Browning chief. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1941-1953, 1943-12-17
CHAPTER XIV

"1'm sorry, Senior Lombardo,"
said Dwight in English. "We are
late, for the reason that we searched
in vain for George Rumble"
"He won't be hard to find," I
suggested. "He probably moved to
another hotel"
For moment no one said any,
thing, then Rogers turned to Lom-
bardo.
''This will interfere somewhat
with your plans this evening, senior.
But-perhaps we can go ahead with
those of us who are here. I'm ready
to be the first to put on the hat
and walk to the room where Cheese
bro died"
There was a stir among us and
we prepared to take up where we
had left off the night Pedro fled.
"Where's the quirt?" inquired
Rogers.
Here" I said, picking it up from
the table where it still lay beside
Elsa's hat. I gave it to Rogers.
And now we need Rumble's black
sombrero," I said, "but it's not
here"
won't another do just as well?"
suggested Reed Barton. He and I
went out to the rack near the door.
There were several hats there; none
as large, however, as Rumble's huge
black one. We settled upon one of
straw. The head size was small,
so that it perched on top of Rogers
rather large head as he began
slow, measured stride down the dim
passageWay to the door of the room,
while Pedro from his station and the
rest of us at vantage points looked
on. Rogers opened the door and
disappeared within the room. A
moment later he emerged to learn
the verdict which Pedro was quick
to pronounce.
mo, sir; he is not the one" he
said, his teeth chattering.
who's next?" inquired Rogers,
extending the hat and quirt toward
me. Barry, you play the role
next"
took the hat gingerly and set it
on top my head, although it was
better fit for me than it had been for
Rogers. I grasped the quirt firmly
and with slight sensation of cold
playing down my backbone l began
to walk along the passageway.
"Pedro!" exclaimed Lombardo.
"Speak!"
My heart sank at the sound of the
jefe's voice.
"He is not the man, SIR" said
Pedro in voice that was little more
than whisper.
"You are sure?"
Eyes, sir"
With an audible sigh l removed
the hat and handed it, together with
the quirt to Dwight Nichols.
You're next, Dwight, old man."
said lightly, although my voice
sounded strained and unnatural in
my own ears. He took them hest
family, but before he could put on
the hat, Margaret appeared at the
end of the passageway. She halted
abruptly at sight of US.
"Whatever are you doing?" she
called. ooh" Her voice BETRAYED
that she understood, and she moved
slowly in our direction. Its
Dwight's turn, is it?"
Eyes, dear" Dwight replied So
berly, putting on the hat.
The same hush descended upon
us. There was the same suppressed
breathing as Dwight moved SLOWLY
and deliberately past the place
where Pedro crouched in his con-
cealment, and on down toward the
door.
Slowly he drew near the door: his
hand was stretched out to touch the
knob. There was a sudden move
ment IN Pedro's place of conceal
ment. Lombardo was alert to it in
stantly; he made as if to leap upon
the man, then said sharply in Span
lSh, What is it, Pedro?"
The sound OF the jefe's voice STAR
tied Dwight. He turned about at
the doorway and stood in an attitude
of inquiry.
"Senor-" said Pedro hcsitantly.
"What is it, Pedro?" demanded
Lombardo sharply.
''He is the man, sir"
"This is the man you saw, Pc
dro?"
Margaret's fingers dug convulsive-
ly into the flesh of my arm; she
caught her breath sharply.
Eyes, sir; he is the one" said
Pedro.
Elsa joined US as we entered the
living room. No one had spoken in
the passageway after Pedro made
his accusation.
whats happened?" Elsa de-
manded of me.
"The pulque man has accused
Dwight of killing Chesebro," 1 said.
A curious light flashed in Elsa's
level gray eyes. She appeared not
to have understood me. I repeated
my statement. Dwight removed the
sombrero and dropped it into a