The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1912-02-16
CHAPTER xxIV.-(Continued.)

a group was gathered about the
BODY in the rain, a single lantern
g.immering. Two or three men had
started down the passageway. and
Keith met them. reviewers drawn and
suspicious.
Who are you" snapped one
SHARPLY. Were you doing all that
shooting yonder?"
Keith recognized the voice. thank
sui that he did SO.
u fired at the fellow. but he got
away onto the prairie. | reckon you
couldn't have lone n better, BILL
Jack Keith" and Hickock's voice
lad a new tone. his hand dropping on
tae others shoulder. Never was
siadder to meet a fellow in my life.
ftoys. this is an old deputy of mine
down in Dodge. When be gives up
chasin' a murderer there isn't much
use our tryin'. Let's go back. and find
out how bad the fellow is hurt. While
we're feelin' our way. Jack, o might
ttii us what you know about this af-
{air."
1T was just the fash of a gun, and
the man dropped" Keith explained,
briefly. Il was ten or a dozen feet
behind. and the fellow fired from IN
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?"
Wei. If | have. BILL" and Keith's
Aps were set tight. I'm not liable to
tell you. II It's the lad | think likely.
IN attend to the case myself. You
understandable is my personal af-
Iair.'
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 a 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. Bill. and appreciate It."
The group about the motionless
body fell away, and made for the
marshal. the last man to rise saying
eoberly:
Hes dead all right, Hickock.
guess he never knew what hit him.
Good shootin'. too. dark as It is here"
Had the range fixed. likely" re-
turned the marshal. That's what
makes 1t look like it was arrange
tor"
H. bapf dnun ufrfxtrv 1r..-
suish the dead mans features turned
up to the drizzle. but the night re
veaied only the f~aintest outline.
Anybody know him." There wa,
40 response. only a shufHing of fee
ia the mud. Here, you man with tn,
lantern. hold It over where | can see
There, that is better. Now, you fel
lows take q look, and see If some O
you can't name the poor devil"
Thoy glanced down. one after tn,
other. over Bills shoulder. shadin;
their eyes from the rain so as to Sc,
clearer. The light of the fickerin,
lantern streamed full on the ghasti,
lace, but each nan shook his head
and passed on Keith hung back, hor
log some one would identify the body
end not make 1t necessary for him t
take part In the grewsome task. !
was not likely to be any one he knew
aad besides. he felt the man had die
In his stead, and he dreaded to loo
upon the stricken face, When the las
OF the group had drifted back out @
tue radius OF light. Hickock looked u
and saw him.
'Hese. Jack" he said. gravely. 'yo
better try-you might know him."
Keith bent over and looked dowI
AS he did so his heart seemed to ris
choking into his throat. and a blu
abscu.ed his slight He svept a ban