Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1912-01-03
CHAPTER xxlv.-lcontinued.)

" "A group was gathered about the
body lin the rain. single lantern
glimmering. Two or three men had
started down the passageway, and
Keith met them. revolvers drawn and
suspicious.
Who are you?" snapped one
sharply. Were you doing all that
shooting yonder?"
Keith recognized the voice. thank.
full that he did SO.
Fl fired at the fellow. but he got
away onto the prairie. reckon you
couldn't have done any better. Bill.
Jack Keith" and Hlckock's voice
had a new tone. his hand dropping on.
the others shoulder Never was
gladder6 to meet fellow in my life.
Boys. this is an old deputy Of mine
down in Dodge. When he gives up
chasin' q 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. K. u
lit was Just the fash Of gun. and
the man dropped" Keith explained.
briefly. Il was ten or a dozen feet
behind. and the fellow fred from I'M
dersthe wagon there. He must have
been laying for some one-l reckon.
maybe It was me-"
OUT Then it's likely you have
some notion who he was ?''
We'll. II Il have. Bill" and Keith's
lips were set tight, I'm not liable to
tell you. II it's the lad think likely.
III attend to the case myself You
understandable ia my personal af-
fair"
3 Hickock nodded. his hand again
pressing the others shoulder.
Sure. Jack. II you feel that way.
There's enough doing here in Sheri-
dan to keep marshal reasonably
busy. without dippin' into private
matters. ! rather reckon you can
take care Of yourself. but II you need
me. old boy, I'm always right here on
the job. You know that"
do. Bill. and appreciate it,
The group about the motionless
body tell 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.
y Good shootin'. too. dark as 1t is here :"
Had the range fixed. likely" re-
turned the marshal, That's what
makes It 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-
veaied only the faintest outline.
ANYBODY know him?" There was
no response. only a shuming OF feet
h 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 II some OF
you can't name the poor devil"
They glanced down. one after the
ether. over Bill's shoulder. shading
their eyes from the rain SO as to see
clearer. The light OF the Pickering
lantern streamed full on the ghastly
face. but each man shook his head,
and passed on. Keith hung back. hop
ing some one would identify the body.
and not make 1t necessary for him to
Jake part In the grewsome task. 1t
was not likely to 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
sthe radius OF light. Hickock looked up
and saw him.
Here. Jack" he said, gravely. you
better try-you might know him." Il,
Keith bent over and looked down.
AS be did 30 his heart seemed to rise
choking into his throat, and . blur
obscured his sight. He swept = hand
over his eyes and dropped on his
knees into the mud beside the body.
staring speeches. into the white face.
the sightless eyes. Hickock watch
Ing him closely and gripped his arm.
What Is It? Do you know him?"
Ny God. yes: Fred Willoughby!"