The evening world., 1912-01-09

less as he heard the stray
mans voice. directed at Levi
att.
49, II reckon you think you've
been some bIsy lately" he drawled.
Meaningless words. as they appear
here: meaningless TO the group Of men
and To tho Two Diamond manager: yet
to Lcvfatt they were burdcned with u
dire significance. They told him that
tho stray-man was aware OF his duplic-
ity: they meant perhaps that the stray
man knew of his dealings with the cattle
thieves whom he had visited yesterday
In the hills near the river. Whichever
Icviatt thought. there was Significance
, enough In the words to bring a snecring
smile to his face.
"Mcanin'T" no questioned. his eyes
A., glittcrinE evilly.
Ferguson smiled. his eyes unwaverlng
! and narrowing a very little as they met
those Of his quesiioner. Deliberately.
as though tho occasion we're one OF un-
questioned peace. he drow out some to-
bacco and several strips OF rice paper.
Selecting one OF the strips OF paper. he
returned tho others TO n pocket and
proceeded to roll a cigarette.
His movements were very deliberate
Stafford watched him. fascinated by his
GOODNESS. In the tense silence no sound
was heard except n subducd rattle OF
pans In tho bunkhousc-tellins that the
cook and his assistant were at work.
Tho cigarette was mad. finally. and
then the stray-man lighted It and
looked again at Leviatt. ignoring his
question. asking another himself.
you workin' down tho creek ycster-
day?' he said.
Up" snapped Levintt.
The question had caught him off hi
guard or he would have cvaded H.. INs
had told tho lie out OF pure pervcrss-
ness.
Ferguson took a long pull at his Gig
arctic.
well. now he returned. that's
mighty peculiar. IA nave sworn that I
seen an Tucson rldln' dow the
river yesterday. Thought ! saw you In
n basin in tho hills. talkin' TO some
men that ia never seen before.
reckon I was mistaken. bu. I'd have
swore that ia seen you"
Ievlatt's face was colorless. stand
ing with his profile to Tucson. he closed
one eye furtively. This had been "a sig
nal that had previously been agreed
upon. Tucson caught II and turned
slightly, letting ono hand fall to his
right hip. Immediately above the butt
OF his pistol.
SOL sneercd L.eviatt. you're seeIn'
n heap of things since you've been run
min with Mary Radford!'
Ferguson laughed rnocklngly. IN IN.
be ] have he returned. "Ridin' with
her sure makes a man open his eye,
considerable
Now he ignored Lcviatt. speaking &c
stafford.
when I was In here one day. talkin
to YOU" he said quietly. 'you told m,
about you an IDeviatt go!n' 20 Dry Bot
tom TO hire a gunighter. I reckon yol
told that rlghtT"
Il sure did" returned Stafford.
Ferguson took another pull al his
cigarette. blowing tho smoke slowly
sky ward. And he drawlcd again. NJ
that there was "A distinct space between
the words.
II reckon you didn't go around adver.
tisin' that" he asked.
Stafford shook his head negatively
There amt any one around here
knowcd anything about that but mo an
you an Leviatt." he returned.
Ferguson grinned coldly.
"An' yet rs got out" he stated quiet.
ly. II reckon u no one but is three
knowed about II. one Of us has beer
gassin'. ! wouhin't think that you'd
done any ~gassin'." he added. Apeakinq
to Stafford.
The latter slowly shook Mis- head.
Ferguson continued. his eyes cold and
! alert; AN I reckon that l aup't shoi