The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1912-12-05

revolver as the muZZie OF |
1t rested casually on line with the
others breast. There was a menacing |
click as the engineer drew back the |
hammer.
Now, my dear Jean. we're ready to |
begin the real game" be explained
Here we are. high and dry. aud down
there-just far enough away to be out
Of hearing Of this revolver when
shoot-are those we're going TO play
against. So far I've been completely
In the dark. know of no reason why
I shouldn't go down there openly and
be welcomed and given a good supper
And yet at the san time know that
my life wouldn't be worth red copper
If | did 60 down. You can clear up
the whole business. and that's what
you're going to do When under
stand VII, | am scheduled to be mur
deresl nn sight won't be handicapped
as now am. So go ahead and spie!
If you don't I'll blow your head off. :
You may shoot. m'seur." Jean said
quietly. Il have sworn on a cross of
the Virgin to tell you no more than
have"
Slowly Howland raised his revolver
"Once more. Croisset will you tell
me?''
"Non. m'seur.''
A deafening explosion filled the little
cabin. From the lobe Of Jeans ear
there ran red trickle of blood. His
face had gone deathly pale. But even
as the bullet had stung him within an
inch OF his brain he had not flinched.
"Will you tell me. Croissat?''
This time the black pit nf the engi-
| neers revolver centered squarely be-
tween the Frenchman's eyes
| "Non. m'seur."
The eyes OF the two men met over
the blue steel With cry Howland
slowly lowered his weapon.
''Good God. but you're brave man.
Jean Croissetr' he cried I'D sooner
kill dozen men that | know than
you"
He rose to his feet and went to the
door. There was still but little snow
In the air To the north The horizon
was growing black with the early ap.
proach Of the northern light. With q
nervous laugh he returned to Jean.
"Deuce take 1t if don't feel like
apologizing to YOU" he exclaimed
"Does your ear hurti"
mo more than if had scratched i
with a thorn" returned Jean politely
"You are good with the pistol. nl'seur.
81 would not profit by killing you
lust now" mused Rowland. seatin,
himself again on the box and resting
his chin in the palm of his hand as n
looked across at the other "Bu'
that's pretty good intimation tha
I'm desperate and mean business
Croisset. We won't quarrel about II
things I've asked you. What I'm her
{ for is to see Meleese. Now how
that to happen?"
: For the life of me l don't know.
! replied Jean as calmly as though
, bullet had not nipped the edge Of b
ear a moment before There is Onl
. one way can see. m'seur. and that
1
5 top until Meleese drives out her dog
8 She has her own team and in ordinal
g seasons frequently goes out alone
i with one Of the women at the pos
Mon Dieu, she has had enough
. sledge riding Of late. and ! doubt
4 she will find pleasure in her dogs for
: long time"
Is q had planned to use you,' sa
, Rowland but I've lost faith in 30
Honestly, Croisset. believe you wo,l
n stick me in the back almost Hs quick
|, as those murderers down there"
n mot In the back. m'seur.' smil
o the Frenchman. unmoved. Il ha
le had opportunities to do that. Nc
10 since that fight back there ! do n
70 believe that want to kill you"
Il but would be fool to trust ye
% Isn't that so?''
mot if gave you my word. tn
N is something we do not break up nc
,e as you do down among the Wekus
il people, and farther SOUTH
ID But you murder people for pasti1
y -eh. my dear Jean?"
.. Crossiet shrugged his shoulders wi
y out speaking.
no "See here. Croisset." said Howla
with sudden earnestness. I'm aim
tempted to take chance with y
,d Will you 60 down to the post tonig
n In some way gain access to Mele
and give her a message from me"
81 "And the message what would
ut be?"
nt 1T would bring Meleese up to
I'M cabin tonight"
az Are you sure. m'seur?'
nj Il am certain that It would Y
you go?"
~ "Non. m'seur."
"The devil take you." cried HI
do land angrily. IF ] was not cert
= that would need you later I'd !
or. rcte you where you sit.
He rose and went to the old ste
81 It was still capable of holding
). and as it had grown too dark outs
~, for the smoke to be observed from
/. post he proceeded to prepare 4 SUP
i. of hot coffee and meat. Jean Watc
- him In silence. and not until food
drink were on the table did the e
. neer himself break silence.
"Of course I'm not going to !
- you," he said curtly. so I'll have
:. free your hands. But be careful.
~ -. He placed his revolver on The y
~ :. beside him after he had freed q
set
80 II might assassinate you wit
fork" chuckled the Frenchman 50
his black eyes laughing over his
-. fee cup. Il drink yonr health. ms