The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1938-08-03
COPYRIGHT. 1899
NEA SERVICE. INC

get something to eat later-may-
be"
Isn't there some way we can
warn the others" whispered Nix
XII.
"pve been trying to think of Il
way" answered Steve. But it's
too dangerous now. Wait until the
others get here"
Cut out the chatter said
Sarto roughly. Can tall of 1t,
see"
\ moment later they heard Il
halloo. Sarto came to abrupt
attention.. He slipped tn erltie
behind the bench where 1t would
he out of sight but within easy
reach. The automatic he held be
tween his knees. :,
Give 'em call, he ordered
Nikki. Just one and don't try
anything or-"
Hello" called Nikki, but her
voice wasn't very strong. -.
They could hear the cracHle OF
the brush and the sound of foot
steps now. A bird fluttered up IN
frightened haste. \ second later
Rance burst into the clearing.
"Nikki." ne cried. Thank God
vou're safe" He started toward
IN. rounIr sitting bV the tree.
whats the matter? Hurt:
What's wrong
Drop the rifle" 1t was Sarto.
He was standing by the bench
and the pistol in his hand covered
all three.
"Nobody's hurt yet" he said.
Drop the rifle" Rance let it slide
slowly from his hands, Sarto
walked over and ran his left hand
across Rance, removing the hunt
ing knife at his belt.
Now walk over and sit by
them. And don't you start any
thing either. III run this little
show" He picked up the rifle and
dropped it behind the bench with
the knife. Rance sat on the other
side Of Nikki. his face Il Devil
dered puzzle.
Just sit" said Sarto. Don't
talk"
They sat there in tight-faccd
little semicirclc. waiting for the
next returning Searchre. Nikkl
brrothrd 4 little PRAYER as AN
othrr call was heard. Please let
Uncle jim be careful.
Unanswered it" commanded Sarto
and she called out another
"hello."
A moment later her uncle came
putting up the trail to the camp,
his Stocky form pushing through
the brush impatiently, perspira-
ton rolling from his forehead.
He hurried into the clearing.
al knew you two'd turn up
safe and sound" ne shouted, his
ruddv face lighting up. Then he
stopped short as ne saw them all
three seated silently by the tree.
What in thunder" Nikkl'S
hands clenched.
Shut up" said SartO. Drop
the gun" Uncle Jim let the rifle
slip to the ground as he turned
slowly to face Sarto and took in
the Stubby. black gun.
Mister" he drawled. You
seem to be the boss right now.
But | don't think it'll last"
Get over by the tree and sit
down." said Sarto. And shut up"
"Where'S Bancroft?' asked
Uncle jim, diSregarding the last
command.
Dead" said Steve laconically.
Sarto's upper lip curled until
his front teeth were showing
WHITLEY through. "YOu know too
much" Steve thought for mo-
ment he was going to shoot. Then
the lip came down.
yeah. he's dead. And that
amt the half of it, either. So
will you be, all of you, if you try
to stop me from getting out Of
here" He jabbed the pistol in
Uncle Jim's direction.
where's Fiske and that runty
COW herder??" he demanded.
They're comm"
well. watch yourself when
they get here. If anyone makes a
move I'll start shooting and I'll
shoot in this direction" He ges-
tured toward Nikki. He added
Uncle Jim's rifle to his collection
behind the bench, just as the
crackle OF brush heralded the APP
proach of the last two searchers.
Rance stirred uneaSily.
ITO be continued)
! ]. u