The Jasper news., 1920-05-06


@oh, yes-yes." The sherift looked
straight at him. 1--WE notion his
initials are L. O."
Billie felt himself flushing. What
makes you think that, Nickr'
Bolt walked to cupboard and an
locked It. His back was toward the
cattleman, but the latter could zee him
take something from a shelf. Turning
quickly, the sheriff tossed hat upon
the table.
Ever see this beforef'
Mac picked It up. His fingers were
not quite steady, for great dread
drenched his heart like rush Of Icy
water. Upon that gray felt hat with !
the pinehed crown was stamped the In
dividuaiity-and the initials--of Luck
CullIson.
"Don't know as recognize IT," he
lied, not very readily. mot to know
II. whyf"
Thought perhaps you might know
II. The holdup dropped II while get
ting away"
Mackenzie's eyes fiinched. Dropped
ii. How was tnatF 80
"a man happened 20 come along San
Miguel street just as the robber swung
to his horse. He heard the cries Of
the men inside, guessed what was do
ing, and exchanged shots with the mis-
creant. He shot this hat or the fel-
lows head"
"who was the man that shot the
robberP
"Cass Fendrick."
"But he didn't claim to recognize the
holdupT"
"Not for certain. He guessed a man
whose initials are the same as those In
that hat"
"If you mean Luck Cullison, it's a
d--d lie," exploded the cattleman.
He was furious with himself, for he
felt now that he had been unsuspect-
ingly helping to certify the suspicious
of the sheriff. Like an idiot, he had
let out much that told heavily against
his friend.
81 hope 80. What about this hat,
with the two holes shot through the
rim7"
"Shol We all wear hats Just like
that. Look at mine" Billie held 1t
out eagerly.
HAS yours an L. Q. stamped In the
sweat band1" Bolt asked with smile.
II know you amt his friend, Nick.
But you want to be fair to him even V
he did oppose your election" Macken-
zie laid an appealing hand on the knee
Of the man seated opposite him.
"Fm sheriff Of Papago county. 1t
doesn't make any difference who
worked for or against me. Billie.
was elected. and I'm going to enforce
the law. BY the way, I've got to pay
for some supplies this morning. Can
you cash a check for hundredf"
II reckon so." Mackenzie drew from
his pocket the roll Cullison had given
him two hours before. He peeled five
twenties from 1t. The sheriff observed
that the prevailing denomination was
the same.
| "Get these from Luckf" he asked
carelessly.
The cattleman stared at him, and
the suspicion grew on him that he had
been trapped again.
"Why do you askf"
Because 1t happens the bills stoleT
from the w. & s. were all twenties-"
From the office Of the sheriff, Mac
kenzie wandered to the club in searcl
of Luck. He was thoroughly dispirited
both dreaded to meet Luck. and ye
was anxious to do so.
CullIson had left the club, but Ale'
Flandrau was still there. Billie drew
him into a corner, and learned tina
Luck had just Settled with him.
Anyone zee him give It to you
AlecT
"No. He took me upstairs to tn
. library and paid me-"
"In billsY
"YesIn twenties."
"For Gods sake, don't tell anybod.
that." In a dozen jerky sentences tn
owner Of the Fiddleback told Flandra'
Of the suspicious of the sheriff.
) Together they went In search o
! Luck. But though they looked 70
} him all day. he was not to be found
, The last that had been seen Of hin
=. Luck was walking along the plazl
] toward the hotel. not d hundred an,
] fifty yards from the latter. A dozel
' men had spoken to him In the distanc
4 OF block. But he had not been seel
to reach his hotel. He had not calle'
( for his room key. Somehow he ha'
r vaniehad and none could tell how o