The Washington times., 1938-02-07

sleep undisturbed.
Back in the Maricopa, the quiet
faced stranger watched Hogan
come in and get the beer and walk
out again. He said to the barkeep,
$50 that was POGO st. Vrain,
was it?"
The barkeep said it was, adding
gravely, "Nicest spoken jasper I
ever knew. I like him, but it don't
sound right to say it out loud"
They'll make it hot for him."
the stranger said meditatively.
The barkeep laughed. Listen"
he said. leaning over the bar. That
beer was for him"
How can you tell?"
BY Hogan's face. Hogan was
scared. When Hogan is in such a
hurry to take a beer out he won't
take one hisself first, then he's
scared. And there's only two men
he's scared Of"
"Who?"
"McCandless and st. Vrain."
"And McCandlesS is scared of
st. Vrain, too"
The barkeep winked. Right.
Figure it out for yourself"
Compared with the eight neat,
blue uniformed soldiers who,
along with the sergeant, consti-
tuted their escort, Cardowan and
Two-Way looked shabbier than
cast-off hats.
The cavalcade had come down
out of the mountains that morn
ing and were riding through the
foothills now. TWo-Way reckoned
they we're not more than an hour
from Rincon. Realizing this, ne
knew it was time to speak what
had been in his mind all morning.
He began on Sergeant Rourke
with one of the devious introduc-
tions which invariably paved the
way to his getting what he wanted.
THAT captain of yours over
yonder is a white man, all right.
He don't mind breakin' rules to
help man."
He's all right" Rourke agreed,
"but he don't break rules"
Two-Way looked mildly sur
priSed. You mean he never
broke a rule by sendin' you men
to guard us and our gold?"
"Nah," Rourke said. That's
what the Army's for our here
to look after property and people
and bring some kind Of order.
He can use his own judgment
about things like this"
But you men catch It when
you use yours. Is that it?"
Rourke Spat abstractedly and
turned the question over in his
mind. mo, I wouldn't say that.
We carry out orders, but 1t don't
matter how very much"
For instance" Two-Way said,
you mean to say that you could
go against order in this case? The
captain said to escort me and my
partner to Rincon. What is that
wasn't very smart?"
"Why amt it?"
Two-Way pretended to think a
minute. why, if we was to ride
into Rincon with eight soldiers
guardin' us, every one would know
we had somethin' valuable in them
packs. Soon's you soldiers leave.
they'd start snoopin'. And as
soon as they were sure it was gold,
they'd cut our throats in a min.
ute"
Rourke looked at him scowling.
But If we was to drift in
alone" Two-Way con t inued,
they'd put us down for a couple
of mountain buns and never give
us thought. Amt that right?"
DANCED if it amt" Rourke
agreed. 1T amt no usual thing
for the Army to guard a couple
of fellahs like you"
Then how about it?" Two
Way said frankly, and he smiled
that diSarming smile. "You turn
back now and we wander into
town alone. If the captain asks
you about it. tell him we asked
to go in alone"
Rourke pulled his horse up and
the rest followed suit. They
gathered around him while he
told them of Two.Way's PROPOSE.
tion. The soldiers agreed with
!, their sergeant.
Two-Way brought out a handful
of money and rendered it to
Rourke, who shook his head.
} We're paid by Uncle Sam, mis-
ter" he said gravely.
: Two-Way smiled. This is no
bribe. Take it. If you won't keep
it for yourselves, turn it over to
the company mess for a feed"
Put this way, Rourke could
!, hardly refuse. Two.Way thanked
them. Cardowan seconding him;
| they shook hands all around and
the detail turned and started
back.
(Tn he cOnkinuaHl