The Washington times., 1938-02-14

You own the sheriff. If you
gave the word you could raise a
posse of almost the whole town.
couldn't you? Added to that, if
you had an hour you could bring
about IL more hands from your
spread out north, couldn't you?"
Abe nodded again. Two-Way
was watching POGO. trying to
anticipate what he was about to
say, but POGO went on imper.
turbably.
Your word is pretty much law
here, isn't it, Mac? You'd never
let little thing like a trial stand
in the way of G lynching that was
due. would you?"
McCandleSs said deprecatingly,
II wouldn't say that" but his
looks, his tone, his manner belied
it.
POGO reached in his pocket and
brought out the folded sheaf of
paperS-the insurance mans iden-
tification papers, as well as the
papers Shayne had signed. He
held them up and looked at Two
Way. Remember when I took
these off you?" he asked gently,
sardonically. "Joker's got the
mates.
OUTWITS TWO.WAY
cts onl;- a short ride to Fort
BENJAMIN where the army will
/ back up the story about the two
pack horses and what they car.
ried." He paused. "McCandless
owns this town. You heard him
say So"
Two-Way licked his lips. He
was sitting on dynamite, and he
knew it.
POGO continued, "You know
there's two men dead already over
this-two men that aren't hard.
cases and gunnies, two men that a
great big outfit might have valued.
Understand what mean?"
Two-Way saw now what a beau
tiful trap POGO had set for him.
"All right. You make your prop
osition to McCandless." POGO
drawled.
Two-Way opened his mouth to
speak, then closed it and shook his
head.
POGO said, Then I'll make it for
you," and he reached out the in.
surance papers to McCandless,
who put out his hand to take
them. Two-Way exploded off the
cot and batted the papers to the
floor. McCandless leaned over to
pick the papers off the floor just
as Two-Way said, You win, damn
your black SOUL"
POGO stretched out his foot and
put it on the papers just as Nc.
CandleSs touched them.
Leave them, Mac" POGO said.
"You go out in the office for
minute. may need you again."
McCandleSs, puzzled at these
elaborate and wholly senseless do
ings, nevertheless rose meekly and
went out.
When the corridor door shut,
POGO said quietly, Where is it."
THE COLDS GONE
Two-Way, first cursing, said,
Down in the feed stable along
side"
He ceased talking, and his
mouth sagged. Then he leaped to
his feet.
Great God!" he yelled. "It's
gone!"
/ POGO knew Two-Way we'll enough
to distinguish his sham from the
real thing. Cardowan, equally
astonished. started to curse with
slow and vitriolic bitterness.
THE Stage!" Two-Way said
hoarsely. Has it gone yet?"
1T was in town before I came
into the saloon"
Two-Way sagged onto the cot.
"It's there. On the stage. We
bought seats on it and arranged
to have the stuff loaded at the
feed stable. It's on the stage, sure
as hell's hot! Or, damn, damn
-"
POGO turned and started down
the corridor. In the office he
asked Van one question on his way
out.
Where's your horse and what is
Iit?"
Rent stall at the feed stable.
Roam, branded Cross Hammer"
Don't let Mac talk to them. ="
POGO said, and went out.
At the feed stable he asked the
attendant. Were you here this
afternoon?"
Sure"
Did two jaspers leave some
heavy freight here to be loaded on
the stage?"
Sure"
was it loaded?"
II done it myself" the attendant
said.
POGO said. Saddle up that roam
in the rent stall branded Cross
Hammer and my horse. too"
Back in the office, POGO said to
Mac, You can go. Mac"
| McCandlesS left gladly. POGO