The Roswell daily record. [volume] (Roswell, N.M.) 1903-current, 1907-08-17

a hideous looking man. He was a
withered, drfed-up fellow, whose age
was not to be guessed, having q skin
as yellow as parchment, drawn In
tight to the bones like that of .
mummy, his yes deep sunken like
wells, and his head totally devoid Of
hair, although about his lean throat
there was a copious fringe of iron-gray
beard, untrimmed and scraggy. Down
the entire side of one cheek ran .
Iivid scar, while his nose was turned
awry.
He sat staring at the newcomer.
unwinking, his facial expression de-
void of interest, but his fingers open
ing and closing in apparent nervous
ness. Twice his lips opened, but moth
ing except a peculiar gurgle sound is
sued from the throat, and Brant, who
by this time had attained his feet and
his self-possession, ventured to ad-
dress him.
Mice quiet spot for n camp" he re
marked, pleasantly, but a bad place
for . tumble"
The sunken eyes expressed nothing
but the throat gurgled again painfully
and finally the parted lips dropped .
detached word or two. Blame
pretty girl-thae"
The lieutenant wondered how much
of their conversation this old mummy
had overheard, but he hesitated to
question him. One inquiry, however,
sprang to his surprised lips. do you
know herr"
Damn NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. any one
around here-know her-rea1 name"
Brant stared in~credulously. DO you
mean to insinuate hat that young
woman is living in this community. un-
der an assumed one? Why, she is
scarcely more than a child What do
you lean, MANI"
The soldiers hat still rested on the
grass where it had fallen, it's military
insignia hidden.
81 guesS-I know-what know"
the fellow muttered. "What's-your
-regiment?"
Seventh cavalry"
The man stiffened up as If an cleo
trio shock had swept through his limp
frame. THE Observation-Disclosures
call you-Brant?"
The young officers face exhibited
his disgust. Beyond doubt that Sc
questered nook was a favorite loung-
ing spot for the girl, and this disrepu-
table creature had been watching her
for some sinister purpose.
Sc you have been eavesdropping,
have your" said Brant, gravely. And
now you want to try a turn at defam-
ing a woman? Well, you have come
to a poor market for the sale of such
goods. I am half inclined to throw
you bodily into the creek. 1 believe
you are nothing but a common liar,
but I'll give you one chance-you say
you know her real name. What is it?
The eyes of the mummy had become
spiteful. 'Its-none of-your damn-
business. Im-not under-your or
ders."
Under my ordersi OF course not;
but what do you mean by that? Who
and what are your
The fellow stood up, slightly hump
backed but broad of shoulder, his
arms long, his legs short and some
what bowed, his hin p~rotruding i'm
pudently, and Brant noticed an oddly
shaped black scar, as If burne there
by powder, on the back of his right
hand.
"Who-am II" he said, angrily. I'm
-Silent-Murphy."
An expression of bewilderment
swept across the l~ieutenant's face
Silent Murphy! Do you claim to be
Clusters scout?"
The fellow nodded. "Heard-of me
-maybe?"
Brant stood staring at him, his mind
occupied with garrison rumors
connected with this odd personality.
The name had long been q familiar
one, and he had often a the mar
pictured out before him. There could
remain NO reasonable doubt OF his
identity, but what was he doing there?
I Yes, I've heard Of you,"-and his
crisp tone instinctively became that
of terse military command,-"although
we have never met, for I have been
upon detached service ever since nay
assignment to the regiment. I nave =
troop in camp below" he pointed
down the stream, and am in cem-
mand here"
The scout nodded carelessly.
why did you not core down there
and report your presence in this neigh
borhood to me?"
Murphy grinned unpleasantly. "Rath-
CT D0-dlO10-nO T0pOTI-p0Sh ONSI-
Black NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. or
ders."
do you mean o are in direct com
munication with headquarters, with
Custer?"
The man answered, with a wide
sweep of his long arm toward the
northwest. Coin to-be hell-out
there-damn SOON"
How? Are things developing into
n truly serious affair." real cam
paign?"
Every buck-in the-Sioux nation
is makin@er the-bad lands" and
he laughed noiselessly, his nervous
fingers gesticulating. guess that
means-business."
Brant hesitated. Should he attempt
to learn more about the young girl
Instinctively he appreciated the futil
ity of ~endeavoring to extract informs
ton from Murphy, Inc he experienced
q degree of shame at thus seeking II
penetrate her secret. He glanced
about, seeking some way of recross
ing the stream.
IF you require any new equipment,