The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1913-05-10

tread he slipped into the sleeping
quarters. returning In moment with
revolver. lie stared thankfully at
the weapon--better this than dishonor
Why didn't l think OF il before?
It's perfectly simple. I'll accidentally
shoot myself--in the foot!"
But even as he gazed az the gun he
saw that the muzzle was as large as
gopher-hole. A bullet OF that size
would sink ship. he meditated I'm a
panic. and as for his foot--what fright
ful execution IL would work. Butt
were better TO lose foot than foot
race. under present conditions, SO he
began to unlace his shoe Then real.
izing the value OF circumstantial evi.
dence, he paused MOI His disability
must bear all the earmarks OF an acct.
dent. He must guess the location of
his smallest and least important toe,
and trust the rest to his marksman.
ship. Visions OF blood-poisoning be
set him. and when he pressed the
muzzle against the point OF his shoe
his hand shook with such palsy that
he feared he might miss. He steeled
himself with the thought that other
men had snuffed out life itself in this
manner. then sat down upon the floor
and cooked the weapon second time.
He wondered II the shock insight, by
any chance, numb him into uncon-
seriousness. II so. he might bleed TO
death before assistance arrived. But
he had nothing TO do with that The
only question was, which foot. lie re.
garded them both tenderly. They
were nice feet. and had done him
many favors. lie loved every toe;
they were almost like inuooea. chill
dren. II was a dastardiy deed TO take
advantage OF them thus, but-he adj
yanced the revolver until II pressed
firmly against the outside OF his left
foot. then closed his eyes, and called
upon his courage There came a
great roaring in his ears.
How long he sat thus waiting for
the explosion he did not know, but
he opened his eyes at length TO find
the foot still intact, and the muzzle
OF the weapon pointing directly at his
instep. lie altered his aim hurriedly,
when, without warning OF any sort a
mans figure appeared silhouetted
against the window.
The figure dropped noiselessly TO
the floor inside the room. and cried, in
a strange voice:
Lock those doors! Quick!"
Finding that il was no hallucination,
Speed rose, calling out:
who are your"
"Sh-h.hl" The stranger darted
across the room and bolted both
doors, while the other felt "A chill OF
apprehension at these sinister precau.
tions. He grasped his revolver firmly
while his heart thumped. The fellows
appearance was anything but reassur.
| ing he was swarthy and sun.browned
/ his clothes were ragged, his oyeralls
1 were patched; instead OF a coat, he
wore loosely mapping vest over a
black sateen shirt. long since rusted
out to nondescrlpt brown.
'1'ye been trying to get to you for a
week" announced the mysterious Wis.
itor hoarsely.
"w-what do you want? who are
your"
'T'm Skinner. cook for the Cent?
pede."
THE man | racer"
"Not SO loud Skinner was strain
ing for the faintest sound from the di.
rection OF the mess.house.
I'm Kill HIM" exulted the Eastern
lad. but the other forestalled a muir
der by running on, rapidly:
Listen. now Hump and jobbed
this gang last month; we're PARTNERS
sec? He's got another race framed
AT Pocatello, and want to make a
getaway"
Yes! yes! yyou needn't stay here
ON my account"
Now don't let's take any chances
tomorrow, seer Wore both out foI
the coin what do you want 10 do
win or lose?e Skinner jumped bach
to the door and listened
what
Don't STALL" the Stranger cried
impatiently. "Will win or will you
What's II WORTH" He clipped hi;
words short, his eyes darted furtiv'
chances here and there
Can vim" gasped Speed
You can IL there's enough In il FOL
me. I'm broke. see? You bet five
hsndred and Wen cut II two ways"
IL haven't that much with me.
Borrow il. Don't be boob. Nee
me In Albuquerque Sunday, and Wei
split there"
is that all have TO dof"
Certainly What's the matter will
you, anyhow skinner cast a suspi
cious glance az his companion.
IL guess I'm rattlcd-it's all 81
sudden"
OF course you1l have TO run fas
enough SO We don't tip OF.
"How fast is that?"
ooh. tenfour." carelessly. That
what Humpy and | did"