The Lamar register., 1920-05-19

still bout it, too"
"You couldn't tell who they were?"
''They want like nuthin' hut shad-
ders: 1t was purity dark night. Say,
did you ever hear tell OF Mexican
named MendezT
''Well. rather; he's a cattle thief or
worse. Arizona has n big reward out
for him, dead or alive"
That's the gink, I bet yer; has he
got hangout anywhar round this
countryf"
mot so far as know. What makes
you suspect thlsr
Sadie leaned even closer. her voice
trembling with excitement. evidently
convinced that her Information was of
utmost Importance.
"You know the feller they call En-
right. reckon he's II lawyer7"
Wrstcott nodded.
"Wcll, he was doin' most Of the talk
in. an I was foolin' round the side
board yonder, pretendin' ter clean II
up. Nobody thought was in ear dis
tance. hut got hold ov a word now an
then. He kept tellIn' 'em bout this
Mexican, who's a friend of Bill Lacy.
an / Judge has place whar he hangs
aut with his gang somewhar in the big
desert"
"was anything said about Miss Don
ovnn7"
Not by name; they was too smart
for that; but that was the direction
Matt Moore drove of last night
there's Enright comm downstairs
now; won't yer hav' some more cakes.
sir2"
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
ovan. She had been forcibly abducted
by this gang Of thieves. and put where
her knowledge could do them no harm.
But where? The clue had been given
him, but before 1t could he 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: II
not. then he must choke the truth out
OF Lacy. Determined to make the
effort. he muttered 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
Interview with Lacy was to be
a 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
his gaze wandering up and
down the deserted street. As West
colt descended the hotel steps the mar
shall saw him. and came forward. His
manner was prompt and businesslike.
Hello. Jim," he said rather briskly.
Had a little trouble up your way last
night. hear"
Nothing to bother you. Dan; my
"hS bhol w
through a window OF the shack"
xiii himT
INSTANTLY. l told the coroner all
about 1t. Whoever the fellow was
reckon he meant the shot for me, but
poor Jose got 1t. Seen Bill Lacy this
The marshal's thin lips smiled GRIM
ly as his eyes lifted to westcott's face.
Hes back there in his office That's
what I stopped yer for. He said he
rather expected yed be along after a
while. What's up between yer. JIm7
There ain't goin' ter be no fight er
nuthin'7' anxiously.
westcott laughed.
81 don't see any use for any" he an
swered. But Bill might be bit
touchy. Maybe, Dan, II might be worth
while for you to hang around. Do as
you please about that"
He turned away ana went up the
wooden steps to the door of the Red
Dog. The marshal's eyes followed
him solicitously until he disappeared
within: then he slipped back into the
alleyway skirting the side Of the build
ing until he reached a window near
he rear.
CONTINUED Next Week.)