The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1935-08-23
'.You bet your life It's flnali"

uIFdIu OF InlS J DuL CnlS McCOru Is q
man who means what he says, Floyd
IL he won't talk he won't talk. l guess
there's nothing to do but follow up
what Elliot says-don't 1t look that
way to your"
Floyd Hopper had no more Idea Of
what Jones was talking about than did
McCord. But he was poker player,
and good one; and he had been In
office for long time. ut sure looks
that way" he said.
Kentucky Jones said, you're under
arrest, McCord."
For moment no one spoke. A hard
CLEAN came into Bill McCord's eyes.
who says so?" he demanded.
Once more the sheriff, completely In
the dark as he was, backed Kentucky's
play gamely. II say So" he told Nc
Cord
Personally" said Kentucky, II don't
think you're guilty, Bill. I'll admit
was kind of hoping that we had closed
In on bigger game. Still, l suppose we
ought to be glad that we can hang this
on anybody at all. l guess we better
tell you that anything you say will be
used against you, McCord."
Bill McCord spat into the wood box.
what am l charged with?" he de-
manded.
'"rhe murder of Lee Bishop" said
Kentucky.
McCord's face hardened, but he went
back to the making of his cigarette.
I'm the first place." he said, Il wasn't
anywhere near it. And In the second
place 1t wasn't no murder. Lee Bishop
was killed In fair stand-up fight"
"That lie Is plumb useless" said Ken
lucky contemptuously because was
with Lee Bishop when he was killed.
Bishop was knocked out of the sad
die with a rifle shot, by man hidden
In the rocks three hundred yards
away; and the slug that killed him
was poured into him after he was down
and helpless, and / was carrying him
to cover. And my story is proved by
the nature Of Bishops wounds. Fair
fight, hi! That's murder-you hear
me?"
McCord stared at Jones, his face
immobile. At last he shook his head,
puzzled. II take all that to be free
hand lying. If you was with Bishop,
you'd know that l wasn't there"
HE was shot from cover, 1 told you,"
Kentucky said. 81 didn't see his killer.
/ could never have named you as the
man-if Bob Elliot hadn't lost his
CUTS"
"Elliot? Him lose his guts?" McCord
repeated incredulously. "That's hot
one"
Kentucky Jones shrugged. 81 heard
different" he said significantly. INC
Cord, If you've got anything to say for
yourself you sure better talk. tell
you, Elliot's gone out from under you,
you fool!'
Bill McCord stared again, hesitated.
Then he laughed shortly. ''That's lie"
he decided. "That's a lie from the
ground up! Neither me nor Elliot had
anything to do with any of this"
$50 be It," said Kentucky. "Floyd,
bring In Elliot. Or, here-Fll bring
him myself" He flashed a malignant
grin at McCord, and went out.
Behind him Hopper said to his dep
uty, "Watch this guy, Willier' He fol-
lowed Kentucky Jones.
Kentucky and the sheriff paused for
whispered conference beyond the
door.
"By Cd, JONES'" said the sheriff,
II believe that guy knows something"
"Of course he knows something"
Kentucky said irritably.
"But he got through the loop on
you," Hopper said. Hes too cool and
tough to stampede. You've played your
ace, and never took trick. What are
you going to do now?"
LEAD the jack" said Kentucky, I'M
perturbed. AS he moved on to the room
where Campo was holding Bob Elliot
he no longer believed that he could
lose.
A dissension was beginning in the
little room where Campo was presid-
ing over the now conscious Elliot. Jean
and Campo did not appear to have
moyed; but the boss Of the 8S was sit
ting up in chair. He leaned forward,
his hands gripping the arms, and glow
cred at Ragland with eyes that
seemed not quite able to focus accu-
rately. PUT down that gun," he was
saying. There's no d-n-" He checked
as Kentucky and the sheriff appeared.
''Tell him." Kentucky whispered side
long to Hopper, she's under arrest"
you're under arrest, Elliot" said
the sheriff.
"Tell him." Kentucky prompted,
'McCord has spilled the beans.'"
"McCord has spilled the BEANS" the
sheriff repeated to Elliot with convinc-
ing emphasis.
Bob Elliot stared at them vaguely
for full quarter Of minute. II don't
know what you're talking about" he
said finally.
Kentucky nudged Hopper, but this
time the sheriff did not wait for his
yvhiSnorQd inStructiOnS For tho fret