The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-10-09
Episode Three
on sar Peak
tcHApTER /


innate loot acquired in war.
He was prepared to kill anybody
Who attempted to take the gems
from him,
AZ the very possibility his rul-
ing passion blazed-hIs mania to
make Eve strayer a-grand lady.
But ncw,swhat he had feared for
years had happened. Quintana
had found him-Quintana, after
all these years, had discovered the
IDENTITY and dwelling place OF the
Obscure American soldier who had
robbed him In the Mushroom Of a
Paris cafe. And Quintana was
now IN America, here in this very
wilderness. tracking the man who
had despoiled him.
eiinch IN his shlrt-sleeves, car.
rying d rifle, came out on the log
yeranda and sat down to think 1t
over.
HeGbegan TO realize that he was
likely To have trouble with a man
as cold sblooded and as logged as
himself.
Nod did he doubt that those with
Quintana were desperate men.
On whom could he count? On
nobody unless he paid their hire.
None among the lawless men who
haunted his bacllwoods "hotel" at
Star Pond would life finger to
help him I. Almost any among them
would Lave robbed him-murder-
ed him, probably-it 1t were
known that jewels were hidden tn
the house.
He could not trust Jake Kloon;
heyerett was as treacherous az
only a born coward can be; Sid
Honey, Harvey Chase, Boomers
Byron Hastings-he knew them
All too We'll to trust them-a sui
len interruptions pack, partly
cowardly. always fierceAas ara
any creatures that live furttvely,
reed only by their wits and slinE
through lifeHjus outside tho from
tiers OF law.
And vet, one Of this gang hal
stood by him Hal Smith-the
man he himself had been about TO
slay
Giineh got up from the bench
where he had been sitting and
walked down to the pond where
Hal Smith sat cleaning trout.
Hal. he said, II been figuring
some cuintana don't dare call
in tte constables. | can't afford
10. Quintana and I've got to set
tie this on our own"
Smith slit open ten.inch trout
stripped Ii, flung the entrails out
INTO the pond, soused the fish in
water. and threw it into a milk
nan.
''whese Jewels were they in the
heginningg he inquired carelessly.
How dol know"
s,lf you. ever found out"
~ don't want to. l got then in
tie war anyway. And it don't make
no difference how got EN-; Ewes
going to BEL lady II go to the
6hair for IT, So that's that"
Smith slit another trout, Quilted
IL. flung awsy the viscera but laid
hack the roe,
shame to take them in octo.
hsrs he remarked, "but people
must eat. .
4same's me- nodded Clinch: Al
don't want to kill no one. but Eve
sheiag gotta be a lady and ride in hes
own automobile with the proud.
Does Eve know about the
Jewels? ~
Clinch's pale eyes, which had
been rowing over the wooded shores
Of Star Pond, reverted to Smith.
sTd cut my throat before I'd tell
her, he said softly. :
She wouldn't stand for IT,"
Hal, when you said tome, 'Eve's
lady, By Godi' you swallered the
hull ME. That's tie answer. "A lady
don't stand for what you and /
don't bother about"
tsuppose she learns that you
robbed the man who robbed some.
body else Of these Jewels"
ginch'I pale eyes were fixed
on him. Only you and me know"
he said in his pleasant voice.
sQuintana knows. His gang
hlows.
clinch's smile was terrifying. II
ihess he amt never likely to
Snow nothing, Hal
What do you purpose to do,
'tstiil hunt"
For Quintana?n
II might mistake him for q
ieet Them accidents is likely.
M ouintsna catches you 1t will
so6hafd with you, Mike"
aSure. know"
He'll torture you to make you
falks
.You think I'd talk, Hail."
Smith looked up into the light.
cpiored eyes. The pupils were pin
points. Then he went on cleaning
.ish.
FtHal?s
fWhat2"
thy get me-but no matter;
they amt a-going to get me-"
Were you gong to tell ma
where those jewels are hidden,
Mixer inquired the young man.
stlll busy with HIS fish. He did
not look around when he spoke,
5ilnrh'A murderous gaze was
fastened on the back OF his head,
Don't 20 TO gettin' too damn
nosey, Hal, he said in his always
agreeable voice.
Smith spused all the fish in water
sgains sfYou,d better tell somebody
II VIII a, l.ifnI,ii1n. Rni. NtiInfn,,n D