The Jasper news. [volume] (Jasper, Missouri) 1898-1924, 1917-05-03
CHAPTER XXI.
An ominous MESSAGE.

SPUN TOOK MS turn at 1T very nQrO.
Patience" He repeated the word to
himself thousand times to deaden
his suspense and apprehension. Busi-
ness affairs took much of his time,
but Mans situation took most Of his
thought. For the first time he told
John Lefever the story of Mans find.
! ing him on Music mountain, of her
aid in his escape, and the sequel of
their friendship. Lefever give 1t to
Bob Scott In Jeffries' office.
"What did tell you, John3' de-
munded Bob mildly.
"No matter what you told me-" re-
torted Lefever. 1.-THE question is:
What's he to do TO get Nan away from
there without shooting up the Nor.
gans2"
De Spain had gone that morning to
Medicine Bend. He got back late and,
after n supper at the Mountain house,
went directly to his room. The tele-
phone bell was ringing when he un-
locked and threw open his door.
"Is this Henry Ge SpainT came
voice, slowly pronouncing the words
over the wire.
"Yes."
81 have message for you from Mu-
sic mountain"
go ahead"
"The message Is like this: Take me
away from here as soon as you cam"
"Whom Is that message from2"
II can't call any names"
"Who are your"
~ can't tell you that. Goodby."
Hold on. If you're treating me
falr-and ] believe you mean to
come over to my room minute"
mo"
LET me come to where you arer
mo"
LET me wait for you-anywhere"
mo"
""Do you think that message means
what 1t says?"
u know 1t does
do you know what 1t means for me
to undertaken"
81 have pretty stiff idea."
"Did you get 1t direct from the
party who sent it?"
81 cant talk all night. Take 1t or
leave it just where 1t Is"
De Spain heard him close. He
closed his own instrument and began
feverishly signaling central. "This is
101. Henry de Spain talking" he said
brislily. You just called me. Ten
dollars for you, operator If you can
locate that call, quick !"
There was moment of delay at the
central office, then the answer: ut
came from 234-Tenison's saloon"
"Give me your name, operator.
Good. Now give me %, and ring the
neck off the bell"
Lefever answered the call on No.
%. The talk was quick and sharp.
Messengers were instantly pressed
into service from the dlspntclfer's Of
fee. Telephone wires hummed. and
every man available on the special
agents force was brought into action
Livery stables were covered, the pub
lie resorts were put under observation
horsemen clattered up and down the
street. Within an incredibly short
time the town was rounded up, every
outgoing trail watched, and search
was underway for anyone from Nor
gan's gap, and especially for the send
er of the telephone message.
De Spain, after instructing Lefevcr
fastened to Tensions. His rapid
questioning of the few habitues of the
place and the bartender elected only
the information that man had USED
the telephone booth within few min
utes. Nobody knew him, or, II they
did know him, refused to describe
, him In any but vague terms.
Outside, Bob Scott In the saddle
waited with a led horse. The two mer
rode straight and hard out on the
sinks. The sky was overcast, anC
speed was their only resource. Aftel
two miles of riding, they refined up OF
a ridge, and Scott, springing from thu
saddle, listened for sounds. He ros'
from the ground, declaring he coult
hear the strides of running horse
Again the two dashed ahead. TIL,
chase was bootless. Whoever rod,
before them easily eluded pursuit.
Undeterred by his failure to over
take the fugitive, De Spain rode rap
Idly back to town to look for othe
clews. Nothing further was found t,