The St. Johns herald., 1921-07-14
CHAPTER xI.
A Shot in the Dark.

She SLOOQ cluLcn1ng nm QgQLly, DOlm staring in startled fear out through the open door into the dim light of the front room. The whole situation flashed through Shelby's mind-H Macklin was alone he could handle him; yet there was danger that the man might shoot, and the report ba overheard by others. Then, again, hs might not be alone. It was better to make sure first, and then act. But howl A possibility occurred to him it was dark within that second room; he could slip back into the corner, and remain concealed; perhaps the fellow would talk, would reveal his plans; at least, once at his ease, he could be made the victim of surprise. But would Olga play the part necessary
 "Can you act?' he whispered hastily. We must fool that fellow"
 "How do you mean7 What am I to doY'
 Make him talk. Let him think you are all right; above all keep him from suspicioning that am either here. or even alive"
 "But how can IF breathlessly, 'with the door unbarred, and those dead men2 He will know something has gone wrong"
 Tell him they fought and killed each other, but that first they un- barred the door. You found them there, and dragged the bodies under the bench. You dared not go away; you were afraid-make up some story. Here he is nowP'
 He left her frightened and dismayed by this sudden emergency, and sprang back into the darkest corner. crouch ing against the log wall. If she would only induce Macklin to reveal his plans, gain his confidence. He could see her there in the dim light bending forward and listening, slender girl ish figure. Then the outer door crashed open, letting in a flood of light from without, and a step sounded heavily on the floor. The young woman strengthened up, the clear profile or her face revealed. Somehow Shelby knew she had braced herself for the contest. Macklin must have stopped just within the door, staring about him in uncertainty.
 "What the h-l is up hereT DC burst forth angrily, confused by the gloom. "Sam, where are you any | way?"
 "Who is SamY' she asked quietly, and taking a step forward. "Is that the name of the Indian you left on guard?"
 He gazed at her open-mouthed, for the moment too astOnished to even find speech.
 "Whatr" he stammered finally, "why, what are you doing out herer Who opened that dOOr7 Where IS the d-d red snake, anyway
 q do not know very much mora than you do," she replied quietly. 'There was a fight out here some time during the night, and the bar across the door was knocked down.
 "A fight who were they%
 "A white man, and the guard. TheT were both killed"
 "Both-both killed7" he seemed un-
 
 able to grasp the fact "Who was tne white manT
 'I do not know"
 "And you did not even run awayI Did not try to escape?"
 "Where could I goT' she asked "What was there for me to do Dur wait for you to returnT
 "Well, if this don't beat h-ir ne exclaimed. "Why thought you was afraid of me. You ain't, heyf
 "No; I-I don't think 1 am. Xou were not rough with me, and-and you said you would have something inter esting to tel me when you got back:
 Macklin laughed, evidently relieved. She had spoken as a child mlgnt whose curiosity had been aroused.
 ooh, I see, my girl; you've been thinking tSis over, have you, and de- cided I might not be quite so bad arrer all. I thought maybe you'd get over that tantrum after awhile, fer shucks knew that feIler Shelby was nothin' to you. You just married him ter g1t away from Ponca-didn't your