The daily Alaskan., 1920-11-13

CT The chance 10 use HIS SlONe iCS was as good as gone. or rather, IL 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 pr the other of them would be killed. The Pearlhunter dis missed the 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. "lm afeared you'h be skimped little. But we'll try an cook up a-pIenty in the morning"
 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 kitchen and rc-enJered the house, until the door closed and the muslin eur talns fell back into place at the side window. Then he laid the stove leg by. His chance was gone.
 The revolver tucked under his waisthand at The flank of his back and hidden by his blouse seemed to have a personality. Its friendly pres ence helped his appetite though, for that matter. it was already keen enough. as he had eaten nothing since morning. He could have eaten three such Suppers as the sheriff provided.
 The friendly revolver; the thought of a grlzzltd old river man. doubtless at that moment rowing hard up the river. took some of the smart out Of his cuts and bruises. His left eye was swelling shut. He wlnked it Timber and stood wondering whether to blow out the candle or leave it burn a while; finally blew it out, and went back to the west window.
 A sound caught his ear; steps com ing down the river road. He listened. The steps turned in at the jail yard; came around to the west window. A face appeared between the bars. Enough light fell from the stars to re veal its identity-the suave, handsome face of the man he least expected to see there.
 The Pearlhunter came close tO the window. The other backed a step away.
 "PIeaScI 10 find you in," he Sneercd.
 The PparIhuutcr passed by the taunt in silence. l. seemed 10 irritQte the other that his shot had missed,
 Just thought Td call around at your -ah-your boarding place this evening and talk over little matter of buSi- ness-a sort of rroposition-a-ah- bargain" he druwlcG.
 The man on thc inside of the bars made no answer. His face was as stolfd as if he hadn't heard. Neither was the other much on talk. He shot straight and talked the same way. Half petuiaurly he shifted to his other foot: took his thumbs out of his vest pockets. The eusy smile left his face; the real man came Out-a wildcat, fanged and clawed.
 "Tu uucork this rotten old jug he gruwled. eff youI halt the FlatwoodS and stop qu-rriu my game
 His lips snapped tight. His cards were on the table. The Pcarhunter pondered rhrm in his deliberate way and cast up the >jm total of their eX- act value.
 First. There would be no mob. Otherwise he would have trusted to that. The meeting behind the Mud Hen had tizzled.
 Second. He had no stomach for going into court.
 Third. "Qucerin' his game" What did he mean by his game? He couldn't have meant the Blue Moon, for he didn't know the Pearlhunter knew he had it. His game. That tense scene at the fence the evening before flashed up clear as the river bed under the Jack light: a girl with a basket; frightened eyes; yellow curl that rose and fell upon startled bosom.
 "Tu stay where am," he answered, crisp and cold. "The law put me in i; the law can get ne out"
 The other shrugged his shoulders. furious at the baffling cOOlneSs he en- countered. And yet he couldn't afford to give ID his plans, or spoil them by any untlmely show of his real feel ingS. The easy smile came back.
 "ThoSe questions you were expect Ing to ask-I might answer them to boot"
 The Pearlhunter's fingers frightened on the bar. He breathed deep. Those questions! His life through, they had haunted him. And the man before him knew the answer. His face set hard.
 Answer or not, as you please" he said: but I'll not bolt the Flatwoods. l was expectin' to ask about my-fa- ther."
 The other whipped curious look at him.
 Your fatherH he snarled. The scowl on his face became 1t better than the smile. "As like you as two peas with the same lot of fool, Sir Galahad notions about the womeD-angels and white lilies. and all that rot. He