The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1935-06-06
CHAPTER V-Continued

&hb w.
"Why?'
Because he lay on the downfall
side"
(which way" The sheriff broke of
abruptly as Lee Bishop returned to the
room with Tack Sanders sx-gun. He
took quick stride forward and took
the gun In his hand.
.What's the matter7" Campo Rag
land demanded instantly.
The sheriff drew a deep breath and
blew 1t out through pulled cheeks.
The eager intensity OF inquiry had
zone out Ut him. II never have any
luck he grunted. "This d-n thing
has sure worked out to make fool OF
everybody"
-What's wrong with that gun?' said
Ragland again.
Nothing. except the caliber,' said
the sheriff. TITS forty-f1ve, that's
what's the matter with 1t. How much
snow was there under lack Sanders?""
None" said Bishop.
"Lee,r said the sheriff. you found
Mason too: could you Judge which
Has killed frstY Sanders or MasoH?'
II wouldn't be able to draw any
difference"
-Uh, huh." said Sheriff Hopper.
This here Is the devil. When ! first
heard OF this, was hopeful we we're
out OF the woods. Naturally the first
thing that came to mind WAS that
Mason and Sanders shot 1t out, and
both dropped But the caliber Of
lacks gun--it throws that theory out. :
"Shucks-right back on the double
suicide theory said Kentucky. "But
wait mlnutel"
What's the matter7''
..The gun Mason carried was the
same caliber as this gun of Sanders
here" Kentucky pointed out. III
passed at the inquest that Mason was
killed by the accidental discharge OF
his own gun. How Is 1t we're so GER
tain now that Mason was not killed By
that raiiber?'
TIE sheriff pulled pipe from his
pocket and rammed tobacco into 1t witt
4 disguised thumb. Because" he said
'.Mason was not killed by the discharge
of his own gun. John Mason was muir
dered.'
They stared at him, and Kentuck,
Jones heard the breath catch In JeaI
Ragland's throat.
How long have you known this?
Campo Ragland demanded at last
1--WE known It." said the sheriff
-since the day of Mason's DEATH
Then you knew at the inquest"
Sheriff Floyd Hopper did not avol
the challenging stare Of the cattlemar
-'Yes,' he said. Il knew 1t at the In
quest"
I'm id II Isee your idea, Floyd !!
said Campo. What | want to know |
how much more you didn't tell tn
jury" n
Not much, Campo. John Mason wa
killed by two shots-not one from
gun OF lighter caliber than forty-fv,
Tomorrow the whole country will kno'
that--and our chances OF getting tn
killer are cut In two" He extende
his hands over the stove, but prompt
withdrew them again, and instea
peeled off his coat.
Naturally Kentucky put In equt
bly,, tits easier to catch criminal wh
thinks he's safe"
"And easier yet" said Campo /
ritably, ITO explain away killing {
an accidents"
YES" said the sheriff without hea
He returnrd ftagiand's stare 'ttrr0ue
the smoke cloud from his pipe. "B,
l also had one or two other reason
For one thing, this Is some worse tha
Just one-man killing Campo. 1t
kicked the whole Of Wolf Bench on
the edge Of general smash"
I'VE all have reason to know that
Ragland growled.
All right. Suppose now somebot
that don't know much about 1t picl
himself out first-class suspect Su
pose, for instance, somebody ju
goes around Wolf Bench pointing o
that Lee Bishop Just happens to be Il
man that found both Mason and Sa
ders-both deep hidden under the snn
There's been many blow-up on lie
evidence than that-nnd with lie
feeling back Of 1t than this Is COL
to raise up here"
Lee Bishop said nothing. Cam
was cycling Sheriff Hopper narrow
"Somehow, Floyd" he said, ut seer
like to me you haven't come to yo
real reason yet"
moi" said Sheriff Hopper. He to
a deep drag on his pipe. Then
give you just one reason more. May
you've forgot, Campo, that John y
son was shot down within doz
horse jumps Of your own house her
and - by singular coincidence - I'll
neither you, nor your daughter. nor
sIngle one Of your hands, was ey
sithin earshot Of the guns"