The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1906-05-13

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mand.
Tho men ceased their occupations
and gathered about. Scenes Of thI,
sort were too common 10 elicit com
ment or arouse excitement. They
knew perfectly the laissez-falre rela
tlons which obtained between the two
westerners.
"Now," said Black Hank angrily In q
low tone, II want TO know why you
tried that monkey game"
Billy, wary and unafraid. replied that
he had tried no game, that he had for.
gotten the tenderfoot for moment and
that he did not believe tho latter
would prove TO be the sought for ex.
press messenger.
One OF the men. al signal from his
leader. relieved BiIly's belt OF consid.
erable weight. Then the latter was
permitted 10 cit on cracker box. Two
more mounted the little stairs. In q
moment they returned to report that
the upper story contained no human
beings. strange or otherwise, except
the girl. but that there remained q
small trunk. Under further orders they
dragged the trunk down into the bar.
room. II was broken open and found
to contain clothes OF the piainsman's
cut, material and state of wear, a neat.
ly folded Mexican saddle showing use
and rawhide quirt.
''Tenderfootw said Black Hank con.
tsmptuously.
The outlaws had already scattered
outside TO look for the trail. In this
they were unsuccessful, reporting In.
deed that not the faintest sign indicat.
ed escape In any direction.
Billy knew his man. The tightening
OF Black Hanks close knit brows
meant but one thing. One does not gain
chieftalnship OF any kind In the west
without propping ascendcncy with
acts OF ruthless decision. Billy leaped
from his cracker box with the sudden.
ness OF the puma, seized Black Hank
firmly about the waist, whirled him
into sort OF shield and began an ear
nest struggle for the instant possession
of the outlaws drawn revolver. II was
gallant attempt. but unsuccessful.
In moment Billy was plnloned to the
floor and Black Hank was rubbing his
abraded forearm. After that the only
question was whether II should be rope
or bullet.
Now. when Billy had gone down.
stairs the stranger had wasted no more
time at the window. He had In his
possession $4,000 In greenbacks which
he was TO deliver as soon as possible
to the Buck Tall agency In Wyoming.
The necessary change OF stage lines
had forced him TO stay overnight at
Billy Knapp's hotel.
The messenger seized his bag and
softly ran along through the canvas
partItoned rooms wherein Billy slept |
to narrow window which he had al |
ready noticed gave out almost directly |
ihAO thc pbuS NVou1' Aht "iuuoW Who
Of oiled paper, and Its catch baified |
him. lie knew II should slide back. |
but II refused to slide for him. He
did not dare to break the paper be-
cause of the cracking noise. A voice
at his shoulder startled him.
'T'll show you," whispered the red
girl.
She was wrapped loosely In a blan-
ket, her hair falling about her shoulder |
and her bare feet showing beneath her
coverings. The little man suffered at
once an agony Of embarrassment In
which the thought of his errand was
lost. 1t was recalled to him by the
girl.
'There you are" she whispered.
showing him the open window.
"Thank YOU" he stammered painful.
y. IL assure you'll wish
The girl laughed under her breath.
THAT'S all right" she said heartily.
I owe you that for calling old whisk-
RS Off his bronc," and she kissed him.
The messenger, trembling with self
consciousness, climbed hastily through
he window, ran the broad loop Of the
,atchel up his arm and, instead Of
iropping to the ground, as the girl had
swung himself lightly into
he branches Of rather large scrub
,ak that grew near. She listened to
he rustic Of the leaves for moment
Is he neared the trunk and then, un-
Ible longer to restrain her curiosity In
egard to the doings below, turned to
he stairway.
As she did so two men mounted.
they examined the rooms Of the upper
tory hastily, but carefully, paying
cant attention to her, and departed
wearing. In few moments they re-
urned for the strangers trunk. Nell
ollowed as far as the stairway. There
he heard and saw things, and fed In
litter dismay to the back Of the house,
vhen Billy Knapp was overpowered.
At the window she knelt, clasping
er hands and placing her head be-
ween her bare arms. Women In the
yest, at least women like Nell, do not
yeep. But she came near 1t. Suddenly
be raised her head. A voice next her
ar had addressed her.
She looked here and there and
round. but could discover nothing.
Here, outside" came the low, guard