Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1911-10-05

1t blinded him, and he flung up one
arm over his eyes, and yet, in that
single instant. he perceived tho whole
picture as revealed by the red flame.
re saw the man in front 20 down ia
heap, the projection Of the building
from behind which the shot came. the
end OF wagon sticking forth into the
street which had concealed the as
sassin. The binding flash. the shock
OF that sudden discharge, for q mo
ment held him motionless; then no
ieaped forward. revolver In hand,
.sprsng around the end of the wagon,
and rushed down the dark alley be-
tween two buildings. He could see
nothing, but some one was running
recklessly ahead Of him, and he fred
IN the direction OF the sound, the
leapins squirt Of fame yielding a dim
outline OF the fugitive Three times
he pressed the trigger; then there
was nothing to shoot at-the fellow
had faded away into the black void
of prairie. Keith stood there baffled
staring about into the gloom, the
smoking revolver in his hand. The
sound Of mems voices behind was all
that reached him, and feeling the use
lessness of further pursuit, he re-
traced his way back through the mar
row passage.
A group was gathered about the
body In the rain, a single lantern
glimmering Two or three men had
started down the passageway, and
Keith met them, revolvers drawn and
suspicious.
Who are you?" snapped one
sharply. Were you doing all that
shooting yonder?"
Keith recognized the voice. thank.
fui that he did so
81 fired at the fellow. but he got
away onto the prairie. I reckon you
couldn't have done any better, Bill
Jack Keith" and Hickock's voice
had now tone, his hand dropping on
the others shoulder. Never was
gladGer to meet a fellow in my life.
Boys, this Is an old deputy of mine
down in Dodge. When he gives up
chasin a murderer there isn't much
use our tryin'. Let's 20 back, and find
cut how bad the fellow is hurt. While
were feeln' our way, Jack, you might
tell us what you know about this al
fair"
ut was just the fash Of gun, and
the man dropped" Keith explained,
briefly. Il was ten or dozen feet
behind, and the fellow fired from un-
der the wagon there. He must have
been laying for some one-I reckon,
maybe, 1t was me-"
You? Then It's likely you have
some notion who he was?"
Well, II I have. Bill" and Keith's
lips were set tight, I'm not liable to
tell you. II It's the lad l think likely,
III attend to the case myself You
understandable is my personal af-
fair"
Hickock nodded. his hand again
pressing the others shoulder.
Sure, Jack if you feel that way.
There's enough doing here In Sheri-
dan to keep marshal reasonably
busy, without dippin' into private
matters. | rather reckon you can
take care OF yourself, but if you need
me, old boy, I'm always right here on
the job. You know that
Il do, BIZ, and appreciate it,"
The group about the motionless
body fell away. and made room for the
marshal the last man to rise saying
soberly:
Hes dead all right, Hickock.
guess he never knew what hit him.
Coed shootin, too. dark rs It is here. "
Had the range fixed, likely" re-
turned the marshal. That's what
makes 1t look like It was arranged
for"
He bent down, striving to distin-
guish the dead mans features turned
up to the drizzle. but the night re-
vealed only the faintest outline.
"Anybody know him." There was
no response, only a shufTling of feet
IN the mud Here, YOU man with the
lantern, hold 1t over where can see.
There that Is better. Now, you fel-
lows take look, and see II some OF
you cant name the poor devil.
They glanced down, one after the
other, over Blll's shoulder. shading
their eyes from the rain SO as TO see
clearer The light Of the flickering
lantern streamed full on the CHASTITY
face, but each man shook his head,
and passed on. Keith hung back. hop
ing some one would identify the body,
and not make It necessary for him 10
take part in the grewsome task. IL
was not likely to be any one he knew,
and besides, he felt the man had died
in his stead, and he dreaded TO look
upon the stricken face. When the last
Of thu group had drifted back Out OF
the radius Of light, Hickock looked up
ard saw him.
Here. Jack" he said, gravely you
better try-you might know him"
Keith bent over and locked down.
As he did so his heart seemed to rise
choking into his throat, and blur
obscured his sight EIe swept hand
over his eyes and dropped on his
knees into the mud beside the body.
staring speechless into tho white face,
the glghtless eyes. Hickock watch.
ing him closely and gripped his arm.
What is it? Do you know him
My God, yes; Fred Willoughby!"
CHAPTER XIV.