The Ozark spectator., 1917-06-06
CHAPTER XXI.
An Ominous Message.

| Few men bear suspense well: De Spain took his turn at it very hard. Patience" He repeated the word to himself a 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 gave it to Bob Scott in Jeffries' office.
 What did I tell you. John?" de- manded Bob mildly. l No matter what you told me-" re- torted Lefever, ''1he, question is: Whats he to do to get Nan away from there without shooting up the Mor- gans?'
 De Spain had gone that morning to Medicine Bend. He got back late and. after 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 de Spain?' came n voice, slowly pronouncing the words oven the wire.
 "Yes."
 "I have a message for you from Mu- sic mountain"
 "Go ahead"
 '1he message Is like this: Take me away from here as soon as you can.'"
 'Whom is that message from?'
 ''I can't call any names."
 ''Who are you?' "I can't tell you that. Goodby"
 Hold on. If you're treating me fair-and I believe you mean to- come over to my room minute" | "No."
 Let me come to where you are? "No."
 Let me wait for you-anywhere?" "No."
 Do you think that message means what 1t says?"
 "I know 1t does Do you know what it means for me to undertaken" "I have pretty stiff idea" Did you get 1t direct from the party who sent it?"
 "I can't 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 brskly. 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: Tt came from 234-Tenison's saloon"
 Give me your name. operator. Good. Now give me %, and ring the neck off the bell"
 Leftover 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 Mor- gan's gap, and especially for the send CT of the telephone message. De Spain. after inStructing Leftover, hastened to Tenison's. His rapid questioning of the few habitues of the place and the bartender elicited only the information that man had used the telephone booth within a few min utes. Nobody knew him. or, if they did know him, refused to describe him in any but vague terms.
 Outside, Bob Scott in the saddle waited with led horse. The two men rode straight and hard out on the sinks. Tha sky was overcast, and speed was their only resource. After two miles of riding. they refined up on a ridge, and Scott, springlng from the saddle, listened for sounds. He rose from the ground, declaring he could hear the strides of running horse. Again the two dashed ahead. The chase was bootless. Whoever rode 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 other clews. Nothing further was found to throw light on the message or mes- senger. No one had been found any where in town from Morgan's gap; whoever had taken chance in de- livering the message had escaped un- detected.
 Even after the search had been abandoned the significance of the in- cident remained to be weighed. De Spain was much upset. A conference