Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1912-01-02
CHAPTER xxlv.-tcontinued.,

A group was gathered about the
body in the rain. single lantern
glimmering. Two or three men had
started down the passageway. and
Keith met them. revolvers drawn and
suspicious
Who are your" snapped one
sharply Were you doing all that
shooting yonder?"
Keith recognized the voice. thank
full that he did so.
Il fired at the fellow. but he got
away onto the prairie. reckon you
couldn't have done any better. Bill
Jack Keith" and Hickock's voice
had new tone. his hand dropping on
the others shoulder. Never was
gladder TO meet a fellow in my life.
Boys. this is an old deputy of mine
down in Dodge When he 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. you might
tell us what you know about this al
fair"
lit 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 I'M
der the wagon there. He must have
been laying for some one-i reckon.
maybe. It was me-
You? Then it's likely you have
some notion who he wes?"
We'll. If | have. Bill" and Keiths
HoH
tell you. If it's the lad | think likely.
I'll attend 20 the case myself. You
understandable is my personal af
fair"
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
take care OF yourself. but II 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 motlonIess
body fell away, and made room for the
marshal. the last man to rise saying
soberly;
He's dead all right. Hickock
guess he never knew what hit him,
Good shootin too. dark as ii IS here
Had the range fixed. likely" re.
turned the marshal That's what
makes II look like it was arranged
for"
He bent down. striving to distin-
guish the dead mans features turned
up TO the drizzle, but the night re-
vealed only the faintest outline.
Anybody know him?" There was
no response. only a shutting of feet
sn the mud Here. you man with the
lantern, ho!d It over where can see.
There, that is better Now. you fell
lows take look. and see II some OF
you can't name the poor devil"
They glanced down. one after the
ether, over Bits shoulder. shading
their eyes from the rain so as TO see
clearer. The light of the fickering
lantern streamed full on the CHASTITY
tace, but each man shook his head
and passed on Keith hung back, hop
ing some one would identify the body.
anu not iudAS IL necessary Tor MIN 30
take part in the grewsome task II
was not likely 10 be any one he knew
and besides. he felt the man had died
in his stead. and he dreaded to look
upon the stricken face When the last
OF the group had drifted back out OF
the radius OF light. Hickock looked UP
and saw him.
Here. Jack. he said, gravely. you
better try-you might know him"
Keith beEt over and looked down.
AS he did so his heart seemed TO rise
choking into his throat. and a blur
obscured his sight He swept a hand
over his eyes aud dropped on his
knees into the mud beside the body.
staring spssc5lesl, into the white face
the sightiess eyes. Hickock watch
ing him closely and gripped his arm
What is itg DO YOU know him.
My God. yes. Fred Nilloughby,