Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1919-12-16

proof of cheating. and Kirby has the
/ law behind him. When the Judge died
he didn't own enough to pay his
funeral expenses. Now see here; j
happen to know that he left two young
daughters. Just stop, and think of
them. We saw this game played, aud
there isn't man here who believes II
was played. on the square--that two
such hands were ever dealt, or drawn
In poker. We can't prove that Kirby
manipulated things to that end; not
one Of us saw how he worked the trick
There Is no chance to get him that
way. Then what Is 1t we ought to do?'
Why. say, make the thief disgorge--
and hanging won't do the business
Leave this settlement with me.
Then I'll go at 1t. Two or three of you
pick up the body. and carry 1t to Benu-.
! CARES ACKNOWLEDGEMENT there. The
rest Of you better straighten up the
cabin, while go up and talk with
ThrockmOrton moment. After that
may want few Of you 10 go along
when hunt up Kirby. II he proves
ugly well know how to handle him.
McAfeeW
"I'm over here"
VI was just going to say that you
better stay here and keep the fellows
all quiet in the cabin. We don't want
our plan to leak out, and 1t will be
best to let Kirby and Carver think that
everything is all right; that nothing Is
going to be DONE"
I waited while several OF them
gently picked up the body, and bore 1t
forward into the shadows. I slipped
away. silently gained the door. and,
unobserved, emerged onto the deserted
deck without. The sudden change in
environment sobered me, and caused
ME to pause and seriously consider the
importance of my mission. Nothing
less potent than either fear, or force,
would ever make Kirby disgorge,
Quite evidently the gambler had dellb-
erutely set out to ruin the planter. to
rob him Of every dollar. Even at the
last moment he had cOidly insisted on
receiving bill of sale so worded as to
leave no possible loophOle. He de-
manded all. The death Of the Judge,
Of course, had not been contemplated,
but this in no way changed the result.
That was an accident, yet I imagined,
might not be altogether unwelcome,
| and could not rid my memory of that
shining weapon In Kirby's hand, or the
| thought that he would have used II
| had the need arose. Would he not
then fight just as f1ercely to keep. as
he had to gain? Indeed, l had but
one fact upon which I might hope to
base action--every watcher believed
those cards had been stacked, and that
Beaucaire was robbed by means of a
trick. Yet, could this be proven!
Would any one of those men actually
swear that he had seen suspicious
move? II not, then what was there
left me except q mere bluff? Abso-
lutely nothing.
Unarmed, never once dreaming of
attack, I advanced alone along the
dark, narrow strip of deck, leading
toward the ladder which mounted to
the wheelhouse. There were no lights,
and was practically compelled to feel
my way by keeping one hand upon the
rain. had reached the foot Of the
ladder, my fingers blindly seeking the
iron rungs In the gloom when figure,
vague. suddenly emerged from some
denser shadow and confronted me. In.
deed the earliest realization had Of
any other presence was q sharp pres.
sure against my breast, and a low
voice breathing a menacing threat In
my ear.
X advise you not to move. you
young fool. This is a cooked pistol
tickling your ribs. Where were you
goingT"
The black night yelled his face, but
language and voice. In spite of Its low
grumble. told me the speaker was
Kirby. The very coldness of his tone
served to send chill through me.
ITO have word with Throckmor
ton" I answered. angered at my OVID
fear, and rendered reckless by that
burst Of passion. "What do you mean
by your threat? Haven't you robbed
enough men already with cards with.
out resorting to gun2"
"This IL not robbery" and ! knew
BY the sharpness of his reply my words
had stung, land 1t might be well for
you to keep civil tongue in your
head. I overheard what you said to
those men In the cabin. So you are
going to take care Of me, are your?
} There was touch Of steel In the low
voice. "Now listen. you brainless med
der. Joe Kirby knows exactly what
he is doing when he plays any game.
I had nothing to do with Beaucaire's
death, but those stakes are mine.
hold them, and'I will kill any man who
dares to interfere with me-"
!. "You mean you refuse 70 return any
Of this property"
every cent, every niger. every
acre--that's my business. Beaucaire
. was no child; he knew what he was
betting, and he lost" -~----- rr----'