The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1942-04-02
CHAPTER v

CHAPTER v
His eyes grew used to the dim
light. He blinked around and saw
that the room holding him was
small, perhaps eight by ten feet,
with a door on his left standing ajar.
From his handouts yard of chain
ran to cottonwood log in the wall.
That freckled and cheerful cowboy
who had refused his drink in From
teras was chained on his right. He
grinned at Con.
"Well!" he drawled. "Out of the
stars, huh? About time. Nevil Lowe
hogtied you there seems like half
an hour back"
you're jeff Allmon," Con said
slowly. "Martino Palafox mentioned
you to us, the other night. YOU
work with Quirk Ellis, hear"
'sNo more!" jeff Allmon denied.
The door on Cons left was hooked
open by a toe. He looked into a
larger room, and lighter. By sway
ing, he could see two rows of three
men each, chained to the walls as
he and jeff Allmon were. In the GEN.
ter of one line tall man sat COM
fortably, smoking cigar, a dark
and handsome figure, more than
well-dressed.
That's Milan FAINT" jeff Allmon
informed Con in an admiring under
tone. He was sheriff till they got
the gov'nor to jerk him out, account
of some killings and missing cows
they say he knows about"
"I've heard of him." Con admit
ted. He checked himself as he was
about to say that he had heard little
good of FAINT, except as to physical
bravery and efficiency. "He was
marshal of a half-dozen tough towns,
before he came back here. What
are you bundled up for?"
''Title trouble" jeff said, with
widening of his perennial grin.
Con sat, with lessening headache,
to consider his own troubles. He
moved slightly and the handouts
pressed upon his wrists. Something
very like panic began to rise in
him as key ratified in the door be-
hind him and it squeaked open. He
turned to face short, wide man, a
very ordinary cowboy little older
than himself, notable only because
his round face wore tension that
did not seem to belong upon it. Be-
hind this cowboy, though, was Nevil
Lowe. He did have swollen cheek.
Sheriff." Con called instantly.
"Can talk to you minute? I was
looking for you when Balm jumped
me. I'm sorry hit you, but things
were moving pretty fast and"
Later" Lowe said evenly, with
out looking at him. 'I'm busy, now.
Come on, Chunky"
He went with the cowboy trailing
into the other room. Con had a
glimpse of him moving from pris-
oner to prisoner, seeming to inspect
their handouts. He talked briefly
to Someone-not FAINT.
Nevil Lowe came out, followed by
Fant's jeering voice. He looked at
a man in the door and shook his
head.
Hes not going to talk. I didn't
think he would, Mr.. Tension. It's as
Chunky said: Oh was a good man
and except for his mistaken notions
about other mems stock, he's good
man yet. Well just have to scout
around for his friends. Can you do
it?"
Topeka Tension nodded slightly.
Lowe turned expressionless face
upon Con.
81 wired Salado about you. I don't
know how long it will take, but the
sheriff there seems pretty anxious
to return any or all of the Rainier
bunch. He's sending deputies. You
played in FOOLS luck when you re-
sisted arrest, or you wouldn't be
waiting for the Salado men,"
Listen! Do you know Buzz Upper
man of the 20 Bar? He sold to Asa
Brock at the same time you were
dickering with Brock. If he's still in
Wild Horse or Vacation, he'll identity
me and prove to you by telegram
that I was with his herd and couldn't
have been shooting at that express
messenger. And in Wild Horse is a
friend of mine from the 20 Bar:
William Year. Goes by Caramba.
He will identify me for you. I'll
pay for the kilograms"
"I've got lot of things on my
mind besides you. I can't be both
cred, right now, with hunting trail
bosses and cowboys I don't know.
The Salado men will look you over.
You can waitl"
When the door had closed behind
Lowe, Chunky, and Topeka Tension,
Con stared grimly at it.
"What?" Con grunted, looking at
jeff. Didn't hear YOU"
You're up Salt Creek without a
paddle-and hole in the boat! Did
you really see Nevil Lowe in Wild
Horse?"
'I saw him there. He was point
ed out to me as man who was on
the edge of lot of trouble"
Briefly, he told of loves difficulty
with Asa Brock, while Oh informed