Norfleet: the actual experiences of a Texas rancher's 30,000-mile transcontinental chase after five confidence men. Page: 55 of 369

NORFLEET

37

nerve to carry out my resolve? Could I snatch him
from his wife and children-from their candle-lit treetheir
turkey and stuffing? This sentimentality will be
my ruin, I thought. Perhaps the fear that I might be
put to such a test brought my evening prowl to an early
end.
As I went to sleep I realized that for the first time
in my life, I would awaken on Christmas morning with
not even one new necktie, but as a matter of fact, had
Santa Claus found my socks hanging over the jail door
at San Bernardino, he could not have filled them more
to my liking.
In the morning I went immediately to the Sheriff's
office. I had often heard of Walter A. Shay, sheriff of
San Bernardino, but I was not prepared for the kind
interest and co-operation he gave me.
If all members of law-enforcing institutions were
one-sixteenth as considerate, conscientious and willing to
co-operate in the administration of their duties as Walter
A. Shay, this world would be a lot better off.
Shay was on duty. I introduced myself and stated
for whom I was looking.
"I have a hunch the gang I'm after may be somewhere
in this state and I thought this as good a place
as any to get started," I said. "And, Sheriff, I'm depending
on your help. I'm 'green'."
"Like as not I can help a little," he drawled. "The
Sheriff's office doesn't make a general practice of giving
every stranger in town a Christmas present, but," he
added meaningly, "I may have one for you!"
I didn't get him at first. Then the truth began to
dawn.
"Sheriff !" I cried. "You don't mean-you-you--"
Before I could formulate the words, he cut in:
"Yes, I think I do. Come and see if I have!"
He led the way to the cells. My heart beat like a
triphammer against my ribs.
"Look in there Norfleet!"