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

come clean, Morg. We've got to
know just where we're at. Did you
do this Chiswick girl any harm in
any way?"
The sulky look spread over the
face of the kidnaper. Didn't hurt
the lii fool at all. outside of slap
ping her white face once when she
got sassy"
What are yore plans?" Howard
inquired.
First off. l aim to dress my
wounds and battle my feet in hot
water"
Sure, Morg." the fat man said
with oily smoothness. Help yore.
self to anything l have here. You
are welcome to whatever I've got"
Norris leered at him. I'll bet
you feel like I was your prodigal
son. A fatted calf wouldn't be near
good enough for me-"
His host decided not to put the
welcome or too thick. Morg Nor.
rls was not a fool when his passions
were not involved.
You can have it straight, Morg,
since you ask for it," he retorted
brusquely. you've played yore
hand like a Damn fool l was hop
ing you wouldn't show up here. but
would slip across the line to Mexico.
Well, you're here. There's nothing
l a do but give you a lift on yore
way. Right nov all the passes will
be watched. You wouldn't have a
dead mans cnance Of getting
through unless you had all the luck
in the world. Question is, where
do you aim to hole up? They will
watch Tail Holt the way a cat
does a mouse-hole. Even now some
one may know you're here"
"Only Sherm Howard. and of
course he wouldn't give me away"
Norris said derisively.
Sure nobody saw you come in?"
Sure. While I think Of it, Sherm,
I'll take that other gun you prom
ised me-" The slitted eyes stabbed
into those of the older man.
For a barely perceptible instant
Howard hesitated. He had a suspi.
cion Morg was not armed. If so,
he could be killed now with no risk.
The man had become a menace. It
would be we'll to get rid of him. He
could use just cow the credit that
would come to him for rubbing out
the desperate. But he could not
do it He found he had not the
sheer nerve to draw and pump lead,
not with the killers gaze on him
and his hand close to where the
butt of a revolver might lie inside
his vest.
Glad to give it to you" Howard
said in his cheerful voice of false
heartiness. you'll find it in the
of the trunk there. It's a good
gun too. Throws just a mite high,
but you'll make allowance for that"
You get it for me. Sherm." the
visitor urged. You know just where
is"
Howard got the gun. He handed
to Norris. who broke it and made
sure the chambers we're loaded.
Much obliged. Sherm." the out
said. mockery in his voice. II
can sure S this. Haven't had a
gun in my hand since those skunks
jumped me at Wild Horse"
The fat man made the best Of it
he could. He said promptly: 'I'm
not dumb, Morg. Knew all the time
you didn't have a cutter. Trouble
you is you're so damned suspi-
cious. Why wouldn't I let you have
a gun when you're up against it?
You don't think straight"
YOU'D bust a trace to help me,
wouldn't you. Sherm?" the killer
personally, far as I'm con.
cerned. you a 60 to hell yore own
way. Morg." Howard told him blunt.
y. But I stand by my crowd, and
n Of the gang. even if you
10 wea out our patience. You can't
stay here. of purse Everybody
n town comes and goes to this
house, as you know. Where do you
aim to hole up till you can slip
cross the border?"
Il won't worry you about that"
said with a cynical grin. If
pou are a Good Samaritan to me
while I'm here that will about let
you out for right now"
Il don't car where you hide"
he older man replied. Nothing
me. Go to the L c ranch and
stay with the Chiswicks if you've a
mind to. Point is, when they crowd
ne, I'd Like to make sure I'm giving
hem the wrong steer"
"Sure. You'd hate to see them
me. But don't worry about
t. They won't" The outlaw got a
basin, poured hot water into it from
he kettle. and reduced this to the
temperature. AL the time
,e watched his host out Of the cor
Ter Of his eyes. But there's one
hing you can do for me, Sherm,
Iince you're so anxious to help. I'm |
Ito be Continued)