The Holly chieftain., 1924-01-03

IL HOl, lleu lie WOulu llSnl lile FDdltlc
out there In the tunnel. asking no
quarter, and giving none. Meager
stopped, his huge bulk almost blot
ting out the light
"That you. Comp he asked anx-
Iously.
"Who the HI else would It be7" ex-
claimed an exasperated voice. "What's
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 that 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.
''Two of you, Ell! D-n, but IT'S
dark in here! That you, Manuel?"
manuel is dead" explained Meager
briefly. "Hes been killed"
Dead! Killed." The Judge
pressed his body back against the
rock. "What do you mean. Bob?
Then who is this other fellow-San1
| chez?"
Kelleen 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 gruflly f>It 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! If he don't, I
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, % you know what
Frisco says he believes this d-n
tunnel is?'
"This tunnel? the cave, you mean?"
"Sure; he says it's 'Alvara's Lost
Mine'-and, by Cd! man, II 1t is,
then maybe it's worth millions of
COIN"
Garrity 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 revolver. The fellow
was treacherous, INSCRIPTIONS. mlserly
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.
"Well. Judge, "Kelleen said quietly,
show do you like this plan?"
I'm id If see why l should di-
vide up with you"
| "You are rather dull this morning,
Garrity. l haven't much of repu-
tation for wasting words, have I? No
doubt you have heard the Frisco Kid
knows how to shoot when needed?
What more explanation do you want?
I'm In on this deal, or you are dead
one-thats all. Now say which 1t Is"
No man could have doubted the
deadliness of kelleens meaning. Gar
rity knew the border code far too well
to hesitate.
"Of course you're in. IL only
wanred 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 off without gun-throw it
Lover into that corner"
"And leave you free to murder US
both"
"Sure, II decide it's best. Only 1
don't usually do business that way.
You have heard plenty of stories
about me, but no one ever said l shot
man treacherously. If you two play
square there is no danger; but this is
a case Of two pittcd against one;
either one of you would cut throat
for a tive-dolar bill. I'll give you
minute-throw away that gun!'
He stc"' fronting them both, the
two b-twee.. him and the stronger
light. His face was emotionless, but
the voice speaking was crisp and hard
The two knew him only as desper-
ado. border renegade, man whose
willingness to kill had been proven.
There remained no choice. Garrity,
SloNInS loItH ull oulH, HuHs HIS re-
volver into the dark corner savasely.
"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 all? Now, Garrity. turn
| about is fair play; try your hand on
| Meager-stripped clean, Is he? Better
| feel inside his shirt; imagine he is
| prisoner in your court. Good! Now.
| | reckon, we are in fair shape to dis
cuss 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.
know your style, and I'm going to
| make the present situation perfectly