The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1937-08-26

Dunn, to find out who was making
free on my range. To tell you the
truth, didn't figure you numbskulls
was equal to handling it."
Then it wasn't your idea," said
the sheriff, "to get him here to sieze
and suppress evidence?"
''When I want to sieze some
! thing" Horse Dunn told him, 81
| won't be sending for some old guy
the other side of two ranges of
mountains. I'll just seize it."
Where were you riding Monday,
DUMB"
monday I was riding Red Sleep
Ridge"
"And when," the sheriff shot at
him, ''did you first learn that Lon
Magoon was camping on "a ranger"
Horse Dunn did not hesitate for
fraction of second. yesterday
--when Old Man Coffee found Ma
goon's saddle"
The sheriffs smooth, cornerless
face frightened a little, but Billy
Wheeler saw that the man was not
surprised. Instantly Wheeler knew
two things. First, that one of the
Inspiration crowd - perhaps with
field glasses-must have seen Cof-
fee pick the saddle up. And second,
! what was equally important, that
the sheriff must have succeeded in
tracing out the dead mans horse
and had identified it as belonging
to the little cow theft, Magoon.,
why" the sheriff demanded,
haven't you turned that saddle in
to the authorities-to me?"
"Oh," said Horse Dunn with false
innocence, "did you want that sad
dle?"
The sheriff hesitated, unexpected
ly at fading of the trail. For a
moment he had undoubtedly be-
lieved he had trapped Horse; but
this hope was now trampled out by
doubts.
Zone more question:" said the
sheriff. Il want to know where
all your riders were, last Monday
the day of the killing"
oval Douglas and Gil Baker were
on Yellow Medicine Flats; Steve
Hurley and Tulare Callahan were
riding Slinkard's Hole. That's all
the riders I've got right now"
Zone thong more" said the sher-
iff. II questioned Hurley and Cal
lahan when they were in town; but
I still got to talk to Baker and Doug
las. Stay here minute"
At the door he turned and met
Horse Dunn's eye squarely. II don't
mind telling you this" he said.
'"This case is nearly washed up.
figure to pick up the killer within 60
hours" He went out, jerking the
door shut behind him.
Old Man Coffee's eyes showed an
inward smile. ''That last seemed
kind of forced in," he said.
Gil Baker now lounged in, taking
his time. The sheriff was impatient
at his heels.
Baker, where were you Mon
ayr" he demanded.
Gil Baker, young and hawk faced,
glanced at Horse Dunn and rolled
his guild of tobacco over his tongue,
Rode scope of ground, last Mon
day." he offered.
mostly where?"
Baker watched the sheriff narrow
ly. mostly Slinkard's Hole"
part of the time"
The sheriff caught at this. doug
las was with you only part of the
time, huh?"
Gil Baker studied him, snake
eyed. Cali the time," he changed
his answer.
"You just said part of the tim!e'"
My mistake" said Baker.
The young sheriff jerked open the
door. oval Douglas! Come in
here!"
Val Douglas was suddenly motion
leisurely, in order not to joggle the
| cigarette he was making. He stood
on spread legs, and across the Gig
arctic as he licked it shut he looked
at the others with an innocent gray
ity.
Douglas" Sheriff Amos demand
ed, "where was you riding last Mon
day."
II reckon I was in Nine-Mile Val
ley" Douglas said.
"How far is that from Slinkard's
Hole?"
about Is mile"
"And you and Baker covered both
Nine Mile Valley and Slinkerds
Hole in one day."
Val Douglas was suddenly motion
less. He had started to light up,
and now his hands stopped with the
match half way to his cigarette.
Without moving his head he glanced