Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1911-09-13
CHAPTER ~.
An Old Acquaintance.

NJ S'o rN(QQdiTIdTCC.
The Carson City lookup was an i'm
provfsed affair. although a decidedly
popular resort. 1t was originally
two-room cabin with gable to the
street. the front apartment at one
time low groggery. 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 hecome possessed OF the
property. and had at once dedicated
IL to the commonweal. For the pur-
pose thus selected 1t was rather we'll
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-who we're
awaiting their several calls to appear
before a local Justice and make an
swer for various misdeeds. Some were
pacing the floor, others sat modify
on benches ranged against the wall.
while few were still peacefully slum-
bering upon the floor. 1t was n frowsy.
disreputable crowd. evincing but mild
curiosity at the arrival Of a new pris-
oner. Keith had barely time to glance
about. recognizing no familiarity OF
face amid the mass paering 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 Ii 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
nf MS arrest. he sank down upon the
eat. leaned his head on his hands.
Ind endeavored to think. 1t was diff
ficult 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
tnose TWO men on the trail had had
their suspicious aroused by his ac-
tons; they believed he guessed some
thing OF their foul deed, and had de-
termined to clear themselves by
charging the crime directly against
him. IL was a shrewd trick. and II
they only stuck to their story. ought
to succeed. He had no evidence. 9th
er than his own word, and the marshal
mad already taken from his pockets
the papers belonging to the slain
man. He had not found the locket
hidden under his shirt. vet n more
thorough search would doubtless re.
veal that also.
Even should the case come to trial
how would II be possible for him IN
establish innocence. and-would II
ever come to trial? Keith knew the
character OF the frontier. and OF Car.
son City. The inclination OF ifs Gift.
zens in such cases was to act first
and reflect later. The law had hut
slender hold, being respected only
when backed by the strong hand. and
primitive instincts were always I'm the
ascendency, requiring merely a leader
10 break forth In open violence. And
In thSs case would there be anv Iack
of leadership? Like a fash his mind
reverted 70 Black Bart" There was
the man capable Of melting a mob. n
for some unknown reason, he had suf
uclent interest 70 swear out the war.
rant and assist in the arrest, he would
nave equal cause TO serve those fel.
lows behind him in other ways. Nat.
orally they would dread a trial with
us possibility Of exposure. and eagerly
grasp any opportunity for wiping the
slate clean. Their real security from,
discovery undoubtedly lay I'm his
death. and with the Red Ifgbt"
crowd behind them they wou1d ey.
perience no trouble I'm getting fol.
rowing desperate enough for any pur.
pose.
The longer Keith thought the less
he DOUBTED the result. II was not then
a problem Of defence. but of escape.
Tor 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 In the hands Of the mob In
this Hicks was in no way blamabIe-
ne had merely performed his sworn
duty. and would still die. II need be,
Ia defence Of his prisoner. He was
no tool, but only an instrument they
had found means OF using.
Kosh was essentially a man OF ac