Show f ii oB abaldy aldy 3 by GEORGE T PARDY L archibald Drink waters episode in which john wilson murray figured of owen sound was a man well known to the country folk in the brov ince of ontario canada ills business was that of a traveling nurseryman and he drove from county to county calling upon the farmers with the object ot selling them trees and fancy shrubbery he was big athletic fellow of convivial als position a host of friends and boon companions who had conferred upon him the nickname of boldy drinkwater a sobriquet which he did not resent and by which he waa known everywhere he sojourned ed As a salesman bald was a decided success for he possessed an amount of bulldog persistency which usually its goal hen he approached 3 farmer with a proposition the chances were all against the rustic being able to evade his wiles for bald would stick to and cajole his victim with artful tongue and lengthy argument until he had won his point few of the farmers were capable of resisting him especially because of the tact that he did not insist on cash payments when disposing of his stock for baldy was always willing to ac capt a mans note for the amount 0 a purchase and in fact seemed to prefer notes to ready money in many instances the said preference on the jovial mr drinkwater a part aled the rural customers at first but a day arrived when the reason of hla peculiar taste in such matters waa re healed to them with painful clear ness iotes that came into baldys hands in the course of his business he als counted at the banks and there were a large number of them for as has already been stated he was a good deal of a hustler in his way suddenly without giving any of his numerous acquaintances notice of his intention baldy vanished from his usual haunts and the countryside knew him no more when several of the notes he had discounted at the banks were in it was discovered that the man was a forger and had faked the signatures to bogus orders and promises to pay the tanners w hoe names were made use of in this unconventional manner were naturally indignant ahert the forgeries came to light and t was just as well for mr drinkwater that he was safely out of their reach they had no iton however of allowing alm to get off scot free it it were possible to lay hold of him and a report of bis swindling operations was accordingly given the authorities the case was prompt ly turned over to detective john wll ton murray with instructions to locate drinkwater arrest and bring him back to justice murray proceeded to bill the fugl alve all over the country but this course resulted in nothing definite and the first useful bit of information obtained by the detective came from another source it was to the effect that drinkwater had a brother in law in illinois with whom he might have nought refuge the clew was of clent importance to induce murray to prepare extradition papers and start tor chicago baldy s bi other in law lived anear the village of at anns about miles from the windy city when the detective reached the city lie called upon the united stales corn who assigned a german deputy known as dutch peter to as elst him the deputy was an odd character speaking quaint inglish and given to the quoting of innumerable teutonic proverbs but as the subsequent pro went to prove was also a thoroughly brave and reliable man they arrived at st anns about six 0 clock in the evening and murray ascertained that baldy brother in W who was a county constable lived some 20 miles out in the country and was well known there having hired a team the detective and his companion started to drive from the little village the road was in eplen did condition enabling the horses to make fast time and at ten 0 clock at bight the wagon halted before the crossroads saloon of a little country corners town murray hitched his tun and entered the saloon followed by the deputy there were six men in the place besides the bartender all seven were drinking together and all were half drunk the moment dutch peter espied them he whispered to his companion dat IBS big polle und te little fellow be got out of te penitentiary the deput ys remark warned mur ray as it wae intended to do that he had A tough gang to deal with and he baat a rapid glance over the mccu pants of tiro room he bad never seen drinkwater but a fairly good description ol 01 almand tho first man he spied answered to it la every particular beai tall burly and with facial marka corresponding to theao mentioned in the police lacorda but a they all barned when the detective ordered a drink marby BOW te Ms intense that the second BMW was almost a duplicate of the first it was the most astonishing likeness between people that he had ever come across during his career as an officer lie felt positive that one ot the pair was the object of his quest but which one he could hot tell the men were playing pool and resumed their game as the bartender went behind the coun i ter to serve the new arrivals there was a mirror at the back 0 the bar and bunay could see the players reflected in it as he stood facing the glass dutch peter demanded some whisky and as he did so a ruse for finding out which of the customers was his quarry occurred to murray what s yours tasked the bar tender drink water said bunay in a loud distinct tone adding rapidly with whisky on the side As he spoke he watched the six men through the mirror and saw one of the pair of doubles glance up shift uncas lly eye the newcomers an instant and turn again to the game slight as the action was it satisfied murray that he had discovered which was baldy drinkwater he finished his drink and stood leaning on the bar for a moment studying the situation how to secure his man without a fight and perhaps a shooting melee was the problem be had to solve and tt did not ook like a tery easy one dutch peter also fully asahe to the serious ness of the task before them glanced anxiously at his companion at last a faint smile glimmered on murray s face and followed by the deputy he went outside untied the and drove the team up to the saloon and be ond the door then he turned and addressed his companion see here peter he said impressively you can understand that athla Is a pretty risky job that we have in hand I 1 ve picked out drinkwater among that buncia in there but pick ing him out and getting him away are two different things altogether As sure as fate there will be a mighty rough scrap it we try to take him out of that joint by force as those fellow s in there are all friends ot his they are not likely to stand by quietly and see him dragged away now my idea Is that if there Is bound to be a fight it had better come off out here in the open where baidya friends will find it harder to surround us the odds would be too beav against us in the saloon dutch peter nodded wisely yah dot iss so he agreed und he be one ot the two pig fellow iss he not es replied murray be Is the big chap who wears the gray hat we must trick him into coming out here that will be our only chance of laying hands on him tell you how we 11 try to work it you just step inside and tell him that there Is a woman wants to speak to him at the door be certain that ou come out ahead ot him and the moment you get outside jump for the wagon and the reins as quickly as iou know how leave the rest to me there nothing but a surprise and sudden action can bring us out on top dutch peter chuckled evidently the prospect of a lively struggle appealed favorably to him even though the odds were against them murray noting his cheerful grin and the solidity of bis square thickset frame felt much en cou raged to have his companion turn out a coward at a critical moment would have put a serious crimp in his plans for the task awaiting him was one that a man could scarcely have al tempted single handed dot iss a goot way commented I 1 the depute I 1 go now dmd get him loud he stepped into the saloon and murray took up a position close by the door holding the reins loosely while he awaited peters return it was an anxious moment and it almost seemed to the detective as though he had been waiting hours instead of seconds before the door swung open and the figure of the deputy emerged the latter obeyed instructions to the very letter jle gained the wagon with an active spring and snatched the reins from murray 8 hands just afi the huge burly frame of haldy drinkwater crossed th threshold he stood for an instant peering around in search of the female whose messenger had called him murray standing back in the shadow of the building with set teeth and tense muscles in readiness for a spring waited for the crucial moment to hurl himself upon his prey the big fellow stepped toward the wagon and hailed peter in anan tones where s that skirt you said wanted to eee me he demanded there waa no reply and the next moment staggered back as murray leaped savagely upon him the viselike vise like grip of the detectives sinewy hands choked back the cry for help which was about to issue from the victims throat then suddenly bis hold he threw all his ui a tremendous heave which huilete off hla beet and landed him irenr irl nr on the floor of the wagon dutch peter no ao ioor perceived the arrival of M JM than he promptly fell upon and held him down A sharp click fol lowed as murray snapped the steel handcuffs on his prisoner e wrists and in almost the same instant reached behind and snatched a revolver from hip pocket by athla time the man having in some measure recovered from the strangling effects ot murray a grin found his voice again and sent forth a hoarse yell for help it was responded to by a rush ot men from the saloon a couple of whom seized the horses heads while two others drew revolvers and advanced threateningly toward the occupants of the wagon they were confronted b gleaming steel tubes leveled in deadly aim by the steady hands of the detective and deputy the first man that kovs a step forward adles said murray a deep voice and the would bo assailants halted abruptly the bartender made his appearance with a light and was greeted with a of delight by the dutch peter tank you kint frelent cried the cheerful now I 1 kin see to shoot goot ills frank avowal of was rewarded by volley of choice bias phemy from the man in charge ot the lamp which was interrupted by mur rays voice stand back from those horses you fellows ordered the detective and who the devil are you to give us folks orders roared the man who resembled the prisoner think we re such blasted fools as to let you come our pal and of him off without mahln a move to help him that kind of game don t go here and dont you forget it since you want 0 o know so bad im a united states marshal from chicago and have a warrant tor this man responded murray coolly get a magistrate then boys and make him show his authority shout ed the leader of the gang dont believe him hes a liar and aan t got ua warrant howled the prisoner from where he sat with dutch peter s muscular arm around him a pair of damned frauds fellows that a all they are shoot era down boa dont let cm take me away to murder me at this juncture a man of more im bearing than the others of the crowd emerged from the bark room of the saloon and walked loft ard the wa gon cautiously he was promptly halted by when he had approached pro ached within four feet of the vehicle stand right where you are corn banded the detective harshly now who are you and what do you v an am a magistrate and demand that lou show roe your papers before I 1 permit you to take that man away was the reply w be a magistrate but I 1 m a united states marshal and not to be dictated to by you or anybody else around here bluffed murray my pa pers are in my pocket and are going to stay there ital take more than ou or lour friends can do to make me show then you infuse to show sour au for this highhanded proceed ln queried the self styled magas you can lust bet that I 1 do was murrays Mur rays emphatic rejoinder the officious inquirer stepped back a few paces and called three of the gang into consultation this action left but three men standing by the horses and murray called to them sharply let loose those horses he cried A derisive laugh was the sole response and bending forward swiftly the detective took careful aim with his revolver and pressed the trigger A loud report and spurt of flame into the shadows followed the two horses snorted and reared wildly as the bul lets hissed by their ears and plunging fiercely tore loose from the detaining hands on their bridles and flew down the road at a headlong gallop murray caught the reins laughing art while dutch peter sat firmly on the raging prisoner from the darkness behind came a medley of oaths and yells of fury re valvera volvera cracked and several bullets whizzed over the heads of the fugitives but the horses had swung smoothly into their stride and were racing rapidly away murray headed them for st anns giving them full rein and they sped through the night like swallows bound for home in the bottom of the wagon dutch peter a human cushion celled and howled struggling to free himself and calling on hla arlenda to follow and slay his captors veary ing of the incessant Inces sint clamor murray finally resolved to gag his cap ment the best thing you can do la to bar your doors and refuse them admission when they come the boniface was visibly impressed 1 I dont care to be drawn into no shooting affair he said gloomily but it things aie aa you bay I 1 reckon have to tell em to stay out doors j murray nodded courtl and stood watching aa the other proceeded to secure th doors hardly had the last bolt shot into place when the hoof beata of furiously galloping forsea re sounded on the road without coming to a halt before the hotel the riders dismounted and rapped impatiently on the door receiving no response they beat fiercely on the panela and a couple of revolver shon rang through the stillness of the night A clamor ot anar ensued none of this skulking landlord they shouted open this door in the name of the law or well break it down we are officers and wont stand for any foolishness A third and fourth shot followed this imperious demand and the landlord began to quake in his shoes looks like have to let em jn he said apologetically to AI urray it I 1 don t they it bust my door and you 11 be none the better oft in the long run murray eyed him grimly suit yourself he responded it there a anyone killed here aull be held re the landlord turned and began to unbar the door with trembling hands murray walked back to the room con the prisoner and satisfied him self that the door of the chamber in question was securely fastened then drawing his revolver he returned to the main entrance and stood waiting aa the big door swung back the three foremost of those who were outside swaggered over the threshold before a fourth could enter murray closed the live tearing lest he might rolae the entire village when they arrived at their destination and accomplished the feat with the aid of a stout hand kerchief while the amiable drink water snarled snapped and bit like a mad dog during the operation in the dead 0 night the wagon pulled up in front of the hotel at st anns with bagged fagged out horses panting wet and drooping drinkwater still raging refused obstinately to walk and was carried kicking and swearing by the detective and his comrade into a back room of the hotel to wait for the chicago train so far luck had favored murray wonderfully but be had passed through too many adverse experiences in the course ot bis boffl atal career to think ot congratulating himself until the journey was ended and the prisoner safe inside the stone walls of a cell from what he had already seen of mr baldy frienda he knew them to be men who would not lightly relax their et forts to free him from the clutches of the law that they would follow in rapid pursuit as soon as could obtain the means of transportation the detective |