The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1925-07-31

nut NilhAhNlNalA hhhliaN Hh ct W H'ihi'
ms numbers
They were Tying The three up In
chairs
See that everything - nhed here
and fixed RIGHT" TaEgart com
mandsd Buck stay here with your
men and watch them tbs you hear
further from me, ana ven take care
II them later
lie strobe out OF The room, FOL
lowed By Stella.
While Taggari gave these orders
Buck listened with a sullen. disagree
able expression on his face Tag
CART and Stella STROBE 10 the door
Buck sneaied out cautiously behind
them. leaving his men 20 complete
binding the prisoners
Outside the door Buck listened 20
TaREart talking 90 Stella. As they
went down the halwhy. TugEart
was saying
did you notice how Buck acted
lie knows too much But | have
little plan. Stella, | have little plan.
wen 40 20 my office In Pico now
and talk il over"
CHAPTER 30
Double Crossing Double Crussers
For some time past Buck Mcleod
had been q dlaErunticd man. with
growing suspicion that TaEgnrt was
ready 10 drop him, unrewsrdod FOR
his services, tho moment lc had fin
ished his u1e for him his dtscon.
tent had reached is apex when Tag
Eart had elevated idaho nnl" 10
chief Of the gang after their fight
IN the rustlers' camp
Buck returned 20 the room where
his men we're guarding tho three
prisoners now securely bound and
helpless lie called them ali into n
corner They held a whispered con-
sultation
80 hears him saylu' 20 her AZ
they goes out. 7 have a little plan,
be says I have a little plan. we'll
so 10 Pico now and talk Il over
he aayu, Buck told them. and waited
% watch their reactions
They an growled suspiclously
We'll. boys" continued Buck. III
looks 10 me Ike he's iByin' 10 put
some raw deal over on MS. sce7
He'll leave US here watchin the prs.
oncrs. while he ana her goes ont and
gets tho swaT. Then when they've
cleaned NJ, they'll beat u. and wen
stu be here wAtchn' Hen leave us
here watchin' tlll alouEu como tho
sheriff and a posse and well be tho
onsE as gets run In. while he's got
far away with everything IN sight
Does that appeal 10 you BIRDS DO
ye think he's pleyu' = square game
with u.s."
The men mUtiSrsd expressions Of
dis'ruFi, mingled with oatNg.
Wei. then. boys, ] scr YOU'RE Of
a mind with me" Buck went on IN a
low voice Now then. I've got
little game. too, when tho pics
sliced, supposln' We DO the sllcIn our
ssivss-''
Alta boy. Buck" one OF the men
yelled
Shut up" Erowlcd Buck. pointing
70 the prisoners, and continued in
low voice, An as 20 watchin. II
we're gonna do any wntchin' wen
watch TagEart from now on. Eth
what
All nEnitied their aaEer agree
mrnl.
"Cmon then" Buck said Wen
take the upper trail 40 Pico. and get
there about ~ soon as he does. an
find out ~hat he's gonna ba Up. to-"
The men inspected tho bonds and
gags Of tho three prisoners. tighten.
inE them up in spots. and filed out
Of tho room
Buck loft his men AZ the Pico Bar
TO await his return while he did some
spying alone lie went TO TaEgart's
office, Crept cautiously 20 She door.
pecped through the ksyhols. and
listened.
We've got 10 act quickly" Tag
CART wBs saying
why not start tonight" Stella
demanded
Because -- because there's one
hing missing" TaKEart replied with
rharrin. The secret OF the topaz.
The map is useless without that.
lie fondled his topaz watch charm
rive got the topaz Itself 49, here %
he continued But don't vet know
how 10 use a. I've got to find that
out first " He paused, then went
on; II have long suspected 49, FOR
reasons OF my own -- that Buck Nc
L.cod lg the man who knows the sc,
Cret OF tho topaz. IN see him In the
morning. and make him kick In"
And II he won't2' said Stella.
He will" laughed TaEEart. Wen
offer him good slice OF the swag
We have both the map and the
topaz - he has only the secret Of the
topaz alone -- Il won't pay him TO
keep # secret"
But II he wants too much for IT,"
Look here, Stella. once I got hold
ri this treasure l don't want 10 bc
rothercd with Buck any more any.
way said TagKart ITS too danger
Gus. I don't want It 10 come out
that I've been dealing with him, and
besides he knows too much about
me. once we get the secret out OF
him - well, the sheriff would be glad
TO get hold Of him, you know, and
it'll he damn sight more convenient
for me 10 have him behind the bars
than anywhere else. Then let him
try 10 collect his share" He laughed
snrdouically.
Buck, taking It all in at the key.
hole, grinned to himself
TARghrt was speaking again.
Now you SO 10 your hotel I'm
going home After I've got what |
want from Buck in the morning I'll
call for you"
At these words Buck dsrtcd like p
flash down the stairs. leaped 10 his
horse, and sped hotfoot for the Hotel
n IN ETaDlN