The Jasper news. [volume] (Jasper, Missouri) 1898-1924, 1917-02-22

peared to cool. The line OF tipplers
backed away from the bar. De Spain
stepping toward the sheriff, rnised his
hand In friendly way. "Druel, you're
hurting yourself by your talk. Make
me your deputy agnin some time," he
concluded, .and I'll see thnt Sassoon
stays where he Is put"
"T'll just do that" cried Druel, with
n 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 mahogany plaster back Of
the bnr, and embedded itself In the
wall. The shot had been aimed from
the street for his head. The noisy
room instantly hushed. Spectators sat
glued to their chairs. White-faced
players leaned motlonless against the
tables. De Spain alone had acted; all
that the bartenders could ever remem-
Der after the single rifle shot was see
ing his hand 60 back as he whirled and
shot instantly roward the heavy re-
port. He had whipped out his gun
and fired sidewise through the window
at the sound.
That was ALL The bnrtenders
breathed and looked again. Men were
crowdng like mad through the back
doors. De Spain, at the cigar case,
looking intently into the rainy street,
lighted from the corner by dlngy
lamp. The four men near him had not
stirred, but, startled and alert, the
right hand Of each covered the butt of
revolver. De Spain moved first.
While the pool players jammed the
back doors to escape, he spoke to,
without looking at, the bartender.
whats the matter with your cur
tains?" he demanded, sheathing his re-
volver and pointing with an eXpletive
TO the big sheet of plate glass. "Is
this the way you build up business for
the houseW
Those close enough to the window
saw that the bare pane had been cut,
just above the middle, by two bullet
holes. Curious men examined both
fractures when De Spain and Lefever
had left the saloon. The first hole was
the larger. 1t had been made by q
hlgh-powered rifle; the second was
from bullet of a Colts revolver; 1t
was remarked as miracle of gun-play
that the two were hardly an inch apart.
In the street q few minutes Inter, De
Spain and Lefever encountered Scott,
who, with his back hunched up, his
cheap black hat pulled well down over
his ears, his hands in his trousers
pockets and his thin coat collar mod
estly turned against the drlzzling rain.
was walking across the parkway from
the station.
"Sussoon Is in town." exclaimed Le-
fever with certainty nfter he had told
the story. He waited for the Indians
opinion. Scott, looking through the
water dripping from the brim Of his
seasoned derby, gave 1t In one word.
"Was," he amended with quiet
smile.
Lets make sure" insisted Lefever.
"Supposing he might be in town yet,
Bob, where Is he?'
Scott gazed up the street through the
rain lighted by yellow lamps ON the
obscure corners, and looked down the
street toward the black reaches of the
river. "If he's here, you'll find him
In one of two places. Tensions"
"But we've just come from Teni-
sons" objected Lefever.
II mean, across the street, upstairs
or at Jim Kitchens barn. II he was
hurried to get away" added Scott re-
fectively, "he would slip upstairs over
there as the nearest place to hide; II
he had time he would make for the
barn, where 1t would be easy to cache
his rifle"
Lefever took the lapel Of the scouts
coat in his hand. "Then you, Bob, &c
out and see If you can get the whole
story. I'll take the barn. Let Henry
go over to Tensions and wait at the
head of the stairs till we can get back
there"
De Spain found no difficulty In locat'
Ing the flight of marble stairs that led
to the gambling rooms. 1t was the only
lighted entrance In the side street. Nc
light shone at the head of the stairs
but doorway on the left opened into
n large room brilliantly lighted by
chandeliers. Around three sides OF this
room were placed the keno layouts
roulette wheels, faro tables and minol
gambling devices. or the casino It
self small cardrooms opened.
The big room was well filled for 9
wet night. De Spain took place
In shadow near one side of the door
| UNIV In oInn tho etrapt dnOr md ot times