Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-01-13
G NAN Of 9
MUSIC MOUNTAIN
BY frank n. Spedrmdn
Author Of Whispering Smith
Author Of Whispering Smith

insure permanent reputation, Henry.
II Is, so to say, merely demand repu-
taton--onc that men reserve the right
to recall at any moment. And the
worst Of it is, if they ever do recall it,
you are worse off than when before
they extended the brittle bauble to
you"
"Jngo, John! For q stage black
smith you are some spie!cr." De Spain
added an inpatient. not to say con-
tumellous, exclamation concerning the
substance of Lefever's talk. II didn't
ask them for reputation. This man
interfered with my guard-in fact,
tried to cut his throat, didn't he?'
"Would have done it if Frank had
been an honest m;1A"
'That is all there is to it, isn't itV'
Lefevcr tapped the second finger of
one fat hand gently on the table
"practically; practically all, Henry,
yes. You don't quite understand, but
you have the right idea"
"What do you want me to do--back
n horse and shoot two guns ut once
up and down Main street, cowboy
styleT"
Lefevcr kept his patience without
difficulty. mo, no. You'll under
stand"
"Scott advised me to run down to
Medicine Bend for few days to LET
the Morgans cool Off"
fright. Tint was the first step. The
few days are n thing of the past.
suppose you know" continued Lefever,
in as wcll-modulated q tone as he
could assume TO convey information
that could not be regarded as wholly
cheerful, that they expect TO get you
for this Sassoon job
De Spain flushed. But the red anger
lasted only a moment. "Who are
they he asked after a pause.
"Deaf Sandusky. Logan, of course,
the Calabasas bunch, and the Nor
gans.'
De Spain regarded his companion
unamiably "Whnt do they expect I'll
be doing while they are getting me?'
Lcfever raised hand deprecatingly.
Don't be oyercontident. Henry: that's
your danger. ! know you can take
care Of yourself. All I want to do is
10 get the folks here acquainted with
your ability, without taking unneces-
sary chances. You see, people are not
now asking questions Of one another !;
they are asking them Of themselves.
Who and what Is this newcomer-an
accident or a genuine arrival? A com.
mon squib or real explosion? Don't
get excited" he added, in an effort to
sOoth De SPANS obvious irritation.
"You have the idea, Henry. It's time
to show Yourself
IL can't very well do business here
without showing myself retorted De
Spain.
"But it is a thing to be Managed
persisted Lcfever. "Now, Suppose
since the topic is up--we Show In
Main street for a WHILE"
Suppose we do" echoed De Spain
ungracously.
"That will crack the debut ice. We
will call at Harry Tensions hotel, and
then 90 to his new rooms--go right to
society headquarters first--that's my
theory of doing it. If anybody has
any shooting in mind, Tensions Is n
quiet and orderly place. And If n
man declines TO eat anybody up at
Tensions, we put him down. Henry, as
not ravcnously hungry
"One man I would like to see Is that
sheriff, Drucl, who let SasSoon get
out"
'Ready to interview him now?"
'T'vo got some kilograms to answer"
"Thosc will keep. The Iorgans are
In town. Wc'll start out and find some
body"
1t was wet end sloppy outside, but
Leftover was Indifferent to the rain,
and De Spain thought It would be I'M
digniicd to complain of 1t.
When, followed by Lcfever, he
walked into the lobby of Tension s
hotel few moments later the Office
was empty. Nevertheless the ncws of
the appearance Of Sassoon's captor
spread. The two sauntcrcd into the
billiard hall, which occupied n deep
room adjoining the Office and opened
with large rlnte-glass windows on
Main street. Every table was in use.
A fringe Of spectators Ii The chairs, os-
tensibly watching the pool games,
turned their eyes toward De Spain
those that recognized him distinguish