The spectator., 1920-03-09

1 stable. Flandrau forgot that there | were reasons why he wanted just now to be a stranger in the land with his identity not advertised. He let out a shout.
 "Oh. you, Slats Davis!"
 Hello, Curly! How are things a-comin'y'
 Fine. When did you blow In to Saguache? Amt you of your run some?"
 They had ridden the range together and had frolicked around on a dozen boyish larks. To put it mildly the meeting was likely to prove embarrass- Ing.
 Game down to see about getting some cows for the old man from the | Fiddleback outfit" Davis explained. "You riding for the Bar Double M?" There was momentary silence. Curly's vigilant eyes met those of his old side partner. What did Slats know? Were his suspicious already active?
 "No. I'm riding for the Map of Texas" Flandrau answered evenly.
 "Come on, Curly. Let's go feed our faces" Mac called from the stable.
 Flandrau nodded. You still with the Hashknife?" he asked Davis.
 "Still with 'em. I've been raised to assistant foreman
 Bully for you. That's great. All right, Mac, I'm coming. That's sure great, old hoss. Well, see you later, SlatS"
 Flandrau followed Mac. dissatisfied with himself for leaving his friend so cavalierly. He guessed Slats would be hurt, but he had to think of his part ners in this enterprise
 After supper they took a room at the hotel and divided the money War ren had paid for the horses. None of them had slept for the last fifty hours and Mac proposed to tumble into bed at once.
 Bad Bill shook his head. "l wouldn't, Mac. Let's hit the trail and do our sleeping in the hills. There's too many telephone lines into this town to suit me-
 "Sho! Our play isn't to hike out like we were scared stiff of some thing. What we want to do is to act as if we could look every darned citi- zen in the face. Macs sure right Curly agreed.
 You kids make me tired. I'm going to dust my pronto," Blackwell Snarled
 Sure Whenever you like. You got to split up anyhow" Mae said.
 Bad Bill looked at Blackwell and nodded. That's right. We don't all want to pull blue streak. That would be dead give away. Let the kids stay if they want to-"
 "So that they can round on us if they're nabbed." Blackwell Suecred.
 Cranston called him down roughly. "That'I be enough along that line, Lute. I don't stand for any more cracks like it."
 Blackwell, not three months out from the pententary. faced .he other with an ugly look in his eyes. He was always ready to quarrel, but he did not like to fight unless he had sure thing.
 Didn't mean any harm" the ex- convict growled. But I don't like this sticking around town"
 "Then I wouldn't stay if I were you" Curly suggested promptly. Mac and l have got different mo- tion. So we'll tie 10 Saguache for a day or two"
 As soon as the older men had gone the others tumbled into bed and fell asleep at once. Daylight was sitting in through the open window before their eyes opened. Somebody was pounding on the bedroom door.
 Mac was already out of bed when his partners feet hit the floor.
 What's up. Mac?'
 The eyes of the redheaded puncher gleamed with excitement. His six gun was in his hand. By the look of him he was about ready to whang loose through the door.
 Hold your horses. you chump,' Curly sang out Its the hotel clerk. I left a call with him."
 "That you, Curly? For Gods sake. let me in"
 Before he had got the words out the door was open. Slats came in and shut 1t behind him. He looked at | Flandrau.
 "They're after you" he said.
 "WhO?" fired Curly back at him.
 "The Bar Double Nj boys. They just reached town"
 Put up that gun Mac, and move into your clothes immediately" or dered Curly. Then to Davis: "tio on, Unload the rest. What do they know?'
 "They inquired for you and your friend here down at the Legal Ten . der"
 Have we got chance to make our getaway" Mac asked. Davis nodded Slide out through the kitchen, cut into the alley. and