Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1905-02-28
CHAPTER II.
DAAAEL PRESENTS HIS coMPL1-
MENTSr

CHAPTER II.
DAAAEL PRESENTS HIS coMPL1-
MENTS."
AS Darrell climbed into his blackboard
the man in corduroys rode past on a
calico cayuse. To the saddle cantle
was strapped well-worn travelling
bag.
Darrell caught the stranger survey
ing him covertly.- The mans gaze
was quickly averted, however, when the
other parted the scrutiny with keen
look.
There's certainly heavy load on
that fellows mind" thought Darrell as
he gathered up the lines and ficked
the whip lash between the bronchos'
ears.
The galloping cayuse was pointed
south and barrels plunging team
swiftly carried him abreast of it's rider,
and ahead. Quickly the stranger drew
rein and was still at halt when the
blackboard and its single passenger
topped rise and vanished on the other
side.
In those days all sorts and condi-
lions of men were to be met in that
section, so Darrell scarcely gave the man
in corduroys a further thought. "You
may be honest, but you cannot be
honorable" were the words that passed
and repassed through his mind.
Rarely, indeed, did this freelance al
low 2nvfhirO IN 1uoi cyh 4; Go cnir.
its. But there was something in the
Mexicana's statement that struck cru
ely against desire to be little differ
ent and little better than he knew
himself to be.
"An honorable man must be honest"
thought Darrell, "but an honest man is
not necessarily honorable" He smiled
to himself. "That is what the sonora
would imply and she is not consistent"
All the way to Sandy Bar he solilo-
quized, coming to himself abruptly
when he sighted the Eponay below
him and made out the huddled build
ings Of the camp. With a shrug he
dismissed his unpleasant reflections
and gave attention to the work that
confronted him.
Where will 1 find Murgatroyd?" he
asked Of the man who took charge Of
his team at the camp corral.
That's tellin'," was the answer, as
pair of speculative eyes travelled
over the newcomer. "By ten an after
you can generally find Murg at Hawk
bills. Sometimes durin' the day he's
at his mimi Office"
Where is the Officer"
up stairs over Kaliper's place. See
that buildin' with the lamps In 'front.'"
The man pointed down the street as
he put the question.
eyes," replied Darrell. els that Kali
iper's?"
Nav, that's Hawkbill's. Kaliper's
is the next buildin' north"
THANK you"
Darrell started Immediately, his
slight, graceful figure watched curious
ly by the man at the corral. "a tin
horn, If know the brand" the man
muttered, shaking his head foreboding-
ly as he began unhitching the team;
''he looks it all right, and besides he
asked for Murgatroyd."
At that hour of the day Sandy Bar
was quiet and orderly. Night brought
the miners out of the hills and the
gambling gentry from their lurking
places, the games and the excitement
beginning simultaneously.
While passing the cluster Of lamps
that arched above the sidewalk, OAR
rel took note of the temple of chance
behind them. Such establishments al
ways interested him professionally, and
this one, with Its deliberately painted
front, its fulsome display Of red
globes and its air Of prosperity, was
plainly favorite rendezvous.
Kaliper's place was restaurant, at
least sign indicated that "meels"
were to be had at all hours. A narrow
stairway led to the second floor and
at the top of the flight Darrell was con-
fronted by door bearing the words:
81. Murgatroyd, Mines and Mining
Stocks"
Without moments hesitation, OAR
rel opened the door and stepped with
llls odlloW-lcSCu yOuuA ldA BIZ IN
the table, writing.
The clerk was alone, but off 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 oface-a
stranger with one hand behind him,
under his coat.
SCyVal1 oD ruoriad $bo oIoo1,
II have business with Murgetroyd,' -
answered Darrell.
"He's 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 return?"
"In time for the games at Hawk.
bills"
III left few lines for him would
he see them if he gets back?"
Reckon he would. He always comes
to the Office after trip into the hills. y
Where can writer"
"Step right into his private room.
Stranger in camp?"
EYES,"
know Murgatroyd?"
give known him for a good many
years."
Darrell was ushered into the othe,
apartment and the clerk placed paper
pens and envelopes at barrels dis.
posal. AS he seated himself, Dare
saw a revolver lying on the desk by
tho inlxu,o11