The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1941-11-14
CHAPTER XVI

CHAPTER XVI
jeff Brand said bluntly, "Thats
your story. Sounds likely, doesn't
it? Black and this friend of his
were trying to drygulch you, then
suddenly the side-kick turns on
Black and blasts him. reckon al
most anybody would believe that"
Don't get on the prod, jeff" the
owner of the Box IS suggested. "Mr.
Terry could have buried the body
if he had been minded that way.
He didn't have to send for us and
tell a yarn so improbable that
reckon it must be true"
'sHow could it be true?" demand
ed Brand. Have you got any friends
who would 60 out with you to do a
job and right when you were doing
it pour slugs into your"
81 hope not" Carey said. "But
I'm not Black Yeager. He was a
tough, surly hombre, and there
might be one of his so-called friends
waiting to get chance at him."
$50 he rode with Black for a cou-
pie of hours and didn't crack down
on him till he knew there was wit
ness in the neighborhood to testify
against him later maybe. Too thin,
Lane. I'm not that easy"
The rustler swung round on the
Diamond Reverse B manager sharp
". "What was the idea in sending
for me?''
The frosty blue eyes Of Terry met
those of the outlaw steadily. The
idea is to have you examine the
ground and see for yourself. Idon't
enjoy the reputation Of being man
who kills from ambush.
''Did you bring the body in, Mr..
Terry?" Carey asked.
mo, I thought it better for you to
see it on the ground" He added:
1.-TWO Of my riders are camping out
in the grove to keep off wild ami
mails. We can't read sign till morn
ing. You had better turn in and
get some sleep. Well have break
fast early and take off by day.
break"
''That's good medicine" Carey
agreed. "How about it, jeff"
mo obligations on either side, Mr..
Brand" his host said. Gas ! men
toned before, strictly business
transaction. There will still be an
open season on me-"
Brand and Carey followed Terry
to the dining-room. Jim Wong had
set two places. There were sand
witches on platter and pot Of cof-
fee beside some cups. A bottle Of
whiskey and glasses were on the
sideboard.
you've had q long ride in the
rain," the foreman said. "Jim Wong
fixed you up q little refreshment.
I'll have your horses looked after
while you eat"
He left his two guests to them
selves.
Terry is no more guilty than !
am" Carey said. SAT least don't
think so. But wei know more about
this tomorrow"
Lane leaned forward and spoke,
almost in murmur. HAS it ever
struck you. JEFF, that the big COW
outfits may have stock detectives
right in our midst?"
ssYou mean some Of their own
cowboys"
mo, / don't. Somebody closer to
the rustlers. One who sees them Of
tener and maybe rides around with
them. A hester, perhaps"
Brand thought it over. might be
so. II could prove it on one
would sure give him quick ticket to
Kingdom Come. But what has that
got to do with this AFFAIR.""
'sMight have nothing to do with It.
Might have q lot. A spy like that
who could be hired to give away
his friends would not stop at murder
from ambush"
The three men breakfasted early
and were on their way before SUM-
up. They took with them . pack
horse to bring back the body. During
the night, the rain had spent itself
and there was now not cloud In the
sky
The Diamond Reverse B riders
Joined them at the edge Of the grove.
"Tracls Of the horses are still
showing" one Of them said. II was
scared the rain might wash them
out, but it didn't come down hard
enough"
Carey and Brand examined the
body. It told a story Of unexpected
death. The powder burns on the
face showed that the revolver had
been fred very close to the victim.