The Huttig news., 1909-11-27
CHAPTER xxxiv.
Wickwire.

McCloud and Dicksie met them at the porch door. Marion, unnerved went directly to her room Whisper ing Smith stopped to speak to Dicksie and MeCloud interposed Bob Scott telephoned the office just now he had man from Oroville who wanted te see you right away, Gordon" said he q told him to send him over here. II Is Wickwire."
 "Wickwire. repeated Whispering Smith. "Wickwire has no business here that l know of; no doubt it i. something I ought to know of AnG by the way, you ought to see this man." he said, turning again to Dick sic. If McCloud tells the story righi Wickwire is sort of protege of yours Miss DieKsie, though neither of yon seems to have known it. He is the tramp cowboy who was smashed up 1n the wreck at Smoky creek He is not bad man. but whisky, you know beats some decent men" A footste., fell on the porch. There he comes now, l reckon. Shall let him in a minute?"
 "Oh. l should like to see him, He has been at the ranch at different times. you know
 Smith opened the door and stepping out on the porch talked with the new conner In a moment he brought him in- Dieksie had seated herself on the sofa, MeCloud stood in the doorway Of the dining room, and Whispering Smith laid one arm on the table as he sat down beside it with his face above the dark shade of the lamp. Before him stood Wickwire. The half-light threw him up tall and dark, but it showed the heavy shock of black hair falling over his forehead, and the broad, thin face of mountain man.
 He has just been telling me that Seagrue is loose," Whispering Smith explained, pleasantly. Who turned the trick. Ui.kwire?"
 "Sheriff Coon and deputy jailer started with Seagrue for Medicine Bend this morning. Coming through Horse Eye canyon Murray Sinclair and Barney Rebstock got a clean drop on
 
 of together. They didn't make any bones about it, either Their gang has got lots of friends over there, you know. They rode into Atlantic City and stayed over an hour. Coon tracked them there and got up posse of six men. The three were standing in front of the bank when the sheriff init 1at Gac "a got on their horses and started off. Rebstock went back to get another drink. When he came out of he sa- loon he gave the pose a gun-tight all by himself, and wounded two men and made his getaway
 Whispering Smith shook his head. and his hand fell on the table with a tired laugh. Barney Rebstock." he murmured, "of all menl Coward. kate. filler-ini Barney Rebstock- .tale-beef man. sneak, barnyard thief. Sit two men!" He turned to McCloud. What kind of wizard is Murray Sin clair? What sort of red-blood toxin Ices he throw into his gang to draw out a spirit like that? Murray Sin NldlI DSIOHSS tO tHc Tdtt LII SDlpifC- builders. By heavens. 1t is pitiful a man like that should be out of job! England, McCloud, needs him. And here he is holding up trains on the mountain division!"
 They are all up at Oro7ille with the Williams Cache gang, celebrating" continued Wickwire.
 Whispering Smith looked at the cowboy. "Wickwire, you made good ride and I thank you. You are all right This is the young lady and this is the man who had you sent to the hospital from Smoky creek" he added, rising. You can thank them for picking you up. When you leave here tell Bob Scott to meet me at the 1 Wickiup with the horses at II o'clock, will you?" He turned to Dicksie in a gentle aside T am riding north to- night--I wish you were going part way" 7.
 Dicksie looked at him intently. You are worried over something" she mur-