Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-03-08
(Continued.)


ais he a friend of yours?" inquired
the spokesman after an uncertain mo-
ment.
"He likes fair play" said Johnny
enigmatically.
The trio moved off in the direction of
town.
1--WE don't know any more about
Danny Randall than we did" observed
Johnny, "but l tried a shot in the
dark"
Nevertheless" told him, I'm go
ing to be there, and you want to make
up your mind to just that"
'You will come, of course" agreed
Johnny. 81 suppose cannot keep you
from that. But Jim," he commanded
earnestly, you must swear to keep
out of the row unless it develops into
a general one, and you must swear not
to speak to me or make any sign, no
matter what happens. 1 must play a
lone hand"
He was firm on this point, and in
the end / gave my promise, TO his evi-
dent relief.
This Is our visitors day evidently"
he observed. Here come two more
men. One of them is the doctor. I'd
know that hat two miles,"
"The other is our friend Danny Ran
DALI" said l.
DR.. Rankin greeted us with a cor
diality l had not suspected in him.
Randall nodded in his usual dlffident
fashion and slid into the oak shadow.
where he squatted on his heels.
about this Scarface Charley" he
said abruptly, 81 hear he's issued his
def, and you've taken him up. Do
Sou know anything about this sort OF
:hingf"
"Not Bit" admitted Johnny frank
ly. 'Is Il duel, and are you gentle
men here to act as my seconds"
1T is not" stated the downright doc
tor. Its q barroom murder, and you
cannot get around it, and I, for one,
don't try. But now you're in for 1t
and you've got to go through with it"
81 intend to-" said Johnny.
"It's not precisely that" objected
Danny Randall, "for, dye see, he's
sent you warning"
Its about all the warning you'll
get!' snorted the doctor.
There's a sort of rule about it." per-
sisted Raniall. "And that's what I'm
here to tell you. He'll try to come up
on you suddenly, probably from be-
hind, and he'll say draw and defend
YOURSELF and shoot you as soon after
that as he can. You want to see him
first; that's ALL"
Thanks" said Johnny.
"And," exploded the doctor, "if you
don't kill that fellow, by the Eternal,
when you get a chance
you'll give him pill, DOCTOR" in
terrupted Randall, with little chuckle.
But look here" he said to Johnny,
after all, this sort of a mess isn't re-
qulred of you. You say the word and
I'll take on this Scarface Charley and
run him out of town. He's a good deal
of a pest"
"Thank you," said Johnny stiffiy, ~
intend to paddle my own canoe"
Randall nodded.
81 don't know as we can help you
any more" said he. 81 just thought
you ought to be ON to the way 1t is
DONE"
I'm obliged to you" said Johnny
warmly. THE only doubt in my mind
was when l was privileged to open."
"rd pot him through the window
with shotgun first chance 1 got"
stated the doctor. THAT sort of a ruff
fan is just like mad dog"
"Of course you would, doctor" said
Randall, with just the faintest suspi-
cion Of sarcasm in his voice. "Well, |
guess we'll be toddling."
But wanted some information, and
/ meant to have 1t.
"Who is this Scarface Charley?"
asked.
"Got me-" replied Randall. "You
fellows seemed to recognize him. Only
he's one of the gang undoubtedly"
"The gang?"
OL, NhC ECllClat Adh Vi
Nobody knows how they live, but ev-
cry one suspects. Some of them work,
but not many. There are a heap of
disappearances that no one knows any
thing about, and every once in awhile
a man is found drowned and float
ing-hoatlng, mind your
What of that?" l asked. Drowned
bodies usually float"
There's no miner in these diggings
but has gold enough in his belt to sink
him. If man floats he's been robbed,
and you can tie to that reasoning.
And the fellows are all well mounted
and given to mysterious disappear
ances."
"In other words" broke in the doc
tor, "they are an organized band of
cutthroats and highway robbers max
ing this honest camp headquarters. !"