The new era., 1911-11-30
CHAPTER xvIl.-tcontinued.)

"You say there was no tracer"
Nothing to travel on after forty
eight hours-a posse started out next
morning. soon as they found him
when they got back they reported hav-
ing run the fellows as far as Cim-
maron Crossing-there they got across
and escaped"
"Who led the posse?"
"a man called Black. think" he
said.
BLACK Bart?"
Yes, that's the name; so. reckon
you didn't bury Willis Waite this time,
Captain. You wouldn't have thought
he was dead one If you had heard
him swear while he was telling the
story-it did him proud; never heard
him do better since the second day at
Gettysburg-had his ear shot off
then, and had to fix him up-Lord.
! but he called me few things"
Keith sat silent. fully convinced
now that the doctor was telling the
truth. yet more puzzled than ever
over the peculiar situation in which
he found himself involved
Wudl tue Ncutid oP
here?" he questioned. finally.
81 haven't much idea" was the
reply. Il don't think asked him d.
rectly. l wasn't much interested.
There was hint dropped. however.
COW you speak about it. He's keen after
those papers. and doesn't feel salts
lied regarding the report of the posse.
It's my opinion he's trailing after
Black Bart"
The dining-room was thinning out.
md they were about the only ones left
It the tables. Keith stretched him
,elf. looking around
We'll. Doctor. am very glad to
iave met you again. and to learn
Waite is actually alive. This is
'ather queer affair. but will have to
work itself out. Anyway. am too
lead tired tonight to hunt after clues
In midst of this babel. I've been in
the saddle most OF the time for a
week. and have got to find bed"
II reckon you won't discover such
a thing here" dryly. Got seven in a
room upstairs. and others corded
along the hall. Better share my cell
only thing to do"
THAT would be asking too much
I can turn in at the corral with Neb;
I've slept in worse places"
Couldn't think of it, Keith" and
Nhe doctor got up. Besides. you
sleep at night. don't you?"
Usually. yes" the other admitted.
Then you won't bother me any
40 doctor sleeps at night in Sheridan:
that's our harvest time. Come on.
and III show you the way When
morning comes I'll rout you out and
take my turn"
Keith had enjoyed considerable ex-
perience in frontier hotels. but moth
Ing before had ever quite equalled this.
the pride of Sheridan. The product
,f mushroom town. which merely ex-
listed by grace of the temporary rail
way terminus it had been hastily and
fiimsily constructed. SO 1t could be
transported elsewhere at moments
notice Every creak OF bed echoed
from wall to wall The thin parti-
tions often failed to reach the ceiling
by foot or two, and the slightest
noise aroused the entire floor. And
there was noise of every conceivable
kind, in plenty. from the blare OF
band at the Pioneer Dance Hall oppo
site. to the energetic cursing of the
cook In the rear. A discordant din
OF voices surged up from the street
below-Iaughter. shouts, the shrieks OF
women. rattle of dice. an occasional
pistol shot. and the continuous yell
ing of Industrious "barkers." There
was no safety anywhere. An exploding
revolver in No. AZ was quite likely to
disturb the peaceful slumbers of the
innocent occupant of No. is. and every
sound of quarrel in the thronged bar
room below caused the lodger to curl
up in momentary expectation OF a
stray bullet coursing toward him