The daily Alaskan., 1920-07-27

NAutu NultAlN It AlltlS SA1 NNh nv Matt, that naturally you was a pretty decent fellow, but had drIfted In with a bad crowd. I'm offering you now Q chance to get straight again." He threw back his coat and exhibited his star. Yer see, I ain't just talkin' ter yer as Dan Brennan-Tm the law"
 The boy, for he was scarcely more than that in years, Shuffled hls feet uneaSily, and his eyes wandered from Brennan to Westcott. The look of sul- len defiance had vanished.
 "Wutcher wanter ask?"
 "WhO was with you the Out-trip, along with Miss DOnOYan?'
 Joe SikeS."
 And yer left him back there, guard log tho glrl?"
 "He stayed; them was the orders, while I was to bring back the team but I reckon he won't need to do no guardIn' to speak of, fer we run inter a bunch O fellows"
 'HOw many are they?'
 Maybe a dozen; don't just know"
 What was done with the young lady?"
 Moore spat vindIctIvely into the sand, digging hole with his heel. He had talked already more than he in- tended. but what was the differenCe2
 "Cuteras took her" he admitted, "Dut don't know whar. l tried ter find out whar she was, but nOhOdy'd tell me. Then I had ter pull out"
 WeStcOtt interjected a question.
 "What's the valley like, an how do you get into it?"
 Well, I'd say 1t was just sort O sink in the desert, a kinder freak. Anyhow. l never saw nuthin' like it aforp. The walls is solid rock, almost straight up an down, but thar's con- siderable stream flowin' down thar that just bursts out hole In the rock. an plenty O grass fer quite Q bunch of steers"
 How do they get down into it?"
 "Iung a windin' trail on the west side. IL used to be mighty rough, l reckon. an only good fer hikcrs, but they fixed it up so they cun drive cat tie down, an even a wagon If yer take 1t eaSy.'
 And there is no other way to the bottom except dlong this trail?'
 That's bout all."
 Brennan and Westcott looked at each other, both uncertain as to the next step. What were they to do with their prisoner? And how could they proceed toward cfrectlng the rescue of thc helpless girl? It was a problem not easy to solve. if what Moore told them was true. The latter shutfled his feet in the sand, lifted his eyes ShrewG- ly. and studied the faces of his cup- tors. He vas figuring hlS own chance,
 "You fellows want ter get down ln- ter the valley?" he asked at Inst.
 Yes" and Brennan turned again quickly, If it can be done. Of course ,har's only two of us. an 1t would be sort O foolish tryin' ter fight a way through. even agin' Mexicuns. Eff teen ter two is some odds, but 'tam't in my nature, or Jim'S here. ter turn round an leave that girl in the hands O them cusSeS-iS it, Jim?"
 "I never will" replied WeStcott earnestly. Not if have to tackle the whole outfit alone"
 You won't have to do that. What's the idea. Moorc?"
 "Oh, I was just thinkin'." he an- swcred, still uncertain. If show yer a way, what is thar in it fer mel"
 Brennan Stiffened, his features ex- pressing nothing.
 What do you mean? I'm an officer O the laww
 "I know 1t; I ain't asking yer ter make no promise. But yer word will go a h--l ov q ways if this ever gets in court If help yer I've got to be pro- tectcd rum Bill Lacy. He'd kill me us quick as he'd look at me. Then Id want yer ter tell the judge how 1t all happened. I know we're square, Dan Brennan, an whatever yer says goes"
 The marshal stuck out his hand.
 That's the gospel truth, Matt he said graveIy, "an I'm with yer till the cows come home. What is 1t you know?"
 Well" with a quick breath as he took the plunge, its like this, mar. shaI; there is just one place out yOn- der" and he waved his hand to indl- cate the direction, "on the east rim O the valley, where yer might get down. Ted have ter hang on tooth an toe nail; hut both of yer are mountain men, an reckon yer could make the trip if yer took it careful an slow like"
 Westcott asked: "HOw can we get there safely? Can you guide us2"
 ll ontinued on Thursday