The Lamar register., 1920-05-05

|
into the open air.
Cautiously he circled the black
cabin. every nerve taut for struggle.
| every sense alert. He found nothing to
reward his search-whOcver the COW.
ard had been, he had disappeared
among the rocks, vanishing completely
In the black night. The fellow had not
even waited to learn the effect of his
shot. II was not until he came back
to the open door that the miner
thought of his companion. What had
become of Jose? Could ii be that the
Mexican was hit? He entered. shrink.
ing from the task, yet resolute to learn
the truth. A black, shapeless figure,
scarcely discernlble as man, lay
huddled beneath the table. Westcott
bent over IT. feeling for the heart and
turning face upward. There was no
visible mark of the bullet wound, but
the body was limp, the face CHASTITY in
the grotesque dance of the flames. The
assassin had not wasted his shot-Jose
SalVari would never see Mexico
Hsain.
Westcott Strengthened the body out,
the face with II blanket stripped from
bunk. The brief burst of flame died
down. leaving the room in seml-dark-
ness. The miner was conscious only
Of Il feeling Of duh rage, Al desire for
revenge. The shot had been clearly
intended for himself. The killing of
Jose had been mere accident. In all
probability the murderer had crept
away believing he had succeeded in his
purpose. If he had fingered long
enough to see anyone emerge from the
hut, he would naturally Imagine the
survivor to be the Mexican. Good !
This very confidence would tend to
throw the fellow on his guard; he
would have no fear OF Jose.
He reached beneath the blanket and
drew forth the dead MeNican's revol.
vcr, slipped the weapon into his own
belt. opened the door and went out,
closing 1t tightly behind him. Jose
could lie there until morning. While
the darkness lasted he had work to do.
His purpose settled. there was no hes
ltancy in his movements. His was the
code of the West; his methods those
of the desert and the mountains. the
code and method OF II fighting man.
a dim trail. rock strewn. led to the
spring. where 1t connected with an ore
road extending down the valley to
Haskell. Another trail across the spur
shortened the distance to the La Ros-
ita shnfthouse. But Westcott chose to
follow none of these. lest he run into
10 .,tt
cautious to dislodge no rolling stone,
and keeping well concealed among the
rocks he finally descended to the level
OF the shaft, feeling confident that his
presence was not discovered.
He had no clearly defined plan. only
n desire to learn exactly what was be-
Ing done. The office beyond the shaft
was lighted. although the faint CLEAN
\ was only dimly revealed along the
/ edge OF lowered curtains concealine
/ the Interior. However, this evidence
/ that some one was within served to
/ attract Westcott's attention and he
/ crept around, under the shadow of the
dump. and approached the farther
| corner. He could perceive now two
men on the hoisting platform and hear
| the grOwl of their voices. but without
being able TO distinguish speech. Re
vnlver in hand. he made the round OF
the building to assure himself that nc
| guard had been posted there, then
| chose the window farthest away from
! the shaft and endeavored to look in.
The heavy green curtain extended to
the sill, but was slit in one corner
With his eye close to this slight open
ing lie gained partial glimpse OF the
/ Interior. There were three men in the
room, and Westcott drew quick
breath of surprise as he recognized the
two faces fronting him-Bill Lacy al
the desk, a pipe in his mouth, his feet
elevated on convenient chair. and
Bcaton leaning back against the wall
apparently half asleep with his eyes
closed. The third man was facing
Lacy. but concealed by the stove; he
seemed to be doing the talking, ant
held paper In his hand resembling q
map. Suddenly he rose to his feet and
bent over the edge of the desk. ant
Westcott knew him-Enright
Desperately determined to learn
what was being said. the miner thrust
the heavy blade of his jackknife be
meath the ill-fltting window sash ant
succeeded In noIselessly lifting 1t 9