The Washington times., 1938-02-12

had his hands full, so that he
could not rightly land q telling
blow. They rolled off the cot,
onto the floor, Cardowan on top.
Two-Way got one Of Cardowan's s
hands in his mouth and sunk his
teeth in clear to the bone, while
Cardowan, his curses almost sobs,
slugged at Two-Way's face with
the fury pain gives.
POGO, aloof, watching it with
impersonal boredom, knew what
to expect, and it happened. Car.
dowan's long, lean fingers sought
Two-Way's throat, and then began
a stubborn contest to see who
could last out the longer.
WHERE'S THE GOLD?"
POGO lounged over and tapped
Cav dowan on the shoulder. "Get
up" he said.
And Two-Way, his eyes almost
popping out Of his head, under.
stood that help had come, and
he opened his mouth. Cardowan
rose, holding his bleeding hand,
cursing savagely, while Two-Way
lay on his back, breathing In
long, retchinG Sobs as he fought
to get his wind back.
POGO said, "Sit on the cot"
Again they were facing each
other, glaring. POGO dropped his
cigarette, placed a foot on it, then
said quietly, "Where is it?" 200
Two-Way and Cardowan looked
at each other, each calculating If
the other would back him up in a
lie or, if not that, how he could
betray the other. ..
Finally Two-Way said, 1T we
tell you, what's our out?"
I'll let you walk out Of here
without taking a gun to you,"
POGO said slowly. That's my deal.
I get the dust-all of it, You get
out without my cutting you to
doll rags"
you won't hurt u.s." Two-Way
drawled. "You can't. We're the
only rannies that know where that
dust is" He smiled affably now
and said: II think I'll talk to Nc.
Candless. Maybe he'll split with
us. After all, half is better than
nothing to a man with sense.
McCandless has got sense"
A SHREWD OFFER
"You really want to parley with
him, do you?" POGO asked politely.
Unless you start talking sense,
POGO. Give us your word that If
we take you to the dust you'll
split it three ways and let us ride
free. I'd take your word. You've
never gone back on it yet. II you
won't, then I think we'll just stay
here and start yelling for Nc.
Candless until they bring him."
1t was a shrewd move on Two
Ways part. He knew POGO st.
Vrain well enough to be sure he
wouldn't kill them both in cold
blood. But he didn't know POGO
well enough to understand why
he turned now, slammed the cell
door shut, and walked out.
Cardowan said to Two-Way,
you'll never make it stick"
Two-Way said, "I'll make it stick
better than your killing him"
Cardowan said sharply: II tell
you I pushed him over that cliff!
He'll, how do I know he was q cat,
and that he could fall three or
four hundred feet and come out
alive?"
"You should have known you'd
never kill him." Two-Way said
slowly. when he gives UP his
scalp it'll be to a better Indian
than you are"
In the outer office Van was
seated in a chair. smoking.
POGO said: I'll be back In
minute. Don't let anybody talk
to them"
He swung out into the night.
ducked under the tie rail, and
crossed to the hotel. At the desk
he asked pleasantly Of the clerk,
What number does McCandleSs
have?"
The clerk said. DOCS orders
nobody sees him"
What numner?" POGO asked
patiently.
Something about this still.faced.
too-polite question changed the
clerks mind. He said, Ten"
POGO thanked him and went up
stairs. At No. 10 he did not even
knock, but palmed open the door.
striking a match at the same
time.
Abe McCandless was doing in
his clothes on the bed. POGO
shook him and McCandless
opened his eyes. For one brief
second he gazed sleepily at his
awakener. and then he reared up
into a sitting position.
Come along" POGO said.
Without asking where or why.
McCandleSS rose and followed
POGO out Of the room. down the
stairs, across the street, and into
the sheriff's office.
POGO said to Van, "See that no
body comes in"