The Aberdeen weekly. [volume] (Aberdeen, Miss.) 1878-1933, 1920-12-10
CHAPTER vIII-contInued.


lswer point OF Alpine island. But
don't do anything unless the mob
starts I don't know much law, but I
do know the law couldn't hurt you for
rescuing a sherifrs prisoner from a
mob"
'Lawi Law" The Boss growled.
-When I know they've ketched tn
wrong man."
He would have grumbled still
further, but the PearIhunter urged
him TO go. With a last whispered
word, the sturdy old fellow stole
away In the gloom. half reluctant still,
as though he felt he was disgracing
himself not TO stay and fight-some-
body
The Pearlhunter strained his ears
for sounds farther up the street. par
ticulariy for any loud talk or excite
ment back Of the Mud Hen.
1t was the hour just after nightfall,
when village streets are most likely
20 be deserted-the hour when
loungers go home to supper. Not
sound out Of the ordinary rode the
mir.
At the moment, a door opened on
the back porch of the sheriffs house.
square of light picked out the rough
boards. The sheriff appeared with
fiat basket in the hollow of his arm.
A woman's hand pulled back the mus
lin curtains at a side window and held
q candle close TO the pane to light him
across the jail yard.
The Pearlhunter lounged down on
the broken chair. A moment later a
key, scraping unbelievably loud on the
dull silence of the Jail, hunted its way
into the lock. The heavy outer door
whined back. A match scraped; the
suffering flame was laid 10 the stub
Of a candle: an arm held it through
the bars of the inner door.
"Oh, you're awake! 1t was so quiet
In here / thought mebbe y'u might be
asleep"
With the air of man dog tired the
Pearlhunter dragged himself up off the
chair, shambled out into the hall and
took the stub of candle from the sher-
IFS hand.
The sheriff fumbled three or four
dishes and tin cup of black coffee out
Of the fiat basket and held them close
Ing quite evident pains to keep his re-
volver butt out of reach. He did not
know there was a very dependable
weapon already on the other side of
the bars. He made no move to unlock
the door or TO enter the cell.
None of this escaped the Pearlhunt-
er. The chance to use his stove leg
was as good as gone, or rather, it was
not going to come. Once he considered
the desperate move of drawing his re-
volver and forcing the sheriff TO open
the door. But the sheriff was known
to be a brave man. He might fight.
and If he did, one or the other of them
would be killed. The Pearlhunter dis
missed tie plan.
9Th woman didn't know there'd be
company tonight" the sheriff muttered
as he held the dishes within reach of
the arm thrust through the bars. I'm
afeared you'll be skimped little. But |
Wen try an cook up a-plenty in the |
He closed the door and turned the |
key in the lock. The Pearlhunter |
watched him until he had crossed the |
square of light shining out from the |
and re-entered the house, until /
the door closed and the muslin cur
tains fell back into place at the side /
window. Then he laid the stove leg
by. His chance was gone.
The revolver tucked under his /
waistband at the flank of his back
and hidden by his blouse seemed to
have a personality. It's friendly pres
ence helped his appetite. though, for
that matter, it was already keen
as he had eaten nothing since
de could have eaten three
such suppers as the sheriff provided.
The friendly revolver; the thought
IF a grizzled old river man, doubtless
1t that moment rowing hard up the
liver, took some of the smart out of his
,uts and bruises. His left eye was
swelling shut He winked it timber
md stood wondering whether to blow
tut the candle or leave it burn a while
inalIy blew il out, and went back TO
he west window.
A sound caught his ear; steps COM
ng down the river road. He listened.
The steps turned in at the jail yard !;
anne around to the west window. A
ace appeared between the bars
Enough light fell from the stars to re
cal its identity-the suave. handsome
ace OF the man he least expected to
ZEE there.
The PearIhunter came close to the
window. The other backed a step
way.
PLEASED 70 find you in" he sneered.
The Pearihmfter passed by the taunt (
q silence. IL seemed TO irritate the
ther that his shot had missed. 1
Just thought I'd call around at your '
-ah-your boarding place this evening {
nd talk over little matter Of bust
ess-a sort of proposition-a-ah- S
argain." he drawled Il
The man on the inside of the bars I
lade no answer. His face was as II
lolid as If he hadn't heard. Neither b
as the other much on talk. He shot 9
-raight and talked the same way. :
alt petuIantly he shifted to his other +
'ot; took his thumbs out of his vest
1ckets. The easy smile left his face: 5
le real man came out-a wildcat, RI
lnged and clawed. I,
III uncork this rotten old Jug" he n
'owled, IF you'll bolt the FIatwoods Ii
ID stop queerIn' my game' Il
His lips snapped tight His cards r.