Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-12-01

hand involuntarily to his gum In the deer
way stood Mr. Smith.
He did not look at all insignificant now. The
weary shoulders seemed to have Strengthened
and grown wider. The age wrinkles about ms
mouth seemed to have been magicaIly wiped
away. The eyes were no longer lifeleSS gray,
left chill and hard and wide. There was soEae-
thing menacing about him in spite of his white
hair, something deadly and coldly magnetic.
He was bareheaded dressed only in shirt and
duck pants, both of which dripped with water
On the front of his ducks was faint brewn
stain, and 1t came to AnSeim with O start that
1t might have been caused by deliberately spilled
tea. More menacing than all. and more sug-
geStlve, were two cartridge belts crossed about
Mr. Smiths waist, and though he stood with
hand idly resting against each Intel of the
door, he looked quite ready to use the gums
which sagged in their holsters down each thigh.
I was delayed a little" ne said. and his
voice was crisp and clear. IT had to swina I
came principally to correct your version Of an
old history, AnSeim. Bradley did not want TO
hog all those pearls, as you suggested Fis
partner got that idea and shot Bradley Ina the
back. He was afraid to try any other war,
bradley was the fastest gunnan in the South
IN those days His natives attacked the parts
ner-you were right there-and ne get OFT
He was yellow sort of o dog for the first
thing he did was TO ten the authorities where
they could find Bradley and they got tsim asd
put him IN jail. Bradley heard later that his
TO him there would be any clue left as to where
the pearls were hidden, SO he didn't bother to
get them. He figured they'd be all right for a
rainy day. When he got out of Jail, he went
into Northern Queensland and there he died I
knew him very well, you See?"
The three men, standing erect in the reou1
were as II In trance The sudden appear
ance OF man they thought drugged for the
night stunned them There was long, tense
silence after Mr.. Smith had finished speaking
Anselm was the first to break it,
you know so much" he sneered 'I guess
you can tell us where the pearls are then.
They're mine by rights. My father"
was Bradley's partner" said the old man
quietly. "And yellow dogl"
There's no use batting away like this"
Jerked the captain suddenly. "You know too
much, Mister Smith. Guess you were wise to
the doping. Ell? Well we en- use you right
now. What happened to the pearIs?"
They're here" said Mr.. Smith, faint smile
curVtng his lips. He glanced at the gap in the
flooring and then at the feet of the helpless
trader and his face hardened.
"Iu take the three of you to Billion and
the magistrate" he stated crispIy. you'll get
i've years at the least"
AnSelm's breath went out with a Kissing
noise. The captains eyes became mere sits
The fat mate took half step back and dropped
hand to his gun. The three of them drew
almost together. and the captain and Ansein.
at least, were fast for men who were not pro-
fessionalS with weapons But neither of them
saw Mr.. Smiths hands move. One moment
he was idly and even indolentIy leaning in the
doorway, and the next he was erect and orange
flames were stabbing from each of his hips
The fat mates bullet buried itself in the
floor as he pitched forward like log. a neat
hole above his heart The captain staggered
and went on one knee without having fred
at AL his gun dropping with thud as ne
twisted sideways and crashed limp. Anselm's
bullet Splintered the stone of the wall clear
two feet to one side of the doorway and then
red stain crept slowly across the bosom of
MS shirt. He sagged at the knees, and then
collapsed like an empty sack.
MIR SMITH stood motionleSS for a moment.
blue smoke curling up before his face.
Then, holStering his guns. he moved into the
room, securing knife and cut both the trader
and his wife free.
He lifted the woman to chair and forced
some gin between her lips. The trader hauled
himself to seat and swallowed q stiff three
fingers before he could speak.
You came-just in time" ne whispered
noarSely. THE devilSP' He stared at the limp
bodies and shuddered The woman opsned her
eyes and gazed stupidity around before renen-
brance came, and she moaned. Mr. Smith
picked up from the debris of the ruined table
the old Single-action revolver Anselm had lifted
from the tin box, and began to tumble ahsentlv
with the butt It came away in his hand after
awhile to drop into his palm a small wash.
leather bag, which he opened and emptied, dis
playing nearly 20 fine pearls of considerable
size and value. He stared at them for a while
smiling family, and then slipped them into his
pocket. The woman stared at him. awed.
who are you?" she whispered. st don't
know yOu-unleSS-"
I'm your uncle" he said gently, and blinked
Theres nothing to worry about now He left
ner Tor moment and went outside into the
darkness. His face was queerly soft and gentle
he Qa2nn nj kI,n