Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1923-09-15

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West will do. Hurry up"
Butler knew that a reply was use
| less and said not a word. Walking
slowly to the door, he called in the
men from the snow-covered steps.
This bird amt Peter Alden" he
| announced in a thin, shaky voice.
We're all wrong. Peter Alden got away,
somehow. This is Phillip west"
Before the astonished and bewildered
gangsters could reply. three men
emerged from the darkness and came
| rapidly toward the group, which still
stood half in and half out OF the
house. On hearing the three men
Well" one of the newcomers an
nounced, I'm Olcott, the sheriff
where's this Alden"
Hell. you're hours late. He bumped
Hawkins and flew the coop. Gone"
Butler answered.
(Which way did he go? Where's his
tracks" Olcott snapped.
For moment the gangsters were
taken by surprise. as the sharp eyes
of the sheriff searched their faces.
Think he made it out the back
way" Pete volunteered, motioning
toward the rear of the house.
Lets see" the sheriff answered
from his pocket and led the way to
the rear of the string of houses.
Here's his trail. right enough" he
| finally called out to his two companions
| Damn small feet, though. Funny
He hesitated moment and fumbled
In his pocket for a folded bit of
paper. which Pete recognized as the
handbill showing his very picture
That's II. he's still wearing his city
shoes. Come on. men, let's after him.
But wait a minute. Where's Haw-
kins. Butler? You say he's done for?"
Taking him to Moapa. Tamarack
Sues snakin' him on sled. Oughter
be there by now
Apparently satisfied, the sheriff and
| his party went on to follow, as Pete
knew. the trail left by Tam.
/ AS soon as the posse was lost In
! the darkness Pete pulled Butler
aside and spoke close to his ear.
| where's Hawkins"
IS clip me, God. I'm tellin' the truth.
Tamarack Sues snakin' him in,
| saw her
who bumped him?"
! slim Eliot"
| Where's Slim Elliott"
Gone. don't know"
Pete knew that Butler was telling
the truth.
| CHAPTER Y.
Pete arose on the morning follow
ing his deliverance from the sheriff,
with feeling akin to buoyancy. He
was free, at least from immediate re-
| straint. although the energy with
| which the sheriff pursued the trail at
the rear of the house indicated the
seriousness OF his position, so far az
| the world at large was concerned.
! Several very definite circumstances
| aside from his personal freedom
added to the revival of his spirits.
Judge Stivers had received his note.
The fact that no message came with
the letter he received unopened from
susie worried him little; but, never
! thless, the judge, and surely his
! father, had his declaration of inno-
cence, and would take appropriate
| action regarding the criminal charge
against him. Then, toe, Hawkins
might not be dead; he could not but
feel that the guiding hand of Tam
had averted such a tragedy. Yet, her
note had been woefully short as
! though she had lost interest in every
thing save the delivery of her letter
This, although addressed to her, had
been unopened; another strange mat
ter. But the eternal spirit of hope,
the feeling that all is well in the alb
sence of positive proof to the con-
trary, comforted Pete as he leisurely
| set about exploring the various rooms
of the connected cabinlike houses.
| recently delivered.
Butler and little Phil Alguin alone
remained in the nest of gangsters
| who had occupied the premises for
the past week. Butler was badly
broken. Ever since Susie had come
into his life he had brooded over the
chances of his being brought to JUS
tice for crimes committed long before
! he entered the service of j. B. Brown
| ing, and but for the firm belief that
Peter was actually with others, who
| would Immediately avenge his death,
J Butler would never have allowed him
to step out Of the rooms alive. AS It
| was, he was wholly at his ex-pris-
| oner's mercy, and made little attempt
! to conceal the fact. Little Phil" for
reasons best known to Butler, fol-
| lowed the latter'S Instructions, and
| seemed more than willing % make
what mends were possible while
! peter was still with them.
Following breakfast, Pete Sc. about
! reassembling his pack, remains of
| which were scattered broadcast about
! the corner Of the room where first he
| dumped them in his mad rush for the
! first-aid kit. He found it necessary
now to demand several articles of
absolute necessity from Butler and
| Little Phil before he could safely con-
| slider the pack complete.
i Mind wisin' Us where yer goin'?'
| Butler asked submissively, yet with
| touch of feeling as he observed
! Pete's evident intention of leaving.
Don't know myself, exactly" Pete
! conf essed.
! Cant be figgerin' on hittin the