Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1917-05-17
CHAPTER XXI.
An Ominous MESSAGE.


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 gave it to
Bob Scott in Jeffrles' office.
"What did 1 tell you, John? de-
minded Bob mildly. o
mo matter what you told me-" re-
torted Lefever, ''The question is:
What's he to do to get Nan away from
there without shooting up the Nor
gans"
De Spain had gone that morning to
Medicine Bend. He got back late and.
after q supper at the Mountain house,
went directly to his room. The tele-
phone bell was ringing when he I'M
locked and threw open his door.
as this Henry de Spain2" came n
voice, slowly pronounclng the words
over the wire.
"Yes."
az have a message for you from Mu-
sic mountain"
"Go ahead"
1.-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"
81 can't tell you that. Goodby."
"Hold on. If you're treating me
fair-and 1 believe you mean to
come over to my room q minute"
"No."
LET me come to where you are?"
"No."
'Let me wait for you--anywhereT
"No."
"Do you think that message means
what it says?"
81 know 1t does
do you know what 1t means for me
to undertaken"
81 have q pretty stiff idea"
"Did you get 1t direct from the
party who sent it2"
II can't talk all night. Take it or
leave 1t just where it 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
briskly. "You just called me. Ten
dollars for you, operator If you can
locate that call, quickp
There was a moment of delay at the
central Office, then the answer: at
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 dispatcher'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 Lefever
hastened to Tensions. His rapid
questioning Of the few habitues Of thu
place and the bartender ELECTED onl!
the information that man had useC
the telephone booth within few min
utes. Nobody knew him, or, If the!
did know him, refused to describ,
him In any but vague terms.
Outside, Bob Scott in the saddle
waited with a led horse. The two mel
rode straight and hard out on tn,
sinks. The sky was overcast, ant
speed was their only resource. Afte
two miles of riding, they refined up OF
e ridge, and Scott, springing from tn
saddle, listened for sounds. He ros
from the ground, declaring he coul
hear the strides of "a running horse
Again the two dashed ahead. TIL
. chase was bootiess. Whoever rod
befOre them easily eluded pursuit.
Undeterred by his failure to over
take the fugitive, De Spain rode raI
idly back to town to look for othe
, clews. Nothing further was found t
throw light on the message or mes
senger. No one had been found any
, where in town from Morgan's gap
whoever had taken a chance in d.
. liverlng the message had escaped vi
detected.
Even after the search had bee
abandoned the significance of the II
0 cident remained to be weighed. D
!, Spain was much upset. A conferenC
with Scott whose judgment tn an