The Adair County news. [volume] (Columbia, Ky.) 1897-1987, 1918-02-20

those who had come to Alaska to earn
an honest living there. He was
snake in the grass, and as such every
decent man ought to hold him in scorn.
Elliot read this just as he was leav-
ing for the Willow Greek camp. He
thrust the paper impatiently into his
coat pocket and swung to the saddle.
Why did they prosecute him? He had
told nothing but the truth, nothing not
required of him by the simplest, ele-
mental honesty. Yet he was treated
as an Outcast and a criminal. The in
justice Of it was beginning to rankle.
He was temperamentally an Opti-
mist, but depression rode with him to
the gold camp and did not lift from his
spirits till he started back next day for
KuSiak. The news had been flashed by
wire all over the United States that he
was a crook. His friends and relatives
could give no adequate answer to the
fact that an indictment hung over his
head In Alaska he was already con-
victed by public opinion.
In the late afternoon, while Gordon
was still fifteen miles from Kusiak,
his horse fell lame. He led it limping
to the cabin of some miners.
There were three Of them, and they
had been drinking heavily from jug
of whisky left earlier in the day by
| the stage-driver. Gordon was in two
minds whether to accept their surly
permission to stay for the night, but
| the lameness of his horse decided him.
Not caring to invite their hostility,
he gave his name as Gordon instead of
! Elliot. He was to learn within the
hour that this was mistake number
! two.
From a pocket of the coat he had
| thrown on bed prOtruded the news
paper Gordon had brought from Ku
siak. One of the men, a big red-head-
ed fellow, pulled it out and began sulk-
lily to read.
While he read the other two bick-
cred and drank and snarled at each
/ other. All three of the men were in
( that stage of drunkenness when a
quarrel is likely to flare up at a mo-
: ment's notice.
'Listen here" demanded the man
with the newspaper. Tell you what,
boys, Tn going to wiring the neck of
that pussyfOoting spy Elliot if ever
! get q chanct."
He read aloud the editorial in the
! Sun. After he had finished, the 9TH
| ers joined him in chorus of curses.
81 always did hate a spy-and this
ones murderer too. Why don't some
one fill his hide with lead?" one of the
men wanted to know.
Redhead was sitting at the table. He
thumped heavy fist so hard that the
tin cups jumped. "Gimme a crack at
/ him and I'll show yOu!"
! A shadow fell across the room. In
the doorway stood newcomer. Cor
don had q sensation as if a lump of ice
had been drawn down his spine. For
the man who had just come in was Big
Bill Macy, and he was looking at the
field agent with eyes in which amaze
ment, anger and triumph blazed.
'Pm glad to death to meet up with
you again, Mr.. Elliot" he jeered.
Seems like old times on Wild-Goose."
what you say his name is?" cut in
the man with the newspaper.
Hasn't he introduced himself,
boys?" Macy answered with a cruel
| grin. 'NOw, amt that modest of him
You lads are entertaining that we'll
known deteckative and spy, Gordon
Elliot, that renowned king of hold
ups"
The red-headed man interrupted
with howl of rage. eff you're telling
it straight, Bill Macy, I'll learn him to
spy on me-"
Elliot was sitting on one of the beds.
He had not moved an inch since Macy
had appeared, but the brain behind his
live eyes was taking stock of the stu
alton. Big Bill blocked the doorway.
The table was in front of the window.
Unless he could fight his way out, there
was no escape for him. He was
trapped.
Quietly Gordon looked from one to
another.
I'm not spying on you. My horse
is lame. You can see that for your
self. All asked was a nights lodg-
ing"
under another name than your own
you cussed sneak"
The field agent did not understand
the fury Of the man, because he did
not know that these miners were work.
ing the claim under a defective title
and that they had jumped to the con.
clusion that he had come to get evil
dence against them. But he knew that
never in his life had he been in a tight
er hole. In another minute they would
attack him. Whether it would run
to murder he could not tell. At the
best he would be hammered helpless.
But no evidence Of this knowledge
appeared in his manner.
II didn't give my last name because
there is a prejudice against me in this
country" he explained in an ever
voice.
Continued next week