Hungry Horse news and Columbian. [volume] (Columbia Falls, Mont.) 1946-1948, 1948-01-30
CHAPTER XVI

jeff Brand said bluntly, "That's
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 SIS 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 I
reckon it must be true"
"How 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"
II hope not" Carey said. "But
I'm not Black Yeager. He was
tough, surly hombre, and there
might be one of his so-called friends
waiting to get a chance at him."
$50 he rode with Black for 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
ly. 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. don't
enjoy the reputation of being man
who kills from ambush"
did you bring the body in, Mr..
Terry?" Carey asked.
mo, 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, MIR.
Brand" his host said. LAS l men,
toned before, strictly business
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
wiches on a platter and pot of cof-
ZEE beside some cups. A bottle Of
and glasses were on the
you've had a long ride in the
'ain," the foreman said. Jim Wong
ixed you up little refreshment.
III have your horses looked after
While you eat"
He left his two guests to them
elveS.
Terry is no more guilty than l
lm," Carey said. "At least l don't
hink so. But we'll know more about
his tomorrow"
Lane leaned forward and spoke,
llmost in a murmur. Has it ever
truck you, jeff, that the big COW
utfits may have stock detectives
ioht in dir rnidSt2"
"You mean some of their own
cowboys"
mo. l don't. Somebody closer to
he rustlers. One who sees them Of
ener and maybe rides around with
hem. A hester, perhaps"
Brand thought it over. Might be
O. If could prove it on one l
you'd sure give him quick ticket to
.ingdom Come. But what has that
ot to do with this AFFAIR.""
might have nothing to do with it.
tight have a lot. A spy like that
Tho could be hired to give away
is friends would not stop at murder
rom ambush
The three men breakfasted early
nd were on their way before sun.
p. They took with them a pack.
orse to bring back the body During ,
1e night the rain had spent itself
nd there was now not a cloud in the
KY.
The Diamond Reverse B riders
,ined them at the edge of the grove.
Tracks of the horses are still
one Of them said. II was I
cared the rain might wash them
Ut, but it didn't come down hard !
1ough."
Carey and Brand examined the
ody. 1t told story of unexpected r
cath. The powder burn on the I
zee showed that the revolver had n
zen fired very close to the victim. v