The Benson signal., 1917-10-13
CHAPTER XXI.
An Ominous MESSAGE.

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.
"No 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 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 q
voice, slowly pronouncing the words
over the wire.
"Yes."
81 have a message for you from Mu-
sic mountain"
"Go ahead"
"The message is like this: Take me
away from here as soon as you can.' "
"Whom is that message from?"
81 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 a minute"
"No."
'Let me come to where you areY'
| mo-"
"Let me wait for you-anywhere?"
"No."
"Do you think that message means
what it says?"
"I know it does
'Do you know what 1t means for me
~ undertaken
'T have a pretty stiff idea."
"Did you get it direct from the
I arty who sent it?"
II can't talk all night. Take 1t or
leave it just where it is"
De Spain heard him close. He
closed his own instrument and began
feverishly signaling central. "This is
1O1. Henry de Spain talking" he said
briskly. "You just called me. Ten
dollars for you, operator if you can
locate that call, quickr'
There was moment Of delay at the
central office, then the answer: ut
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
flee. 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 the
place and the bartender elected only
the information that man had used
the telephone booth within 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 mer
rode straight and hard out on the
sinks. The sky was overcast, anC
speed was their only resource. After
two miles of riding, they reined up or
a ridge, and Scott, springing from the
saddle, listened for sounds. He rose
from the ground, declaring he coulC
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 tC
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 de
livering the message had escaped un
detected.
Even after the search had beer
abandoned the significance of the in
cident remained tu be weighed. Dc
Spain was much upset. A conference
With Scott. whose Judgment in any