The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1941-09-11
CHAPTER XVIII

gerly. Larry caught him as he
started to slump down.
Better lie there on the bed, Ter
~ said. without looking round Let
Larry have your rifle
jeff looked at Terry's fat, strong
back with cold dislike. This was a
nice pickle TO be in. Without know
ing Il, he had come to rescue an
enemy, and by another queer topsy-
tuTvy quirk the man had saved him.
low soon viii your friends get
here?" Larry asked. II reckon they
are gathering quick as they can
y sent Lee Hart out to pass the
word. My guess would be, IN an
other hour and a hall"
After a pause, I'VE can't stand
them of another hour and half, "
Terry said
4 sinister light quickened Jeffs
face. He said ironically: You'll be
able 10 make a nice deal for your
selves now. They won't have two
70 hang, but one is better than
none"
Terry did not answer. Larry
flushed angrily.
You have a fine way of making
friends, jeff" he said.
Pm particular about who my
friends are" Brand jeered.
I've noticed that. A scoundrel
like Lee Hart who shoots from back
Of q wall at a man not expecting it.
A buIlypuss ruffan like Jack Tur-
ley. A scaIawag like"
Don't talk about Turley being
my friend" JEFF interrupted. II
killed him this morning"
Larry stared ar him. ''Howcome
you 70 kill Turley?"
We found out he was the traitor
who shot Jim Tetlow and the other
boys. 7 gave him an even-Stephen
break, which was more than the
skunk deserved. We found the blood
money IN his cabin"
Terry looked at him, and the eyes
of the ranchman were hard as
aga1es. They are starting the wag-
on. In ten minutes we may all be
dead. I told you before had moth
ing 10 do with those murders, and
tell you so now"
They've stopped the wagon"
Larry interrupted. Someone has
brought in q horse without a rider.
Looks like the roam you were on.
Bet a dollar they have recognized
the morse and are having pow-wow
about it."
It looks like only one of us may
be dead IN ten minutes - jeff
snarled. III take that rifle now,
Larry 7 aim to go out in smoke"
Larry looked at the Diamond Re-
verse B manager.
Give It to him." Terry said, his
gaze fixed on the outlaw. But don't
make a mistake, Brand. I wouldn't
have chosen it that way, but we're
all N this tight together. We all
come out of it alive or none of us
do. Let me do the talking; that is,
If any Of US get chance to do any
with these fellows
We're getting chance, all
right" Larry cried. Someone is
running out a white flag from back
of the barn"
Terry walked to the door, unbolt-
ed r, and waved the -four sack.
Ellison and Sunday Brown came out
of the barn and walked toward the
house, When they were about forty
yards distant the No, By 10 man.
ager shouted a question.
What made you run away, Ter
ry?" he demanded irritably. You
might have got killed
The Diamond Reverse B man
waited until they were nearer. $50
We might" he agreed, sarcasm rid
ing his voice. Whether we ran or
whether we stayed. Your hired kill
ers are too ready with their guns,
Ellison. I told you it would be that
way"
Too bad you were annoyed" FL
liSCn said, with smooth inSolence.
Into Larry's face beneath the tan
dark blood swept. Your hired kill
ers have been plugging at US for
a couple of hours. You're no better
than that dead wolf Turley you were
telling US about. The sooner you are
run out of the country the better"
Larry had made a slip, and Eli
son bounced on il. did 1 mention
TurIey? How do you know ne was
the MANI"
Never mind how I know He has
nothing to do with our complaint
against you. I'm going to see that
II gets into the Denver papers that
you attacked U.s."
Sunday Brown spoke for the first
time. who IS the man that slipped
into the cabin little while ago?"
Terry looked at him bleakly. You
wounded the man, whoever he is.
That's enough for one day. I adj
wise you-all to mount your horses
and get out of here while you can"
Don't try the high and mighty
with me, Terry" the No, By Joe
manager advised, restraining his
temper with difficulty. I'm asking
you two questions, and I don't in
tend TO leave till get answers. The
first is, how do you know Turiey
was killed, unless you were IN on
the job? The second Is, who did you
carry into the cabin little while
ago?"
You're out of luck in your ques-
tons, Ellison, drawled Terry. I'VE
won't answer either of them"
Little white spots of rage dented
EIlison's nose. by God, you're not
IN the clear yet, Terry. III tell you
that. You're IN with these thieves
or you're not I've asked you
two plain questions. If you are an
honest man you won't wait mo-
ment TO clear yourself.
Terry locked him over coldly. He