The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1938-09-29


Office the fat man was sitting in the
same chair, bent over the same pap
erS.
81 got tip on that bushwhacker,"
Rosy said. 'He had clay on his
clothes, didn't he?"
'The draw Three is workin' in
clay, amt they?"
II was expectin' that" the sheriff
said calmly. II got man on the
way out there now to check up"
''You think Hammond fingered il
might be a little easier to do bust
ness with Mary Winters if Dave
was out of the way, is that it?"
That's damn near it, Rosy said
grimly.
Don't you reckon the jasper
might have been some one Dave
knowed in prison and that had a
grudge agin, him?" the sheriff ask
ed. RI"
II know he isn't" Rosy said fatty
That's the kind of excuse these
small town laws start lookin' for. u
The sheriff's eyes narrowed a
little.
'How do you know it ANTI" he
said.
Because I was Turner's cell
mate"
The sheriff blinked. "You was?"
II run afoul togh-talkin' law
Rosy said He turned and started
for the door.
"Wait," the sheriff said. I'm
comm with YOU"
Rosy did not talk as they walked
together down to the corner and
turned into the bank. Inside, he saw
partitioned-off room at the front
frosted glass door marked "Pri-
vate" opening on to it.
Dave soon came. out with Pearson
and they walked over to Rosy. The
sheriff hung back.
"Mr. Pearson this is Rasy Rand
the D Bar Us new forman."
Rosy slid a surprise glance al
Dave, then looked at Pearson. The
immaculate clothes of the banker
covered a spare, thin body. Sparse
grazing hair covered an intellectual
head, the. eyes were sharp black and
deepest. Rosy guessed at once he
was New Highlander.
Rand" he said bowling. "A plea
sure. So you're the young man who
prevented the train robbery last
night?"
I reckon I just walked into it,
Rosy drawled. "I couldn't very
well back out without shootin.
well I had the payroll mcSay
for three mines coming in on that
train. Of course they were insured
but when-it saved a very costly
delay. I think there will be re-
ward or you, young man."
Rosy started to protest but Pear
son held up his hand.
II know. But insurance com
panies like to reward men just as
much for the prevention of the
crime as for it's cure" Turning to
Dave again he said: "We1l Davy
Things may brighten up x
Pearson turned and left them and
before Rosy could speak, the sheriff
was beside him.
"That bushwhacker likely come
from the Draw Three" Rosy told
Dave blunty.
Maybe" the sheriff said.
Dave looked at Rosy. The sheriff
saw the jaw muscles in Dawes face
bulge little.
'"The sheriff thought so enough
to send a man out to ask" Rosy
said.
$50 that cheap" Dave began
then clipped off his. speech, turned
on his heel and strobe to the door
"Wherl you goin'?" the sheriff
asked.
cit horse if you're COMM, >
Rosy told him.
The sheriff had. horse at the
hitchrack and they mounted and
headed out for the Draw Three.
AS they were in sight of the mine
rider swung into the road and
headed for them. He reined up, and
the sheriff spoke.
'Well?"
Name of Freeman. Fired three
weeks ago. Hammond could tell by
that scar you found under his
chin"
Dave looked at Rosy and they
both looked at the sheriff, who was
sucking his teeth complacently.
The sheriff turned to the deputy
'You 60 back to the Office" he told
the man.
Silently the rode up to the main
building. The sheriff Embossed his
guns, and took the lead, Dave and
Rosy following.
The door was Onnnnd and %he