The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1938-07-28

wick said. his speculative gaze on
the red-headed man. Ruth doesn't
understand that this is in the days
work for an officer. that he doesn't
rub out the scoundrel personally.
You and I know it is the law wipes
him out"
$50 I'm an officer, am II" Gray
countered.
Must be. The criminal on the
dodge story won't hold water. OF
our you're under sealed orders
and can't talk. Probably you're
gathering information. Well. when
you've got it count on me if you
need help"
Much obliged. may take you
up on that. I'm going to drift to
town today. but before | go l want
to talk with young Howard. If you
don't mind"
I'm have the boys bring him in
to you" Ch;swick rose from the
chair where he had been sitting.
About that going to town? You
mean Tail Holt?"
yes"
Don't you reckon that would be
a little foolhardy? BY this time
Sherm Howard must have a pretty
good idea you are responsible for
his boys falling down at Live Oak
canyon"
Gray smiled. Some might say it
was foolhardy for you to have gone
out into the brush to collect the
Brayton gang about ten years ago."
The former captain of Rangers
dropped the point. He had taken
his life in his hands to run down this
bunch Of outlaws. There had been
a special reason for this. an init
mate and personal M though he
would have done it anyhow from a
sense Of duty. But that reason was
one he could not discuss with any.
one. They had killed his oldest son..
a boy Of nineteen. a fine lad who
had enlisted in the Rangers a
month or two before.
To get evidence against the Bray.
ton gang, Lee Chiswick had gone
into the brush country alone and
spent weeks there. Not until he
had built up a convincing case had
he sent for his men. There had
been only one slip-up. He mentioned
this now. harshly. his eyes fierce
and hungry.
Il didn't do so good a job" he
said. Il missed one the brains of
the outfit. He escaped"
Il didn't know that" Gray re.
piled. Left the country. l reck-
on."
Yes. Left Texas and came
here"
"Here?" The steady eyes of his
guest were fixed on the cattleman.
Unless I've been fooling myself
for years. I'd never met Buck
Brayton, so there's a millionth
chance I'm wrong"
'Sherm Howard" Gray guessed.
Yes. Hope you have better luck
and don't let him slip away"
I'm put my cards on the table,
Chiswick. No reason why I
shouldn't tell you now. I'm a spe-
cial deputy United States marshal
sent to get evidence against the
outlaws operating around Tail Holt.
I'm pretty nearly ready for the
gather. When l am I'll need you"
The face of the cattleman Lit.
BEST news I've heard in a long
time. The L c men will be with
you to the finish"
Good. Now if l can have a pow
WOW with this ~scalawag."
soon as l can get him to you,"
Chiswick promised as he left.
Frank Chiswick presently came
into the room, bringing with him
the prisoner Lou Howard. That
young man vas detected. sullen,
and alarmed. He no longer looked
the Beau Brummel of Tail Holt, but
much more a schoolboy called in
for a t%hrashing from the principal.
Gray continued to lounge in his
chair. He looked at Howard out of
chill, accusing eyes.
you've sure got yore tail in a
crack" he said at last.
"They got no right to hold me
here!" Lou burst out, his voice
shriIl with fear and anger. Il
haven't done a thing-not a thing.
Anything I've said because they
were third-degreeing me don't 60.
A mar would say whatever they
put into his mouth when it was a
question of saving his life. You
know that. Gray"
"Suits me if it does you," the
.crook-nosed man said coldly. I'm
q special United States marshal
s..ht to clean up the criminals in
this part Of the country. If you
want to 60 to prison for ten or 6f-
teen years, in the event you aren't
hung. that's all right with me. To-
day you can write yore own ticket.
but you can't do that tomorrow.
There r weak links in every
chain. As soon as someone else
turns states evidence, you lose yore