Phoenix tribune., 1925-01-10

hAOWS uOW 70 SuOOL Wtleu ucSucut
What more explanation do you wanti
I'm in on this deal, or you are a dead
one-that's all. Now say which It Is"
No man could have doubted the
deadliness Of KeIleen'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 Wen 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 decide it's best. Only l
don't usually do business that way.
You have heard plenty Of stories
about me. but no one ever said I shot
a man treacherously. If you two play
square there Is no danger; but this Is
a case of two pitted against one;
either one of you would cut a throat
for five-dollar bill. I'll give you a
minute-throw away that gunl"
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 a desper-
ado, border renegade, man whose
willingness to kill had been proven.
There remained no choice. Garrity,
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 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 a
prisoner in your court. Goodi 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
clear. Both of you are d-n rascals,
capable Of any dirty deviltry. You'd
kill me In a minute If you only had
chance. l don't propose to give you
that chance, for I know what my life
is worth, and mean to protect 1t.
happen to need you just now alive,
and, If you obey my orders, and an
swer my questions, you'll go away
from here alive. If you don't, you'll
be buried here-do you get thatT
"You mean to kill us anyhow after
you find the loot"
mo doubt that's your idea. That
is what you would do, and you have
me ticketed in the same class. Well,
that doesn't happen to be my plan
at all. In the first place. you've got
me labeled wrong. I'm not really after
the loot; I'm after you. Do you get
that, Garrity? Meager here is just
common thief; he's brute, and there
fore dangerous, but a d-n, sneaking
coward. All | care particularly about
him is to save a woman"
What woman? The surprised
question burst from the other fellows
lips before he could restrain 1t.
Deborah Meredith, the woman you
forced into marriage with you. But
Garrity here has been the evil genius
Of this border for the last ten years.
There is no crime he hasn't had a
| finger In. But no one could catch
him red-handed. Now I've got you
both-got you good and hard. I'm
going to bring you in. dead or alive
but alive If possible"
who the hi are your" burst forth
Garrity, his face beaded with perspi-
ration.
my name Is Kelleen, a captain OF
Good Cd then you're not the
Frisco Kid'T'
I'm all the Kid there ever was"
Kelleen admitted carelessly. "That
party was simply manufactured to
order; here is where he ends his des-
perate career | would have kept the
secret awhile longer If could, but per-
haps 1t is just as well. Now we un-
derstand each other. Garrity. and the
very best thing you can do will be to
answer nv. Questions" ash
.ss&Nhhan. aasa