New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1923-05-05


and Shorty, one Of noiine's men, dead
on the floor Blaze Kildare OF the
Double A 10 an unseen spectator Of
all that happens inside the cabin,
NOW GO ON WITH THE STORY
Mercedes biz her finger nails nerv-
ously under the searching scrutiny OF
Adkins eyes Her very excitement
made her seem guilty 10 him, The
crying child brought hack 20 the man
a recollection of Estehan's words,
Bodine had taken care OF the child
then. She had come, too. In some
way she had got rid OF his man,
Melody.
His voice rose 10 roar as he
opened his mouth 10 speak.
so you're getting ready 20 skip
with Bodine. Ell? That's your little
plan, IL IL? You forget II, He's done
all the travelling he's going to do
You'l go with me when leave here
Aw-w-wh! Who did that"
He pointed TO Shorty.
"she did," Rodine cried, wipine
the blood from his scratched face
pulled my gun ont and got him from
the door there'
''Is that right" Acklin beloved.
Mercedes covered her face with her
hands. He could hear her sob as she
turned away. II was answer enough
for him. u.
They'll take you TO jail for this"
he grumbled. He stopped to mutter
TO himself. Then: mo, they won't
either, I'll FIX that"
He came close TO Bodine. Bucks
nerve had returned in a measure.
"You won't take her away from
me, Acklin; not that way" he cut IN
before the Big Boss could speak But
Acklin laughed in his face for his
pains.
you have your little joke, Bo-
dine" he warned. Your times
short enough"
Bucks face paled trifle at the
studied ease with which the man be.
fore him uttered this statement.
What you hintin' at now?" he de-
manded.
when my men get here you'll find
out. You didn't think you could get
away with what you pulled on me to-
night. did you? You bossed this
deal!"
Bodine's lips twitched uneasily
Had that fool kid given him away?
His poker eyes searched Acklin's face
for some sign Of bluffing. but he
found nothing to reassure him.
"You amt goin' to have me arrest
cd IN that boscos word, are you," he
asked.
mo. We amt going to arrest you,
Bodine.'
The directness Of this statement
b,anched the big fellows face. They
were going to do without the law;
that was what Acklin was saying
The blood along Bucks spine grew
cold for a brief second. But his
concern passed. He had been In dire
straits before and lived through. He
summoned a grin to his mouth now
and laughed derisively, pretending
not to understand the innuendo.g
You're all cut up about your DAM
amt yuh?" The laugh died out or
I,odine's voice. ''You forget how the
water was tricked out of the Rebel so
that you could build your dam!
When tell my story to jury, youli
70 into eclipse"
.The Jury that's going to hear your
case will use a rope! You get that
Bodine. BY the time the coroner
comes to get this thing on the MOOR
the buzzards will be picking your
bones. There won't be anybody but
me to say how this man got shot
And II I say that you did it the mat
Ter, will be ended. You are going to
swing!"
Buck cast an anxious calculating
Ava at the windows. The one at his
A., hack was open. 1t was near enough,
TOO. A flying leap, and he could
make Il, In the murky grayness of
early dawn he could steal away. Ack-
IN was looking at his watch. 1t was
an opportunity, chance!
Mercedes was watching Bodine.
she saw his fingers cench, his muscles
Inot. She OWNED his intention.
Her mouth opened in amazement.
Rodine crouched then for the
.nrine that was to take him to safety;
but the patter of horses OUTSIDE ,ne
window at which he was aiming
stopped him short. Acklin smiled az
him pityingly. He had heard, also
Kildare had watched Acklin ana
podine, He blessed every minute
that passed without bringing the rank
and Ale of the Double to th"art
MIN. That the Big Boss had come
tbere single handed revealed Acklin In
. new light, Blaze had always found
rim cautious, tactful, International
His coming here was madness. ne
could not have known that Bodlne
uas alone, Or had he figured that
tbe man was In hiding; that the house
an Webster Creek would be deserted
He had heard the hustle OF ap-
oyoaching men a long minute before
Buck or Acklin became aware OF tfe't
,oise There were FIVE or six in the
marty. He recognized Brother Jones
cackling voice. A second later the
cid man and his companions were
tramping into the kitchen.
PLACE recognized Chef and Patter-
son bringing up the rear. They were
ali heavily armed. Brother Jones
ma. already al the door of the room
a. which Acklin had cornered Bodine.
The others were at his heels.
Ki,dare sprang into action. He
ni.ced his hands on the sill and
,sulted into the kitchen. When the
pie Ross caught sight Of him. he be-
i,eyed the man had come In with the
others. 49,
nuere he Isl" the owner of the
pouble A called out, pointing at Bo-
dine. .,.,,. !
NV Cawd, who done that !
Brother Jones exclaimed. catching