The Benson signal., 1917-08-04

was empty. Nevertheless, the news or
the appearance of Sassoon's captor
spread. The two sauntered into the
billiard hall, which occupied deep
room adjoining the Office and opened
with large plate-glass windows on
Main street. Every table was in use.
A fringe of spectators in the chairs, os-
tensibly watching the pool games,
turned their eyes toward De Spain
those that recognized him distinguish
ing him by mods and whispers to 9TH
ers.
Among several groups of men stand
ing before the long bar, one party of
four near the front end likewise en-
gagged the interest 6f those keener loaf
ers who were capable Of foreseeing
situations. These men, Satterlee Nor
gan, the cattleman; Bull Page, one of
his cowboys; Sheriff Druel, and Judge
Druel, his brother, had been drinking
together. They did not see Lefever
and his companion as the two came in
through the rear lobby door. But Le-
fever, on catching sight Of them, well
coined his opportunity. Walking di-
rec&ly forward, he laid his hand on
Satt Morgan's shoulder. AS the cat
tleman turned, Lefever, genially grasp
ing his hand, introduced De Spain to
each of the party in turn.
Morgan threw the brim of his wealth
er-beaten hat back from his tanned
face. He wore a mustache and a chin
whisker Of that variety designated in
the mountains by the appropriate
name Spinach" But his smile, which
drew his cheeks into wrinkles all about
his long, round nose, was not unfriend-
ly. He looked with open interest from
his frank but not enthusiastically eyes
at De Spain. II heard" he said in a
good-natured, slightly nasal tone, you
made sunrise call on us one day last
week."
"And want to say" returned De
Spain, equally amiable, shat If had
had any idea you folks would take it
so hard-I mean, as an affrOnt intend
ed to any Of you-I never would have
gone into the gap after Sassoon. I
just assumed-making a mistake as
now realize-that my scrap would be
with Sassoon, not with the Morgans."
Salts face wrinkled into humorous
grin. "You sure kicked up some
alkali."
De Spain nodded candidly. ''More
than I intended to. And I say-with-
out any intention Of impertinence to
anybody else-Sassoon is cur. sup
posed when brought him in here
after so much riding, that we had
sheriff enough to keep him." He
looked at Druel with such composure
that the latter for a moment was nom
plussed. Then he discharged vOlley
of oaths, and demanded what De Spain
meant. De Spain did not move. He
refused to see the angry sheriff. "That
is where I made my second mistake"
he continued, speaking to Morgan and
forcing his tone just enough to be
heard. Druel, with more hard words,
began to abuse the railroad for not
paying taxes enough to build decent
Jail. De Spain took another tack. BE
eyed the sheriff calmly as the latter
continued to draw away and left De
Spain standing somewhat apart from
the rest of the group. "Then it may
be I am making another mistake,
Druel, in blaming you. 1t may not be
your fault"
''The fault is, you're fresh," cried
Druel, warming up as De Spain ap-
peared to cool. The line of tipplers
backed away from the bar. De Spain
stepping toward the sheriff, raised his
hand in friendly way. "Druel, you're
hurting yourself by your talk. Make
me your deputy again some time," he
concluded, "and I'll see that Sassoon
stays where he is put"
'Tll just do that" cried Druel, with
a very strong word, and he raised his
hand in turn. "Next time you want
him locked up, you can take care of
him yourself"
The sharp crack Of rifle cut off the
words; bullet tore like a lightning
bolt across De Spain's neck, crashed
through a mahogany plaster back of
the bar, and embedded itself in the
wall. The shot had been aimed from
the street Cor his head. The noisy
room instantly hushed. Spectators sat
glued to their chairs. White-faced
players leaned motionlesS against 'he