The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1941-02-06

that you didn't think OF looking in
the post Office all by yourself, Bat
tle."
''No?"
"No," said Candy, for he knew
now how this discovery had come
about. "Pete Kelso of the n told
you / had been there"
Battles heavy head jerked. He
roared: You're some wise, all
right, aren't you? Well, you've got
your neck in a sling this timel No."
he added at once, I'm not arrest
ing you. You'll keep. But don't try
to leave!"
Last thing I expect to do, Sher-
iff."
Eyes shifting downward. Battle
went on, THAT goes for you, too,
Miss Helen. Don't leave the place.
I'm sure sorry you got in with a
fellow like this, but your handker-
chief-having your initials on it any
way, being in with the bullet stolen
from my inquest is mighty bad. I'm
| sorry, girl"
He continued to the room in gen.
eral. "We've got two slugs from
Ranger Powell's body, and now
| we've got this one. They all came
from the same rifle. You might as
well tell Cash Cameron to come on
in. The games up" Abruptly he
faced Hollister. "Will you take that
word to him, or will II"
Only twitch of jaw muscles be-
trayed that Bill Hollister WINGED un-
der the unexpected question. He
said nothing, and looked off away
from anyone there in the room.
Speak up!" Battle thundered.
'Think I don't know where Cam
eron is? Want me to say? He's over
| in Mexican Holei"
To Walt Candy, watching the
laws reddening face, it seemed that
| Ed Battle had taken this last shot
in the dark. But it had sudden ef-
feet upon Bill Hollister.
His glance moved quickly, not to
the sheriff, but to Helen Cameron.
Under heavy brows his eyes sought
I her in one short look, and then he
| was up on his feet.
| Perhaps only Candy knew the con-
troll that was behind the even flow
of HOLSTERS words: Battle, l told
you the other day what you were.
l repeat it. You're a skunk"
Battles mouth opened. Hollister
went on. ''Why don't you arrest
me, Ed? You've got the bullets, and
| suppose you've got my rifle. One
of your deputies took it from the
house while we were gone to the
first inquest, didn't he? Do your
duty then. I killed Drake and Ran
| ger Powell"
He held out his arms, wrists close
together as if for the handouts.
"Put them on; I'll CO."
1t took Ed Battle full minute to
collect himself. "You fool!" he
thundered. "You :"
In sudden forward step Hollister
was up close to him, and his voice
no longer flowed in even control. 1t
lashed out like a whip: "Then get
! out of this house! You travell Don't
| you ever stick your foot on the c c
again until you know what you're
| here for and come with a warrant!"
| He advanced, hammerhead fists
clenched at his sides.
Battle retreated, backing to the
| kitchen. He reached the door. There
he stood heavily balanced, uncer-
tain, eyes blinking in the lamp-glow.
Then the confidence displayed at
today's hearing returned. He pulled
down his hat, buckled the fastenings
of his horsehide coat. Once more
the sheriff of Emigrant County ap-
| peared to know exactly what he was
doing.
''All right, Hollister," he said, "Ill
be back in less than twenty-four
hours. With a warrant" The door
closed on his ponderous form.
From the moment that Battle had
| pulled out the envelope and told
loud-voiced what its contents meant,
Walt Candy had been vaguely con-
scious of a change in Bent Lavic.
Now he looked across the narrow
| room to where the deformed man
| WdS GiOQIllCQ lAlI 2Al8C w cIis
and the thing he had been only half
aware of, showed itself.
Understanding was in the sunken
gray eyes, and they were fixed upon
him. Then they dropped to Helen
Cameron, resting upon her in the
same pointed gaze. After that, the
old fellow hunched into his place
beside Horsethief Fisher and began
to eat.
Candy went out for hot coffee,
brought the pot back and filled all
cups. The meal lasted through a
Wordless fifteen minutes.
A little later, working in the kitch-
en-, he was again aware of the drill
ing gray eyes following him. Hol-
lister, Horsethief Fisher and Paul
Champion had filed outside. Helen
had contrived to busy herself in the
dining-room. Lavic stood beside the
stove, and all at once he seemed
like dumb animal trying to talk.
Plainly he had something to con-
vey, and as plainly was waiting for
the girl to leave. Twice she came
to the dining-room arch, looked at
Bent, turned back and continued to
be busy. After the second time the
old man took his hat from a nail
and scuffed out the door.