Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1911-08-17
CHAPTER W.
An Old Acquaintance.

popular resort II WAS originally g
two-room cabin with gable to the
street, the front apartment at one
time low GROCERY, the keeper Sleep
ing In the rear room. Whether sud-
den death, or financial reverses, had
been the cause, the community had in
some manner become possessed Of the
property, and had at once dedicated
1t to the commonwea1 For the pur-
pose thus selected it was rather well
adapted, being strongly built, easily
guarded. and on the outskirts of the
town. With iron grating over the
windows, the back door heavily spiked.
and the front secured by iron bars.
any prisoner once locked within could
probably be found when wanted. On
the occasion of Keith's arrival, the
portion abutting upon the street was
occupied by a rather miscellaneous
.assembly-the drunk and disorderly,
elements conspicuous-wh were
awaiting their several calls to appear
before local justice and make an
swer for various misdeeds. Some were
pacing the floor, others sat moodily
on benches ranged against the wall,
while few were still peacefully slum-
bering upon the floor. 1t was frowsy,
disreputable crowd, evincing but mild
curiosity at the arrival of new pris-
oner. Keith had barely time to glance
about, recognizing no familiarity OF
face amid the mass peering at him, as
he was hustled briskly forward and
thrust into the rear room, the heavy
door closing behind him with the snap
of spring lock.
He was alone with only the faint
est murmur of voices coming to him
through the thick partition. 1t was a
room some twelve feet square, open
to the roof, with bare walls, and con-
tanning no furniture except a rude
bench. Still dazed by the suddenness
of his arrest, he sank down upon the
seat, leaned his head on his hands,
and endeavored to think. 1t was diff
flcult to get the facts marshalled into
any order or to comprehend clearly
the situation, yet little by little his
brain grasped the main details, and
he awoke to a full realization OF his
condition, of the forces he must war
against The actual murderers OF
their suspicious aroused by his ac-
tions; they believed he guessed some
thing Of their foul deed, and had de-
termined to clear themselves by
charging the crime directly against
him. 1t was shrewd trick, and IL
they only stuck to their story. ought
: to succeed. He had no evidence. 9TH
er than his own word, and the marshal
had already taken from his pockets
the papers belonging to the slain
man. He had not found the locket
hidden under his shirt, yet a more
thorough search would doubtless re-
veal that also.
Even should the case come to trial,
how would it be possible for him to,
establish innocence, and-would 1t
ever come to trial? Keith knew the
character of the frontier, and of Car
son City. The inclination of its citi-
zens in such cases was to act first,
and reflect later. The law had but
slender hold, being respected only
when backed by the strong hand, and
primitive instincts were always in the
ascendency, requiring merely a leader
to break forth in open violence. And
In this case would there be any lack
of leadership? Like flash his mind
reverted to BLACK Bart" There was
the.man capable Of melting mob. Ii,
for some unknown reason, he had SUI.
nc1ent interest to swear out the war
rant and assist In the arrest, he would
have equal cause to serve those fel.
lows behind him In other ways. Nat
urally. they would dread trial, with
its possibility Of exposure, and eagerly
grasp any opportunity for wiping the
slate clean. Their real security from
discovery undoubtedly lay In his
death. and with the "Red Light"
crowd behind them they would ex-
perience no trouble in getting a fol-
lowing desperate enough for any pur.
pose,
The longer Keith thought the less
he doubted the result. It was not then
problemNof defence, but of escape.
for he believed now that no oppor-
tunity to defend himself would ever
be allowed. The arrest was merely
part Of the plot intended to leave him
helpless 10 the hands of the mob. In
this Hicks was In no way blamable
he had merely performed his sworn
duty, and would stiIl die. If need be.
In defence Of bis prisoner He was
nc tool. but only an instrument they
had found means Of using.
Keith was essentially man of &C
ton. fighter by instinct. and so long
accustomed to danger that the excite
ment Of 1t merely put new hre into his
veins. Now that he understood exact
" what threatened. all numbing feel
ing Of hesitancy and doubt vanished.
and he became Instantly altyeN He
would not lie there In that hole wait
ing for the formation of-a mob; nor
would he trust in the ability OF the
marshal to defend him.
He had some friends without not
many, for he was but an occasional
visitor At Carson who would rally to
Hicks assistance, but there would not
be enough on the SIDE OF law and or
der to overcome the S'Rsd Light" out