The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1921-01-21
CHAPTER vIII-cOntinued.

btlHeHeu IN the gloom MS hnGtr
gripped the revolver butt.
you might get Bull AIasterson,7 h
said, "and wait across there on th'
lower point of Alpine island. Blu
don't do anything unless the moi
starts. don't know much law. but
do know the law couldn't hurt you fol
rescuing sherifrs- prisoner from a
mob"
"Lawl Lawp' The Boss growlcd
"When I know they've ketched tn
wrong mai.-"
He would have grumbled stlll
further. but the Pearlhunter urged
him to go. With a last whispered
word, the sturdy old fellow stole
away in the gloom, half reluctant still,
as though he felt he was disgracing
himself not to stay and fight-some-
body.
The Pearlhunter strained his ears
for sounds farther up the street. par
ticularly for any loud talk or excite
ment back of the Mud Hen.
1t was the hour just after nightfall,
when village streets are most likely
TO be deserted-the hour when
loungers go home TO supper. Not d
sound out of the ordinary rode the
air.
AT the moment, door opened on
the back porch of the sherif's house.
A square Of light picked out the rough
boards. The sheriff appeared with a
nat baske. In the hollow of his arm.
A woman's Land pulled back the mus
lin curtains at a side window and held
a candle close to the pane to light him
across the Jail yard.
The Pearlhunter lounged down on
the broken chair. moment later
KEY, scraplng unbelevably loud on the
dull silence of the jail, hunted its way
into the lock. The heavy outer door
whined back. A match scraped; the
sputtering flame was laid to the stub
of candle; an arm held II through
the bars of the inner door.
"Oh, you're awake 1t was so quiet
in here thought mebbe y'u might be
asleep"
With the air of man dog tired the
Pearlhunter dragged himself up OFF the
chair, shambled out into the hall and
took the stub of candle from the sher-
iff's hand.
The sheriff fumbled three or four
dishes and tin cup of black coffee out
Of the fiat basket and held them close |
10 the bars. He stood well back. tax
ng quite evident pains to keep his re-
hrrft s.f nh 10
know there was a very dependable
Weapon already on the other side of
he bars. He made no move TO unlock
he door or to enter the cell.
None of this escaped the Pearlhunt-
r. The chance to use his stove leg
vas as good as gone, or rather, 1t was
ot going to come Once he considered
he desperate move of drawing his re-
oliver and forcing the sheriff to open
he door. But the sheriff was known
o be a brave man. He might fight.
nd If he did. one or the other of them
fould be killed. The Pearlhunter dis
Missed the plan.
18th woman didn't know there'd be
ompany tonight" the sheriff muttered
8 he held the dishes within reach of
he arm thrust through the bars. I'm
feared you'll be skimped little. But
re1l try an cook up a-plenty in the
He closed the door and turned the
ey in the lock. The Pearlhunter
1atched him until he had crossed the
quare of light shining out from the
itchen and re-entered the house, until
he door closed and the muslin cur
aims fell back into place at the side
'indow. Then he laid the stove leg
Y. His chance was gone.
The revolver tucked under his
'aistband at the flank of his back
nd hidden by his blouse seemed to
ave a personality. Its friendly pres
nee helped his appetite, though. for
lat matter. II was already keen
lough. as he had eaten nothing since
orning. He could have eaten three
lch suppers as the sheriff provided
The friendly revolver; the thought .
a grizzled old river man. doubtless d
that moment rowing hard up the
yer, took some of the smart out OF his !
ITS and bruises. His left eye was I
Yelling shut. He winked it timber
I'd stood wondering whether TO blow S
It the candle or leave it burn a while: ?
lalIy blew if out, and went back to I
e west window. 2
A sound caught his ear; steps com I
Q down the river road. He listened. @
he steps turned In at the jail yard; &
me around to the west window A g
&c appeared between the bars "
nough light fell from the stars TO re-
al its identity-the suave, handsome h
ce of the man he least expected to o
e there o
The Pearlhunter came close to the a
ndow. The other backed a step a
vay. s.
pleased to find you in" he sDeered l.
TIE Pearlhunter passed by the taunt I,
silence. 1t seemed to irrltate the
her that his shot had missed. u
"Just thought I'd call around at your n
ah-your boarding place this evening p
d talk over a little matter of bust
ss-a sort of roposition-a-ah- b
r1,ain - he drawIed m