The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1927-06-24

The waitress appeared perplexed.
II told him you wouldn't want to be
interrupted" she said in an earnest
whisper. But it seemed like he was
in terrible trouble. He told me to
ask you for Gods sake to come out
to see him for just minute"
Selwood muttered protest. "Where
Is he?" he asked In an aside.
"At the kitchen door,"
The girl thought that Selwood's
keen eyes would have burned her up
during the instant before he spoke
again. "Tell him." he continued In
low voice, ito go around to the
front door and sit down on the porch
with his face to the street-under-
stand? To go around to the front
door and sit down on the porch with
his face to the street." he repeated
land his back to the door,"
The waitress passed out into the
kitchen. When she returned she whis:
pered again. Hes gone to the front
door, Mr.. .Selwood."
The talk had all been going on
around the table, but Pardaloe's
snaky eyes had not lost sight Of the
low-speken colloQuy. whats a-mat-
ter. John?" he demanded suspiciously.
"Some stranger outside wants to
see me-" answered Selwood, rising.
sri be right back"
Pardaloe was on his feet before Sell
bCA koLo,, a 81 fvov, kbo kohln
He put up his bear-paw Of a hand.
"Hold on. joint" he said definitely,
pushing back his chair. "You don't go
out alone to see no stranger tonight.
specially not in your recent shape
hold your horses" &
The table rose as one man. There
was a momentary upset, and some
conflict Of claims as to who should
accompany Selwood Without passing
on these In words. Selwood nodded
to Pardaloe. and the discussion
ceased. The mule boss followed him
in long strides toward the dining
room door.
Bob Scott, at the table, sat close to
the door leading into the dining-room
from the kitchen. The other two men
had not got out of the room when
Scott. with his habitual smile Of
apology, rose In perfect silence and
with incredible celebrity slipped out
into the kitchen and was out of the
back door and half way around to
the front of the hotel in the dark by
the time Pardaloe had carefully
drawn every shade in the hotel Office
and beckoned to Selwood to come In
from the hall. He, himself, then
slipped across the hall into Carpy's
private Office. and. throwing up the
sash Of the window that commanded
the porch. trained his shotgun on the
outer gloom.
Selwood, his revolver In his left
hand, threw open the hall door with
out exposing himself. Seated on the
porch, his face to the street, sat C
large, loosely built man with his head
hidden In dark pull-down cap.
"Who are you and what do you
want?" asked Selwood, inspecting his
caller from behind the hall door an1
through the crack of the opening.
"You know me. John" answered
the man, hoarse and short in utter
ance. But 1 amt very popular in
these parts just now"
whats your name?"
ard like to give that to you private,
John. I'm keeping some under cover"
Something in the cadence of the
words told Selwood that he knew the
man. A question that followed was
only precaution, for he felt sure
from the cracked and husky tones
that the man was Big Haynes.
whoever you are, you're we'll COW
cred where you sit" remarked Sell
wood, with apparent Indifference.
II know it."
PUT up your hands. Stand up and
turn around here" came the next
order from the hall.
The man did as he was told. A dis
appointment awaited Selwoods conf
dence in his usually keen ear. The
pinched, haggard. and unshaven fea-
lures now turned toward him could
not be those of the bluff. portly auc-
tioneer; hasty glance told him this
could not be Big Haynes. The cheeks
were bruised and swollen. the eyes
sunken in hollow sockets. and the
mans clothing was in tatters.
Before Selwood could speak. a
voice came from the darkness, and a
man came forward. Bob Scott is at
the corner of the house, said the
voice. Its Big Haynes, john" con-
tinued the Indian. low voiced; "he's
alone"
Selwood stepped from behind the
door out on the porch. He could hard
| ly credit his senses. It was two days
since he had seen Haynes; but those
two days had aged the man ten years.
what in Gods name has happened
did our men catch you? Have you
had a fight?" Selwood asked.
mot the kind you mean, John. Give
me drink, for Gods sake. and le'
me sit down and tell the story. l
amt had a bite to eat since last