The Adair County news., 1921-09-20
Copyright, by Doubleday, Page & Co.
CONTINUED FROM PAGE ,

Adam Ball! lt seemed TO MIN now
that that must end all that was worth
while for him. For that was more
than a difficulty, more than a barrier.
He firmly believed that 1t had been
his bullet that had finished the earthly
existence of the giant hillman. True,
1t had been an accident But how was
he to convince jury that it had been
an accident? Would the jury take his
word for it? The jury would not, Of
course.
The mysterious third shot, that had
come from a little diStance-but he
could not reasonably expect deliver
ance from that source. If only he had
held down his abominable, savage tenn
per; If only he had
Major Bradley interrupted his un-
pleasant train of thought.
No broOding there, my boy!"
Dale looked up. The old attorney.
as neat in appearance as though he
had not even seen a saddle that day,
WAS standing just outside the hate
full door Of bars. Beside him stood
whiteclad negro boy with a big tray
of Steaming food on one hand and a
pot Of steaming coffee in the other.
The jailer came and unlocked the
door; also he very considerably
brought another stool and fresh water.
The major entered the cell, and the
negro followed.
An amused twinkle appeared In
Dale's eyes as Bradley put the tray
down on the sOapbOx. There was
enough for five threshing-machine
hands! The black boy was sent to the
front door to wait.
81 thought you'd be as hungry as
am, and I'm as hungry as poor old
BY Heck ever was!" laughed the
major, as he sat down and began to
pour the coffee. "Riding always made
me as hungry as a bear In April. Light
right into it, Dale. There's nothing
like good steak, for any meal, when
fellow is half starved; eh, Dale?
Try that one, won't you? told Massen-
gale I'd cause his beheadment if these
steaks weren't perfect. Massengale," he
added, runs the hotel here, the Eu-
reka Funeral Parlors, and the One
Price Clothing Emporium"
Il wonder" smiled Bill Dale, what
he does with his spare timer"
Bradley laughed, his eyes twinkling
merrily. Dale found that he too was
hungry, now that savory OdOrs had
invaded his noStrils. A minute later.
and he had pronounced his steak deli
cious.
MasSengale shall not suffer be-
headment," said the major; and he
began to carve his own steak.
1t was an excellent meal, the grim
surroundings Notwithstanding. When
It was over. the negro boy came ahd
took awav the dishes, and received
with ,s:n grin the two silver
eOiE zen him. Then Brad
h" '." adful of cigars, and
" promptly lighted.
| the old lawyer, 81
20. Let's see, you gave
=, .. Hayes orders to carry the
" along as though nothing
ha4 4. led, didn't you? And the
sheriff =. 0 go back the day after to-
morrow tO arrest two or three Balls
and two or three TOrreys, to see what
he can find out concerning the dyna-
miting Of the two buildings and the
trestle-tOday was not a good time to
make the arrests. Am l correct?"
Correct" Eodded Dale.
Bradley regarded his cigar thought
fully.
"Now," he said in a low tone, sud-
denly lifting his gaze to the others
face, tell me about the thing that
brought you here. Don't omit even the
slightest detail. Nobody can overhear
you if you will hold your voice down.
These walls are very thick, you see.
Well, you may begin"
In carefully guarded tones, Bill
Dale gave a Straightforward account
Of the whole unfortunate occurrence.
The major listened intentIy to every
word of it, so intently that he allowed
his cigar to 90 out. Often he stopped
his client and asked him to repeat GER
tain portions of the story in order
that he might be doubly sure of a
point.
AS Major Bradley rose to ask the
jailer to come and let him out, Dale
muttered downheartedly:
"Tell me, major: what do you think
of my case? 1t looks rather bad
doesn't it?"
mot bad enough to warrant your
feeling blue over 1t, my boyw said
Bradley, showing his polished white
teeth in a smile that was meant to be
reassuring. II think We'll get you out
Of it Anyway, don't worry about II
Worry will kill a cat, they say! You
didn't kill Adam Ball. John Morelant
had taught you how to shoot pretty
well; and If you took even half a!
careful an aim as you think you did
you couldn't have missed Balls hat b!
so much.
II have an idea, Dale" he resumed
shat If we knew who fired that thir!