The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1935-07-11
CHAPTER Ix-Continued

lHe HulFtor-nlOuu seemed TO take q
flying grip on hope. Look here" he
said. Look herel Campo Ragland,s
got me wrong. | know you don't know
Inc very good-but Nombre de DIos,
ing you the truth. I've shot square
with Campo all along. and all the way.
Hes got no more reason to send yon
to get me. than as If he sent me to
get you. Listen. kentucky-lf | hadn't
meant to shoot square with Campo
Ragland. do you think I'd have stayed
at the Ear Hook as long as did? And
I'd have stuck with him right on
through 1t, too; I'd have backed his
play any way he wanted Yes by Cd,
! will yet Campo Ragland had no call
on earth to be afraid Of me-
Afraid of your" Kentucky repeated.
THAT'S what's gone haywire with the
Godforsaken outfit" st. Marie said
There was n fanatic intensity In the stare
which he held upon Kentuckys face
THAT man has gone to pieces he In
sisted THAT man Isn't right any more.
! wouldn't have left the Bar Hook at
all only pretty soon | seen TINT Campo
was getting scared. and scared Of me-
That man has gone to pieces" St.
Marie reiterated. Kentucky perceived
that the man believed himself to he
talking for his life Nobody that
knows anything about this Is safe In
the same country with him any more
Maybe you're not safe yourself. for all
you know. But look. Kentucky swear
to Cd Ragland had no call to worry
about me, even If stayed In the rim
rock, and he has a thousand times less
reason to put me out of business. and
hend me Off from what I'm trying to do
now--or was trying to do, when you
shot my horse out from under me.
And just what Is this you're trying
to do?"
"All | want Is to get out of this
country. Where | made my mistake
] was saving the d--n horse. i should
have pushed through this here gap two
hours ago. All want of this business
Is out
Il expect you do" said Kentucky.
.Bur you're too deep In this business.
joe
What difference does 1t make how
deep I'm In, SO long as can keep my
mouth shut, and disappear out of here?
+"
"A lot of difference" Kentucky told
him. Il d-n well mean to take you
back"
ST. Marie appeared to be dumfound-
ed. Take me back?" he repeated.
What did you think | was going to
do murder you?"
st. Marie stared at him again. "Yeh,
he said at last.
Kentucky rolled a cigarette and con
sldered. I'VE don't seem to see eye
to eye In this, st. Marie he said. In
the first place, | wasn't sent after you
by Campo Kagland Campo doesn't
even know you've left the Ear Hook
50 farias know. I've come out here
to take you back on my own hook.
guess Ill ask you couple Of questions
for change
st. Marie shiyered, but appeared to
take heart. And what If give YOU
the wrong answers?' he said his tone
altering subtly.
Then said Kentucky, Il suppose
you'll 20 right ahead and hang. Don't
let me stop you"
Hang? For what?"
'For the killing of Jack Sanders"
For an instant ST. Marie did not
move. Then he drew deep breath
and let II 80 again. Il sure as HI
don't know what you're talking about"
he said. Give me cigarette"
Kentucky tossed him the markings.
I'm going to describe a gun to you.
he said. The gun I'm thinking Of Il
blue barreled 40 There's Il LITTLE.
piece split oil the wooden part of the
grip. The serial number Looks like il
begins wit! a 3, bur It's really an u"
Kentucky told him the rest OF the mum
Der.
That's my gun" said St Marie.
.'Or anyway, 1t WAS my gun once
Il know that said Kentucky. u
found that out from the gunsmith IN
Waterman. Now | want to know
exactly when and why you showed that
gun into the hand Of Jack Sanders
i never did give 1t to lack San
ders,' said st. Marie
kentucky Jones lost patience. Get
yourself ready to walk" he said Il
got no time TO listen to you ie."
Tell me just this one thing" ST.
Marie pleaded Where did you gel
track of this gnn?"
The gun we're talking about" Ken
lucky said, was in Zack Sanders hand
as he lay dead near the Bar Hook
pump house"
The bronze rider swore softly. IF
you're trying TO hook nle into some
thing by way of that he said, you're
up the wrong coulee. | lost that gun
In. crap game In Waterman four
months back. ! can name you every
man that was In that crap game. and
they'll swear to what say; and Ted
Baylor viii tell you that gun is the
one he won from me that night