White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1926-02-26
Continued from last week.
CHAPTER 80


CHAPTER 80
Double Crossing Double Crcssers
For some time past Buck Mcleod
had been a disgruntled man, with a
growing suspicion that Taggart was
ready to drop him, unrewarded for
his services, the moment he had fin
ished his use for him. His discomfort
had reached its apex when Taggart
had elevated Idaho Bill" to chief Of
The gang after their fight in the rust
lers' camp.
Buck returned to the room where
his men were guarding the three
prisoners, now securely bound and
helpless. He called them all into a
corner They held whispered con-
sultation.
So hears him sayin' to her, as
they goes out, I have little plan,
he says, I have little plan, We'll
go to Pico now and talk it over he
says" Buck told them, and waited
to watch their reactions.
They all growled suspiciously.
well, boys" continued Buck, "it
looks to me like he's layin' to put
some raw deal over on us. See? He'll
leave us here watchin' the prisoners,
while he and her goes out and gets
the swag. Then when they've cleaned
up, they'll beat it, and we'll still be
here watchin'. He'll leave us here
watchin' till along'll come the sheriff
and a posse and we'll be the ones as
gets run in, while he's got far away
with everything in sight. Does we
think he's playin' square game
with us?"
The men muttered expressions, Of
distrust, mingled with oaths.
We'll, then, boys, see you're Of
a mind with me-" Buck went on in
low voice. "Now then, I've got q
little game, too. When the pies
sliced, supposin' we do the slicin
ourselves?"
alta boy, Buck" one of the mer
yelled.
Shut up" growled Buck, pointing
to the prisoners, and continued in q
low voice, "An as to watchin', il
we're gonna do any watchin', well
watch Taggart from now on. Eh
what?"
All signified their eager agreement
"C'mon then" Buck said, well
take the upper trail to Pico, and get
there about as soon as he does, an
find out what he's gonna be up to-
The men inspected the bonds and
gags of the three prisoners, tighten
ing them up in spots, and filed out
of the room.
Buck left his men at the PicO Bar
to await his return while he did some
spying alone. He went to Taggart's
Office, crept cautiously to the door
peeked through the keyhole, and
listened
Yves got to act quickly" Taggart
was saying.
why not start tonight?" Stella de.
handed
"Because-because there's one
thing missing" Taggart replied with
chagrin. "'The secret of the topaz
The map is useless without that
He fondled his topaz watch charm.
1--WE got the topaz itself-here,'
he continued. But l don't yet know
how to use 1t. I've got to find that
out first" He paused, then went on:
81 have long suspected-for reasons
of my own--that Buck Mcleod is the
man who knows the secret Of the
topaz. I'll Sc him in the morning, anC
make him kick in"
and If he won't?" said Stella.
"He will" laughed Taggart. "Wel
offer him good slice Of the swag
We have both the map and the topaz
he has only the secret Of the topaz
alone-it won't pay him to keep II
secret"
But if he wants too much for it?'
Look here, Stella, once get hold
of this treasure don't want to be
bothered with Buck any more any.
way" said Taggart. ITS too danger
Gus. l don't want 1t to come out that
I've been dealing with him, and be-
sides 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 be a
damn sight more convenient for me
to have him behind the bars than any.