writing from a nearby town, it inquired if he’d heard anything of the Kid, adding he’d left him in Ponoka. “I’ve a hunch,” Tyrrell informed the Constable, ‘that he’ll blow into town. There’s one place he’s sure to make for. Stick around Mike’s Saloon and keep your eyes skinned. It’s a tough joint. Don’t let anyone know you're an officer. Cops ain't welcome there.’

With Const. Firth attired in soiled overalls and battered slouch hat hanging around the saloon and Hetherington keep- ing in close touch, day followed day with- out a sign of the wanted man. Again Hetherington felt that the fates were against him. Suddenly Firth burst into the room, his dirt-stained face alight with excitement. “He’s there!” he cried. “Pas- sing himself as Chuck Stirling. But he’s cagey as hell. Jumped me right away. Wanted to know what in hell line I followed and how long I’d been in Great Falls. Seems to have a hunch he’s being tailed. He’s packing a gat. I felt it when I nudged against him at the bar. That's what got him nasty.”

“Cover the back door and I'll take the front,’ Hetherington looked at his re- volver. “Keep in the dark and shadow him till you get him alone.”

In the dark shadows overlooking the front entrance to Mike’s Saloon, Hether- ington crouched with pounding pulses. At last the fruits of a year’s seemingly hopeless toil were within his grasp—unless

WOOLLENS CLOTHING UNIFORMS

78 East Second Ave.

he blundered. Dark figures reeled into the moonlight, shouting ribald songs. Twice about to pounce upon a tall figure that, in the deceptive light, resembled his prey he drew back just in time to avoid expos- ing his hand.

Another bunch of roisterers staggered through the slatted door. This time there was an inflection in one man’s voice which seemed familiar. It bore the twang of the Bullock family at Asker. As they lurched down the street the Mountie slunk from shadow to shadow. After a noisy parting the man he sought reeled on alone.

Suddenly the tall form of Hetherington stumbled into the reeling man. “Hello, Stirling,” he kept his face in the shadow. “Who'd have thought of meeting you here!”

The man drew swiftly taut and stared.

“Sorry,” the Constable watched him narrowly, “Aren't you Chuck Stirling ?”

“That’s the name I go by,” the gimlet eyes of the tall man attempted to pierce the gloom.

Hetherington’s hand tightened around his revolver butt, his finger stole to the trigger. “Wasn't Bud Bullock good enough?’ His voice was brittle.

“Not after that wife of mine tried to hook me for alimony . . . Say! What tha

. what tha...” He lurched belliger- ently forward, “What tha hell’s all this to you?” ;

“Nothing,” remarked Hetherington with deceptive softness. “What I’m in-

Compliments of

GORDON CAMPBELL LTD.

Wholesale

Vancouver, B.C.

Rv Bach bee bp srse PSAs Res hale iee SPAS A Moen brs Ale eb Bh mes ks

Phone FAirmont 1241

terested in is a friend of yours named Stainton.”

“You mean Kid Stainton?” His hand dropped towards his hip pocket. “I left him up in Canada.”

Next moment Hetherington’s Colt flashed in his face. “You mean you left him in his grave!’ The constable’s fingers caught Bullock's arm in a vice-like grip. “T’m Const. Hetherington of the police. You're under arrest for murder.”

Before Justice Scott of the Edmonton Assize Court, Bud Bullock prepared to fight for his life. Assailed by the Defence Attorney, Hetherington’s report was torn to shreds. “You stated,” he thundered, “that the dead man measured five-feet- ten inches yet Leon Stainton was only five-foot-seven. And,” the Attorney went on blisteringly, ‘you listed the corpse as being that of a man of around 25, yet Leon Stainton was just a boy of 18.” Bud Bullock smiled exultantly from the dock. |

Leaving the courtroom Hetherington returned a few minutes later and ushered in Mr. Tair, owner of the Bullock home, who had visited them the evening Bud was there.

“They told me they were astonished at Bud’s visit,” the surprise witness testi- fied. “Said they'd gone to bed when they were awakened by two loud shots behind the house. Jimmy ran out and a moment later Bud appeared at the door. The Bul-

THE SHOULDER STRAP