The Huttig news., 1909-12-04
"or Will One of You Roll a Cigarette q''

'Or VIII One of You Roll Cigarette ?' coat to take the tobacco out of the breast pocket An excuse to take that lapel in his left hand was. in fact, all that Whispering Smith needed to put not alone the three men before him but all Oroyille at his mercy The nlay of his right hand in crossing the corduroy waistcoat to pull his reyol. yer from it's scabbard and throw it into their faces was all too quick for better eyes than theirs. They saw only the muZlie of the heavy Colt $ playing like a snakes tongue under their surprised noses, with the good. natured smile still behind it. Or will one of you roll a oigarette?" asked Whispering Smith, without break between the two questions. T don It smoke. Now don't make faces; go light ahead. Do anything you want 70 with your hands. I wouldn't ask a man to keep his hands or feet still on a hot day like this,'' he insisted, the revolver playing all the time. You won't draw? You won't fight? tshaw! Then disengage your hands gently from your guns. You fellows really ought not to attempt to pull gun in Oroville, and I will tell you why-there's a reason for it." He looked confidential as he put his head forward to whisper among the crest lallen faces. At this altitude it is too
 ast work. l know you now he went onn as they continued to wilt. You are Fatty Filber," he said to the thin chap Don't work your mouth like that at me; don't do it. You seem surprised. Really, have you the asthma? Get over it, because you are wanted in Pound county for horse stealing. Why, hang it, Fatty. you're s1rod for ten years, and of course. since you have reminded me of 1t. I'll see that you get it. And you, Baxter said he to the man on the right, "l know 1 spoke to you once when 1 was inspector about altering brands; that's five years, you know You" he added, scrutinizing the third man to scare him to death-'I think you were at Tower w. No? No matter; you two boys may go, anyway. Fatty, you stay; we'll put some state COW on your ribs. By the way, are you a detective. Fatty? Aren't you? See here, I cal get you into an association. For ten dollars, they give you a German-silver star, and teach the Japanese method of pulling, by correspondence. Or you might get an electric battery to han dle your gun with. You can get pocket dynamos from the mail-orGer houses Sure, Read the big book"
 When Gene and Bob Johnson rode into town, Whispering Smith was sit ting in chair tside the Blackbird, still chatting with Fiber, who stood with his arms around a hitching post, holding fast nlail-order house cata logue. A modest crowd of hangers-on had gathered.
 Here We are, Gene" exclaimed Smith to the deputy sheriff T was looking for steers but some calves got into the drive. Take him away"
 While the Johnsons were laughing. Smith walked into the Blackbird. He had lost 30 minutes, and in losing them had lost his quarry. Sinclair had disappeared, and Whispering Smith made virtue of necessity by taking the upsetting of his plans with an unruffied face. There was but one thing more, indeed, to do. and that was to eat his supper and ride away. The street encounter had made so mueh talk in Oroyille that Smith de clined Gene ,lohnsan's invitation to go back to the house. It seemed con venient time to let any other ambi- tious rustlers make good If they were