Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1907-08-09

With revolver hand resting on the
table, the muzzle pointing at the 81
ants heart, Hampton leaned forward,
utterly remorseless now. and keen as
an Indian on the trail.
do you know who l ann"
The horror in Slavin's eyes had
changed to sullenness, but he nodded
silently.
How do you know"
There was no reply, although the
thick lips appeared to move.
Answer me. you red sneak! Do
you think I am here to be played
with? Answer"
Slavin gulped down something
which seemed threatening to choke
him, but he burst not lift a hand to
wipe the sweat from his face. If
If didn't have this beard on you
might guess. l thought you knew me
all the time"
Hampton stared at him, still puz-
zled. 81 have certainly seen you some
where thought that from the first.
Where was it,"
81 was in D Troop. Seventh cav
airy"
ID Troop? Brant's troop?"
The big gambler nodded. That's
how i knew you, Captain he said,
speaking with greater ease, but l
never had no reason to say anything
about 1t round here. You was alters
decent 'nough ter me-"
"Possibly"-and it was plainly evil
dent from his quiet tone Hampton had
steadied from his first SURPRISE" the
boot was on the other leg, and you
had some good reason not to say any
thing"
slavin did not answer, but he wet
his lips with his tongue, his eyes on
the window.
"Who is the fellow Murphy"
He was corporal in that same
troop, sir The ex-cavalryman drop
ped insensibly into his old form OF
speech. He knew you too, and we
talked it over, and decided to keep
still because It was none of our affair
anyhow"
where Is he now!
"He left last night with army dis
patches for Cheyenne"
Hampton's eyes hardened percepti-
bly,, and his fingers closed more tight
Nv about the butt of his revolver. You
lie. Slayin! The last message did not
reach here until this morning. That
fellow is hiding somewhere in this
camp, and the two of you have been
trying to get at the girl. Now, damn
you, what is your little game?"
The big gambler was thinking hard
er then, perhaps, than he had ever
thought in his life before. He knew
Hampton would kill him If he needed
to do SO, but he likewise realized that
he was not likely to fire until he had
gained the information he was seek
ing. If he only knew how much infor
nation the other possessed it would
be easy enough AS he did not, he
must WELD his weapon blindly.
You're maxim a devil of fuss
over little or nothin'," he growled,
stimulating tone of disgust. Il amt
never he'd no quarrel with We, except
in fer the way We managed ter skin
me at the table bout two years ago.
I don't give two screeches in hell for
who you are; an besides, reckon you
amt the only ex-convict arranging Da-
kota either fer the matter O that. No
more does Murphy. We amt no
bloomin' detectives, an We amt buck
in in no business O. yourn; We kin just
bet your sweet life on thet.'
Where is Murphy, then? I wish to
see the fellow"
II told you he'd gone. Maybe he
didn't git away till this mornin', but
he's gone now all right. What in
thunder do We want O. him? | reckon
kin tell We all that Murphy knows"
For a breathless moment neither
spoke, Hampton lingering his gun ner-
vously, his eyes lingering on that bru-
tai face.
"Slavin," he said at last, his voice
hard, metallic. I've figured 1t out,
and do know you now, you lying
brute. You are the fellow who swore
you saw me throw away the gun that
did the shooting, and that afterwards
you picked it up"
There was the spirit Of murder In
his eyes, and the gambler covered
back before them, trembling like a
child.
Il only swore to the last part,
Captain" he muttered, his voice
scarcely audible Il never said l
saw you throw"
and l swore," went on Hampton,
that l would kill you on sight. You
lying whelp, are you ready to die?'
Slavin's face was drawn and gray,
the perspiration standing in beads
upon his forehead, but he could neith-
err speak nor think, fascinated by
those remorseless eyes, which seemed
to burn their way down into his very
soul.
No? Well, then, will give you, to-
day, just one chance to live-one, you
dog-one. Don't move an eyelash!
Tell me honestly why you have been
trying to get word with the girl, and
you shall go out from here living. Lie
to me about it, and l am going to
kill you where you sit, as l would
mad dog. You know me, Slavin-now
speak,"
So intensely still was 1t, Hampton
could distinguish the faint ticking OF
the watch in his pocket, the hiss OF