The Winslow mail., 1923-12-28

iously.
"Who the HI else would it be?" ex-
claimed an exasperated voice. whats
going on here? Nobody on watch; l
didn't want to come polling in liable to
get shot Where the devil is Manuel?"
Come inside and I'll explain; just
drop over that ledge; it's only foot
or two to the floor. You came alone"
The fellow did not answer, but no
one followed as he clambered across
the barrier of rock. Apparently he
could perceive nothing when once
within except the dim, shapeless fig
ures awaiting him.
1.-TWO of you, eh! D-n, but It's
dark in here! That you, Manuel?'
Manuel is dead" explained Meager
briefly. Hes been killed"
Dead! Killed." The Judge
pressed his body back against the
rock. "What do you mean, Bob?
Then who is this other fellow-San-
chez?"
Kelleen took the matter into his
own hands.
L
calmly, yet with one hand resting on
his gun. "You know me, and that it
is all right I'm in on the deal, that's
the only difference"
"Now, see here, Garrity," broke in
Meager grufi1y. "It don't look to me
as if there was anything else we
could do. The Kid got onto this him
self. We both know he's all right, and
under these conditions he ought to
have his share. HI! if he don't ]
reckon we won't any of us get any.
Besides, there's only the three of us
left-Manuel and Sanchez are both
dead And say, % you know what
Frisco says he believes this d-n
tunnel is?'
"This tunnel? the cave, you mean?"
"Sure; he says it's 'Alvara's Lost
Mine'-and, by Cd! man, if 1t is.
then maybe it's worth millions of
coin"
Garrity made no response. KeIleen
could not discern the expression of
the mans face, but was suspicious
that his hand rested threateningly on
the butt of a revolver The fellow
was treacherous, unscrupulous, miserly
even in crime, capable of any act to
assure his gain. There was only one
safe way of dealing with him-the
way of force, the heavy hand. Yet
| he would make one more endeavor.
"Well, Judge, "Kelleen said quietly,
chow do you like this plan?"
"I'm ed if l see why 1 should di-
vide up with you"
"You are rather dull this morning,
Garrity. l haven't much of a repu-
| tation for wasting words, have 1? No
doubt you have heard the Frisco Kid
| knows how to shoot when needed?
What more explanation do you want?
I'm in on this DEAL or you are dead
one-that's ALL Now say which it is
No man could have doubted the
deadlineSs of Kelleen'S meaning. Gar
rity knew the border code far too we'll
to hesitate.
"Of course you're in. II only
wanted to understand"
you've got it clear enough now,
but we'll play safe. Your friend Mea-
ger here is unarmed. and you will be
far better off without gun-throw it
| over into that corner"
"And leave you free to murder US
both"
"Sure, if | decide it's best. Only
don't usually do business that way.
You have heard plenty of stories
| hut hot
a man treacherously. If you two play
square there is no danger; but this is
case of two pitted against one !;
| either one of you would cut a throat
for a five-dollar bill. I'll give you a
minute-throw away that gun!"
He stood fronting them both, the
two between him and the stronger
light. His face was emotionlesS, but
the voice speaking was crisp and hard.
The two knew him only as a desper-
ado, a border renegade, man whose
willingness to kill had been proven.
There remained no choice. Garrity.
growing forth an oath, flung his re-
volver into the dark corner savagely.
''Frisk him, Bob; I'm taking no
chances this time-a knife, hey !!
Rather an ugly tool, Garrity-do all
judges carry them? Yes, throw it over
there along with the gun. Are you
sure that is all? Now, Garrity, turn
about is fair play; try your hand on
Meager-stripped clean, is he? Better
feel inside his shirt; imagine he is a
prisoner in your court. Good Now,
I reckon, we are in fair shape to dis
cuss business together First, gents,
let me say this-I haven't the slight
est objection in the world to killing
both of you on general principles. 1
know your style. and I'm going to
make the present situation perfectly