The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1907-07-30

dentaly to ask why you are exhibit
ing SO great an interest in Miss Nadia
ellis"
Slavin Strengthened up, his great
hands clinching nervously, drops of
perspiration appearing on his red for
head. 4 don't understand your damn
ed fun"
Hampton's lips smiled unpleasantly.
"Slavin, you greatly discourage me.
The last time l was here you exhibit
I'D SO fine a sense Of humor that was
really quite proud Of you. Yet, sruly,
| think you do understand this Joke.
Your memory can scarcely be failing
at your age.-Make another motion
like that and you die rigct there, You
know me.-However, as you seem to
shy over my first question, I'll honor
you with a second-Where's Silent
Murphy"
You dewitt" Slayin roared, what
do you mean?"
With revolver hand resting on the
table, the muzzle pointing at the gi-
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 hand to
wipe the sweat from his face. If
if l didn't have this beard on you
might guess. I thought you knew me
all the time"
Hampton stared at him. still puz-
zled. 4 have certainly seen you some
where. 1 thought that from the first.
Where WIS it?"
4 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 I
never had no reason to say anything
about it round here. You was alters
decent 'nough ter me-"
Possibly" 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"
SIavin 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"
Hamptons eyes hardened percepti-
bly,. and his fingers closed more tight
" about the butt of his revolver. You
lie, Slavinl 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. A: he did not, hc
must WELD his weapon blindly.
You're maxim a devil Of a fuss
over little or nothin'," he growled,
Stimulating a tone of disgust. I 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.
l don't give two screeches in hell for
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"
4 told you he'd gone. Maybe he
didn't git away till this nornin', but
he's gone now all right What in
thunder do We want O. him? I reckon
I 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 it out,
and l do know you now, you lying
brI1to Won PaIT1x4- cv-0rc