New Britain herald., 1922-02-06

her hands together in a convulsive little gesture.
 Her father was sitting in big chair, one leg thrown carelessly over the arm. He was smoking a cigar composedly.
 Come in, boys" he called. "Reck- on you've heard that I'm a stage rustler and a murderer"
 Just now," said Bob. They didn't arrest you?"
 Not yet. Sit down. and I'll tell it to you"
 He had gone out to see a home steader about doing some work for him. On the way he had met John son and Purdy, near the Bend, just before he had turned up draw lead ing to the place in the hills owned by the man whom he wanted to see. Two hours had been spent riding to the little valley where the hester had built his corrals and his log house and when Crawford arrived neither he nor his wife was at home. He re- turned to the road, without having met soul since he had left it, and from there logged on back to town. On the way he had fired twice at a rattlesnake.
 You never reached the Bend, then at all," said Dave.
 No. but I cayn't prove l didn't The old cattleman looked at the end of his cigar thoughtfully Nor l cayn't prove went out to Dick Grein's place in that three-four hours not accounted for.'
 Anyhow, you can show where you got the ten thousand dollars you paid the band" said Bob hopefully.
 A moment of silence: then CraW- ford spoke. No, son, l caynt tell that either.'
 Faint and breathless with sus- pense, Joyce looked at her father with dilated eyes. Why not ?"
 Because the money was loaned me on those conditions"
 "But-but--don't you see, Dad ?- if you don't tell that
 They'll think I'm guilty. Well, reckon they'll have to think it, Joy The steady gray eyes looked straight into the brown ones of the girl. i've been in this county boy and man for most fifty years. Any one that's willin' to think me cold -blooded murderer at this date, why, he's vel come to hold any opinion he pfeases I don't give a damn what he thinks
 "The best explanation I can give, Joy, is to find out who held up the stage and killed Tim Tarrigan. It's the only one that will satisfy my friends"
 Someone was rapping on the front door imperatively. The girl opened it. to let into the hall a man in greasy overalls.
 where's Mir. Crawford ?" he de- manded excitedly,
 Here In the sitting-room. Whats wrong?"
 wrong. Not thing" He talked as he followed Joyce to the door of the room. Except that Number Three's come in the biggest gusher ever I see. She's knocked the whole superstructure galley-west.
 Emerson Crawford leaped to his feet, for once visibly excited. What ?' hc demanded "Wha's that?'
 Jus like I say. The oils a-spont- in up hundred feet like fan' Be fore morning the stump holes will be full and she'll be runnin' all over the prairie"
 Burns sent you?"
 Yep. Says for you to get men and teams and scrapers and gunny- sacks and heavy timbers out there right away. Many as you can send.'
 Crawford turned to Bob. his face aslow. Wore job, Bob. Spread the news. Rustic up everybody you can get Arrange with the railroad grade contractor to let us have all his men, teams, and scrapers till we get her hogtied and harnessed. Big wages and we'll feed the whole outfit free. Hire anybody you can find. Buy eoupla hundred shovels and send 'em out to Number Three. Get Robinson