step towards Darrell
his face bloodless and his eyes bright
Watch your man, Lenyard," said
the marshal gruffly.
Keep back, Roy" said DR.. Payton
"This man may be McCloud, after all
The testimony of the ring is not sufi.
| Gent. 1t may have been stolen"
Then" said Darrell calmly, "let m.
shield McCloud's reputation to the ex
tent of saying the ring was not stolen
1t is, perhaps, the only ring Of its kint
in the United States, and 1t has no
been out of my possession during The
last six years"
'"Then you are Nate Darrel?" asked
Lenyard huskily.
Eyes"
This avowal sent the marshal off OF
| another tack.
Sure he says he's Darrell. Why
not? AS McCloud he stands convicted
of the murder of Sturgis. Under thos,
circumstances most anyone would
rather be Darrell than MoCloud
| Well have to have better proof thar
the ring. Murgatroyd knows the ring
and Lenyard seems to; but the balanc,
of us DON'T
"Supposing you are Darrell" salt
Payton, "why did you assume that dis
guise?"
1T was convenient" answered Oar
rel; "and besides, directly after tina
explosion, it was hardly safe for me t,
| go anywhere as my true SELF"
How did you escape the giant pow
der?"
Darrell eased their minds in this re
spect.
"Jupiter!" muttered the marshal
wagging his head. That's too mirac
'lous to be true"
NOW tell us how you came to pos
as McCloud," said Payton.
Darrell did SO. at length, and on hi
auditors the wonder grew. The mar
shall was derlsive in his unbelief.
Nov, look" said he, expatiat1ne
Here goes off powder explosion, OH
of which Mr.. Man, there, is snaked b,
the lines and bits of the runawa,
bronks. That's hard one to TAX
down, but it amt the hardest. He
in pretty bad shape, you see, with PEG
pie hunting after him to lynch him
but pursuading themselves that he wa