The Coolidge examiner., 1932-08-26
CHAPTER V-Continued

he was himself desperately wound
ed and a prisoner in the hands of
the enemy. Within two hours 1t
had reached the Flying Wy and Pc
ter McCann was organizing a res
cue party.
Better go kinda easy to start
with Wes Tapscott suggested. 81
figure we're amin to spy out the
land this trip an not exactly call
for a showdown. This business
asks for some deep-plomacy, as the
papers say"
We'll three OF US go-you an
Lyn an me-" Mccain decided, "An
Dusty will follow with a wagon to
bring the boy home"
IF you get him." amended the
foreman.
IF they don't give him up I'll
round up the boys an tear the
ranch house to pieces" Peter an
swered, his mouth set grimly and
his eyes hard as jade.
You want me to tell the Starks
that wills was TO blame-after the
old man had posted him all over the
country? That itY
mot exactly. Pete. But play yore
cards close. Lemme ride ahead an
see how things stack up. I'll bring
Doc Sanders out TO you an"
I'm not going home without see
ing Wills. You can't talk me outa
that, Wes."
Privately Tapscott was Of opin-
ion that the Starks would never let
Mccain into their house alive. 1t
was not reasonable to expect 1t,
with old Matt lying there dead at
the hands Of Peters son. But he
did not say so bluntly.
We'll see how it works out.
Maybe they'll be willln' to let us
move wills. Tell you our play is to
smooth down their fur till we get
wills safe in our hands. A deef an
dumb blind man would get that
without argument, Pete"
MeCann recognized the justice of
his foreman's views. "All right,
Yves. reckon you're right. You
run it an let's see where we get
off at"
Peter McCann and his son Lyn
waited at the pass above the Circle
Cross while Yves Tapscott rode
down into the valley alone. He rode
leisurely across the open and swung
from the saddle. He was con-
scious that at least two men
watched him. One was at the cor
raj. the other lounging in the door
way of the house. Tapscott did
not tie to the shiny bar, even with
slip knot. He might have to leave
in a hurry. So he dropped the
reins to the ground. Practically
speaking, this would fasten the cow
pony until be gathered up the reins
again.
Tapscott jlngled his way house.
ward with the bowlegged swing
OF the dismounted horseman OF
the plains. "HelIo the housel" he
called.
The man in the doorway was Phil
Stark. He was no longer lounging.
He stood straight. face keen as a
blade.
What you doing here?" he de-
nanded.s
Then. before the words had died
on his lips, he ran swiftly down the
steps and Joined the Flying Wy man
For there came a puff of smoke, the
spit of bullet striking sand. The
man running from the corral had
fred.
Tapscott turned swiftly. hand on
gun. But he did not draw. Phil
Stark was between him and Carl
Gitner.
Put up that gun" the boy or.
dered the Texan. Don't you see
he's here as a messenger"
Il see he's Yves Tapscott Tha's
enough for me-" the hired bully an
swered heavily. Get nuta the way
there. boy, or won't be respon.
sible."
A slim figure flashed past Tap
scott and Joined Phil.
Don't you dare shoot" Julia
cried.
Out of the mems bunkhouse came
Stone and AT his heels rafferty,.
To the Flying Wy man Rafferty,
put a blunt question: "What y'you
want here?"
Il drapped in to see If we couldn't
fix things up an TO get the correct
facts. I'm hopin' the story we've
heard. amt true" TapscOtt replied
nmiahly. We've heard stories and
o. course we're not lookin' for trou.
BILE. so we figured I'd better come
To headquarters an"
Rafferty, ripped out a sudden saw
age oath. That lowdOwn NANCY
ruyote Wills McCann waylaid an
killed Matt Stark this mo'ning, since
you're here for facts"
Mildly Tapscott protested. 81
don't reckon Wills would waylay any
me. Nick. Who saws he Wavlaid