The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1923-04-19
VII
Rolsa Gan.

5olsa Gap.
Sheriff Jordan had a high-powercd
car purchased, not so much from the
fees OF his Office as with his perqui
sites, q word covering a wide range
Of possibilities, all of which the sher.
if made the most of. He had taken
up his brother-in-law's grievance with
the greater Zest since he had a half
interest In PllmsOIl's Good Luck pool
parlOrs, a share that had cost him
good money. On top of that had come
Sandy's iouting of him on the bridge
in front of the sherif's own followers.
He had to save his face, politically as
well as personally.
Armed with the necessary warrant,
backed by an assurance that. unless
some extraordinary howl went up. the
girl would be given into the custody
OF Jim PllmsoIl az guardian. by virtue
of his claim to partnership with her
father. the sheriff, PlimsolI and two
others. all three deputized for the oc-
casion, started the car from Hereford
at a quarter OF twelve. after an early
IuuII. n II lt" iHiiluiFS dtttI i"NlN'
they reached Three Star. where Buck,
seated on the porch, his saddle astride
a sawhorse. stitched away at a clnch
Buck played his part well, allowing
Jordan to ferret o information 10
his own satisfaction. II appeared
plain that all three partners had taken
flight with the girl in the blackboard
Someone tipped this thing Off"
Jordan said stern!y TO Buck. "Who
was it?'
'Meanin' this visits o~flishul?" asked
Buck. whats II TO, Sheriff. Moon
shine or hawss stealin'Y" He spoke
In a testing note, his weathered face
impressive as the shell of a walnut,
but Plimsoll scowled. noting the turn
of Bucks bland c~ountenance in his
direction for the first time. II was
whispered that the brands on Pllm
soils horse ranch were not those usu-
ally known In the county, nor even
In the counties adjoining. There were
rumors, sinothered by Pilmsoll's stand
with the authorities, of bands Of
horses, driven by strangers. arriving
wearied-and always by night-at his
corrals.
'It don't matter-to you-what It's
for" answered Jordan. 'Pll overhaul
EN- an bring 'em back. Eff they try
hide-out tactics OF put up a scrap, it'll
he kidnapin' an that's a penal of
fense.''
Buck whlstled.
Thought you wasn't goin' TO let me
know" he said. Its the gel"
who's been here to tip ii OFF,"
asked Jordan.
Buck looked at him %serenely. took
a plug of chewing from his pocket.
took his knife. opened II deliberately
and slowly cut Off a corner of the
tobacco.
SEARCH me-" he drnwled. "Me, |
don't stay up to the house,"
Jordan, temporarily discounted but
still confident of bringing back his
quarry, marked the train of the buck
board In the alkali soil, noted the
hoof-prlnts Of the diverging riders and
nodded with the semi-smile and half
closed eyes OF conscious superiority.
He had already aellcited apparently
reluctant Information from Pedro as
to the four passengers in the buck
board.
"You 'teDdin' ranchY' Jordan asked
Buck.
Yep. Till 1 get fresh orders"
"I1l bring you back those orders.
also yore bosses. before sundown.''
Buck permitted himself his first
grin.
"You1l have to go some" he said.
"Goln' to bring EN- back In irons?
Figgerin' IN abduction? r
Jordan gave no hint OF how Bucks
shaft might have targeted his inten-