The Huttig news., 1909-08-21
cHhPT FER XIV.
At the Wickiup.


 Two nights later Whispering Smith rode into Medicine Bend. I've been up around Williams Cache" he said answering Mcclouds greeting as he entered the upstairs office. How goes it?" Tie was m his riding rig, just as he had come from late supper.
 WI; | he asked for news McCloud told him the story of he trouble witt Lance Cunning over the survey. and nddod that he had referred the matter to Glover. He told then of his un pleasant surprise when riding home af.erward.
 Yes assented Smith, booking witl feverish interest at McCiohj's head. T heard aboni it."
 "That's old, for 1 haven't said word about the matter to anybody bat Marion Sinclair, and you haven't seen her.
 T heard up the country. II is great luck that he missed you"
 IN To missed me?"
 ''rhe man that was after you"
 The bullet went through my hat" Let me see the hat"
 MoCloud produe ed it. It was heavy. broad brimmed Stetsen. with bullet hole cut cleanly through the iront and the back of the crown. smith made MeCloud put the hat on and describe his position when the shot was fired Mccloud stood ID, and Whispering Smith eyed him and put questions.
 What dc you think of it?" asked McCloud when he had done.
 Smith leaned forward on the table and pushed McCloud's hat toward him if the incident were closed There s no question in my mind. and lhere ,eyer has heon. but that Sietson puts up the best hal worn on the range.
 McCloud raised his eyebrows Why. thank you, Ynur conclusion clears things so. After you speak man aas nothing to do hut guess .''a eRuf. by heaven. George. exclaimed l Smith, speaking with unaccustomed eryor Miss Dit keie Cunning is a ummer isn't she? That child will
 
 ear. To think of her standing I'D nd flashing her cousin in that way then he was hrowbeating a railroad aani"
 Where did you hear about that 2"
 "Thc whole Crawling Stone country :; talking about it. You never told me you lad misunderstanding with | l-e.f, nt,y rr."
 T will loosen up in the way you do. What scared me most Gordon was waiting for the second shot. Why ddn't he fire asaiu2"
 Doubtless he thought .he had you the first time. Any man b.g enough to start after you is not used to shoot ing twice at 2s9 yards. He probably hounht you were falling ou, of the saddle; aud it was dark l can account for everything but your reaching the pass so late. How did you spead all your time between the ranch and the foothils9"
 McCloud saw there was no escape l from telling of lr;s meeting with Dick sic Cunning, of her warning, and of is ride to he gate with her Every l Hoint brought q suppressed exclsma ton from Y hislslsins Smith. So she gave you your life. he unused Good for her, If ycu had got into the pass on time you could not have got away the cards were stacked for you. He overestimated you little, George; | inst little Good men make mis takes. The sport Of circumstances mat we are The sport of eircum tancesi'
 Now tell me how you heard so much about it. Gordon. and where'"
 Through 2 friend. but forget it.
 @no you know who shot at me 9'
 "Yes.
 'g think I do. too. I think 1t was the fellow that shot so we'll with the 1 rife at the hsrbecue-w what WAS his ] name? He was working for Sinclair and perhaps is yet You mean Seagrue, the Montana cowboys No. you are wrong Seagrue is man.killer, but square one"
 How do you know 2H
 T win tell you somstime--bu this was not Seaerue One Of Dunning's men, was it' Stormy German
 No, no, 8 very different sort Stormy is wind bag The man that Is after you is in town at this minute, and he has come to stay until he finishes his job
 The devil, That's what makes your eyes so bright, is 1t? Do you know him 9v
 T have seen him. You may see him i yourself if you want to-"
 I'd Ike nothing better. When 3"
 "To night in So minutes" Me l Cloud closed his desk. There was a ran ai lhe dnnr