The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1912-01-19
CHAPTER xVII.-(contlnued.)
"you saw there was no tracer"

"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 Chm
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 a dead one if you had heard
him swear while he was telling the
story-it did him proud; never heard
him do bettsr since the second day at
Gettysburg 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
be found himself involved
What brought the General up
aere?" he questioned, finally.
81 haven't much idea," was the
reply 81 don't think | asked him d.
rectly. wasn't much Interested.
There was a hint dropped, however
now you speak about it. He's keen after
those papers, and doesn't feel salts
fed regarding the report of the posse.
It's my opinion he's trailing after
Black Bart"
The dining-room was thinning OUT
end they were about the only ones lett
ct the tables. Keith stretched him
&c f looking around.
'Well, Doctor, | am very glad TO
have met you again, and to learn
Waite is actually alive This is
rather queer affair, but will have TO
work itself out. Anyway, | am too
dead tired tonight to hunt after clues
TN midst of this babel. I've been In
the saddle most of the time for
week, and have got to find bed"
Il reckon you won't discover such
q thing here" dryly. Got seven in
loom upstairs, and others corded
along the hall. Better share my cell
only thing to do"
THAT would he asking too much
| can turn in at the corral with Nep;
I've slept in worse places"
Couldn't think OF it, Keith" and
the doctor got up. Besides. you
sleep at night, don't you?"
"Usrally. yes" the other admitted.
Then you won't bother me any
no doctor sleeps at night in Sheridan;
that's our harvest time. Come on
and I'll show you the way. When
morning comes I'll rout you out and
take my turn. j.
Keith had enjoyed considerable ex-
Eerience in frontier hotels, but noth-
ing before had ever quite equalled this,
the pride of Sheridan. The product
of q mushroom town, which merely ex-
listed by grace of the temporary rail-
way terminus, it had been hastily ana
6imsily constructed, so 1t could Dc
transported elsewhere at moments
notice. Every creak Of he'd echoed
from wall to wall. The thin paru-
tions often failed to reach the ceiling
by a foot or two. and the slightest
noise aroused the entire floor. And
there was noise of every conceivable
kind, in plenty, from the blare oil a
band at the Pioneer Dance Hall oppo-
site TO the energetic cursing OF the
cook in the rear. A discordant DIN
If voices surged up from the street
below-laughter, shouts, the shrieks Oh
women. a rattle of dice, an occasional
p,stol shot, and the continuous yen
ing of industrious "barkers." There
vas no safety anywhere. An exploding
revolver in No. AZ was quite likely 10
disturb the peaceful slumbers oil tne
innocent occupant of No. Is. and every
sound of quarrel in the thronsed par,
room below caused the ledger to cur
nm in momentary expectation OF
str.1 bullet ooursing toward him