The diamond drill., 1920-02-28

4
since breakfast Moreover, he had
talked so casually that his visitor had
no suspicion Of what he was driving
OF. al gAa
Mackenzie attempted little sleuthl
ing OF his own. This holdup fellow
kind OF slipped one over on you last
night. Bolt" ---<'-rsf w-T~
maybe so. and maybe not" ESa1
SCOT clue. have your" ~
| "Oh, yes-yes." The sheriff looked
straight at him. "rve q notion hls
initials are L. c." -. s@s-n irs. p
Billie felt himself flushing. WHAT
makes you think that. NickT
Bolt walked TO cupboard and un-
locked It. His back was toward the
cattleman. but the latter could see him
take something from a shelf. Turning
quickly. the sheriff tossed a hat upon
the table.
Ever see this beforeY'
Mac picked II up. His fingers were
not quite steady, for a great dread
drenched his heart like rush OF Icy
water. Upon that gray felt hat with
the plnched crown was stamped the In
dividuallty-and the initials-of Luck
Cullison.
Don't know as recognize It." hel
lied. not very readily. mot to know
II. Why7"
Thought perhaps you might know
II. The holdup dropped II while GET
ting away"
Mackenzie's eyes flinched. Dropped
II. How was thatf"
"A man happened TO 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 fell
lows head"
"who was the man that shot the
robbery"
"Cass Fendrick."
"But he didn't claim TO recognize the
holdup7"
"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 10 certify the suspcions'
OF the sheriff. Like an idiot. he had
let out much that told heavily against
his friend.
IL hope so. What about this hat.
with the two holes shot through the
rlm7"
"Shoi We all wear hats just liker
that. Look at mlne" Billie held itl
out eagerly.
"Has yours an l.. @. stamped in thor
sweat band?" Bolt asked with a smile.
II know you sIn't his friend Nick.
But you want 10 be fair 10 him even if
he did oppose your election" Macken-
zIe laid an appealing hand on the knee,
OF the man seated opposite him.
'T'm sheriff OF Papago county. 1T
doesn't make any difference who
worked for or against me, Billie. II
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 check for n hundredr'
IL reckon So" Mackenzie drew from
his pocket the roll Cullison had given
him two hours before. He peeled Ave
twenties from 81. The sheriff observedl
that the prevailing denomination vas
the same.
"Get these from Luckr he asked
carelessly.
The cattleman stared at him. and
the suspicion grew on him that he had
been trapped again.
"Why do you ask7"
Because II happens the bills stolen
from the w. n :. were all twenties."
From the Office OF the sheriff. Mac
kenzie wandered 10 the club In search
OF Luck. lie was thoroughly dispirited.
both dreaded 10 meet Luck, and yet
was anxious 10 do so.
Cullison had left the club, but Alec,
Flnndrau was still there. Billie drew
him into n corner. and learned that
Luck had just settled with him.
Anyone zee him give II to you,
Alecf"
"No. He took me upstairs TO tho
library and paid me-"
I'm billsf"
''Yes--in twenties."
For Gods sake. don't tell anybody
that" In dozen jerky sentences the
owner OF the fiddIeback told Fiandrau
Of the suspicious OF the sheriff.
Together they went In search of
Luck. But though they looked for
him all day. he was not to be found
The, last that had been seen OF him
Luck was walking along the plaza
toward the hotel. not . hundred and
afiy ysrds from the latter. A dessa