The Dickson County herald. (Dickson, Tenn.) 1907-1979, 1917-09-21
CHAPTER xxi.--ContInved.


when I get through with the Judge.
] shall want ta 20 out 20 the dam.
WIN you walt and take meT'
"Sarest thing on earth'--with
pfcmpt acquiescence. And then: as
II as bad a. ron thought 1t was going
70 be, Johcr
"It's about "a bad as II can be-" was
the sober reply, and with that Smith
went In &c =s.t for his interview with
the Timanyoni's best-bcioved Jurist.
At zine O'Clock or few minutes
before the hour David Klnxie. at his
desk In the Brewster City National
telephoaed message that presently
brought Colonel Dexter Baldwin to the
private room In the bank known to
nervous debtors as ''the sweatbox.'
Kit down, Dexter" suid the banker
shortly: "sit down q minute while !
look at my mall
II was one ~ David Kinxies small
subtieties TO make man SIT Idly thus,
on one pretext or another: II rarely
failed to pa, the ineomer at dIsad-
vantage. and on the present occasion
II worked like charm. Baldwin had
ist his cigar gp out and had rbeved
the end of 1t into pulp before kinxie
swung around In his chair and
launched out abruptly
A1 7 h,x a.
good friends Dexter" he began, and
| have called YOU down here this
r. .sasi 4a fsrpss ~ yetf hlf&t' 4 fstn
still your friend. Where Is your man
SMITH"
Baldwin shook his head. Il don't
know" he answered, II haven't seen
him since last evening"
y tfas he run ~awaF. then p, =. ="
The Missouri colonel squared him.
Ncrf doggcaly In the suppliant debtors
chair. which was the one kinzle had
placed for him, what are you driv.
Ing At. Dave1 he demanded.
"Weil tackle your end OF II nrst,"
said the banker curtly. "Do you know
that you and your crowd have come to
the bottom Of the bag on that dam
DropoMtionr'
mo. I don't"
well, you have. You've got Just
one more day to live"
The Missourian fell back upon his
native phrase.
II reckon you'll have to show me.
Dave" asserted Baldwin stoutly. "But
70 on. You've got your KUN loaded
what are you aiming II atr
Just this: l told you weeks ago
that the other people were carrying
TOO many big guns for you. don't
want to see you killed OF. Dexter"
I'm no gutter; yen ought to know
that. Dave" was the blum, rejoinder.
Il know. but there are times when
II Is simply foolhardy to hold on The
compromise proposition that I put up
10 you people while back still holds
good. But today IL the last day, Dex-
ter. You must accept It now. II you
are going to accept It at all"
And II we refuse!'
You'll 90 to smash, the whole kit
VI you. As I've. said this IL the. Last |
cali"
NY this time Baldwin's cigar was a
hopeless wreck
You've 70, something up your |
sleeve, Dave; what is III" h. inquired. !
The banker pursed his lips and The .
,,rlstlIng mustache assumed its most
u aggressive angie,
There are a number of things but I
the ene-.wh.ch concerns yon most, lust
now, Is this: we've got Smiths record, (
nt last. He IL an outlaw, with a prize .
on his head. We've dug out the whole .
story. He Is a detaultins bank cash
Icr, and before he ran away he tried
~ XIII hls president. ~. ..s
Baldwin Was frowning heavily /
Who told you all thisf Was Il this /
Miss Richlsnder over at the Horhra
House
NO; Il was her father sent one
Of my young men out To the Topaz
10 look him up"
"And you have telegraphed to the
thief Of police. or the sheriff. or who
EVER II Is that wants, Sm!thT
Not yet. wanted to give you one
more chance, Dexter. Business comes
first. The Brewster City National Is
4 bank, not detective agency. You
~ and find Smith and Are him: tell
him he Is down and out; get rid OF
him. once FOR all. Then come back
here and we'll fx MP that compromise
With stanton"
Baldwin found a match and tried to
tlisht the dead cigar. But II was
heNsli p...t redemption,
Let's get Il plumb straight. Dave"
he pleaded. In the quiet tone Of one
+, no viii leave no peace'keepinG stone
auturned. "you say you've got John
lead to rights Smith is a mighty cen-
mon name. ! shouldn't wonder IL
aere were half a million r so John
SWiths--taking the country over. How
Is YOU know you've got the right
Nneg"
His middle name Is Montague.
SHapped the banker, ''and the man
who Is wanted called himself j, Mem
'ague Smith hut WE can identify \
Ium positively, Mr. Richlsnder's
laughter can tell us Il he Is the right
Smith. and she prntsahly will II the po-