Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1916-12-07
matter what happens. i must pay a

matter n happens. must pay a
lone hand"
He was firm on this point, and in
the end l gave my promise, to his evil
dent relief.
''This is u visitors day evidently"
he observed. Here come two more
men. One of them is the doctor. I'd
know that hat two miles"
"The other is II friend Danny Ran
dali" said l..
DR.. Rankin greeted us With n cor
diality l had not suspected in him.
Randall nodded in his usual difident
fashion and slid into the oak shadow,
where he squatted on his heels.
about this Scarfacc Charley he
said abruptly, 81 hear he's issued his
def, and you've taken him up. Do
you NOW anything about this sort OF
thing"
Not a bit" admitted Johnny frank
ly. is it Il duel, and ure you gentle
men here to act as my seconds?"
1T is not" stated the downright doc
tor. Its Il barroom murder, and you
NtillhSb Stl tlotilih IL, dIlu l., LUZ Ollt,
don't try. But now you're in for it
and you've got to go through with it."
Il intend to-" said Johnny.
cts not precisely that" objected
Danny Randall, for, dye see, he's
sent you warming"
Its about all the warning you'll
get" SnOrted the doctor.
.'TIonyn'c II Govt of ,,11n nl,S,t ~ ', ,,o,
sisted Randall. ".And that's what I'm
here to tell YOU. He'll try to come up
on You suddenly. probably from be-
hind, and he'll say draw and defend
YOURSELF and shoot you as soon after
that as he can. You want to see him
first; that's all"
"Thanls," said Johnny.
and" exploded the doctor. If you
don't kill that fellow. by the Eternal,
when You get Il chance
You'll give him Il pill. DOCTOR" in
terruptel Randall. with Il little chucklc.
But look here" he said to Johnny,
after all. this sort of Il mess isn't re-
Quircd OF YOU. You say the word and
LII take III this Scarface Charley and
run him ont of town. He's :, good deal
of Il pest"
THANK YOU" said Johnny slit1y. II
intend to paddle my wv cnnoc."
Randall nodded.
II don't know ns we ran help YOU
any more" said he. II just thought
You ought to b" on to the way it is
done"
I'm obliged to YOU" said Johnny
warmly. The only doubt in my mind
was when | was privileged to OPEN
I'D pot him through the window
with Il shotgun first chance | got
stated the doctor. That sort of n ruff
fan is just like q mad dog"
"Of course you would. DOCTOR" said
Randall, with just the faintest suspi
cion Of sarcasm In his voice. well,
guess woll be toddling."
But | wanted some information, and
| meant to have it.
who is this Scarfacc Charley?"
asked.
Got me-" replied Randall. You
fellows seemed to recognize him. Only
he's one of the gang u~n,loubtcdly."
The gang"
oh. the general run of hangers-on
Nobody knows hnrN they live, but CIV
cry one suspects Some Of them work
but not many. There are d heap OF
diSappearance> l'hll no one knows any
thing about. and every once in awhile
IL man is found drowned and float
ing-tloating. mind YOU"
What of that" | asked. Drowned
bodies usually 1oat."
There's no miner in these diggings
but has gold enough in his belt to sinE
him. If a man floats he's been robbed
and YOU "a tie to that reasoning
And the fellows are al well mounted
and given to mysterious disappear
ances."
"In other words" broke in the doe
tor, they are an organized band OF
c%utthroats and highway robbers MAX
ing this honest camp Il headquarters
CONTINUED Next Week