The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1938-08-11
because Cunt DOke-.'
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because Cunt Doke-'
Abruptly Connor broke off what
he had started to say. He remem-
bered that he was talking to a man
said to be a deputy United States
marshal.
Don't get excited. Curly. You
wouldn't want to start a fever. If
I'm a government man, as you say.
I didn't come here to get you"
There's nothing you can get me
for" Curly answered hardly.
What you came to see me for was
to get me to throw down my
friends. Nothing doing. I'll tell you
another thing. Some of the boys
usually drop in during the evening
Better not let them find you here"
That's good medicine" Gray
said. and reached for his hat. only
you're wrong about why l came. l
thought there was a chance you
might tell me where Morgan Nor.
ris is hiding. if he hasn't slipped
across the border yet. l had anoth.
"er reason too. Sherm Howard's
day is over. Don't let him draw
you into any of his schemes deeper
than you are now He's coming to
the end of the trail"
Footsteps sounded in the hall.
Someone tried the door-handle and
found the door bolted.
Curly drew a long blue-nosed re-
volver from beneath his pillow. He
looked at Gray. The narrowed eyes
of the detective were like half-scab-
barded steel. In them shone a cold,
fierce wariness. His 1.-the body was
crouched. the tense muscles catlike.
Don't start anything" Curly
warned. a rasp to his low command.
Better tell yore friends that"
Gray said, almost in a murmur. his
gaze fixed on the door.
A fist thumped on a panel. do
we get in-or don't WEI" a cheerful
voice demanded. whats the idea
of boiling us out. unless-?"
Through the door came a jovial
chuckle.
who's with you, Mile High?"
Curly asked.
"Sherm Howard. Let US in, fell
low, and give US a knockdown to
her"
Might as well let them in" Gray
said quietly.
"All right, but don't you go reach
ing for yore gun. III be watching
you every minute"
Gray trod softly to the door and
drew back the bolt, then stepped
across to a far corner.
Come in" Curly said.
Howard Waddled in. Mile High at
his heels. They stared biankly at
Gray. The fingers of Mile Highs
right hand closed systematically.
but his arm did not move toward
the weapon at his side. 1t was not
time for that yet. Gray had not
drawn a gun.
Keep yore shirts on. boys"
Curly snapped. Il don't aim for
you to have any Fourth of July in
here" One of his hands was under
the sheet.
The opaque eyes of Howard shift
ed to the man in the bed. What
does this mean, Curly? You throw
ing in with this spy"
mo. Sherm. He says he drapped
in to ask me where is Morg. And
don't make any more cracks like
that. There's dynamite in them. It's
liable to 60 off and blow someone
up. 1t might be you" Curly spoke
softly, but his mouth was a thin
straight line not r~eassuring.
Don't get on the prod, Curly
answered Howard crustily. when I
find you locked in a room with this
fellow who is here trying to make us
trouble. I'm entitled to ask ques-
TONS"
Sure, but ask 'em gentle.
Sherm."
The lank cowpuncher flung out
abrupt inquiries. when did this
bird come to town. Curly? What's
he doing here? I'll say he can't get
away with any such shenanigan. He
tipped off Lee Chiswick about the
Live Oak business. and he can't tell
me anything different"
Blame yoreself and Sherm and
Morg for that, Mile High" said
Curly. You rode out asking for
trouble"
The blank eyes of Howard rested
on the marshal. Nothing to that,
Curly. The boys were attacked by
these smugglers while riding peace
ably through the canyon. I don't
know whether Lee Chiswick melted
that or not. but he was right there
to cut off the retreat of friends.
Looks to me like he was in with the
greasers to fix up the ambush. This
fellow Gray too. We don't know a
thing about him even now. He has
lied about himself and abused our
kindness from the start. But we're
not looking for trouble. Come on,
Mile High. Well go where we are
welcome. I'm disappointed in Cur
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