The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1920-05-06
Comrades of Peril
---BY--
RANDALL PARRISH
Copyright. A. c. McClurg 4 Co. 1870
copyrighted in Great Britain)

he had mapped out the salient fea.
lures. and 10 impressed them upon
his memory. as to SO forward now
Tho camp fire was 10
Gated In tho third grove OF trees. and
there were no signs OF human pres.
ence between, However. he took no
chance, but advanced quietly on foot.
leading his horse. and using every
pr~cautlon against discovery, lie
was stalking dangerous gang, pre-
pared 10 murder II necessary. and he
was pitting himself alone agnins.
them. The only probability OF success
lay In tho possibility OF surprise. In
their retaining confidence In safety;
their belief that they were not being
followed. whatever had caused this
forcible abduction of Olga, the oh
jcct was evidently OF sufficient i'm
portance 20 make tho commital OF
any crime possible; and shelby did
not underestimate his own danger,
or fail TO move with the utmost eau
ton.
In this manner he circled the two
groves keeping close In their shadow.
and searching their depths anxiously
for any sign Of life. They were deco
late and deserted. but. from the outer
fringe OF the second he could per.
eeive plainly the dun glow OF the
fire hundred yards ahead. IL was
no longer flame. but n mere giim
mer OF rcd ashes. casting no rcfiee-
ton about aitho clearly visible. lie
fastened the bronco 10 limb. within
the circle OF trees. and crouched for
ward alone. Winchester In hand.
choosing his passage beneath the
bank OF the stream. and advancing
with every precaution. pausing every
few steps. 20 peer over tho protect
ing bank, and thus assure himself
that all remained quiet When al
most exactly opposite the red glow
OF the Goals. he isy stiii. endeavoring
vainly TO learn the situation. and
becoming more and moro puzzled.
The camp appeared deserted. as
tho the party which had halted there
had already passed on. lie could
hear no sound. SEQ no movement
Tho fire had died down into a mere
giimmer OF red ashes. barely per
eeptiblc amid the surrounding gloom
shelby drew himself forward. creep
ing like snake. convinced that he
was alone. yet no less alert and
waiehfuL His progress was Up a
shallow depression. and he had at.
tanned the deeper shade Of the trees.
when. suddenly. voice. apparently
speaking not two yards distant, gave
utterance 20 an oath Of disgust
HEIR the VOICE said roughly.
there IL no use waltln' for that guy
any longer. no tcilln where he il AZ
by now
Shelby dropped ia, on his face.
almost ceaSins 10 breathe. The un.
secn party addressed stretched him.
self iazily. ~ evidenced by the rustic
Of leaves.
Il reckon yc're right. Hank he
admitted slowly. his speech heavy
and coarse. No tcnd~rfoot aint
goin' ter mako that trail at night.
Morn likely he's amin ter com thru
the other way"
"Whatti W. DO. thrn--ride on
After bit. it's early yet. an
maybe it1I do no harm to Ito quls,
awhile. But we kin light up. an Be
comfortable"
He struck a match. following the
fame in his hands. revealing the
bearded face OF a man Of fifty.
Swallowed beneath a soft hat brim
Beyond him appeared tho obscure
outline Of the other. n nero smudge
The latter thrust out hand for the
blazing match. but tho smoke from
his pipe concealed his features A.
moment tho two puffcd away con.
tnntediy. shelby not veutaring to
move a muscle.
Say. Haniey. I've alters played
my hand the best / knew how, but
do Hike ter know what the game Is
I'm playin' at. What do yer know.
anyhow
The other ehuckled IN his beard.
rustling hts feet IN the leaves
Easier ter ask about, than ex.
plain. Hank" he answered slowly.
specially as Their. IL things don't
just cotton 10 myself Mostly 1
pulled the facts out Of that kid Mack
lin when he was drunk cause he
wanted me 10 help him. But II seems
he's only hired fer tho job. it's that
guy we're. wnitin for who has got
the real dope. and likewise the long
green"
"ChurchiIl's his name. amt it,"
That's the duffer. some big Teller
down East. Virginia. ms understand
Judge Cornelius Churchill; the
whole story goes he'll OF a long
ways back"
He leaned his head against the tree
trunk behind him. putting away at
the cigaret between his bearded lips.
the dull glow barely touching his
face. The younger man leaned for.
ward waiting.
Well" he said impatiently. that
amt all Of II: what started the rum.
pus? What's the idea OF stealth the
giri7 An just whar do you an me
come in?"
Well, as I figure II. we've got TO
make our own medicine. You know
Joe Macklin?"
Sure; reckless as hen, but no
r THE RIGHT PRICE
: DWDY OO0S0Q