The star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1908-1909, 1908-12-01
Continued From Yesterday,

With a stifled cry Buck struggled to
his feet to face his assailant, drawing
his gun instinctively. The knife had
bitten too deeply, however. With a
groan he fell; weakly he tried to level
lively at the trigger. Peruna waited to
see If he had strength enough to fire.
A sneering smile added to the evil ap-
| pearance of his face. Seeing Buck
helpless, he snatched the gun from his
| hand. Then he turned his victim over
so he could reach the pocket of his
waistcoat. With the blood stained
knife he ripped open the cloth and ex-
tracted a roll of paper and money.
Peruna was kneeling beside the body
of his former friend, when a voice
drawled:
Drop that knife!'
Peruna jumped up with a grunt of
dismay to see Slim Hoover sitting on
horseback. with his revolver held up
right. ready for use.
Peruna hesitated: drop it," ordered
Slim Hoover, slightly lowering the
gun.
Peruna tossed away the knife with a
snarl.
"I'll take care of your friends bundle,
and the papers and money you took
from his pocket. Drop them. | didn't
figure on gettin' back to business as
soon as l got home. but you never can
tell. Can you?'
The last remark was addressed to his
deputy. Timber Virgins, who had
Joined him.
This yere's Timber Virgins, deputy
sheriff from Pinal county," explained
Slim, for Peruna's enlightenment. "Mr.
Virgins. will you take care of his
friend of mine?" continued the sheriff,
glancing from Peruna, who looked at
him stoiidly, to Virgins. 81 reckon
he's been dom something naughty"
The two men dismounted, keeping the
outlaw covered and watching his every
glance.
Anything to oblige,' replied Wig
gins, who had solemnly entered with
SlimIinto his assumed formality.
virgins stepped behind Peruna, and,
reaching forward, removed Bucks gun
from the outlaws holster, which had
been empty since Buck, earlier In the
day, had taken his revolver after he
had insulted Echo.
Anything to. oblige.' said Virgins
to Slim. Then to Peruna he COM
manded: Lets take a walk. You first,
I'm noted for my politeness.
you might tie him up some" sug-
gested Slim.
81 sure will,' answered the deputy
as he marched his prisoner toward the
corral.
Slim FASTENED to the side of the fallen
man, and turned him over on his back
to get a glimpse of Peruna's victim.
He saw that Buck was still breathing,
although mortally wounded. the blood
gushing from his mouth.
Mckee recognized the sheriff. "Hullo!
when did you git back?" he asked.
"Jes' now. Is this you money!
said Slim, holding the roll in front Of
McKee's eyes.
mo; it's your'n. Part O. h took
from ole Man Terrill, The idee o. not
~recognizin' your w property" Nc
Kee grinned at his joke OF the sheriff.
who was with your asked Slim
"There vas two
Mckee was silent.
bud Lane was the other man." haz-
arded Slim.
No began Buck. but Slim in
terrupted him
He was with you that night. He
came to the weddin' with you. 1t amt
no use in denyin' it. I've been thinkin'
it all out. 1 was fooled by Jacks pacin'
boss. You and Bud"
Here Mckee interrupted with a SOL
enn denial. Whether from a desire to
foil the sheriff, whom he knew was
Buds rival in love. and so thought him
the young mans enemy, or from the
benevolent spirit induced by the recent
contemplation of his virtues. Mckee
was impelled TO give an account Of the