The Lamar register. [volume] (Lamar, Colo.) 1889-1952, 1914-07-01

either direction. yet close in beside the
shore light boat was Swimming over |
the gray water. Even as | gazed. the |
fellow plying the paddle saw me and
waved his hand. In another moment
the bow grounded on the bank and its
occupant came stumbling up the slight
declivity.
BE was a medium sized. wiry look.
ing fellow. with olive skin and small |
mustache. dressed in brown corduroy.
a colored handkerchief wound about
his head in lieu Of a hat. As be came |
to the level where | stood he stopped |
suddenly. staring into my face.
'Sacre! thought eet vas Coombs
Who are you. msieurT'
Il came In last night" | replied eva
sively. land was just looking about
bit"
The black eyes searched my face.
and | noted his right hand touch the
hilt OF a knife in his belt.
what water is thisY' | asked. ig-
noring his action. "BayOuT
"Oui. m'sieur"
Are we near the scar
'Twenty-seex mile. iou not know
where you are: Ills odd you not
know, m'sieur.''
laughed. enjoying his bewilder
ment, yet not realizing how to turn 1t
to better account.
"Oh. no. came by train in the
night and am little hazy ~ to loca-
ton. You live about hereY
Som time. Then of agA.n-sailor.
WHARF Coombs? You know. Missouri"
No. DON'T" acknowledged.
Asleep In his cabin likely"
The creole. for such he undoubtedly
was, made a swift resolve.
"'Tis like. m'sieur. fnd out May
be you come too"
The last was more Of an order than
question. gave It no apparent heed.
but turned In the direction OF the cab
ms. ! had no reason to avoid COombs.
Indeed, | desired to see him. and had
no Intention Of permitting this lad to
suppose that feared his yelled
threats. Without 80 much as glancing
back at him I advanced along the foot
path. my hands In my pockets. Yet
my mind leaped from point to point In
eager speculation. Little as l liked
COombs this creole was even mors
dangerous. The one was a rough. the
other venomous snake. 80 far as the
original purpose of my adventure was
concerned It had already largely faded
from recollection. The swift recur.
renee Of more startling events domi-
mated
"Ze right; turn to re right, m'sieur."
said q voice behind me. and then
saw Coombs standing before the door
Of the second cabin
What does this lean. BrOussardr'
pick up that fellowr'
| AT the landing" the creole FASTENED
to explain. How could I tell? He
said he knew you. m'sieur."
"Oh. he did. hey2 Well. all ] know
about him IL that he blew In here last
night with q woman. Claimed to be
young Henley and took possession of
the place. reckon It's about time I
saw some papers to prove what yer
are. young Teller, fore yer go snoopin'
round at daylight. What's yer game
enyhow2"
| The mans bluster gave me my clew.
The thought suddenly occurred to me
that for some reason he was more
afraid OF me than l OF him.
you can see my authority, COMBS,
any time you are ready to exhibit your
own" returned coolly, leaning back
against the side of the cabin and star.
Ing him straight In the eyes. "If you
are the overseer here. then 1t is my
money that is paying your wages, and
from the look OF. things you'll not hold
the Job long at that"
Coombs did not cringe, but my tone
brought him uneasiness.
The niggers won't work." be re-
turned gruff1y. Thar amt a niger
on the place"
Apparently white men enough hang
ing around What's the matter with
the negroesr'
Ghosts" and the fellow laughed.
Maybe yer've seen sumT'
Strengthened up. stung by the sneer
In bis voice.
mo. but I've seen something more
to the point-a murdered man"
"WhatF'
Just what l said. There was a man
killed last night in that back room up
stairs. Shot In the head through tho
window heard the shot and investi-
gated His body lies there now"
l saw Broussard's snaky eyes dash