The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1937-07-29

harbored a springfield stream.
From its mysterious depths water
flowed in both directions, part
seeking the Bitter Root river in
Montana, and part flowing to the
Clear Water river in Idaho.
As Hastings neared this strange
spot, his mount plunged FESTIVE
", and instead of making for the
inviting water that cleaned ahead
in the moonlight, he baked and
tried to whirl back and head
through the pass again. Hastings
steadied the animal and. urging
him on with a sharp cut of his
quirt, reached the small grassy
meadow that bordered the stream.
Peering ahead through the
moonlight, he made out a strange,
hunched form lying by the edge
of the water.
He swung his mount sharply at
right angles and headed him away
from the gruesome discovery. Dis
mounting at some little distance,
he came back on foot to investi-
gate, a baff1ed sense of rage ris-
ing in him at the thought of being
cheated of his revenge.
He turned over the inert figure,
then let out a startled oath as he
gazed at the deadly white face
which he had exposed to the
moonlight.
Instead of the pinched features
Of Scrap johnson that he had ex-
pected to see, the stu face of Ted
Gaynor in its frame of glossy
black hair, stared up at him.
The Trail Of Blood
d EcOMING in the first surprise
N of finding his other enemy so
Unexpectedly delivered into his
hands, Josh Hastings stared back
at the seemingly dead face for a
long moment. Then he dropped on
his knees. and placed hand over
Ted's heart.
A grunt Of disappointment es-
capped him as he detected a faint
beat. But after examining the
wound that gaped in the fallen
mans chest, grim smile of salts
faction dickered for moment on
his lips.
Reckon good enough jobs been
done on you, after all" he OBJ
served callously. He rose to his
feet and stopped down to pull some
grass to wipe the blood off his
hands.
Scrap Johnson's saved me some
trouble there, all right"
He scanned the ground care
fully, walking back and forth in an
ever widening semi-circle around
the wounded man. Looks like he
got shot from ambush" he unused
aloud. as he failed to find any
traces of footprints or trampled
grass.
Hello! What's this?" He stopped
short and bent down to examine a
large fiat stone, that harbored q
strange dark spot on its rough
gray surface.
Josh Hastings experimentally
stuck his finger in it, and exploded
into an oath as he pulled it back.
covered with a sticky red stain.
Begins to look more like .
duel!'
He leaned down close, and
found several more dark spots.
leading away from the stone. Fol-
lowing them, he came to some
tranpled grass and, with growing
excitement. followed in the vague
tracks.
After going so feet or so, he
came at last on the object Of his
search. A dark form lay in the
underbrush by the edge OF the
grassy spot, and this time as Josh
Hastings leaned close to identity
this second victim, he saw the man
he had expected to find in the first
place.
A brief examination showed him
to be far less seriously wounded
than Ted Gaynor. He had evident
~ tainted from loss of blood from
flesh wound in his arm, but his
pulse and his heart both seemed
strong.
An ugly look twisted Josh Hast
lngs mouth, as he stood looking
down at the man he had pursued
with such ruthless intent for
vengeance. A cunning CLEAN came
into his eyes as he glanced back
70 where Ted Gaynor lay.
II was easy enough 10 recon-
struct what had happened. Scrap
Johnson had undoubtedly won the
draw and fred first, and Gaynor's
shot had gone wild, first catching
by chance the fieshy part Of john
sons arm.
There wasn't a doubt in Josh
Hastings mind that Ted Gaynor
was done for, but just in case he
might, by some miracle, pull
through, why not frame him. so
that the suspicion of what he was
about to do would be forever
pinned on this hateful enemy OF
hisg
He now had the chance Ia FIX
things SO that no question would
ever De raised about how Scrsp
Johnson met his end. Dead or alive.
Ted Gaynor would be held re-
sponSible.
working his daStardly plot out
step BY step. Josh Hastings took
off his bandanna and wrapped il
carefully about his hand. Then he
vent swiftly back 20 where Ted
Saynor lay.
sferarseAts 1857. MarSs 81 Nerueaz1 :
Nnarlr IA "a ga. 49,.