Connecticut western news., 1920-04-08
hind drifting clouds.

tioner was the man In charge of the horses. Though he knew the voice, he could not put a name to Its owner. But thts was not the point that first occupied his mind. There were only four horses for five riders. Curly knew now that he had not been mistaken. Soapy had expected one of his allies to stay on the field of battle, had pre- pared for it from the beginning. The knowledge of this froZe any remorse the young vaquero might have felt.
 He pushed his revolver against the teeth of the horse wrangler.
 Don't move, you bandy-legged maverick, or I'll f1il your hide full of holes. And If you want to keep on living paddock that mouth of yours"
 In spite of his surprise the man caught the point at once. He turned over his weapons without a word.
 Curly unwound a rope from one of the saddles and dropped a loop round the neck of his prisoner. The two men mounted and rode out of the draw, the outlaw leading the other two horses. AS soon as they reached the bluff above Fiandrau outlined the next step in the program.
 "We1l stay here in the tornilla and see what happens, my friend. Unless you've fancy to get lead poisoning keep still"
 "Who in Mexico are you?" the cap tured man asked.
 "It's your showdown. Skin off that mask"
 The man hesitated. His own re- volye. moved a few inches toward his head. Hastily he took off the mask. The moon shone on the face of the man called Dutch. Flandrau laughed. Last time they had met Curly had a rope around his neck. Now the situn- ton was reversed.
 An explosion below told them that the rohhers had blown open the safe. Presently Soapy's voice came faintly to them.
 Bring up the horses"
 He called again. and third time. The dwarfed figures of the outlaws stood out clearin the moonlight. One Of them ran up the track toward the draw. He disappeared into the scrub oaks. from whence his alarmed voice came in a minute
 "Dutch! Oh. Dutch p
 The revolver rim pressed little harder against the bridge of the horse wrangler's nose.
 He ain't here" Blackwell called back to his accomp'ices.
 That brought Stone on the run. "You condemned idiot. he must be there. Ain't he had two hours to get here since he left Tin CupT
 They shouted themselves hoarse. They wandered up and down in vain search. All the time Curly and his prisoner sat in the brush and scarcely batted an eye.
 At last Soapy gave mp the hunt. The engine and the express car were sent back 10 join the rest of the train and as soon as they were out of sight the robbers set out across country toward the Flatiron ranch.
 Curly guessed their intentions. They would rustic horses there and head for the border. It was the only chance still left them.
 After they had gone Curly and his prisoner returned to the road and set out toward Tin Cup. About a mile and a half up the line they met Culli- son and his rides on the way down. MaIoney was with them. He had heen picked up at the station.
 Dick gave shout of joy when he heard Flandrau's voice.
 "Oh, you Curly! I've been scared stiff for fear they'd got you"
 Luck caught the boys hand and v.r,r"" if herd.
 2 "ry hr'h ,'.' ~""r"r" ".'''t' '':r t'.r.lr ( r.d~,@ i-..'.' '.."'."! In'.,N #-I ltd E.fn fn a "t .>.. s".n '.o %. :.'. was off again, I.,....s ..:' t'n .:... 70" in charge of one of the men. They swung round in a wide half circle, not wishing to startle their game until the proper time.
 When they reached the edge of the mesa that looked down on the Flatiron the moon was out and the valley was swimming in light. They followed the up Ol u Ibdh lllll itb hONl lb lit corral. Passing the fenced lane lead ing 10 the stable, they tied their ponies inside and took the places assigned to them by Cullson.
 They had not long to wait. In less than half an hour three shadowy fi" ures slipped round the edge of the cor ral and up the lane. Each of them ] carried a rifle in addition to his hip | guns.
 They slid into the open end of the | stable. Cullison's voice rang out coldly. |
 Drop your guns! !"
 A startled oath. a shot, and before l one could have lifted hand that silent | valley of peace had become 
 The outlaws fell back from the |