The daily Alaskan., 1920-07-03
"Not so lar as I know. What makes

utmost importance.
 "You know the feller they. call En- right, I reckon he's lawyerr
 Westcott nodded.
 "Well, he was doin' most of the talk in', an was foolin' round the side board wonder, pretendin' ter clean 1t up. Nobody thought I was In ear dis tance, but got hold ov a word now an then. He kept tellin' 'em bout this Mexican, who's friend of Bill Lacy, an I judge has place whar he hangs .at with his gang somewhar In the big desert"
 'was anything said about Miss Don ovan?"
 Not by name; they was too smart for that; but that was the direction Matt Moore drove of last night there's Enright comin'' downstairs now; won't yer hay some more cakes, sirT ...
 Westcott pushed back his chair and rose to his feet. He had extracted all the information the girl possessed, and had no wish to expose her to sus- picion. There was no longer a doubt in his mind as to the fate of Miss Don- oyan. She had been forcibly abducted By this gang of thieves, and put where her knowledge could do them no harm. But where2 The clue had been given him. but before 1t could be of any value he must learn more of this Mexican, Mendez. The fellow had always appeared rather mythical character, but now became suddenly real. The marshal might know; If not, then he must choke the truth out of Lacy. Determined to make the effort, he muttered a swift word of ! thanks to Sadie and left the room.
 From the open doorway Westcott took careful survey of the street, ad- justing his belt so that the butt of his revolver was more convenient to the hand. He had no conception that his coming interview with Lacy was to be altogether pleasant one, and realized fully the danger confronting him. At that moment the little marshal, his broad-brimmed hat cooked over one eye, emerged from the narrow alley way between the Red Dog and the ad- jacent dance hall, and stood there ! doubtfully, his gaze wandering up and down the deserted street. AS Vest colt descended the hotel steps the mar. shal saw him, and came forward. His manner was prompt and buslnesslike.
 Hello, Jim," he said rather briskly. Had a little trouble up your way last | night, hear"
 "Nothing to bother you, Dan; my Mexican watchman was shot up through window of the shack"
 "Kil him?"
 Instantly. I told the coroner all ! about it. Whoever the fellow was l reckon he meant the shot for me, but poor Jose got it. Seen Bill Lacy this morn!ngT
 The marshal's thin lips smiled grim- ly as his eyes lifted to Westcott's face.
 He's back there in his office. That's what I stopped yer for. He said he rather expected ye'd be along after a while. What's up between yer, Jimi There ain't goln' ter be no fight CT nuthin'f" anXiously.
 Westcett laughed.
 'T don't see any use for any" he an- swered. But Bill might be a bit { touchy. Maybe, Dan, it might be worth while for you to hang around. Do as you please about that"
 He turned away ana went up the wooden steps 70 the door of the Red ! Dog. The marshars eyes followed him solicitously until he disappeared within; then he slipped back Into the alleyway sl1irting the side of the build. ing until he reached a window near the rear.
 Westcott closed the door behind him and took a swift view of the barroom. There were not many present at that hour-only few habitual loafers play ing cards. Westcott recognized most of the faces with slight feeling of relieh Neither Enright nor Beaton were present, and 1t was his desire to meet Lacy alone, away from the in! fluence of these others. He crossed to the bar.
 "Where's B!ll?" he asked.
 Back there" and the dispenser of drinks inclined his head toward door at the rear "Go on in.'
 The fellows manner was civil enough, yet Westcott's teeth set with feeling that he was about to face an emergency. Yet there was no other way; he must make Lacy talk. He walked straight to the door, opened 1t, stepped into the room beyond, and turned the key in the lock, dropping 1t into his pocket. Then he faced about. He was not alone with Lacy; Enright sat beside the desk of the other and was staring at him h startled surprise. Westcott also had hay impression that there was or had been another person. The saloon keeper rose to his feet, angry. and thrown completely off his guard by Westcott's unexpected action.
 "What the h- does this meanr