Putnam patriot., 1912-02-23
By 2yVAUGHAnkESTER
HLuszP4zzoxS ByDMEzZzZ

about a corner of the tavern. to whom Murrell reIinquished his horse.
 Let's liquor" said the captain over his shoulder. moving of in the direc- tion of the bar.
 Come on, Nevvyi" said Yancy fol- lowing, and they all entered the tav- ern.
 Well, here's to the best of good lueki" said Murrell, as he raised his glass to his lips.
 Same here" responded Yancy. Murrell pulled out roll of bills, one of which he tossed on the bar. Then after a moments hesitation he de- tached a second bill from the roll and turned to Hannibal.
 Here, youngsters present for you,'' he said good-naturedly. Hanni- bal. embarrassed by the unexpected gift, edged to his Uncle Bob's side.
 Thank you, sir" said the boy.
 Let's have another drink" sug- gested Murrell.
 Presently Hannibal stole out into the yard. He still held the bill in his hand. for he did not quite know how to dispose of his great wealth. After debating this matter for moment he knotted 1t carefully in one corner of his handkerchief.
 In the tavern the three men were drinking-Murrell with the idea that the more Yancy came under the in- fluence of Blossoms corn whisky the easier his speculation would be man. aged. MT. Yancy on his part believed that if Murrell went to bed reason ably drunk he would sleep late and give him the opportunity he coveted. to quit the tavern unobserved at break of day.
 When yo' get to feelin like sleep, young boss, Mas'r Slosson he says 1 show yo to yo' chamber" It was Blossoms boy Eph.
 "Yes, you can show me my cham ber," Hannibal said.
 Eph secured a tin candle-stfck with a half-burnt candle in 1t and led the way into the passage back of the bar.
 They mounted flight of stairs and passed down a narrow hall. This
 
 building. and Eph pushed open the door on his right.
 This heah's yo' chamber" he said and preceding his companion in- to the room, placed the candle on & chair.
 The moon was rising and Hannibal went to the open window and glanced
 H xl h night, not unaffected by its beauty. then, turning from the window, he moved his bundle and rife to the foot of the bed, where they would be out of his way. kicked off his trousers, blew out the candle and lay down.
 Yancy had become more and more convinced as the evening passed that Murrell was bent on getting him drunk, and suspicion mounted darkly to his brain.
 Have a drink with mel" cried Slos- son, giving way to drunken laughter.
 The captains dropped out, and low it's about time fo' these here festivities to come to an end. I'm thinking some of going to bed my 
 fixed on Murrell. He realized that if the latter could prevent it he was not to leave the bar. lie never shift ed his glance from Murrells face. Scowling now, the captains eyes blazed back their challenge as he thrust his right hand under his coat. Fair play-I don't know who you but I ba Yancy, the light in his frank gray eyes deepening. Murrell laughed and took a forward step. At the same mo- ment Slosson snatched up heavy club from the back of the bar and dealt Yancy murderous blow. A single startled cry escaped the Scratch Hiller; he struck out wildly as he lurched toward Murrell. who drew his knife and drove 1t into his shoulder. Yancy dropped heavily to the hoor
 How long the boy slept he never knew, but he awoks with start and . confused sense of things. It wa evidently very late. probably long after midnight-but where was his Uncle Bob:
 He sank back on his pillow intent and listening A chilling terror that grfppsd him fast and would not let him go. mounted to his brain.
 Where was his Uncle BobY Why didn't he come to bed? Memories Of idle tales of men fouily dealt with in these lonely tavsrns flashed through his mind.
 He slid from the bed, and for long moment stood cold and shaking. his every sense on the alert With infinite caution he got into his trous- CTS and again paused to listen. since he feared his least movement might betray him Next he secured his pack, and was ready for flight.
 Encumbered by his belongings, but with no mind to sacrifice them, he stepped out upon the shed and made | his way down the slant of the roof to the caves. He tossed his bundle to the ground and going down on his knees lowered his rife, letting the muzzle fall lightly against the side of the shed as it left his hand, then he lay udt Ou nis sloiudCn anu, icct Hibt, wriggled out into space. When he could no longer preserve his balance. he gave himself a shove away from the caves and dropped clear of the building.
 As he recovered himself he was sure he heard a door open and close, and threw himself prone on the ground, where the black shadow cast by the tavern hid him. At the same moment two dark figures came from