The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1912-03-15
CHAPTER xxIv.-(Continued.)

A group was gathered about the
body in the rain, a 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.
81 fred 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 a new tone, his hand dropping on
the others shoulder. Never was
gladder to meet fellow in my life.
Boys, this is an old deputy of mine
down in Dodge. When he gives up
chasin' 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 af-
fair"
1T was just the flash of gun, and
the man dropped" Keith explained,
briefly. II 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
o1,,,o ,,otion xubn bn moe
We'll, if have. Bill" and KeitR3
lips we're set tight. I'm not liable to
tell you. If it's the lad think likely,
I'll attend to 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
matters. rather reckon you can
take care of yourself, but if you need
me, old boy, Pm always right here on
the job. You know that"
81 do, Bill, and appreciate it."
The group about the motionless
body fell away, and made room for the
marshal, the last man to rise saying
soberly:
Hes dead all right, Hickock.
guess he never knew what hit him.
Good shootin', too, dark as 1t is here. -
Had the range fixed, likely" re-
turned the marshal. That's what
makes it look like 1t was arranged
for"
He bent down, striving to distin-
euish the dead mans features turned
nm to the drizzle, but the night re-
yealed only the faintest outline,
ANYBODY know him?" There was
no response, only shutting of feet
In the mud. Here. you man with the
lantern, hold 1t over where can see
There that is better. Now, you fell
lows take a look, and see If some OF
Won can't name the poor devil"
They glanced down, one after the
other. over Bills shoulder. shading
their eyes from the rain so as to see
clearer. The light of the Pickering
lantern Streamed Iull on tne Shdsll1
face. but each man shook his head
and passed on. Keith hung back, hop
ing some one would identify the body
and not make it necessary for him tC
take part in the grewsome task. L
was not likely to be any one he knew
and besides, he felt the man had dice
IN his stead, and he dreaded to lool
qpon the stricken face. When the las
n the group had drifted back out o.
the radius Of light. Hickock looked VI
and saw him.
Here. Jack" he said, gravely, "yoI
better try-you might know him..
Keith bent over and looked down
Al be did 30 his heart seemed to rise
choking into his throat and a blu
obscured his sight He swept hant