Lincoln County times. (Jerome, Idaho) 1911-1919, 1918-06-06


There were three of them. and they
had been drinking heavily from ID 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 q pocket of the coat he had
thrown on bed protruded the news
paper Gordon had brought from Ku
slak. One of the men, big red-head-
ed fellow, pulled 1t 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
ments notice.
'Iisten here" demanded the man
with the newspaper. TEL you what,
boys I'm going TO wiring the neck of
that pussyfooting spy Elliot If / ever
get chanel"
Sun. After he had finished. the 9TH
ers Joined him In a chorus Of curses.
81 always did hate a spy-and this
ones murderer too. Why don't some
one I'LL 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 youl"
A shadow fell across the room. In
the doorway stood a newcomer. Cor
don had d sensation as If 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.
I'm glad TO death to meet up with
you again. Mr.. Elliot" he jeered.
"Seems like old times on Wid-Goose."
"What you say his name Isl" cut In
/ Tue iHhh WIN Tie newspaper.
Hasn't he introduced himself.
boysf" Macy answered with cruel
grin. "Now. amt that modest of him :
You lads are entertaining that well
known deteckative and spy. Gordon
Elliot. that renowned king of hold
ups"
The red-headed man interrupted
with a howl of rage. "If you're telling
II 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 tC
another.
''I'm not spying on you. My hors,
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 di,
not know that these miners were work
/. ing the claim under defective It'll,
and that they had jumped to the con
clusion that he had come TO get evi
dence against them. But he knew tina
never In his life had he been in tight
er hole. In another minute they woul,
attack him. Whether II would rul
to murder he could not tell At tn
best he wonld be hammered helpless.
But no evidence of this knowledge
appeared in his manner.
81 didn't give my last name becaus
there is a prelude" against me In thi
country" he explained in an evei
! voice.
He wondered as he spoke If he ha
better try to fling himself through tn
window sash. There might be re
mote chance that he could make II.
The miner Mt the table killed thi
1 possibility by rising and standin
sauarely In the road
Look outi He's got a gat,
' warned Macy.
Gordon fervently wished he had. Blu
he was unarmed. While his eye
quested for weapon he played flo
(, time.
: "You can't get away with this. yo
know. The United States government
!, is back Of me. It's known / left tn
Willow Creek camp. I'll be trace
here"
Through Gordon's mind there fiashe
+ a word of advice once given him b
a professional prizefghter: IF 70
get In rough house, don't wait fo
7 the other fellow to hit first"
y They were crouching for the attacl
In another moment they would be. upo
) him. Almost with one motion b
e stopped, snatched up by the leg
) heavy stool. and sprang to the be
l. upon which he had been sitting.
The four men closed with him In
n rush. They came at him low, the
(. heads protected by unlifted arms. IL