The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1923-11-14


for any treachery. II Clarity came
there alone he would take the chance
IL not, then he would fight the battle
out there in the tunnel, asking no
quarter, and giving none. Meager
stopped. his huge bulk almost blot
ting out the light.
THAT you, ConT he asked anx-
lousy.
"Who the HI else would II be-" eI-
claimed an exasperated voice. whats
going on here? Nobody on watch
didn't want to come poking in, liable to
get shot. Where the devil Is Manuel?'
"Come inside and I'll explain; just
drop over thai 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, ehi On, but it's
dark in herel That you, Manuelf'
Manuel is dead" explained Meager
briefly. Hes been killed"
Deadi Killed." The Judge
pressed his body back against the
rock. what do you mean. Bob?
f-hcn who is this other fellow-San-
chez?'
KelIeen took the matter into his
own hands.
I'm the Frisco Kid" he announced
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 gruf1y. TT 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 II 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, 20 you know what
Frisco says he believes this On
tunnel is?'
This tunnel7 the cave, you meanT'
"Sure; he says it's 'Alvara's Lost
Mine-and, by Cd man, If 1t IS,
then maybe it's worth millions of
coin"
Clarity made no response Kelleen
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, Inscriptions, misery
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.
"Wel, Judge, 'Kelleen said quietly,
show do you like this plan7"
I'm id If 1 see why 1 should di-
vide up with you"
"You are rather dull this morning,
Clarity. 1 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 needed3
What more explanation do you want?
I'm in on this deal, or you are dead
one-that's all Now say which ii Is"
No man could have doubted the
deadliness Of Kelleen's meaning. Gar
rity knew the border code far too well
to hesitate.
"Of course you're In IL only
wanted to understand"
you've got 1t clear enough now,
but we'll play safe. Your friend Mea-
ger here is unarmed. and you will be
far better of without a gun-throw 1t
over into that corner"
"And leave you free to murder US
both"
"Sure, II 1 decide it's best. Only I
don't usually do business that way.
You have heard plenty Of stories
about me, but no one ever said l shot
a man treacherously. II 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 q
minute-throw away that gum"
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 q desper-
ado, border renegade. a man whose
willingness to kill had been proven
There remained no choice Clarity,
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 1t over
there along with the gun. Are you
sure that Is ALI Now, Garrity. turn
about Is fair play; try your hand on
clean, is he? Better
feel inside his shirt; imagine he is a
prisoner in your court. Good Now,
| reckon, we are in fair shape to dis
,uss 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
1now your style. and I'm going TO