Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-10-24

with the result that his gaze seemed al
WAYS concentrated. He spoke slowly, ana
as each world fell it seemed to nail and
clinch itself. William Grierson. counselor
at law, had faith in his friend, Denny
McKiernan revenue officer in the employ
of the United States government but the
task in hand appeared to him to be be-
yond even Mckiernan's recognized ability
and skill.
You can't do it, Denny" repeated
Grierson nervously lingering the sheets
of an unfolded newspaper which lay upon
the table. Printed In this paper was the
dreadful news which had brought the men
together for their conference. 1t told In
pitiless type how one Tom Cleghorn had
gone into the mountains a week ago 10
study the natives" bent on learning for
himself the truth about this much talked
of class and later to convey his impress
sions to the world in a magazine article;
how Cleghorn had Numbered Unexpectedly
into a moonshine camp where the white
whisky was in the process of making, and
how. deceived by his dress the operators
of the still had fired upon and killed him
before he could say word.
Tom died like a damn dog, in reg
ular, incisive tones the words were falling
from Mckiernan's compressed lips-"and
I'm going to get the man who did it
Grierson small wiry. jerky in his move
ments. looked up quickly. drumming with
But who did it. Denny? The paper
says they"
Netherlands big head swung around on
his muscular neck and his eyes bore an
auestioner Slowly reversing his briar
pipe. he tapped the amber stem upon the
newspaper.
Near the headwaters of Big Goose
creek" he quoted. Don't you know the
vilest criminal in that part of the Ken
lucky mountains? OF course you don't.
for that isn't your business. And though
my operations have never extended that
far. I am confident Of my man. Seth
Butchers been running a still on Big
Goose for ten years and he shoots on
sight. Seth Butcher shot Tom. and I'm
going to prove it on him. capture him
and bring him here for trial. That will
constitute my part of this game. Yours
will be to convict and hang him according
to law. Do you agree?
DO you know how many men have
lost their lives trying TO take this fellow?
II reckon / do. I know their names
and when and how they were killed.
Don't try It, Denny. Think it over and
don't co.
I've made up my mind. want to know
IL you'll accept your part of the agree
ment which l have outlined?'
Then in heavens name, take a posse
with you-ten-fifteen"
They would be in my way-like so
many cattle turned loose to create alarm.
i go alone. and I go tomorrow"
Grierson gave something like gasp
and his face paled
Its madness. he murmured, down
right suicide. The fellow will murder
you as he has the othersr'
I'm going"
When Grierson heard the way in which
these two words were spoken he realized
that further persuasion and argument
would be useless.
"Then God give you success! Bring
Seth Butcher here and II. hang him.
slender white hand was lost In a
sturdy brown one as they sealed the pact.
The train clattered over spider like tres
ties Numbered through cuts and doomed
through tunnels, which sent back the roar
and rattle of the wheels intensified
thousandfold. The through express to
Jellico was late and time was hard to
make up on road composed mainly of
hills and curves. Mckiernan was travel
ing at night. When he got off the train
at London he didn't want any one to see
him-that Is. any one outside. The des-
perado he had deliberately set about to
capture was no common criminal Though
! totally uneducated. he was shrewd. cum
ming resourceful. Men feared him. both
in the mountains and in the towns. Nc
Herman knew that Butcher knew his
latest atrocitv would be exploited In the
newspapers. and that In all probability
a man or gang of men would come out
from the city to get him. He or his agents
would therefore watch all trains. and SO
have timely warning of the approach Of
an enemy. Mckiernan. crouched down In
his seat in the smoking car with his hat
shading his eyes and black cigar In his
teeth was reused by the abrupt opening
OF door and the inrushing noise from
the racing trucks. The announcement OF
his station followed and as he got on his
feet he swept his eyes around him. The
few occupants of the compartment were
asleep or doing. The train was begin
ming TO slow up. Fastening to the plat
\ Izl ,,ta hfc
pocket a heavy false beard and quickly
adjusted ii to his face. He swung him
self to the ground several seconds before
the train stopped. and with one shoulder
twisted up and a distressing limp In his
walk he moved on boldly by the isolated
ticket Office watching closely all the time
out of the corners OF his eyes without
turning his head. The few passengers
who got of paid him no heed. but in the
thickening shadows far back of the ticket
office he saw a blacker shadow-a shadow
which to his mind took the shape of a
mountaineer on watch. Up the steep hill
leading to the bridge which spanned the
railroad at this point labored McKiernan.
stopping half way up as though for
breath but In reality to reconnoiter. The
black shadow was closer now. 1t had
moved as he moved. Denny could see the
SLOUGH hat and the baggy trousers girt in
at the waist with a leathern belt. The
starlight glinted family on something
shining silvery at the shadows middle.
=" Uncut Ill pGCh"diu DchHS iC-
sumed his way painfully. gained the top
OF the hill linped letsurely across the
bridge and few moments later presented
himself at the hotel and asked for bed
till morning. The proprietor looked at
him doubtfully. for his appearance was
entirely disreputable, but when Mckier-
nan Strengthened up, removed his beard
and threw back the lapel of his coat,
showing a metal tag. the hotelkeepers
face softened 10 a grin.
Coin to try for Butch?" he asked. as
he led the way upstairs.
He and will take supper with you In
less than week" was the confident
reply.
More likely the buzzards will have a
as he turned away. But I hope you'll
his head in the door. That feller's hurt
in this county more n all the rest o the
sinners put together.
'.Iil get him. said McKiernan. calmly.
as he took his coat off and hung II on the
back OF chair.
About o'clock the next morning a
dilapdated spring wagon and a bony
horse with a stubby name and a frayed
out tail crawled slowly out of the noun
tain town, taking the road to Manchester
The seat body and wheels OF the wagon
had long since ceased to claim kinship
with paint; in fact. the whole contrap-