The Washington times., 1938-02-19

Put that gun down, Hank!" a
man ordered from deep in the
crowd.
"Just a minute" Hank said. II
may have to blow it out of him"
POGO considered a moment. He
knew the men in this posse were
divided, but it was the men in
front, men like Hank, who could
do the harm before the others
made reason rule. The only thing
left, then, the only thing that
would satisfy these men suddenly
liberated from a tyrant, was the
gold.
POGO said, IT know where the
gold is. I'll make deal with you.
I take you to the gold and you let
me ride off,"
And now rider pushed his way
through the crowd up to Hank
and knocked the shotgun down.
"All right, st. Vrain," this man
said. "It's bargain. Maybe
we'll get some of that back pay
now. Maybe it'll make up for the
starvation grub, the 24-hour days
and the drink money wages that
old lobo gave us. Get down off
that stage, and drop those guns
before you come"
GOLD-MAD MOB
Harry, from the seat, said to
POGO in low voice, Know where
it is, Poco?"
II know where it was" POGO
answered grimly.
want to try a getaway?"
"Huh-uh. Thanks, Harry"
Under the posses guns, to the
company of Harry's muttered pro,
family, POGO shinnied down the
stage and was searched for hide
outs. A man went for his horse
while others tied McCandless and
Two-Way's limp bodies on their
horses. POGO felt no emotion at
the thought of McCandless' death
1t had to come sooner or later, and
now it was done.
The stage was ordered on, and
POGO watched it drive off.
In a few more minutes they
were ready to leave. POGO was tied
on his horse, placed in the mid.
die of the posse, and they started
off. Around daylight, just as the
street was graying out Of its
shadow, the cavalcade reached
Rincen.
Hank said, "Where to?"
"The hotel" POGO said, and
yawned.
They dismounted and stomped
up the steps, POGO in the lead. He
hoped the gold would not be there,
The clerk reused sleepily from a
cot in the back office and came
out to the desk, his eyes widening
at the sight Of the crew of grim
faced men.
SEES KATE'S NAME
POGO said, "a couple of rannies
ordered some freight sent out on
the night stage south. The driver
said it was dumped off here
Where is it?"
Gone" the clerk said, bluntly
zone of the partners, the long
drawing gent. took it,"
"When?"
"Close to midnight"
POGO turned to confront the men
and shrugged, ANY Of you know
who that long, drawing gent
WASP"
"Who?" Hank asked.
"Espey Cardowan," POGO said,
quietly. He turned to the staring
clerk. How'd he get it out?"
IT helped him load it on a buck
board. I never knew it was that
killer"
POGO smiled crookedly, and
turned to Hank. "Cardowan runs
with about 20 men," he drawled,
quietly. "They were likely waiting
outside town. Any of you hard
cases feel like riding them down
and taking it away from them|
Then Hank started to curse him
with clustering, mouth filling
oaths. POGO looked bored. He
leaned against the counter, listen
ing idly to the muttering Of the
posse, looking at the register. Sud
denly, he bent down to examine
a name, then Strengthened up and
said swiftly to the clerk, "Who is
Kate Shayne? Pretty, light-haired
got eyes that are mighty blue|
SHOTGUN BOREDOM
"That's her." the clerk said, alb
sently. "She was registered here
but she disappeared around mid
night"
POGO swallowed and stared at
him. Hank had quit cursing now
looking at him. What time did
you say Cardowan left?"
"Close to midnight"
POGO felt a cold flush Of panic
creeping through his veins. He
said, softly, Midnight. Did Car
dowan see her, this Kate ShayneP
The clerk said, HE said So"
And then POGO turned away
sick. Cardowan had her. O.
course. He had to take her o.
else she would give him away. anc
the thought of that clean. beauti
full girl in Cardowan's hands madt
POGO rage. He beat down hi!
anger into some semblance Of con
troll, and drawled to Hank, '"Tro
along, Big Wind. The COLDS gont
for good"
Hank swung the shotgun uI
pointing at Poco's belly.