Evening star., 1940-05-14
CHAPTER xxi.

dances"
II don't 60 to Dances" protested
Caldwell. feigning indignation. "And
I'm not so doggoned old II
wanted to CO." He added, sharply
You're the one that looks peaked
I done heard how you was shot up
couple Of weeks ago"
by amateurs" Jim explained
and pretended to catch sight of the
fat little cowpuncher for the first
time. why hello, Pete! I was
just talking about you. Mention
an angel and you hear the rustic
of his wings How are cases?"
The baldheaded man retorted
promptly. I'D advise you to drop
that notion about me being an
amateur"
Amateurs are all right in their
place, Pete" Jim told him sooth-
ingly. Maybe you'll do better after
q while. They say practice makes
perfect"
Yeager snorted. Hump! One o1
these smart galoots who knows II
ALL"
Leaves Yeager Fuming.
Sometimes think you don't
like me, Pete. Well, I got to be
moving. Supper at 1t. Window,
house. Can't keep my friends wait
ing" Silcott turned to the Mexican
vaquero. Lets be going, young
fellow, If you're trailing me. See
you later. Pete. Don't take any
wooden nutmegs."
He sauntered down the street
leaving Yeager fuming behind him
Before he had gone so yards 9
voice hailed him. "You doRgoned
old buzzard head!" r..
Two riders were coming up thu
street. One was Rufe Jelks, thu
other Pesky Kennedy. Rufe swuns
from the saddle.
Wrist are you doing here?" sil.
cot asked In astonishment.
why, can't . couple Of cowboy,
come to see the elephant?" tn,
owner Of the Longhorn corral asked
hilariously.
They can but they didn't" jim
said. Spill it, Rufe."
Jelks grinned. I'VE heard thu
Hat T had moved headquarters tt
Santa Fe, 30 Pesky and I drifted
along to see II We couldn't get q
job
"You might, at that, before W,
are through" Jim admitted. "Res1
your saddles, boys, and come int
the Green Light with me for {
powwow."
They walked into the saloon anc
took a small table. Each ordered
what he wanted. Their heads close
together, they talked almost IL
murmurs. Jim told them the mos
recent developments.
Figured Santa Fe ~ Goal.
"Hmp!" grunted Jelks. Thought
something was doing when the Hat
T hands collected jess Lamprey anc
lit out with him. Knowing yol
were here, we figured Santa F,
would be the center of the storm
So we high-tailed it to the city"
Silcott rose. I'm due at 1t. Win.
dom's for supper. Miss Eliot /,
staying there. Later in the eve.
ming I'll meet you at the hotel
Adios, boys" +
Kennedy spoke for the first ane
last time during the conference
Don't let them knock yore blocl
OF, Red" he said.
Not If I can help 1t. Be bacl
about TO-"
Just as stratton closed his desl
and rose to go home two mer
walked into the ONCE. His hear
lost beat, for both his visitor,
were masked and one Of them hae
a ~ in his hand.
The lawyers right hand fiutterec
down toward q drawer still open
but stopped abruptly on the way
The man behind the revolver hae
said curtly, Don't, d. T."
He was q big, heavy man, witt
long arms and thick, rounded shoul.
ders. His resemblance to an ap,
was enhanced by the growth Of hail
that matted his throat and tn,
backs of his hands.
What does this m-mean7" tn,
lawyer stammered.
The big man padded across tn,
floor and pushed home the bolt o.
the back door. His companion
turned the big key In the front dool
and pulled down the window blind
80 we can be comfortable ant
not be interrupted" he explained
Stratton Takes Stock.
Frightened though he was, STRAIT
ton noticed that his height wa
below the average and that he VA,
Of plump build. Where the masl
did not hide his face 1t was high II
color.
IF its money you want"
The ape man cut Oh the attor.
ney's protest. Can the chatter
D. L., and do ,as you're told. 70,
know what, We want. Cough VI
that letter"
As the man shudled forward, tn,
revolver In his hand looked ~ largl
as Z small cannon to Stratton. From
the hairy wrist . quirt hung. Tn,
muscles Of the lawyers stomach
collapsed. He remembered wha,
Silcott had told him Of the foreman'l
Apache tendencies. But he mad,
an attempt to push back the panic
sweeping over him.
"W-what letter." he asked.
Don't play horse With me-" thu
hairy ape said. He stood with hi,
feet wide apart, his head thrust for
ward. 1T once start III rip th(
white flesh from yors bones with
this quirt."
stra*tou savs -. = havsnt u
3e ae