The Washington times., 1938-01-25
TONGUE-TIED

@A0VC A1ASAACO 0AAN PuV OH uA AL
around her father. Don't you be
lieve it. I'm going to stay up here
when the rest move down."
POGO stood tongue-tied, still
faced, watching her, nodding in
stead Of speaking.
Shayne said to Kate: Fingers
hungry, darling. And it isn't faI
from supper time. Go tell cook
to hustle it,"
When she was gone Shayne
turned to POGO. What do yoU
think Of our setup, Finger2" He
pointed to the four Shacks. THAT
end one is yours and shelton's
The second is where Kate and
live. The third, that big one, is
the mems bunkhouse. and the
cook shack and mess hall. Beyond
the Shacks there, slanting into the
peak where the canvas is, is the
shaft"
When the sorrel was unsaddled
Watered, grained and rubbed
down, Shayne said: Take your
duffle over to the shack, Finger
I'll see you both at supper"
CHAPTER VI
ENEMIES AND PARTNERS
POGO walked to the shack where
the long figure Of Cardowan was
framed in the door. He disap
peared as POGO approached. Pocc
entered and closed the door ano
leaned against it. The lamp or
the table at the end Of the room
between the two hunks was lighted
and Cardowan leaned against thG
table, the light from below
shadowing the lines Of his face
welcome, Poco," he drawled
and he laughed, making no sound
POGO smiled musingly, his hands
behind him. Hello, Joker. You
always come back for more, don't
you?"
Cardowan was still smiling.
you've won the other times, POGO.
This tirne you won't"
MOP"
mo. This is the last time we
meet" Cardowan said laZily.
"You wouldn't be that lucky.
joker" POGO drawled.
Cardowan's face flushed a little,
but the smile was fixed, trium.
phant. He said, you've stuck your
nose in my business just once too
often, POGO. That time you helc
my bunch up after we stuck up
the Indian agency, I didn't mind
so much"
"Of course not" POGO said care
lessly. Moneys easy to get. Espe-
cially when somebody else gets it
for you"
IN THE TRAP
Cardowan ignored this, but the
smile was fading. 'I even didn't
mind 1t much when you packed
that stage on the Whitewater run
with a bunch Of your own gunnies
because you heard I'd raid it."
ooco laughed with the memory
Of 1t. How many men did you
lose that time, Joker? We counted
10 before you ran"
Cardowan ignored this too, but
the smile was gone. you won ali
those, POGO, and a lot more, but
this time you won't. You're
trapped. My men let you through
below. They'll be waiting when W.
come down."
POGO started at him blankly
then walked over to a bunk, un
buckling his sheubelts and gun
belts on the way. He threw them
all on the bed, then rolled up his
sleeves and went to the frame
washStand which held a pitcher OF
water and a basin.
did you know 1t would be
me?" Cardowan asked curiously
POGO only nodded and began to
soap his hands.
Cardowan said, "How?"
POGO cast about for a plausible
lie and found none, SO he said
There's only one killer riding this
country that would shoot every
passenger on stage just to SCI
the others squirm. Who would Il
be but you?"
you CATCH QUICK"
Thanks" Cardowan said fatty
"And knowing that, you came ur
anyway"
POGO said, do you run from a
rattlesnake?" and began to wash
For q while the only sound In
the room was the sleek whisper
Of him lathering his face.
Then Cardowan said. mo,
kill it,"
POGO looked UP, his face soapy
and opened an eye, "You catch or
quick"
Cardowan lounged off the tablC
and in one motion had pulled his
gun and cooked 1t and pointed II
dead level at Poco's body. Pocc
looked UP at 1t and went back tc
his washing and when he hac