The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1923-11-07

| and there was nothing he could do bu
stand and let them pass.
| The two men had turned the sharI
, corner, the slight sound Of their move
ments ceasing to reach his ears. Then
the faint glow of a match reflected
along the rock wall. the silence broken
by Meager's voice.
"There's the lantern, Juan-in that
niche, see. Here. turn up the wick"
The flame frightened suddenly, but
the outer tunnel yet remained black.
Only In the distance the light flickered
along the walls. casting weird shad-
ows. One of the men evidently held
the lantern up, peering about curl
ously.
Hes not here, senior; where's the
old devil, anyhow"
They moved forward with the light
and Kelleen. all fear swiftly lost in
| his intense interest, crept on to the
curve in the tunnel, from which point
he could see their dim shadows. Behind
him, but unnoticed, daylight began to be
visible through the mantle of vines con-
| cealing the entrance. The dark figure on
| the floor assumed vague outline. The
two men in the lantern glow came 20
a halt. thrusting the light forward,
peering at the object which had at
tracted them. The Mexican Identified
1t first in a sudden cry.
TITS a body, a dead man." he ex-
claimed. HE has been killed
Manuel"
Meager held back, the coward grip
ping him, but Sanchez bore the lam
tern forward, desperate to learn the
truth. His startled voice came down
the passage.
"'Tis not Gomez" he cried, land no
face 1 ever saw before. Perhaps you
know the MANI"
mo; but there has been a fight, or
a murder-see, he has been shot; and |
In the back, by Cd Gomez must |
have done this job. But what has |
become of the old devil? And who |
was this kid? What was he doing
here? See If there is anything in his
pocket, Juan. Give me the lantern"
He held It, up, as the Mexican
dropped to his knees, and began to
rummage through the dead mans
Clothes The increasing daylight of
the desert found entrance far above,
and stole down the narrow passage in
a faipt, CHASTITY glimmer, which only
added to the ghastliness of the scene.
The strain was too much for Meager's
nerves. and he swore gruffly.
Come on" he said f1ercely; bring
the light. Well search every inch of
this id hole"
Kelleen turned, his first impulse
being to escape, to rush toward that
lin gimmer of light now plainly /,
the cave entrance. Yet the
utility of such an effort came to him
han that, and he whirled back to face
hem, as the two came cautiously for
ward, the glow Of the lantern glimmer
ng like a red star. The hand with
he weapon in 1t fell to level, and he
lred, the glass Pickering into a thou
and pieces. the light instantly extin-
uished.
Kelleen's plan of action had formed
Witty in his mind. He had glim-
nering Of what this conspiracy meant,
ut must learn more. Only one
lethod was possible-a confession :,
rom Bob Meager. The real secret Of
his tunnel was in his possession, now
hat Manuel Gomez was dead. He
lust be made to talk.
The advantages In this encounter
,ere altogether on his side. He knew
hem, where they were; they possessed
O knowledge of his exact position,
tho he was, or whether they faced
ne opponent or dozen. They had
cen taken completely by surprise,
tartled by the sudden attack, con-
Used In the darkness. He had both
them absolutely at his mercy.
The silence was Intense after that
rst startled second. There was no
lovement, not even the sound Of
reathing audible. The two stood mo-
onless, crouched back against the
all, peering into the blackness from
hence that tongue of fame had
aped into their very faces, yet re-
ealing nothing. They could neither
link nor act. Who had fired-Manuel
lem? We're they facing one man. or
dozen? Into what had they blindly
alked? Confident Of his own safety,
'alizing that he had the whip hand,
eileen smiled grimly, every nerve
nse his revolver poised. The situa-
on pleased him.
Drop your guns, both Of you'll" he
sternly. "Qulck nowl I've
It you against the light"
"Who the H." us
"Stop that Drop them, or shoot st
besides lantern. It's hi
lir trigger Pm playing with" ju
He heard both weapons fall to the 70
'or, Meager cursing impotently, but or
e Mexican silent. Kelleen laughed tn
kick them away from you-that's
yht Not bad fellows when properly w
lndled, see. Now up with your w
lnds, and back against the wall on
ere" ca
"