The Washington times., 1938-02-04

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was probably the sheriffS office,
because long dobie building with
barred windows abutted it.
He swung under the tie rail,
then paused to let a half dozen
horsemen ride by him. POGO OBJ
served them careleSSly, until his
attention was yanked up by the
figure of Abe McCandlesS, who
was just now swinging into the tie
rail in front of the Maricopa.
For one brief moment he con-
templated with a kind of sardonic
relish what would happen when
Two-Way and Cardowan drifted
into this. He knew now that Kate
Shayne had not reached McCand-
less, and that McCandlesS would
have no idea of what had hap
pered upon the mountain. In his
incesSant travelling from ranch to
ranch, from one vast holding to
another, McCandleSS would ride
the legs off a horse in a week.
rs THIS IT"
And because he was always
moving, and because POGO was
lucky and Kate Shayne generous,
this whole thing could come to a
head here tonight-only it
wouldn't. The gold was to be re-
turned to Kate. not McCandleSs.
POGO waited until McCandleSS
rro Q IicV1Ooy1TofaI oa6 m kIoa u1aIIr
and then he called sharply:
"Mac!"
Big Abe turned ponderously
as did most Of his men. POGO
started across the street saying
clearly: Don't go in there. I'm
going in. I don't want to look at
you"
SIS this it?" Mac asked quietly =
again.
POGO stopped and confronted
them. Not yet, Mac" POGO said
gently. II won't kill you now"
Mac nodded, much as he might
have received any news Of his
business. Only his eyes betrayed
him, his eyes and the sweat that
was beading his forehead.
POGO laughed softly, jeeringly
at him. you've cauhgt me with
only one gun, Mac. You and your
gunnies make your play, why
don't you?"
McCandlesS only shook his head.
POGO looked coolly at the lot
Of them, then shouldered through
the batwing doors.
McCandless watched the door
long after he had entered.
The men shifted uneasily, wait
ing for word from McCandless.
Slowly McCandless turned, his
eyes dreamy, his face utterly grim.
wait for me at the other
saloon" he said curtly.
CHAPTER XVII
At the sheriff's office on the
corner, McCandless swung in,
shutting the door behind him. A
gaunt, cadaverous man who had
been playing rummy with a
younger, shorter man, leaped to
his feet. They both did. The
younger man wore the deputy's
badge.
"Sit down." McCandless or.
dered. He pulled a chair up to
the table for himself and brushed
the cards off it.
1--WE had enough of this" Nc.
Candless began thickly, tapping
the table. We'll have a show.
down. Now. For once and all"
Who WITH" the sheriff asked
uneasily.
"St. Vrain. He's in town."
The sheriff exchanged a fleet.
ing look with his deputy, then
swiveled his eyes back to Mac.
1--WE got a family" he said.
you've got a job too," Mac
said, his hot eyes on him. DO
you want to keep it?"
Not that bad"
Macs fingers ceased drumming
on the table, and he said pre-.
cisely. pitileSsly, Hogan, I put a
star on you because you we're my
man, because you've got back
trail that StlnkS to high heaven.
I'm not asking you. I'm telling
you. You'll help me take st.
Vrain or you'll spend the rest of
your life on the dodge. Do you
understand that?"
Sheriff Hogan swallowed.
Sure" he said, and when he
realized that he whispered the
word, he cleared his throat again.
The deputy rose now and laid
his badge on the table. 80 long,
, Frank. 1t was a good job" He
walked toward the door, and Mac
did not even look at him as he
went out.
How many men can you raise
here?" Mac asked Hogan.
None"