Evening star., 1923-09-27

loudly in pain. Some one in the long
room without. heard the cry. and
knocked on the door. Pete turned to
Browning.
order them to stay out-quick, or
shoot" as he spoke. he pressed the
trigger of his gun until the hammer
moved backwards visibly.
"D-d-don't m n-st-st--
S t v u :" Browning fairly
shouted the last words, and Pete
heard the men at the door walk nois-
lily away.
"Now-Mr. Best Lawyer in the
World. hand over that deed"-Pete
commanded steadily of Houston.
Aside from the death-like pallor
that came over his face, anu mur-
derous look in his eye. Houston show
ed no sign of emotion as he handed
over the precious papers-marked in
big black type, Quit Claim Deed"
Pete took it savagely from his hand
and held it over the flaming lamp
until it burned to black char in his
fingers.
Now, Mr.. Houston, little paper
and a pencii--and lay it on the table.
So! Now both of you-down with
Demonstrates, and l won't make a
blood-pie out of your face like | did
for your crooked engineer here"
Then. dividing his attention be-
tween his PROSTATE prisoners and the
paper on the table. Pete hastily
scrawled note to Hawkins.
Come to Moara at once-you and
SUSIE" il started. THE mine is once
more yours-use the pass inclosed-I
anything" Pete scrawlel his name
beneath the writing, and turned
again on his fioored victims.
Now Browning, get up--rest of
you move your heads and I'll squash
'em through the 1oorr'
in tn
Now sit here and write what I tell
you" Pete dictated:
''It is very important that the bearer.
Bruu Hawkins. sole owner of the
Dead Horse Mine. and Susie" here
Pete hesitated-Susie Tamarack-no
Moapa. Do all you can to aid them
Now sign it," Pete ordered. as Brown
ings trembling hand finished with
the note.
But even as he wrote. Browning
seemed to regain his poise, and to
collect his. scattered wits Observing
this, Pete leaned toward him menac-
ingly and rubbed the barrel of his
gun along the promoters nose.
DO l have to kill you?" he grunted.
Instantly the look of terror came
back into Browning's eyes He had
faced desperate situations before, but
never one in which the principal ac-
tor was raging madman.
"N-n-no-for Gods sake-whoever
you are-take it away" he pleaded.
Then quit thinking-and shut up!'
snapped Pete. giving the gun a vi
cious jab that brSSght blood from a
long cut it inflicted on Browning's s
nose.
Now you two birds get up" he or
dered. and at the command. Demons
and Houston scrambled to their feet.
Lannon's seemed to want to talk-but
one glance at the blood-smeared face
of Browning changed his mind.
'Now-an of you sit down and look
natural" Pete continued Brown
ing-when l open the door. you holler
out just what 1 say-and nothing
else. Wait a minute frst-name a
man who knows the mountains"
"I-I-don't know any," Browning
stammered.
Pete turned on Demons. You do
name a man out there who can To-
cate the trapper's cabin where Haw-
kins is staying"
You're lying" Pete thunIered. and
jabbed his guh close to the puffed
lips of the engineer. Now name a
man-tell the truth or you've lied for
'Pierre-Pierre Eliot-he knows
the mountains, and he's back"
"Ah-thats better-much better"
Pete opened the door-standing in
side it's shelter, allowing only space
enough at the opening to permit
Browing's voice to carry out.
Call Pierre" he whispered harsh
ly to Browning.
A minute more and Pierre entered
the room. Pete closed the door and
as he did SO, the breed got a full
view of his shaggy face. For mo-
ment he quavered and looked uncer
tainly from one solemn face to the
other about the room.
Pierre" Pete began, your brother
is near death from the blizzard. He is
at the cabin with Hawkins"
Jacques-eet eeS heem you mean?"
Pete nodded his head. Pierre was
visibly affected by the news. and as
he spoke he crossed himself and
rolled his eyes toward the ceiling.
But he is not dead"-Pete con-
tinued. II saved him."
'Mercie-mercie on you, Meester
Alden" the excitable breed broke in,
before Pete could continue.
'tBut wait-I am not finished-do
you know the cabin?"
"Ah, the cabain--he ess one Ban
nerie-my frien' it ees good"
Then you must go to that cabin
Pierre-it is Mr.. Brownings order.
Listen to this"-he read both the
note he had written to Hawkins as
well as the pass Browning had
signed.
Browning, prompted by an omi-
nous jab from Pete's concealed gun.
nodded his head in violent approval
of Pete's orders, and Pierre left in
haste to carry the message.
Now, down on your faces again!"
Pete snapped, turning on the silent
three.
For the first time, Pete observed
that it was already daylight, and by
the murky color of the bit of sky he
could see through the square window
pane. he knew that a storm was
gathering.
Uttering final threat to the pros
trate men, he searched the office desk
and table for papers. and the entire
room for guns. Tucking what he
found in his spacious pockets, he
jerked open the door, and brandished
his guns wildly. Three times he
blazed away close over the heads of
the startled miners.
Line up, along the wall-quick-
hands hight" he shouted, firing again.
this time into the boards near the
feet of the group nearest him.
Following the tense excitement of
pede. an episode which had already
reached the proportions of an Indian
massacre, in exaggerated accounts
that circulated among the men,, the
miners. unarmed in the main, were
only too willing to obey the shot
looking figure that loomed so sud-
denly before them.
where's men layin' for you all
along the road. If you're wise you're
staying right hcre-all day'--Pete
thundered, as he edged toward fhe
door-rand don't forget the tunnel's
full - of dynamite-if you're more
than anxious to diego. in there"
With these final words he emptied
one of his guns-shooting Jagged
holes into the floor and through the
rear, before he finally back ed out
OF the room, and dashed for the