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diff --git a/old/60797-h/60797-h.htm b/old/60797-h/60797-h.htm deleted file mode 100644 index 409e70b..0000000 --- a/old/60797-h/60797-h.htm +++ /dev/null @@ -1,7088 +0,0 @@ -<!DOCTYPE html> -<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> -<head> - <meta charset="UTF-8" /> - -<link rel="icon" href="images/img-cover.jpg" type="image/x-cover" /> - -<title> -The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Sheriff of Pecos, by H. Bedford-Jones -</title> - -<style> -body { color: black; - background: white; - margin-right: 10%; - margin-left: 10%; - font-family: “Times New Roman”, serif; - text-align: justify } - -p {text-indent: 4% } - -p.noindent {text-indent: 0% } - -p.t2 {text-indent: 0% ; - font-size: 150%; - text-align: center } - -p.t3 {text-indent: 0% ; - font-size: 100%; - text-align: center } - -p.t3b {text-indent: 0% ; - font-size: 100%; - font-weight: bold; - text-align: center } - -p.t4 {text-indent: 0% ; - font-size: 80%; - text-align: center } - -h1 { text-align: center } -h2 { text-align: center } -h3 { text-align: center } -h4 { text-align: center } -h5 { text-align: center } - -p.capcenter { margin-left: 0; - margin-right: 0 ; - margin-bottom: .5% ; - margin-top: 0; - font-weight: bold; - float: none ; - clear: both ; - text-indent: 0%; - text-align: center } - -img.imgcenter { margin-left: auto; - margin-bottom: 0; - margin-top: 1%; - margin-right: auto; } - -</style> - -</head> - -<body> - -<div style='text-align:center; font-size:1.2em; font-weight:bold'>The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Sheriff of Pecos, by Henry Bedford-Jones</div> -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online -at <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you -are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the -country where you are located before using this eBook. -</div> -<div style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Title: The Sheriff of Pecos</div> -<div style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Author: Henry Bedford-Jones</div> -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Release Date:November 26, 2019 [EBook #60797]<br /> -[Most recently updated: July 29, 2022]</div> -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Language: English</div> -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Character set encoding: UTF-8</div> -<div style='display:block; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Produced by: Al Haines</div> -<div style='margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:4em'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SHERIFF OF PECOS ***</div> - - -<p><br /><br /></p> - -<p class="capcenter"> -<a id="img-cover"></a> -<img class="imgcenter" src="images/img-cover.jpg" alt="Cover art" /> -</p> - -<h1> -<br /><br /> - The Sheriff of Pecos<br /> -</h1> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="t3b"> - BY<br /> -</p> - -<p class="t2"> - H. BEDFORD-JONES<br /> -</p> - -<p><br /><br /></p> - -<p class="t3"> - GARDEN CITY NEW YORK<br /> - DOUBLEDAY, PAGE & COMPANY<br /> - 1923<br /> -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p class="t4"> - COPYRIGHT, 1923, BY<br /> - DOUBLEDAY, PAGE & COMPANY<br /> -</p> - -<p class="t4"> - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, INCLUDING THAT OF TRANSLATION<br /> - INTO FOREIGN LANGUAGES, INCLUDING THE SCANDINAVIAN<br /> -</p> - -<p class="t4"> - COPYRIGHT, 1921, BY STREET & SMITH CORPORATION<br /> -</p> - -<p class="t4"> - PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES<br /> - AT<br /> - THE COUNTRY LIFE PRESS, GARDEN CITY, N. Y.<br /> -</p> - -<p class="t4"> - <i>First Edition</i><br /> -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p class="t3b"> - CONTENTS<br /> -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> - CHAPTER<br /> -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> - I. <a href="#chap01">Jack Robinson</a><br /> - II. <a href="#chap02">Exit Matt Brady</a><br /> - III. <a href="#chap03">Robinson’s Partner</a><br /> - IV. <a href="#chap04">Buck Lays Plans</a><br /> - V. <a href="#chap05">Buck’s Lucky Day</a><br /> - VI. <a href="#chap06">Proof</a><br /> - VII. <a href="#chap07">Masks Off</a><br /> - VIII. <a href="#chap08">Exit Mr. P. Brady</a><br /> - IX. <a href="#chap09">Fisher Rides North</a><br /> - X. <a href="#chap10">The Last Stake</a><br /> - XI. <a href="#chap11">The Trap Is Sprung</a><br /> - XII. <a href="#chap12">The Clean-Up</a><br /> - XIII. <a href="#chap13">Finis</a><br /> -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap01"></a></p> - -<p class="t2"> -THE SHERIFF OF PECOS -</p> - -<p><br /><br /></p> - -<h3> -CHAPTER I -<br /><br /> -JACK ROBINSON -</h3> - -<p> -Besides “Galway” Mike, who was reading the -Pahrump County <i>News</i> behind the bar, there -were three men in Mike’s Place. One of the three -was a stranger. He sat drowsily at the corner -table, hat pulled over his eyes, whisky untasted. -The other two stood at the bar. -</p> - -<p> -The tall, dangerous man who had a rattler skin -about his white Stetson was speaking: -</p> - -<p> -“It’s like this, Murphy. Right after the old -man died, young Shumway went to the pen. He -was caught dead to rights with a runnin’ iron, y’ -understand——” -</p> - -<p> -“So I heard.” The large, red-faced man chuckled. -“So I heard, Buck.” -</p> - -<p> -Buck grunted. “Well, Frank Shumway went to -the pen; I was sorry, too——” -</p> - -<p> -“Oh, sure!” commented Murphy sarcastically. -“Made you weep a lot, huh?” -</p> - -<p> -“Shut your blamed mouth!” retorted Buck, acid -in his voice. “Here’s the point: Young Shumway -had mortgaged the hull place to some cussed bank -over in Laredo County—some bank the ol’ man had -knowed. Well, he give Estella the money, y’ -understand, and went to the pen. Estella, she’s run -the place since, but it ain’t paid her.” -</p> - -<p> -“She’s his sister, eh?” Mr. Murphy’s red, -aggressive features spread into a greasy grin. “Well, -I reckon it ain’t paid her, with you fer a neighbor! -But go on, go on.” -</p> - -<p> -“Don’t let your brain git too agile, Murphy,” -said Buck, tossing down his whisky and pouring -another drink. “The place has run down. All she’s -got there now is Miguel Cervantes and his woman, -helpin’ her. Not a head o’ stock left.” -</p> - -<p> -“You done well, then,” put in Murphy, who stood -in no awe of his companion evidently. “You sure -done well! Ol’ Shumway had a powerful lot o’ -cattle. Least, he had when I was down here, time -the boy got caught and sent over the road——” -</p> - -<p> -“Times have changed since then,” said Buck hastily. -“As I say, Stella can’t make the place pay, in -spite of everything. Cervantes——” -</p> - -<p> -“Done heard of him in the Panhandle. Ain’t he -the greaser with a big rep——” -</p> - -<p> -Buck emitted a lurid oath. -</p> - -<p> -“He’s the one, all right—the cussed greaser! -Got a rep, and everybody’s scared to lay into him. -Well, they lost stock, y’ understand; the place is -run down; and now it’s near time for the mortgage -to be paid—which it won’t.” -</p> - -<p> -Murphy touched his companion’s arm cautiously, -and glanced at the bartender. -</p> - -<p> -“Him?” Buck grinned, then leaned across the bar. -“Hey, Mike! Tell my friend Murphy here who -owns a half interest in this joint, you understand?” -</p> - -<p> -Galway Mike looked up from his newspaper, -grinning. His broad, flat face was unspeakably -brutal, its brutality much aided by wide nostrils -which at some previous date had been crushed flat -and had never entirely recovered their beauty. -</p> - -<p> -He looked at Buck, roughly elegant in his corduroys, -fine boots, and handsome gun belt; then he -looked at Murphy, whose elegance was more -pronounced, but equally rough and ready. -</p> - -<p> -“Same gent that owns the Runnin’ Dawg outfit, -yer honor,” he responded. “More by token, he’s -the only wan, barrin’ yourself, who does be wearin’ -a coat these days.” -</p> - -<p> -Buck, taking a handful of cigars from his corduroy -coat pocket, laid them on the bar. -</p> - -<p> -“C’rect, Mike,” he assented proudly. “Smoke. -And give us that new bottle.” -</p> - -<p> -The bartender obeyed. He cocked an eye at the -stranger at the table, but the latter had allowed his -head to droop. His mouth hung open. He was -palpably asleep—dusty, worn out by hard riding, -unkempt save for the gun at his hip, which was -excellently cared for. -</p> - -<p> -“Now, as I was sayin’,” pursued Buck, who was -no other than Templeton Buck, owner of the -Running Dog and a big man in Pahrump County, “that -there mortgage is due. I been keepin’ tabs on -things, y’ understand? The place ain’t even able -to pay the mortgage interest, and I hear it’s been -advertised for sale likewise. All of which don’t -bother me none, because when I got your Denver -wire that you’d come, I done bought in the -mortgage in your name.” -</p> - -<p> -“Oh!” said Murphy, and nodded heavily. “I -s’pose you got reason for being so roundabout?” -</p> - -<p> -“Plenty. The reason’s Stella, savvy? I ain’t -aiming to figger none in this, except as the rescue -party. Y’ understand, the Shumway place controls -all the water supply on my east section, and I got to -have it; but I got to have Stella, too.” -</p> - -<p> -“Oh, I savvy plenty,” and Murphy nodded again. -“But s’pose anybody with money buys in the place -and pays off the mortgage?” -</p> - -<p> -“He won’t,” said Buck, his thin, high-boned -features showing a slight grimace. “I’m havin’ it well -understood that the place is mine. Nobody in these -here parts is goin’ to start buckin’ my hand, y’ -understand? There’s only one feller might try it; -Sam Fisher, a guy who was a powerful friend of the -Shumways in other times. But he’s clear down to -the other end the State, and I’m havin’ him -watched.” -</p> - -<p> -Murphy had straightened up a trifle. -</p> - -<p> -“You don’t mean young Fisher, the deputy sheriff -o’ Pecos County—him that’s goin’ to be sheriff there -next election? I’ll tell the world you’d better watch -him. Buck! That gent is one hell ringer. Yes, -sir, I’ve heard of him.” -</p> - -<p> -Buck grinned and lifted his glass. “Don’t worry. -He ain’t goin’ to butt into this here show, none -whatever! That mortgage comes due the first of -the month—two weeks. I figger to run her slow -until then, watch Fisher so’s he can’t hear from the -girl——” -</p> - -<p> -“Don’t monkey with the mails, Buck!” Murphy -frowned uneasily. -</p> - -<p> -“I ain’t,” and the tall rancher chuckled. “I -got plenty friends, y’ understand. Say, you take it -easy here until I see about them hosses, and we’ll -ride out. Mike, you ’tend to makin’ Murphy plumb -comfortable, and I’ll see you in short order.” -</p> - -<p> -Buck left the place. -</p> - -<p> -Murphy leaned over the bar and engaged Galway -Mike in low-toned conversation. Of this talk, -a few scattered fragments might have reached the -ear of the stranger in the corner, had not the latter -been utterly relaxed in shameless slumber. -</p> - -<p> -“——that’s the gent to be watchin’, yer honor—ain’t -a bad greaser—divil wid a gun, they do be -sayin’—some o’ the byes ought to be layin’ fer him -some night——” -</p> - -<p> -The swinging doors opened abruptly, silently. -A man stood in the entrance, stepped swiftly to one -side, and stood there with his dark-glinting eyes, -looking about the interior. He was tall, rangy, his -skin swarthy of hue; he was coated with dust and -perspiration. Despite the high, sharp lines of his -features, they were much given to smiling. The -hair at his temples was gray, and deep lines were -chiseled about lips and eyes. -</p> - -<p> -Galway Mike grabbed a towel and began to mop -the bar. -</p> - -<p> -“The top o’ the mornin’ to ye, Miguel Cervantes!” -he exclaimed. “What’ll it be now?” -</p> - -<p> -Murphy started slightly, turned, and surveyed -the new arrival with insolent eyes. -</p> - -<p> -“Thanks, nothing,” said Cervantes, speaking perfect -English—as indeed he ought to, since his ancestors -had lived in the county for a hundred years. -“I was looking for someone.” -</p> - -<p> -His eyes met those of Murphy. The latter spoke -challengingly: -</p> - -<p> -“Meaning me, maybe?” -</p> - -<p> -“No, not you,” and Cervantes smiled, seeming to -take no heed of the tone and look. “Another -gentleman.” -</p> - -<p> -He turned away as though to leave. The hand -of Murphy dropped like a flash. -</p> - -<p> -At this instant there was a crash from the corner -where the stranger had been sitting, followed -by a low yell. Murphy abandoned his gun, quick -as lightning, and turned. Cervantes also turned. -The stranger was standing there, rocking unsteadily -on his feet, before his overturned chair. -</p> - -<p> -“Thunderation!” the stranger cried with a -perplexed air. “Blamed if I didn’t have the worst -nightmare you ever heard of, gents; I’m a terrible -person for them things! Sure’s my name’s Jack -Robinson, I was goin’ through a reg’lar gun fight, -and me the most peaceable man ever stepped! -Ain’t it awful what can happen in your sleep?” -</p> - -<p> -With his hat off and standing erect, he was -revealed as a tall, slim young man, garbed in usual -puncher style. Beneath his close-clipped reddish -hair beamed a brown, laughing face which -compelled smiles from those who met the steady eyes. -That is, sometimes; behind the smile of those eyes -there lurked something deeper. -</p> - -<p> -His gaze met the scowl of Murphy, and forced -the scowl into a half smile. Then his eyes went to -Cervantes, who was staring open-mouthed. -</p> - -<p> -“Hope I didn’t disturb you none, gents,” he said -apologetically. Then he looked again at Murphy. -The smile vanished from his face, which assumed -a look of malicious recognition. -</p> - -<p> -“Well, well!” he said briskly. “If here ain’t my -old friend ‘Pincher’ Brady, what was asked to leave -Montana for his health’s sake five years ago——” -</p> - -<p> -“Look out you don’t make a mistake, mister,” -said the voice of Murphy, biting and deadly. -“What’d you say your name was?” -</p> - -<p> -“Sure’s my name’s Jack Robinson, I done made a -mistake,” said the other at once, and shook his head. -“I’m right sorry about it, pardner. You looked -a heap like a gent named Brady who was up in -Montana one time, but now I see you ain’t him -a-tall.” -</p> - -<p> -“No, he ain’t,” said Murphy, steadily observing -him. “Now you’ve seen the mistake, let’s have a -drink, hey?” -</p> - -<p> -“Cigar for mine, thanks.” Jack Robinson -stepped to the bar, picking up his hat as he came, -and his genial smile brought a nod from Mike. He -picked up one of the cigars laid down by Buck and -pocketed it. -</p> - -<p> -Miguel Cervantes unobtrusively left. -</p> - -<p> -“I’m a stranger here, and mighty lonesome,” said -Robinson with an air of confidential inquiry. “I -don’t s’pose you gents could direct me?” -</p> - -<p> -Galway Mike looked at Murphy, who made, answer: -</p> - -<p> -“We might. Where to?” -</p> - -<p> -Robinson leaned one elbow on the bar, and surveyed -Murphy with piercing, laughing, reckless -eyes. -</p> - -<p> -“Upon my word,” he drawled, “your voice -sounds a heap like Pincher Brady’s, pardner!” -</p> - -<p> -The two men looked at each other. The red -face of Murphy became redder. With a laugh, -Robinson flung about as though to face the -bar—and the hand of Murphy darted down. -</p> - -<p> -Crack! The bursting report of a revolver filled -the place. -</p> - -<p> -“I was looking for that,” Robinson said coolly. -“No, Mike, you leave that gun alone; I’d be right -sorry to have to hurt you.” -</p> - -<p> -Mike straightened up. Clinging to the bar with -his left hand, Murphy looked down at his right, -which was wounded. -</p> - -<p> -“You got quite a reputation for workin’ that -play,” said Robinson, backing away toward the -swinging doors. “You’re lucky I didn’t make it -worse, Brady, but bein’s I’m a stranger here I ain’t -taking chances on local prejudices——” -</p> - -<p> -The swinging doors were burst inward as a group -of men rushed into the place, holding the doors -open. Robinson calmly stood behind the inner -door, which had opened against him and held him -concealed from sight. -</p> - -<p> -“Who’s shootin’ here?” demanded the foremost -man. -</p> - -<p> -“I am,” said Robinson, stepping out. “Got any -objections?” -</p> - -<p> -They faced around to meet his weapon. Over it -his eyes held them; no longer smiling, those eyes -were keen and bitter blue. -</p> - -<p> -“Objections overruled,” he went on coolly. “You -gents oughtn’t come busting into a place o’ business -like this. It ain’t proper. Here I was just showin’ -Mike how the draw was done where I come -from, and I get interrupted——” -</p> - -<p> -“We ain’t strong on learning things, stranger,” -said the foremost man. “I’m sheriff of Pahrump -County— Tracy. These deputies of mine were in -next door with me——” -</p> - -<p> -“Right convenient, weren’t you?” asked Robinson -coolly. “Keep ’em up—up! That’s right. -Right convenient, as I said. And you come in -a-runnin’, gents. Lookin’ for something special, were -you?” -</p> - -<p> -The sheriff changed countenance. -</p> - -<p> -“Why,” he stammered, “I understood a greaser -was makin’ trouble here——” -</p> - -<p> -“And who might have gave you to understand -such?” shot in Robinson. The sheriff made no -answer, but bit his mustache. “Turned dumb, have -you? It does beat all how things happen, don’t -it? Here I come in, plumb peaceable and lovin’ -my neighbors, and, first thing I know, a ruckus gets -started. Now, you gents look at Mr. Murphy, -over yonder, who done got his hand ripped a little. -Ain’t even busted, is she?” -</p> - -<p> -Murphy was not hurt to any great extent, and -proved it by his voluble cursing. -</p> - -<p> -“Ease off steam; that’s right,” said Robinson -soothingly. “Satisfied, sheriff?” -</p> - -<p> -“Plenty,” said the officer. -</p> - -<p> -Robinson put away his weapon. “Glad to meet -you, Sheriff Tracy. Mike, give the gentlemen a -drink and charge it to Mr. Murphy. Guess I’ll be -on my way, gents. Got to be in Laredo in two -days, and I sure have lost time here. So long.” -</p> - -<p> -He was gone. The sheriff and his two deputies -looked at each other irresolutely, glanced at -Galway Mike, and then retired likewise, without their -drink. Mike gave Murphy a glance of scorn. -</p> - -<p> -“You sure bungled it!” he said raspingly. -</p> - -<p> -Murphy swore appropriately. “Bungled it!” he -repeated. “I was a cussed fool ever to try it on -with that gent, I can tell you! Next time it’ll be a -Winchester and a hilltop!” -</p> - -<p> -A sneer curled the bartender’s lip. “Foine sort -of a killer, you are!” he returned. “Oh, ye needn’t -to be scowlin’ at me; I ain’t bein’ scart o’ no man, -and I got me fist on a gun to boot, Mister Murphy! -Niver mind the scowl now. Have a drink an’ forget it.” -</p> - -<p> -The doors were flung open again, and Buck strode -into the place. -</p> - -<p> -“The greaser!” he exclaimed sharply. “Did -you get him?” -</p> - -<p> -Mr. Murphy cursed. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap02"></a></p> - -<h3> -CHAPTER II -<br /><br /> -EXIT MATT BRADY -</h3> - -<p> -Two men were riding away from the town of -Pahrump together. One was Miguel Cervantes, -the other was Jack Robinson. -</p> - -<p> -“You ran mighty close back there, Cervantes,” -said the younger man soberly. “That fellow was -Pincher Brady—a killer. Only, he always kills in -the back, savvy? He was going for you when I -jumped up.” -</p> - -<p> -Cervantes nodded and flashed white teeth in a -smile. -</p> - -<p> -“I was not watching him,” he confessed. “I was -looking for someone, as I said. Every day I have -come, but no luck.” -</p> - -<p> -“Maybe you drew a little luck to-day,” and Robinson -chuckled. “I don’t suppose, by any chance, -you were looking for Sam Fisher?” -</p> - -<p> -Cervantes started. His dark eyes centered upon -his companion. -</p> - -<p> -“You know him?” -</p> - -<p> -“Pretty well,” said Robinson in an offhand way. -“He was being watched and couldn’t get away. So -he deputized me to come along, as it were. You’re -the Lazy S foreman?” -</p> - -<p> -“I used to be,” said Cervantes bitterly. -</p> - -<p> -They talked. Cervantes spoke quietly, changing -swiftly between smiles and anger. Three years -previously young Shumway had been railroaded to the -penitentiary. Estella, his sister, had run the ranch -since then—and it had gone to ruin. Not her fault -or that of Cervantes, who was devotion personified. -</p> - -<p> -“Cattle have vanished,” Cervantes said in a -hopeless tone. “We have gone steadily down—let -the men go one by one to cut expenses. Last year -what remained of the stock was sold off to pay the -mortgage interest.” -</p> - -<p> -“I shouldn’t think your friends would let things -go that way,” said Robinson. -</p> - -<p> -“Friends? We have none. There is only old -Jake Harper, who has the Circle Bar up beyond us. -None of the others help us or know us. New people -have come into the country; times have changed. -Besides——” -</p> - -<p> -“Templeton Buck?” suggested Robinson. -</p> - -<p> -“Yes. They have tried often to get me,” was -the statement, simply given, “but for the sake of -Miss Estella I have avoided offense. The Running -Dog punchers make what use they like of our -place; their foreman, Matt Brady, has even dared -to fence in the springs adjoining the Buck ranch.” -</p> - -<p> -“Brady?” said Robinson suddenly, his eyes -narrowing. “Matt Brady?” -</p> - -<p> -“Yes.” Cervantes gave him a questioning -glance. -</p> - -<p> -“Uh-huh—thought so! Pincher Brady’s brother. -That explains how they came to hire Pincher for -their dirty work. But they wouldn’t bring Pincher -here simply to get you, would they? No. Quite -a nice, nifty little scheme on foot, Miguel. By the -way, I don’t suppose this Jake Harper is a decrepit -old party who was a scout for Reno during the -Indian wars?” -</p> - -<p> -“You know him, then?” -</p> - -<p> -“Know of him, more or less.” Robinson chuckled -silently. “Think I’ll go over to his place and -have a chat. What’s that crossroads ahead?” -</p> - -<p> -“Straight on to the Running Dog and Harper’s,” -responded Cervantes. “We turn off to the left. -You don’t mean you’re not going with me?” -</p> - -<p> -“Cross my heart and hope to die—I’m not,” and -Robinson grinned. “But I’ll be along in a day or -two if I don’t meet bad luck. By the way, who -had anything to do with Frank’s being sent to the -pen?” -</p> - -<p> -A black frown settled on the face of Cervantes. -</p> - -<p> -“Nobody,” he answered. “We don’t know a -thing against any one. Two detectives——” -</p> - -<p> -“Oh, I see,” said Robinson airily. “Well, I -guess I’ll be moving straight ahead, so don’t sit up -for me to-night. See you later.” -</p> - -<p> -They parted at the crossroads. Cervantes swung -off to the left, plainly failing to comprehend this -queer young man of strange impulses, and waved -his hand in farewell. Jack Robinson jogged along -reflectively, thinking of the man who had just left -him. -</p> - -<p> -“A faithful soul,” he observed to his pinto. -“Absolutely devoted boy, isn’t he? Quick tempered, -a wonder with his gun, and yet backing water -all the time because he’s afraid Estella would be left -alone in the world if they wiped him out. Some -man, Miguel! But none too bright. Give the -devil his due, Johnny boy; a good man, only not -quite good enough. He couldn’t prevent the ranch -going to the dogs, although he’s ready to die with it. -No, they wouldn’t bring Pincher just to rub him out. -Matt Brady could do that. And they wouldn’t -bring Pincher just to handle that mortgage affair. -There’s a nigger in the woodpile, and that nigger -is——” -</p> - -<p> -His meditations were interrupted by sight of a -rolling train of dust in the road ahead. He eyed -it sharply and made out the forms of two riders -coming toward him. -</p> - -<p> -They met, and drew rein with casual nods of -greeting, searching looks, and frank curiosity. -Robinson beheld two rangy punchers who rode with -Winchesters booted. Their mounts bore the long -sear of the Running Dog. One of them was a ratty -individual with protruding teeth, the other was a -large man, red-faced, of aggressive aspect. -</p> - -<p> -“Must be a heap o’ war in this country,” opined -Robinson with a friendly grin as he rolled a smoke. -“More rifles’n I ever seen before at one stretch!” -</p> - -<p> -“You must ha’ come from quiet parts, then,” said -the big man. “That cayuse bears a brand strange -hereabouts.” -</p> - -<p> -“That’s true. Sure’s my name’s Jack Robinson, -friend, that’s true! Still the old SF has been -supportin’ me for two years or so—down in the south -country.” -</p> - -<p> -“I’m Matt Brady, foreman; this here’s ’Lias -Knute,” introduced Brady. “If you’ve come out -lookin’ for a job at the Runnin’ Dawg, we’d be right -glad to have you turn in, Robinson. Need a few -extry hands right now.” -</p> - -<p> -Robinson blew a cloud of smoke and shook his -head regretfully. -</p> - -<p> -“Later, mebbe. Me, I got business over to Laredo.” -</p> - -<p> -“Laredo?” The foreman stared. “This ain’t -the Laredo road, ye numskull!” -</p> - -<p> -“Ain’t it, now?” said the other sweetly. “I never -’lowed it was, did I?” -</p> - -<p> -Brady scowled. “Where ye headin’ for?” he -demanded bluntly. -</p> - -<p> -“Did I say? Guess I forgot to mention it.” Robinson’s -slow grin was irritating in the extreme. -Ratty little Knute edged his cayuse a trifle to one -side. -</p> - -<p> -“Better remember it pronto.” Brady’s tone was -significant. His eyes were stormy. -</p> - -<p> -“Well,” said Robinson gayly, “I done voted twice -already, I ain’t roped to any brand, and, far’s I can -see, my skin’s white. This here ain’t no private -road, is it?” -</p> - -<p> -Brady stared at him murderously. Knute edged -a trifle farther to the side. Robinson appeared -quite unruffled and innocent of offense. -</p> - -<p> -“Stranger, are you jest plain fool, or ignerant?” -demanded Brady. -</p> - -<p> -“Both,” Robinson said with a grin. “By the -way, I s’pose you ain’t related to Pincher Brady? -He was havin’ considerable excitement in town when -I come through.” -</p> - -<p> -The big foreman settled into a deadly calm. -“Yes? How come?” -</p> - -<p> -“Bein’ a stranger and peaceable, I didn’t stop to -ask,” returned Robinson idly. “Seems like some -feller named Buck sent him to get a gent. He got -the wrong gent, and him and Buck were shootin’ it -out.” -</p> - -<p> -From the two men broke startled oaths. The -ratty little Knute saw the twinkle in Robinson’s eye, -and cried out shrilly: -</p> - -<p> -“He’s stringin’ us, Matt! Somethin’ fishy about -this guy——” -</p> - -<p> -Robinson was in the center of the road, Brady -before him, Knute off to his left. He appeared -entirely careless and off guard, cigarette between his -fingers. -</p> - -<p> -“Tryin’ to ride me, are ye?” Brady queried. -“Want trouble, do ye?” -</p> - -<p> -“I’d welcome it,” said Robinson. -</p> - -<p> -“Then take it——” -</p> - -<p> -Brady’s gun flashed up. The miracle happened; -Robinson’s six-shooter seemed to leap out of itself, -jump into his hand, spit fire. The two guns spoke -almost together. Brady swayed in the saddle, -clutched at the pommel, and rolled down. -</p> - -<p> -But it had been a murder trap. Robinson had no -chance whatever. Even as he fired, he saw from, -the corner of his eye that Knute, to the left, was -tugging at a gun. He saw the gun come up, and -tried to swing himself around in time. Too late! -The gun in the hand of ratty little Knute belched -once. -</p> - -<p> -Incredulously, bewildered, deeming himself -already a dead man—-Robinson found himself -unharmed. Nor was he given any chance to shoot. -The whole affair had passed in the fraction of a -second; Matt Brady’s vicious attack and death, the -third shot echoing treacherously from the side, -almost with the first two. As he turned to the -assassin, Robinson was amazed to see Knute sink -forward, the weapon falling from his hand. -</p> - -<p> -Knute said no word, but followed his gun to the -dirt. He lay motionless, one spur in the stirrup; a -splotch of red grew upon his chest. He had been -shot—-how? Not by himself; nor by Robinson. -</p> - -<p> -As the fraction of a second passed Robinson’s -head jerked up to a sound. He heard the crack of -a rifle lifting to him—so swiftly had the whole -affair passed! It was the shot which killed Knute; -the rifle crack that followed the bullet. -</p> - -<p> -Robinson stared around. The country appeared -empty, the rolling hills desolate, the brown strip of -road quite bare of any person. Whence had come -that shot? -</p> - -<p> -“Somebody quite a distance off had the pleasure -of saving my life,” said Robinson reflectively. -“Well, if he doesn’t want to show himself—I’m -satisfied! I wasted a good lie on Matt Brady; too -bad he didn’t get to go to town and investigate his -brother’s trouble. Murder trap? Not the first -these two gentlemen have laid, I’ll bet! They sure -caught me, all right. Would have had me, except -for the unknown friend. Friend, I thank you!” -</p> - -<p> -He swept off his black Stetson, waved it to the -nearest hill, and rode on his way. -</p> - -<p> -“Here’s hoping the verdict will be that Knute and -Brady killed each other,” he thought. “Maybe it -won’t and maybe it will, depending on who the jury -are and how well they can read tracks. Chances -are that I won’t be mentioned; this country seems to -favor direct action rather than legal inquiry. Ho, -hum! Matt came near to spoiling my nice new -black hat by putting his bullet through it. That’s -what happens to a slow man. I’d sure hate to be -slow around here, you bet! But I’d admire to -know who handled that rifle in the brush. Couldn’t -even make out where it was, what direction. -Interesting country, Pahrump! I certainly think the -geological formations are fine.” -</p> - -<p> -Two men dead—well, it was a serious matter -enough, and promised to grow darker with time. -Matt Brady and Knute were evidently used to -working together; their trap had been well prepared, -well sprung. Only the presence of some unknown -watcher had saved Robinson from that side bullet. -Who was the person? Not Miguel Cervantes, for -the native had carried no rifle. -</p> - -<p> -Robinson jogged along, his mind busy with the -situation of Estella Shumway. There were some -things he did not understand, but comprehension -would come in course of time. Templeton Buck -seemed to be the big power in the county, to judge -from that conversation in Galway Mike’s place, -and Buck apparently had it all fixed to take over -the Shumway ranch in the near future—and Estella -likewise. -</p> - -<p> -Upon passing the turnout that led to the Running -Dog, Robinson drew rein and studied the ground in -some surprise. He had followed the back trail of -Brady and Knute, but to his astonishment saw that -they had not come from the Running Dog at all. -They had come from some point beyond it—and the -only point beyond it that Robinson knew of was -Jake Harper’s ranch. This looked queer. -</p> - -<p> -Robinson passed on, wondering why these Running -Dog men had come from the Circle Bar, -particularly as Jake Harper and Templeton Buck were -not friends. That would mean bad blood between -the two outfits. -</p> - -<p> -“Time will tell that, too, and the afternoon’s -drawing along,” thought Robinson. “We’d better -travel along, little doggies! Hit her up, Johnny -boy, and we’ll feast to-night with the Injun fighter -and frontier guardian. Oh, shucks! Here’s another -guy coming with a rifle and looks like business -in his eye, too!” -</p> - -<p> -He drew up at sight of a horseman who had -suddenly appeared in the road ahead, riding toward -him. On closer sight, this man appeared to be a -young fellow, whose right leg had been freshly -bandaged above the knee; chaps and trousers were -bundled behind him on the saddle, and from waist to -boots his costume consisted of red flannel. He -reined in before Robinson and nodded greeting, his -eye running over the stranger critically. -</p> - -<p> -“Howdy, pilgrim! Jest out from town?” -</p> - -<p> -“C’rect the first shot, sure’s my name’s Jack -Robinson!” was the cheerful response. “And I’d -admire to know who’s settin’ the new range styles -this-away! I never did see such fine red color in all my -days. I’ll have to get me some underwear that -same shade.” -</p> - -<p> -The young fellow chuckled. “My name’s Arnold,” -he offered. “By that brand, you must ha’ -come up from the south, Robinson? Used to be -down in Pecos County my ownself, last year; was -ridin’ for ol’ man Zimmer.” -</p> - -<p> -“Then,” drawled Robinson, “I reckon you done -heard of Pete Hendricks?” -</p> - -<p> -“Friend of yours?” queried Arnold. -</p> - -<p> -“Yep.” -</p> - -<p> -“Shake.” Arnold suddenly beamed in a wide -grin and extended his hand. The two shook -vigorously. “Me and Pete was sure some bunkies. Say, -I most forgot! Did you meet a couple of riders -back a ways?” -</p> - -<p> -Robinson inspected him quizzically. -</p> - -<p> -“Friends of yours?” he retorted. Arnold flushed -violently and pointed to his underwear. -</p> - -<p> -“Does that look like it?” -</p> - -<p> -Robinson began to roll a cigarette. “If I was -you, cowboy, I’d waste no more time lookin’ farther -for them two gents. No, sir, it’d be an awful waste -of time, and, accordin’ to looks, you got no time to -waste.” -</p> - -<p> -“Meaning what, pardner?” Arnold inspected -him, narrow-eyed, cautious. -</p> - -<p> -“Just this.” Robinson finished his cigarette and -tucked it between his lips. “Feller named Buck was -in Pahrump to-day, meetin’ a friend on the stage. -Friend called himself Murphy, but his real handle -was Pincher Brady, savvy? Them two gents was -due to leave town shortly behind me, riding -thisa-way. Now, when they get to where I got, back -apiece, they’re going to meet up with them same two -gents you made mention of—same being Matt -Brady and a little rat name o’ Knute. Do you foller?” -</p> - -<p> -“Right behind,” said Arnold, thin-lipped, watchful. -“Elucidate!” -</p> - -<p> -“Why, that’s about all of it, I reckon!” Robinson -touched a match to his cigarette. “Only, when -the first two meet up with the last two, there’s going -to be a heap of grief spilled. I don’t guess Pincher -Brady has much fraternal affection to spoil; same -time, it’s bound to be a shock, meetin’ his brother -like that.” -</p> - -<p> -“Oh!” said Arnold. “By gosh, d’you mean to say——” -</p> - -<p> -“I ain’t sayin’ at all,” and Robinson smiled -whimsically. “Only I darned near got this new hat -ruined. Somebody’s goin’ to get blamed for what -happened. Maybe it’ll be me, and maybe you, -accordin’ to which one Buck sees first. By the way, -ain’t that a Circle Bar brand on your hoss?” -</p> - -<p> -“So taken and accepted.” Arnold was staring at -him hard now. “S’pose you and me ride back a -ways, Robinson—same way you was heading.” -</p> - -<p> -“How come?” Robinson surveyed him with -lifted brows. -</p> - -<p> -“I got orders to keep with you, that’s all.” Arnold -did not appear hostile—quite the contrary, in -fact—but his attitude was determined. “You ain’t -been using your eyes real good, have you?” -</p> - -<p> -“Seems not.” Robinson frowned. “Orders to -meet me? How in thunder did you get ’em?” -</p> - -<p> -Arnold grinned. “Smoke signal. Do you agree? -I’d sure hate to have any trouble with a red-headed -gent that had knowed Pete Hendricks, but at the -same time I aims to obey orders——” -</p> - -<p> -“No apologies necessary.” Robinson laughed -softly. “Arnold, I guess you and I will hitch without -any trouble. So Jake is using Injun smoke -signals, is he? Same old boy as ever. Where is he?” -</p> - -<p> -“Comin’ behind you, I reckon,” said Arnold dryly. -</p> - -<p> -Robinson uttered a low whistle. “The darned -old fox! So that’s who it was! Let’s ride, -cowboy; let’s ride.” -</p> - -<p> -Arnold turned his horse, and they rode stirrup to -stirrup. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap03"></a></p> - -<h3> -CHAPTER III -<br /><br /> -ROBINSON’S PARTNER -</h3> - -<p> -Jake Harper had once been a very large man. -Now he was a little bowed with age, a bit heavy -with superfluous flesh, his hair quite white, his face -seamed with heavy lines. The old eyes were keen -as ever; the heavy mustache, fresh dyed a lustrous -black, gave the beholder a decided shock when -contrasted with white hair and brows. He rode a -huge, rawboned beast whose eye was roving and -vicious—a brute named Celestine. No man but Jake -had ever ridden her, and no man wanted to. -Celestine had a reputation. -</p> - -<p> -When he came upon Arnold and Robinson waiting -in the road, Jake Harper drew rein very -abruptly. At sight of Robinson’s laughing gaze, a -shock of surprise crossed his seamed features. His -eyes opened wide. -</p> - -<p> -“For the love of Mike!” he uttered. “<i>You!</i>” -</p> - -<p> -“C’rect the first shot as usual, Jake. Sure’s my -name’s Jack Robinson, it’s me! I been having quite -a bit o’ talk with Arnold; friendly and peaceable. -How’re you, Jake?” -</p> - -<p> -They shook hands warmly. Suddenly old Jake -broke into a storm of affectionate curses. His -huge paw pounded Robinson on the back again and -again. -</p> - -<p> -“Boy, I’m glad to see ye!” he cried, lustily roaring -the words. “Dog-gone it, I’m the happiest man -in the Territory—State, I mean. Hurray! By -gosh, if I’d knowed it was you under that black -hat——” -</p> - -<p> -“Uh-huh.” Robinson’s eyes crinkled. “I thought -you was layin’ up there in the brush, most likely. -Right here and now, Jake, I utters heartfelt thanks. -Sure’s my name’s Jack Robinson, I ain’t a bit scart -to explore the other world, but I don’t aim to do it -any sooner than I have to. If you hadn’t attended -to Mr. Knute, I’d certain sure be wandering lonesome -and lonely the other side Jordan this minute. -That’s what comes of bein’ a stranger, now. Say, -Sam Fisher said to tell you he couldn’t get away, -so I come instead.” -</p> - -<p> -“Huh?” Jake Harper puffed out his cheeks. -“Oh, he did, did he? Durned fool, that Sam Fisher! -Got a big repytation and ain’t got the nerve to live -up to it! Hey, Arnold! What in time are you -exposin’ your flannels for thataway?” -</p> - -<p> -Arnold grinned. “I got swiped by a long-distance -bee, thirty-thirty caliber,” he said. “If you -ain’t got no objections, Jake, where’s Matt Brady -and Knute?” -</p> - -<p> -Jake Harper twirled his vivid black mustache. -“I dunno,” he responded thoughtfully. “I could -make a blamed good guess where they ain’t, though; -they ain’t reposin’ on no fleecy clouds with a harp in -each hand! This here Jack Robinson is severeal -seconds faster’n Matt Brady was, Arnold; yes, sir, -severeal! Guess I’d better give him a job, hadn’t -I?” -</p> - -<p> -Arnold put out his hand to Robinson again, and -they shook. “Guess you had, Jake,” he responded. -“They tried the old game on the stranger, eh? -Knute off to one side?” -</p> - -<p> -“Uh-huh—blamed near got him, too, only I was -watchin’ the trail. Let’s travel, gents. We got to -git home ’fore dark.” -</p> - -<p> -“You seem to have met before,” observed Arnold. -</p> - -<p> -“Once or twice,” said Robinson, and chuckled. -A huge billow of laughter shook the big frame of -Jake Harper, as though there were some unuttered -joke. -</p> - -<p> -After this they rode on in silence. Jake Harper, -old Indian fighter, ex-scout, plainsman, and -borderer, was plainly in high fettle over the day’s -events. Every now and again his eye rested upon -the slim figure of Jack Robinson, and a vast good -humor rolled into his features. The presence of -this young man appeared hugely gratifying to him. -</p> - -<p> -“Ain’t been so happy,” he blurted, breaking the -silence only once, “since me and ol’ John Parker met -up with Gen’ral Reno one day in San Francisco, all -three of us plumb lonesome, and not knowin’ they -was a friend in ten miles. Sure is good to see ye, -boy.” -</p> - -<p> -Robinson nodded, but did not respond. -</p> - -<p> -It was dusk when they reached the Harper ranch. -Robinson left his pinto at the corral, shook hands -with half a dozen punchers whom he could scarcely -see, and followed Jake Harper to the big house on -the knoll. As soon as he set foot in the porch, -Jake turned. -</p> - -<p> -“The house is yourn!” he said emphatically. “Set -an’ talk! We eats with the boys when supper’s -ready. Meantime, talk!” -</p> - -<p> -“Suits me.” Robinson dropped into a chair. -“You weren’t in town to-day?” -</p> - -<p> -“Nope.” Jake Harper lowered his bulk into a -groaning rocker. “I got so danged much rheumatiz -lately it’s knocked me up. You didn’t meet Mig -Cervantes?” -</p> - -<p> -“Uh-huh. Met him and Buck and Mike and a -man calling himself Murphy, only he was Matt -Brady’s brother—Pincher. Maybe you remember -him? Bad to the backbone.” -</p> - -<p> -“You met ’em?” asked Jake Harper. “All of -’em?” -</p> - -<p> -Robinson laughed softly. “Yep. Also Sheriff -Tracy. I left town in a hurry. Pincher Brady has a -sore hand, but no one was hurt. By the way, I had -quite a long talk with Frank Shumway last week.” -</p> - -<p> -“My lord! You did?” Jake Harper was -eager, incredulous, astonished. “How come? -Thought Buck was keeping a close watch on -things.” -</p> - -<p> -“Sam Fisher sent me up to the pen,” Robinson -chuckled. “Frank gets out next spring. He’s in -pretty fair shape, but badly worried. I bucked him -up and promised we’d take care of everything here. -By the way, Jake, Templeton Buck has a fine scheme -lined out. He got Pincher Brady here to handle -it. He bought the Shumway mortgage in Pincher’s -name—assumed name, I should say, of Murphy. -He aims to let Murphy foreclose, then to step up -and rescue Estella. I don’t understand it all -myself. Isn’t Estella wise to him?” -</p> - -<p> -Jake Harper tugged at his mustache. -</p> - -<p> -“She is, and she ain’t,” he returned, rumbling his -words. “Buck, he’s played his cards mighty cute -with her, allowing he’s done all in his power to git -Frank out of jail and so forth. Between you and -me, I suspicions that Buck has got a friend in the -post office, and that he ain’t above monkeying with -letters.” -</p> - -<p> -“That’s old stuff,” said Robinson calmly. “You -folks up here have a fine county organization, looks -like.” -</p> - -<p> -The insistent banging of a tin pan interrupted -them, and they hastily departed. -</p> - -<p> -Seated about the chuck table with the half-dozen -Circle Bar boys, Robinson sized up things without -much trouble. Except for Arnold, the Circle Bar -had no young blood at all. An old Swede and his -wife took care of the place. The foreman was a -grizzled, crippled person who had helped to run -down Geronimo—and held his job on the strength -of it. -</p> - -<p> -The other men were much of the same stamp, all -of them elderly, one or two efficient, but working for -Jake Harper because they had appealed to his soft -side, not because they were first-class range men. -Jake introduced Robinson as a new hand who was -going to do some special work for him, and let it -go at that. Few of the men paid much attention -or seemed interested. -</p> - -<p> -To Robinson the meal was tragic. He had -looked for help here, and found none. When it -was over, he pushed back his chair and left. Out -in the open air, he found Arnold at his elbow, with a -quiet chuckle. -</p> - -<p> -“Live bunch, ain’t it?” opined Arnold. “Looks -to me, Red, like you was some disappointed.” -</p> - -<p> -“What at?” queried Robinson. -</p> - -<p> -“Ain’t my business.” Arnold rolled a cigarette -with elaborate carelessness. “Only, I ain’t seen -you throw no war bag into a bunk. I been thinkin’ -more or less about quittin’ here anyhow, and applying -for a job over to the Lazy S.” -</p> - -<p> -“Oh!” said Robinson. “Call you Mister Arnold -over there, would they?” -</p> - -<p> -“It’s always been Steve around home.” -</p> - -<p> -“Oh! All right, Steve. You and me, what say -we go ridin’ for a change?” -</p> - -<p> -“Your hoss look plumb wore out, Red.” -</p> - -<p> -“Maybe we can get Jake to lend us a bit o’ flesh. -What about it, Jake?” Robinson turned, as Jake -Harper joined them under the stars. “Steve, here, -he allows there’s too much excitement around these -parts to suit him. I agrees with him plenty. Can -I put my rope on a couple of your broncs and get -Steve to take me out and show me the country?” -</p> - -<p> -Jake Harper inspected the two slender figures, -hands on his hips. -</p> - -<p> -“Dog-gone it!” he broke out plaintively. “Here -I been ridin’ and crawlin’ in the bresh all day, and -now you-all aims to go away, and figgers I’m too -blamed wore out to trail along! Why don’t you -stick around and talk a while, Robinson?” -</p> - -<p> -“What you want to go for, Jake?” queried Robinson -softly. “S’pose Buck and Pincher Brady, or -Murphy, comes ridin’ along here in about half an -hour to inquire about the red-headed stranger what -took the wrong road to Laredo and met up with -Matt Brady and Knute—huh? If you wasn’t here, -where’d I be? That’s a conundrum.” -</p> - -<p> -“And what’s the answer to the durned thing?” -asked the old plainsman. -</p> - -<p> -“That you’re the fanciest liar ever I did see, -Jake, when it’s plumb necessary. Also, that you -don’t give a hoot for Buck—and if you was setting -on your front porch with the lights out and a -Winchester handy, Buck and his friends would be -mighty slow about startin’ any ructions with you.” -</p> - -<p> -“Oh!” said Jake, fingering his very black -mustache. “I see! You think I’d lie to save your -worthless neck?” -</p> - -<p> -“You seen Matt Brady draw first, didn’t you?” -</p> - -<p> -“Uh-huh, now I think about it—he done so.” Jake -Harper chuckled. “That’s all right, boy; I -know what’s stirrin’ in your fool brain, too. Ye -think the Circle Bar bunch is too old an’ helpless to -stir much, huh? Well, jest you go along. Take -anything you fancy in the corral, boys, and remember -me to Estella. I’ll be over myself in a day or -two.” -</p> - -<p> -Arnold and Robinson started away together, and -lost themselves in the shadows near the corral. -Robinson touched his companion’s arm. -</p> - -<p> -“Steve, any time you think old Jake is slow, guess -again! Friend Buck is coming along here pretty -soon, and he’ll run into a surprise party. -Meantime, we’ll be elsewhere.” -</p> - -<p> -Steve Arnold grunted. “What you want to run -for, then?” -</p> - -<p> -“Me? I ain’t running,” and Robinson laughed. -“I’m off to see the country, that’s all. Maybe Miss -Shumway will sort of take to me more, if you -introduce me.” -</p> - -<p> -Arnold glanced at him suspiciously. -</p> - -<p> -“You tryin’ to run some joke on me, Red?” -</p> - -<p> -“None a-tall, Steve; cross my heart! Sure’s my -name’s Jack Robinson, I’m a quiet and peaceable -stranger what always gets took in. When Jake -Harper gets done orating to Buck, that affluent -gentleman will give up lookin’ for me, except by -accident. He won’t be real sure whether I’m -workin’ for Jake or not, and the Circle Bar boys won’t -be sure neither. In fact, nobody will be sure of -anything, except you and me. That’s the best way -to play her, ain’t it?” -</p> - -<p> -“Looks all right,” vouchsafed Arnold. “Got -your saddle handy?” -</p> - -<p> -Ten minutes later the two were quietly drawing -away from the Circle Bar without making any -effusive farewells. They had been riding for -perhaps five minutes more, when both pulled up their -horses suddenly. Across the night lifted the faint -bang of a shotgun. -</p> - -<p> -“That’s Jake’s old Brown Bess,” said Steve. -“Trouble back of us!” -</p> - -<p> -Robinson held up a hand for silence. They sat -motionless, listening. No further shot came, and -Robinson relaxed with a soft laugh. -</p> - -<p> -“Nope, no trouble. We slid out just in time, -Steve. Buck comes riding up, and old Jake salutes -him out of the darkness, then apologizes for the -mistake. Savvy? Buck accepts the apology—otherwise -we’d have heard real trouble a-starting. Let’s -go, cowboy!” -</p> - -<p> -They merged into the darkness. The moon -would not be up until midnight. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap04"></a></p> - -<h3> -CHAPTER IV -<br /><br /> -BUCK LAYS PLANS -</h3> - -<p> -Templeton Buck did not particularly enjoy -his call at the Circle Bar, nor did he find -its occupants very slow in their reception. He did -not see any one, in fact, nor did the dozen riders -behind him. The buildings were dark and apparently -deserted, until the blast of a shotgun ripped -the night and Jake Harper’s voice accosted the -arrivals boomingly. -</p> - -<p> -The ominous darkness, the more ominous silence, -held the Running Dog men bunched up and nervous. -Harper’s words made them more nervous, when it -became evident that Jake had witnessed the shooting -on the road and was perfectly willing to testify -to the fact. Buck made up his mind to go home and -went. -</p> - -<p> -With him went Pincher Brady, alias Murphy, -and the dozen riders. Murphy displayed no great -grief for his defunct relative, but he was savagely -disposed toward one Jack Robinson. -</p> - -<p> -Once at the rangy, rather unkempt buildings -which served the Running Dog as headquarters, -Buck called Murphy into consultation. He also -summoned the newly promoted foreman, one “Sandy” -Davitt, a sour individual marred by a cast in -one eye. -</p> - -<p> -“We’ve made a mess of things since this morning, -y’ understand,” Buck said glumly. “Murphy -failed in town, and this here Robinson gent ran into -a heap of luck headfirst. He’s a flash gunman -from somewhere, and Harper has put him in the -bunk house.” -</p> - -<p> -“Old Jake has got his back up sudden,” observed -Sandy Davitt with a sneer. “Hope you ain’t lost -any nerve lately, Buck? He sure handed you a -mouthful to-night.” -</p> - -<p> -Buck swore under his breath. His thin, -raw-boned features were etched with red. -</p> - -<p> -“He pays for that,” he responded. “You hear -me tell it! They’s two things to be done ’fore -Murphy can foreclose on that mortgage. First, the -greaser Cervantes has got to be ’tended to. Next, -Jake Harper.” -</p> - -<p> -“Jake ain’t what you’d exactly call a social -favrite,” said Davitt dryly. “Same time, Buck, he’s -considerable well known as an old boy and crippled -up some. Public opinion ain’t goin’ to favor his -sudden demise, none whatever.” -</p> - -<p> -“Oh, that’s all right,” grunted Buck. “You and -Slim and Doggy take some grub about to-morrow -afternoon, and lay up the trail a ways. Jake will -be ridin’ over to the Lazy S to-morrow night or -next morning. You boys rope him, fetch him over -here, and we’ll let him cool off a spell while we run -that outfit of hisn off the range, savvy?” -</p> - -<p> -“That’s good as she lays, Buck.” Sandy Davitt -looked relieved. “I thought you was goin’ to -remark that I might go wrastle with Cervantes, which -same I ain’t got no longin’ for. Me, I got a wide -sense of my limitations. Any gent what undertakes -the greaser in sober earnest has got to be born real -lucky, and I wasn’t.” -</p> - -<p> -“Who’d you suggest?” asked Buck, a lurking -devil in his eye. -</p> - -<p> -“You,” said the foreman, grinning sourly. “Looks -a whole lot like whoever wants the work done had -ought to be able to handle some part of it his -ownself, don’t it?” -</p> - -<p> -Buck was lounging in his chair as this veiled -insinuation was uttered. Like a streak of light, he -was up and in the air. Powerful as Sandy Davitt -obviously was, he was taken by the throat and laid -back across the table, gasping and strangled. Holding -the man’s lean throttle in one hand, Buck glared -down at him. -</p> - -<p> -“Some stuck up over sudden promotion, ain’t you, -Sandy?” inquired Buck’s voice. “Feelin’ your oats -a heap, eh? That’s twice you got sassy—ain’t goin’ -to be no third time, Sandy. Or is they?” -</p> - -<p> -“N-no,” gasped the half-choked man. Murphy -looked on the scene with interest, his red features -quite calm, a cigar between nis teeth. “Lemme up, -Buck!” -</p> - -<p> -Buck released his hold suddenly, and stepped -back, smiling nastily. -</p> - -<p> -“Sure. Git up, boy, and beat it. You can tell the -others that Cervantes is my meat—quick meat, likewise. -You and Slim and Doggy light out of here to-morrow, -and if you miss bringin’ in Jake Harper, -I’ll skin the three of you one-handed! Git!” -</p> - -<p> -Sandy Davitt departed hurriedly. -</p> - -<p> -“I see,” observed Murphy, shifting the cigar in -his mouth, “I see you ain’t backward when it comes -to action, Buck. What’s the program?” -</p> - -<p> -“You ride over to the Lazy S in the morning,” -Buck ordered, who was indeed suddenly displaying -a new and alert manner. “Pull the mortgage stuff -on Estella, polite but firm, savvy? I know about -where Cervantes will be. When I’m done with him -I’ll drop along to the house and fire you off the -premises. Now set still till I get a drink.” -</p> - -<p> -Buck departed. Murphy glanced after him, then -lighted his cigar thoughtfully. -</p> - -<p> -“Humph!” he growled. “I’ve heard biggity talk -’fore this, Mister Buck! If I knows you, which I’d -ought to, you ain’t ridin’ up to that greaser and -pullin’ no gun on him—no, sir! If you git him, it’ll -be ’cause he ain’t armed, maybe. Well, let her ride! -All I want is to git another chance at that smart -Aleck, Robinson, who recognized me for Pincher -Brady, cuss him! He’s run up a big day’s score, -and I aim to pay him. By Godfrey, I’d come close -to givin’ him an even break, I would!” -</p> - -<p> -With this admirable sentiment, Mr. Murphy inspected -his right hand, whose back was crossed by -a big piece of sticking-plaster. He was not really -injured—the bullet had only scraped his hand -slightly. His black scowl was perhaps induced by -memory of the fate which had overtaken Matt -Brady that same day. -</p> - -<p> -Buck was uneasy, and remained uneasy. He had -gone to great lengths to stage his final play for the -Shumway girl and ranch, and saw himself verging on -disaster. It was all due to that fool Robinson. -He had met Murphy and had drawn him into -Mike’s place for conference. He had taken the -snoring stranger for granted—and the stranger had -wakened in sudden nightmare, according to the -story told by Mike and by Murphy. What did it -mean? Had Robinson overheard much of the -talk? How had he chanced to recognize Murphy -as Pincher Brady?— -</p> - -<p> -The fellow had not gone to Laredo at all, but to -Jake Harper’s. That was suspicious. Where had -Robinson come from? The south, beyond a doubt; -but Buck was unable to discover anything about the -man. Being thus uneasy, Buck issued stringent -orders to his men, and regarded Robinson’s fate as -settled. -</p> - -<p> -Upon the following morning, Mr. Murphy -mounted and rode away from the Running Dog -by his lonely. A little later Buck and two of his -riders departed in company. Later still Sandy -Davitt, Slim, and Doggy rode away together. The -day was clear, brilliant, fairly warm. -</p> - -<p> -Buck and his two men did not follow the road, -but made their way by easy stages to the rolling and -wooded section of the Running Dog which adjoined -the fine water springs on the Shumway ranch. They -knew about what they would find there; it had been -the same story day after day since Matt Brady had -undertaken to fence in the Shumway water. -</p> - -<p> -Every morning Miguel Cervantes rode over that -way and spent an hour cutting fence. If any of the -Running Dog men showed up, Cervantes would -smile and take all that was said and would allow -himself to be ordered away. If they did not show -up, he would finish cutting the fence and then -depart. Later, Matt Brady would repair the fence. -</p> - -<p> -By this mute and inglorious scheme of tactics, -Cervantes caused the Running Dog some irritation, -avoided a row, and registered protest against -high-handed work. It gained very little, but it was at -least a protest. It was about all Cervantes had to -do on the place, since the remnant of the Lazy S -stock was safely rebranded and herded with the -Running Dog cattle. -</p> - -<p> -Upon this particular morning, Miguel Cervantes -was busily cutting wires while his pony cropped the -lush grass about the springs, when he observed a -single horseman approaching from the hills. At -the same time his pony lifted its head and -whinnied—in another direction where nothing appeared. -Cervantes was puzzled, but, centering his gaze on -the rider, he recognized the figure of Jack Robinson. -He ceased work, lolled against a fence post, -and began to roll a cigarette. He looked up with a -flashing smile as Robinson drew rein. -</p> - -<p> -“<i>Buenos dias!</i>” cried the rider gayly. “How -goes it this morning, Miguel?” -</p> - -<p> -“Well, señor. I am glad to see you again.” -</p> - -<p> -“The gladness is all mine,” said Robinson cheerfully. -“If you knew how close I came not to seeing -you again you’d get me. How is the señorita?” -</p> - -<p> -“Frying doughnuts.” Cervantes chuckled. His -keen eyes darted over the other’s figure. “You -slept out last night, yes?” -</p> - -<p> -“C’rect, sure’s my name’s Jack Robinson! Look -rumpled, do I? Oh, I’ve been taking a squint at -the country, Mig. Need any help here?” -</p> - -<p> -The other shrugged. “No, thanks. It would -be better if you rode on to the ranch.” -</p> - -<p> -Robinson gathered up his reins. “Then, <i>hasta la -vista</i>! See you at dinner time.” -</p> - -<p> -Cervantes gestured assent, and watched the slender -figure go riding off. Once more his pony lifted -its head, cocking its ears toward another -quarter. Cervantes glanced at the hills, saw nothing, and -returned to his labor. -</p> - -<p> -The figure of Robinson rode out of sight. For -a space Cervantes worked on, rolling up the wire -with painstaking care. For the third time his pony -looked up, and flung a whinny of greeting into the -sunlight. Cervantes halted, straightened up, and -surveyed the empty landscape with one hand over -his eyes to shield them from the sun. -</p> - -<p> -As he stood thus, motionless, a tiny puff of white -spat out from a hillside to his right; a second puff -became visible to his left. Two rolling reports -followed. Cervantes, dropping his shielding hand, -stood for an instant and then quietly fell on his face. -</p> - -<p> -Jack Robinson meantime rode up to the old -adobe house beneath wide cottonwoods that view -the Shumway domain from its rounded knoll, and -dismounted. The house had been built Mexican -style, even to the flat, stone-rolled adobe roof; it -was cool and restful, with its vines and flowers. -</p> - -<p> -Since no one came forth to greet him, Robinson -unsaddled, took his horse to the corral to one side, -and then tramped around the house to the rear. -He turned the corner and paused. -</p> - -<p> -Before him portly Señora Cervantes was pinning -clothes to a line, while from the near-by doorway of -the kitchen issued a voice that made Robinson turn -a trifle red. -</p> - -<p> -“I do hope he’ll come soon!” was saying Estella -Shumway. “I don’t see why he went on to -Harper’s, when he must have known we were dying to -see him. Well, that’s the last of the batch; I’d -better bring them outside to cool.” -</p> - -<p> -The señora turned, beheld Robinson, and stood -with open mouth. He made a gesture of silence, -and stepped forward to the doorway. In this, a -moment later, appeared a young lady who held a -great platter of new-sugared doughnuts in both -arms. As she came out, Robinson stepped forward -and took the platter from her. -</p> - -<p> -Something happened swiftly. -</p> - -<p> -“Oh!” cried the girl, surprise and indignation in -her voice. Her freed hand slapped Robinson’s -cheek smartly; then she stared at him with -widening eyes and flushed cheeks. “Oh!” Her voice -was suddenly different, vibrant with eager welcome. -“Oh, it’s you! My goodness, is that the way you -show up?” -</p> - -<p> -Holding the platter, Robinson surveyed her with -twinkling eyes. -</p> - -<p> -“That’s sure the way to show up, isn’t it?” he -drawled. “I was afraid you might not give me the -right kind of welcome, so I took it. Sort of forgot -what I look like, since you and Jake were down in -Pecos County last fall, haven’t you? Who’d you -think was kissing you, anyway?” -</p> - -<p> -The girl’s cheeks reddened again, then she broke -into a glad laugh. -</p> - -<p> -“If I’d known it was you,” she cried, “why——” -</p> - -<p> -Hastily Robinson set down the doughnuts and -turned to the doorway—but Estella had changed -her position and now stood outside, laughing at him. -</p> - -<p> -“Too late!” she exclaimed, and then held out her -hand. “Goodness, but I’m glad to see you. I -knew from what Miguel said that——” -</p> - -<p> -“You see, Stella,” broke in Robinson, “there was -a lot o’ trouble down below. The sheriff had been -killed and Sam Fisher was filling out the job; he’ll -prob’ly be elected anyhow. So Sam being sheriff, -he couldn’t get away, and sent me up instead.” -</p> - -<p> -Estella frowned sharply at him for a moment, -studying his face. She was brown-haired, hazel-eyed, -healthily brown of cheek and arm. Robinson -returned her gaze innocently. -</p> - -<p> -“I always did admire the way those tendrils of -brown hair sort of break loose and curl down around -your ears,” he said, cocking his head to one side and -surveying her with critical stare. “Yes, ma’am, I -always did, sure’s my name’s Jack Robinson! I met -Miguel back yonder, where he’s powerful busy with -some wire, and he allowed you would be glad to see -me——” -</p> - -<p> -“You met Miguel this morning?” repeated the girl. -</p> - -<p> -“Yes. Stopped for a chat, then came on. I’ve -been doing considerable running around since -yesterday.” -</p> - -<p> -Señora Cervantes came up, and Robinson was -introduced. Then, grabbing doughnuts in each, -hand, Robinson followed Stella around to the wide -veranda and with a sigh of relaxation settled down -in a comfortable chair at her side. -</p> - -<p> -“Sam was right worried over not hearing from -you,” he observed. -</p> - -<p> -“Not hearing?” Estella regarded him with wide -eyes. “Why, I wrote only two weeks ago—wrote a -long letter and begged him to come up at once if he -could! He knew all about the mortgage, and had -promised to try and sell the ranch if he could——” -</p> - -<p> -Robinson’s eyes narrowed. “Who posted that -letter for you?” -</p> - -<p> -“I gave it to Mr. Buck to mail, as he was going -to town.” -</p> - -<p> -“Oh! Well, I guess it got lost in the shuffle -somewhere,” said Robinson. “Anyhow, Sam hasn’t -heard from you in a month. Anyhow, he sold the -ranch.” -</p> - -<p> -“Sold it! Sold this ranch?” The girl stiffened. -“For how much? Who to?” -</p> - -<p> -Robinson shook his head. “I dunno, ma’am. -Sam, he made me promise not to say a word about -it until he could get up here his ownself.” -</p> - -<p> -“Oh!” A trace of anger flamed in the girl’s -eyes. “I’d like to shake you——” -</p> - -<p> -“I’d sure like to have you,” Robinson said with -a grin. “Go ahead, ma’am!” -</p> - -<p> -Instead, Stella settled back in her chair and -regarded him narrowly. -</p> - -<p> -“What kind of a game are you playing, anyway?” -she demanded. -</p> - -<p> -“None whatever. Me, I’m a innercent pilgrim, -a stranger, plumb peaceable,” and his grin was more -exasperating than ever. “As I remember it, Sam -Fisher sold an option on the place, and the feller -was coming up to look it over. He had your power -of attorney to sell, but seemed like you had to -consent to the deal.” -</p> - -<p> -“I had!” repeated the astonished girl. “Why, -nothing of the sort! I wrote Sam that he had full -power——” -</p> - -<p> -“Sure, sure, but this was different. Seems like -this feller wanted you to go with the ranch,” averred -Robinson innocently. -</p> - -<p> -Stella looked at him a moment, then sprang to -her feet. “What do you mean? How dare you! -Oh, I wish I knew when you were serious! Who -bought the place? Tell me!” -</p> - -<p> -“Feller name of Robinson—Jack Robinson. Got -any objections?” -</p> - -<p> -They looked at each other for half a minute, a slow -tide of color sweeping over the face of the girl. As -she was about to speak, there came an interruption: -</p> - -<p> -“Hello the house! Anybody home?” -</p> - -<p> -Both turned. There, sitting upon his borrowed -horse, was Mr. Murphy, whose approach had been -unobserved. Robinson hastily dropped out of sight, -concluding that he had been unseen. -</p> - -<p> -“Oh, Lord!” he murmured. “Stella, bring in -this gent quick; I’m going to slaughter him. Friend -of mine, sure. Bring him in and give him a doughnut.” -</p> - -<p> -“Good morning,” said the girl, somewhat perplexed -at the whole affair. “Weren’t you looking -for me?” -</p> - -<p> -“Lookin’ for Miss Shumway, if you’re her,” -returned Murphy. He dismounted and came -forward toward the veranda. “My name’s Murphy, -ma’am. I done bought a mortgage over to Laredo -City las’ week, coverin’ this place, and, bein’, in the -vicinity, thought I’d drop in and ask about it comin’ -due the first of the month.” -</p> - -<p> -The girl’s face whitened a trifle. “The—mortgage?” -she stammered. “Why—why, I thought -the bank held it——” -</p> - -<p> -“Yes’m.” Murphy took a paper from his pocket -as he mounted the steps. “But I done bought her -in. Maybe you’d like to look over this——” -</p> - -<p> -He broke off suddenly, for his eyes had fallen -upon Robinson. The latter grinned at him cheerfully. -</p> - -<p> -“Step right up, Mr. Murphy; step right up. -We’re a whole lot glad to see you. Try a doughnut? -Finest you ever seen, I’ll bet.” -</p> - -<p> -Murphy looked paralyzed, and in this case looks -did not lie. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap05"></a></p> - -<h3> -CHAPTER V -<br /><br /> -BUCK’S LUCKY DAY -</h3> - -<p> -Murphy really looked as though about to -have a stroke. His red face purpled deeply, -and his plastered right hand gave a slight, -spasmodic jerk. -</p> - -<p> -“You want to watch that there hand real careful,” -said Robinson with a solicitous air. “Real careful! -Don’t let it jerk thataway; it’s a right bad sign, -Mr. Murphy! Step up and have a seat, won’t -you? Hello—you must ha’ scratched that hand or -hurt it somehow; all plastered up, ain’t it?” -</p> - -<p> -“I—I didn’t expect to be findin’ you here,” said -Murphy, glaring viciously. -</p> - -<p> -“Don’t doubt it,” was the cheerful response, while -Stella Shumway looked from one to the other with -suspicious scrutiny. “That’s my specialty, bein’ -where I ain’t expected. But don’t let me interrupt -your business talk none whatever. I’ll just set -quiet and be a good feller. Mr. Murphy’s an old -friend of mine, Stella; known him since yesterday -afternoon. Set and rest yourself, Murphy. No -ceremony here.” -</p> - -<p> -Murphy compressed his thick lips, removed his -hat, and finally shook his head. -</p> - -<p> -“I ain’t settin’, thanks,” he returned, then faced -the girl. “You don’t mind if I look over the place -a bit, ma’am? Ain’t aiming to make myself -obnoxious none, if——” -</p> - -<p> -“Why, certainly,” faltered Estella, handing back -the paper she had taken. “Since you bought the -mortgage, you have a right to look over the property.” -</p> - -<p> -“Wait a minute,” broke in Robinson. “It’s awful -to have a tongue like mine; just can’t keep quiet -two minutes. You started in a while ago, Murphy, -to say something, then you switched off and started -to look over the place. Let’s finish and get cleaned -up all fine. What was it you started to orate about -the mortgage?” -</p> - -<p> -Murphy gave him a savage glance. -</p> - -<p> -“I was goin’ to say,” he said sullenly, “that we -could make arrangements about it’s bein’ paid off at -the Pahrump bank.” -</p> - -<p> -“Oh!” Robinson stretched out comfortably. His -hand caressed the gun at his belt, and Murphy -watched that hand with attention. “Oh! But -s’pose it can’t be paid off? Was you about to offer -to renew the note?” -</p> - -<p> -“I’m right sorry,” and Murphy ignored his -questioner, addressing himself to Estella Shumway. -“Right sorry, ma’am, but I can’t very well renew. -Ye see——” -</p> - -<p> -“Never mind goin’ into the matter, feller,” said -Robinson. His voice had a sting to it. “You turn -around and address them remarks to me. It looks -mighty funny about you bein’ so anxious to look -around the place, after you got a glimpse o’ me -settin’ here. What’s your rush to look at land, huh? -What you tryin’ to kill time for? Expectin’ to meet -somebody else here?” -</p> - -<p> -Murphy regarded him with veiled hatred. -</p> - -<p> -“I dunno what you’re talkin’ about, Robinson,” -he said. “I rode over here square and open to -transact business. That business ain’t with you——” -</p> - -<p> -“Oh, ain’t it?” jeered Robinson. “Look here, -you! I don’t like your looks, and I don’t like the -name you’re sailin’ under, savvy? If I’d known as -much yesterday as I know now, I wouldn’t ha’ -scratched that hand of yours, not a bit of it! I was -a blamed fool. Now, if you expect me to turn my -back on you any more, you got another guess coming. -You’re the one that’s going to turn your back, -and do it pronto!” -</p> - -<p> -“Are you threatening me?” demanded Murphy -belligerently. -</p> - -<p> -“Threaten you? My gosh, no!” Robinson -chuckled. “You ain’t worth it, you red hawg! I -want to see you ridin’ away from here in a hurry. -Oh, never you mind, Stella! This gent isn’t going -to act as mad as he looks. That isn’t his style. -Murphy, go grab for your gun if you want; I’ll give -you till you grab it. Hurry up! Grab for it!” -</p> - -<p> -Murphy looked down into those deadly blue eyes -and made no move for his gun. His fat red features -were perspiring a trifle. Robinson mocked at him. -</p> - -<p> -“Oh, you ain’t reachin’ for it, huh? S’pose ye’d -like me to turn my back, would ye? Nope, not no -more, feller. Besides, they’s ladies present, and I -sure hate to expose my back and start you to shootin’.” -</p> - -<p> -“Two men coming up the road,” intervened -Estella quickly. -</p> - -<p> -At these words a flash crossed the face of -Murphy—a flash of untold relief. Robinson did not -miss the look. Then he glanced at the road, and -saw the corduroy-clad figure of Buck, followed by -another rider. -</p> - -<p> -“Don’t mind if I smoke, Stella?” he drawled. -“Thanks. Set down, Murphy. I’m real anxious -to hear what Buck has to say to you.” -</p> - -<p> -Murphy did not sit down, but eyed the approaching -riders uneasily. Buck slid from his horse, looking -visibly excited, and strode toward the veranda. -He glanced at Robinson without surprise, then his -gaze fell on Murphy. He doffed his hat to Estella. -</p> - -<p> -“Morning, ma’am! You sure look fresh as -ever. Got visitors, I see.” -</p> - -<p> -A smile on her lips, Estella stepped forward and -shook hands. -</p> - -<p> -“Just in time for lunch, Mr. Buck. Yes, we have -visitors. My friend, Mr. Robinson, from the south, -and this is Mr. Murphy——” -</p> - -<p> -Buck glanced at Robinson, then turned to Murphy -suddenly. A look of recognition came into his -eyes. He was acting his part well. -</p> - -<p> -“Murphy!” he said slowly. “That ain’t the -name you went under when I seen you before. -What you doin’ here?” -</p> - -<p> -At this challenge, the girl started in astonishment. -Robinson smiled thinly. -</p> - -<p> -“Me?” Murphy faced the rancher aggressively. -“None of your business, is it? But if you want to -know, I done bought a mortgage on this place, and -I aim to foreclose if she ain’t cleared off first of the -month.” -</p> - -<p> -“Oh, you do!” Buck’s hand flashed down and -his gun looked at Mr. Murphy. “All I got to say -to you is—git, and git quick! The mortgage’ll be -paid. I’ll lend Miss Shumway the money my -ownself. Git, you varmint!” -</p> - -<p> -Murphy turned and strode down the steps, passed -to his horse, and rode away. -</p> - -<p> -Buck gazed after him with narrowed eyes until -he was well away. Then, without a bit of warning, -he whirled and threw down his gun at Robinson. -</p> - -<p> -“Hands up, you! Quick!” -</p> - -<p> -There was deadly intent in his voice. Robinson, -absolutely surprised, put up his hands. Buck leaned -forward and jerked away his gun. -</p> - -<p> -“Here! How dare you, Mr. Buck!” exclaimed -Stella, darting forward. “What do you mean by -this——” -</p> - -<p> -“Miss Stella,” said Buck gravely, “I got mighty -bad news for you. Me and two of my riders was -comin’ here this morning by way of the spring. We -were up on that knoll behind it when we crossed the -track of a horseman, and a moment later we seen -this gent,” he motioned toward Robinson with his -ready gun, “ridin’ up to the spring. Cervantes was -standin’ there smokin’ a cigarette. What passed we -dunno. All we heard was two shots, and then this -gent rode away quick. When we got up, Cervantes -was dead. We come on here quick.” -</p> - -<p> -Horror filled the eyes of the girl, and a terrible -grief. -</p> - -<p> -“Dead—Miguel dead?” -</p> - -<p> -“Shot twice, Miss Stella,” answered the latter, -regret in his tone. “We seen the whole thing. I -left ‘Chuck’ Hansom to bring Miguel in, then I -come on. Ye see, ma’am, we’d been lookin’ for this -gent since yesterday. Seems like he met my -foreman, Matt Brady, and shot him down, out o’ pure -cussedness.” -</p> - -<p> -“Don’t forget Knute,” intervened Robinson, smiling -a thin smile. “Don’t forget him, Buck.” -</p> - -<p> -“Oh!” Estella turned to the speaker swiftly. -“Tell me—tell him, you must! This isn’t true!” -</p> - -<p> -“Sho, of course it ain’t true,” said Robinson -calmly. “Sure’s my name’s Jack Robinson, it ain’t -got a word of truth—except maybe that poor -Miguel’s dead. That’s liable to be true.” -</p> - -<p> -The girl shrank away from him; then, with a -burst of tears, ran from the veranda. -</p> - -<p> -Instantly the manner of Robinson changed. He -looked at Buck from narrowed steely eyes that -burned. -</p> - -<p> -“Buck,” he said softly, “I’m tellin’ you here and -now—you’d better shoot while you got me, for you -ain’t goin’ to have me long. You’d better shoot, -Buck. I’m warnin’ you, it’s your best chance. -After this, you and me——” -</p> - -<p> -“None of your big talk, Robinson,” sneered the -rancher. “We have you dead to rights, and we’ll -see that the law attends to you. Hey, there! -Come up and rope this gent! We’ll take him in to -the sheriff right off.” -</p> - -<p> -Buck’s companion swung from the saddle, took -his lariat, and came to the veranda. From inside -the house came a shrill high scream of grief; the -señora had learned the news. Then Estella -appeared again, and saw the puncher with the rope. -</p> - -<p> -“Oh, you mustn’t!” she cried out, running -forward. “He didn’t do it; he couldn’t have done it, -Mr. Buck! Why——” -</p> - -<p> -“Ma’am, we seen the whole thing,” said Buck -regretfully. “And this gent is mighty slick, but we’ll -turn him in to the law to be dealt with. That’s all -we aim to do.” -</p> - -<p> -“Oh, tell them, tell them!” Estella turned her -tear-stained eyes to Robinson. “You can make -them believe when——” -</p> - -<p> -“I’m afraid Mr. Buck is right stubborn and set -in his ways,” sighed Robinson. “Nope, they ain’t -a bit o’ use in me spillin’ any talk to him, Stella! -Sure’s my name’s Jack Robinson, there ain’t. I met -Miguel on the way here, as I said, but——” -</p> - -<p> -Buck nodded to his rider, who approached Robinson -and deftly knotted his wrists behind his back. -</p> - -<p> -“Put him on my horse,” said Buck quietly, “and -take him into town. Hand him over to Sheriff -Tracy—and see that nothing happens to him. Don’t -tell any one but the sheriff what’s happened, savvy? -We don’t want to rouse up any necktie party in -town. This is a matter for the law—open-and-shut -case.” -</p> - -<p> -“Quite so,” observed Robinson ironically. “Quite -so! We’ll get to town all right, Buck—won’t we, -cowboy? Lead on, and don’t pull too hard on that -cord. My wrists is real tender lately. See you -later, Stella; don’t you worry none whatever about -this deal. Trust Jake Harper to see that the cards -are dealt honest.” -</p> - -<p> -The girl stared after him, stricken in her grief. -</p> - -<p> -Without attempt at protest, Robinson mounted -into the saddle of Buck, and allowed the puncher to -tie his ankles beneath the horse. Then the puncher -mounted, and started for town. The two figures -rode away from the ranch, and lessened in the -distance. -</p> - -<p> -Buck, meantime, was speaking to Estella Shumway. -</p> - -<p> -“This is a terrible thing, Stella,” he said, his -voice soft and pleading. “Poor Miguel and my -boys has had some trouble, but it wa’n’t nothing to -mention. Gosh, this is pretty bad! And then this -feller Murphy comin’ along. -</p> - -<p> -“Now look-a-here, Stella! You got to let me -handle things for you a spell. I’ll get rid o’ this -cuss Murphy in a hurry. Don’t let the money part -of it bother you a mite. I’ll send in to town to-day -and git the preacher, and we’ll attend to a real -funeral for poor Miguel, savvy? There ain’t nothin’ -I wouldn’t do for you, li’l girl, and you know it.” -</p> - -<p> -“Oh!” The girl turned to him desperately. -“Are you sure—are you sure about what you saw? -It isn’t possible, I tell you!” -</p> - -<p> -Her vehemence shook Buck despite himself. -</p> - -<p> -“Why, Stella! You ain’t friends with this -gunman Robinson? He’s a stranger up here—sure, -you don’t know him?” -</p> - -<p> -The girl shivered slightly and turned away. She -was silent for a moment; then: -</p> - -<p> -“No,” she said. “I never saw Robinson before -to-day, Mr. Buck—only he seemed such a nice man! -And he knew some friends of ours——” -</p> - -<p> -A flash of relief crossed the features of Buck. -</p> - -<p> -“Well, looks is deceivin’,” he averred stoutly. -“Now, Stella, you leave things to me. Chuck will -be in pretty quick with the body, and I’ll take care -of it. Poor Miguel! This here news will be a -mighty big shock to everybody who knowed him. -Want me to send for Jake Harper? Him and me -ain’t overly friendly, but he’s mighty true to you, I -guess. We’ll overlook our differences and ’tend to -your affairs.” -</p> - -<p> -“It’s—it’s good of you, Mr. Buck,” and the girl -glanced at him quickly, then turned to the doorway. -“Yes, send for him, please. You—you must excuse -me now; I’ll have to be with poor Tia Maria——” -</p> - -<p> -She vanished into the house. -</p> - -<p> -For a moment Buck stood motionless. His gaze -followed the tiny dots that were the figures of his -puncher and Robinson, and a smile curved his wide -lips. Then he glanced down and picked up one of -the doughnuts that Robinson had dropped. He -regarded it, then bit strongly into it. -</p> - -<p> -“Gosh, these is sure fine doughnuts!” he observed. -“I’ll sure be playin’ in luck when Stella comes to -cook for me. Lucky catchin’ Robinson thataway, -too, y’ understand. And darned lucky Stella didn’t -think to look if his gun’d been fired twice. Plumb -lucky!” -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap06"></a></p> - -<h3> -CHAPTER VI -<br /><br /> -PROOF -</h3> - -<p> -After leaving the Lazy S behind, Robinson -rode in silence for some time. He was in the -lead. The puncher behind held the lariat which -bound Robinson to his horse. -</p> - -<p> -“You got that gun of mine with you?” asked -Robinson. No answer from behind. “Well, I -seen Buck hand her to you. Be mighty careful with -her; she’s got a special easy pull. I’d be right -sorry to have you point her my way.” -</p> - -<p> -No answer. The puncher was a sullen brute of -a man. -</p> - -<p> -“You fellers made one real mistake,” went on -Robinson, undaunted by the silence, his voice cheerful -as ever. “You should ha’ fixed that gun o’ mine. -Miguel was killed by two bullets, wasn’t he? But -that gun ain’t been fired, cowboy. You’d better set -that right ’fore turning me in to the sheriff. -Otherwise Tracy would have to fix the gun his ownself, -and he might forget it.” -</p> - -<p> -An oath from the rider behind apprised Robinson -that his words had taken full effect. He grinned -slightly. A moment later his horse started as a -gun was fired in the air. Looking over his shoulder, -Robinson saw the puncher in the act of firing -the second time. -</p> - -<p> -“Two shots is plenty,” he observed. “That’s -real friendly of you, cowboy. I’d hate to spoil -everything by not havin’ fired that there weapon.” -</p> - -<p> -The sullen rider gave him a malevolent glance -and motioned ahead. Robinson turned and made -no further overtures. -</p> - -<p> -They jogged on in silence, the hoofs raising a slow -cloud of dust that followed and drifted over them -with the breeze of noonday. For half an hour -neither man spoke a word, and then Robinson again -ventured an effort: -</p> - -<p> -“You three gents must ha’ been planted when I -rode by and spoke with Cervantes. Ain’t that the -way of it now?” -</p> - -<p> -No response at all. Robinson chuckled. -</p> - -<p> -“I guess that’s it, feller. Buck seen me, and got -a great idea. Looks like he was dead right about -it, too. Only thing that worries me is this: Who -fired the two shots? Each o’ these hosses has a -rifle, but they was a third puncher along with you. -However, that don’t matter right now. The three of -you was planted, seen me, and let me go past. That -was actin’ real clever toward me, as they say down -south. Ever been down thataway, feller? You -come down some day and get you a job on the SF -Ranch below Pecos City. I’ll help you get it any old -time. Sam Fisher owns her. He’s a smart young -feller, they do say, only he don’t justify his -reputation much. Least, that’s what Jake Harper says.” -</p> - -<p> -“Hold your jaw!” came the savage command -from behind. -</p> - -<p> -Robinson glanced over his shoulder and beheld -another cloud of dust far behind them. His captor -jerked on the lariat, and continued: -</p> - -<p> -“Robinson, you start any talkin’ and you’ll never -reach town alive. I means it. When that gent -comes up, if he ain’t Buck you lay low.” -</p> - -<p> -“Conceded,” returned Robinson. “I’ll not say -a word, providin’ you tell me where Murphy went to.” -</p> - -<p> -“What you so dummed curious about Murphy for?” -</p> - -<p> -“Born that way and can’t help it. Tell me, and -I won’t say a word.” -</p> - -<p> -“Well, Murphy he went to town, I guess. Satisfied?” -</p> - -<p> -“Plenty.” Robinson looked straight ahead at -the road, and grinned to himself. -</p> - -<p> -Behind the two the cloud of dust moved rapidly -closer. The Running Dog rider turned often in his -saddle with uneasy scrutiny, but to make out the -figure of the rider was impossible, for the breeze -was stiffly behind them and blew the dust ahead. -</p> - -<p> -Thus it was not until the drum of hoofs behind -was distinctly audible that Robinson heard a low -oath issue from his captor. -</p> - -<p> -“It’s that fool Arnold from the Circle Bar! -You, Robinson, keep your trap shut!” -</p> - -<p> -Robinson grinned and made no response. But -a moment later he looked over his shoulder, and -remained looking. -</p> - -<p> -Arnold was spurring his cayuse after the pair. -Now he sent a hoarse yell ahead—a yell which -caused the Running Dog man to jerk up his mount -and turn, hand on gun. -</p> - -<p> -“Put ’em up!” yelled Arnold again. -</p> - -<p> -“Take it, if ye want it,” growled the puncher, -and drew. -</p> - -<p> -Before his gun spoke, Steve Arnold fired—and -fired again. Then Arnold came riding up to the -plunging horse and fallen man, swearing huge oaths -as he did so; the vivid flame of hatred in his face -was terrible to see. -</p> - -<p> -“Steve, I’m right s’prised in you,” said Robinson -calmly. Arnold whirled on him. -</p> - -<p> -“You didn’t see it!” he cried, his voice cracking. -“You didn’t see it—I did! This here guy was one -of the two—him and Buck done it. They shot -down Miguel, murdered him, never said a word, -jest let drive from the brush! By gosh, it was all -I could do not to let drive on ’em—not a mite of -warning, but two shots!” -</p> - -<p> -The face of Robinson was grave, sternly set, ten -years older. -</p> - -<p> -“Was it as bad as that?” he queried. “Turn me -loose, Steve!” -</p> - -<p> -Arnold came up and fumbled at the knots. Tears -of excitement were on his dusty cheeks. -</p> - -<p> -“The dirty skunks!” he cried. “It was low -down, Red—the worst I ever dreamed of. This -guy was one of the two. But I give him warning; -you heard me? I warned him ’fore I shot him -down.” -</p> - -<p> -“You done so, Steve,” affirmed Robinson, rubbing -his freed wrists. “What happened after they -shot Cervantes?” -</p> - -<p> -“They left Chuck Hansom with him, and follered -you. I snuck past Chuck and follered them, -lay up and circled around the Lazy S house. Seen -Murphy go, then seen you put into the saddle. -After that I follered along until I heard the two -shots, and that was all.” -</p> - -<p> -Robinson reached for the rifle that was booted at -the saddle before him. -</p> - -<p> -“This is Buck’s horse, Steve,” he said gravely. -“And Buck’s rifle. Now, lookin’ down the barrel, -you’ll agree with me that she’s been fired real -lately—and there’s a trace o’ fumes to prove it. That’s -proof aplenty for Buck. Let’s look at this gent’s -rifle.” -</p> - -<p> -The rifle from the other saddle had also been -fired recently. Robinson looked down at the dead -man and shook his head sadly. -</p> - -<p> -“You fellows,” he observed, “have been sowing -the wind up in this county—and now you’re going to -reap the whirlwind. You’ll reap it good and plenty, -and she’ll strike sudden; she always does. Steve! -Can you swear to it that Buck fired one of the -shots?” -</p> - -<p> -“I seen him rise up with his gun a-smokin’,” -averred Steve Arnold. -</p> - -<p> -“Then let’s you and me lay off of Buck entirely.” -Robinson smiled harshly at the dead man. “We’ll -get him when the time comes—and let the law deal -with him.” -</p> - -<p> -“Law?” Arnold swore scornfully. “Lot o’ law -in this county! You’d never get Tracy to arrest -Buck even!” -</p> - -<p> -Robinson regarded him a moment, the blue eyes -keen and hard. -</p> - -<p> -“C’rect the first shot, sure’s my name’s Jack -Robinson! But I don’t aim to have Tracy do any -arrestin’. The main thing right now is that Buck is -back at the Lazy S fillin’ Stella full o’ fancy lies, and -she thinkin’ I’m in jail for the murder of poor -Cervantes.” -</p> - -<p> -“Oh! So that’s why they had you tied up?” -queried Steve Arnold. -</p> - -<p> -“Somethin’ like that.” Robinson smiled. “Steve, -can I trust you to turn in back there and say -nothin’—keep your head level—just be nice and polite to -Buck and his man Chuck Hansom? Can ye do it, -cowboy?” -</p> - -<p> -“Can if I got to. Why?” -</p> - -<p> -“Then go do it, and stick around till you gets a -chance to wise up Stella to the facts of the case. -Take Buck’s rifle; we may need a real gun ’fore we -get through. I’ll ride this feller’s hoss and take his -Winchester. Buck’s hoss we’ll send home by his -ownself.” -</p> - -<p> -Suiting action to words, Robinson took the bridle -of the dead man’s mount, then with a slap and a -wave of his hat sent Buck’s beast careering down the -road. Arnold sat looking down at him darkly. -</p> - -<p> -“Where you goin’, Red?” -</p> - -<p> -Robinson’s old quizzical smile broke forth. -“Me? I got to get to town in time to call for some -mail——” -</p> - -<p> -“To town, ye durned fool! Ridin’ a Runnin’ -Dog cayuse? Here, you take this hoss o’ mine and -I’ll take—” -</p> - -<p> -“And give our game away to Buck? Not on -your young life, cowboy! I want Mr. Buck to think -I’m safe behind the bars—until he gets home and -finds his own hoss, anyhow. Nope, you amble along -and don’t waste worry over me. Your job is to take -the worry off Stella’s mind, savvy?” -</p> - -<p> -“You’ve got mighty well acquainted, Red. -Callin’ her Stella, huh?” -</p> - -<p> -“That’s my specialty.” With a laugh, Robinson -was in the saddle and turning his horse toward town. -“See you later. If you take a notion, I’ll prob’ly -be in town until about eight o’clock to-night. And -mind, you leave Buck be! He’ll hang for that murder!” -</p> - -<p> -With this he put spurs to his cayuse and careered -down the road in a cloud of dust. Steve Arnold -looked after him, scowled down at the dead man, -then reined about and started on the back trail. -He was quivering, tremulous with a stern excitement. -</p> - -<p> -“My first man!” He looked back at the motionless -figure, then straightened in the saddle. “Well, -I s’pose it had to come some time—and I’m glad I -paid out the cuss for what he done at the spring. -Question is, can I git to town ’fore eight o’clock -to-night? Red, he’s sure aimin’ to raise Cain with -somebody there.” -</p> - -<p> -When at length he dismounted at the Lazy S, he -was met by Buck and Chuck Hansom, the latter a -cheerful scoundrel who sported an Indian beadwork -vest and was credited with an aptitude for any -deviltry. -</p> - -<p> -“Howdy, Steve!” greeted Buck. “Jest come -from town? Meet anybody?” -</p> - -<p> -“Uh-huh.” Arnold busied himself unsaddling. -“Done heard the news. Met that hombre of -yourn with his pris’ner in tow. Brought in -Cervantes, have you?” -</p> - -<p> -Buck nodded gravely. “Where’s Jake Harper, -d’you know?” -</p> - -<p> -“Home, I reckon. His rheumatiz was right bad -this mornin’,” said Arnold coolly. “Miss Stella -inside? I got a letter for her.” -</p> - -<p> -“I’ll take it in,” proffered Jake. “She’s right cut -up about Miguel. I don’t guess you’d better bother -her now, Steve——” -</p> - -<p> -Arnold’s hand fell to his gun. So deadly was his -face in that moment that Buck instinctively took a -step backward. -</p> - -<p> -“I’m carryin’ my own mail,” said Arnold. “You -fellers object?” -</p> - -<p> -“Of course not,” said Buck hastily. “What ye -tryin’ to do—stir up trouble a time like this? Miss -Stella wants to git Jake here. Goin’ over to the -ranch real soon?” -</p> - -<p> -“I don’t aim to.” Arnold gave him look for -look. “If she’s done asked you to fetch Jake, you -fetch him. I got business of my own; I ain’t ridin’ -for Jake no more.” -</p> - -<p> -“You ain’t!” exclaimed Buck, staring. “Listen! -I got room for you——” -</p> - -<p> -“Not for me, you ain’t!” and with a slow laugh -Steve Arnold went into the house. -</p> - -<p> -The other two looked after him, then glanced at -each other. Chuck Hansom uttered a chuckle, and -touched Buck’s arm. -</p> - -<p> -“I guess you ’n’ me had better go find Jake -ourselves, Buck. What say?” -</p> - -<p> -Buck nodded. His work here was done for the -moment. He was well satisfied with it. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap07"></a></p> - -<h3> -CHAPTER VII -<br /><br /> -MASKS OFF -</h3> - -<p> -It was late afternoon when Jack Robinson rode -into the town of Pahrump, county seat of the -county of the same name. The town was deserted -apparently; somnolent and sleepy. The afternoon -stage was not yet in with the mail. The courthouse -square, with its long hitching rail, seemed -abandoned to flies and sunlight. Even the jail and -sheriff’s office looked desolate; across the street -from this last, Mike’s Place showed not a sign of -life. -</p> - -<p> -Robinson went to the hotel and turned his horse -into the corral there, leaving his saddle and bridle -in the hotel office for safe-keeping. He then made -his way to Main Street and sought the telegraph -office. There was no line in Pahrump, but the -telephone exchange handled messages. At the -exchange, Robinson smiled at the young woman in -charge. -</p> - -<p> -“I left a message here yesterday, ma’am, askin’ -you to hold up any answer. Name of Fisher.” -</p> - -<p> -Without comment the young woman handed him -a message. Robinson pocketed it, returned to the -street, glanced at the message, and chuckled. -</p> - -<p> -“What I need is grub, a bath, and a shave,” he -reflected. “Fresh shirt wouldn’t hurt anything, not -to mention a clean handkerchief. Grub can come -last.” -</p> - -<p> -The stage and express office, an integral unit with -the Johnson Merchandise Company, lay across the -street. Robinson betook himself thither and -confronted a listless clerk. -</p> - -<p> -“What’s all the excitement about in town?” he -demanded. The clerk saw no humor in the question, -but answered it seriously: -</p> - -<p> -“Two men shot up yesterday; sheriff’s gone out -with a posse. Dunno why.” -</p> - -<p> -“I don’t know why, either,” said Robinson -cheerfully. “You ought to have a pair of saddlebags -sent up by express from Pecos City. Name of -Fisher.” -</p> - -<p> -“Come in last night,” was the response. -</p> - -<p> -The saddlebags over his arm, Robinson went to -the barber shop. There he obtained a shave, -followed by a bath, and from the saddlebags he spruced -up with a clean shirt and handkerchief—also a -second gun. -</p> - -<p> -His pilgrimage now took him to the nearest and -only restaurant, where he put away a huge order of -ham and eggs, with other things. This done, he -dropped his saddlebags at the hotel, loosened his -belt, bought a cigar, and sauntered down the street -again. Thus far he had seen no signs of Mr. Murphy, -and he rightly concluded that the gentleman -was sequestered in or about Mike’s Place. -</p> - -<p> -These errands had taken up considerable time. -The stage was nearly due, and the town showed -some symptoms of animation. Horses fringed the -long hitching rail in the square. A number of -loungers about the sheriff’s office showed that the posse -had returned. Unhurried, Robinson sauntered to -the post office and presented a smiling face at the -window. -</p> - -<p> -“Mail for Fisher, please,” he requested. -</p> - -<p> -The postmaster fished several long envelopes -from a box, glanced at them, then gave Robinson a -hard look. -</p> - -<p> -“Nothin’ fer you, I guess.” -</p> - -<p> -“Your mistake, mister,” and Robinson smiled. -“Those letters are for me, I believe.” -</p> - -<p> -“These here is for Sheriff Sam Fisher o’ Pecos -County.” -</p> - -<p> -Robinson drew a flat metal object from his pocket -and laid it on the shelf. -</p> - -<p> -“Does that satisfy you? If not, I’ll come around -and get my own mail.” -</p> - -<p> -The postmaster glanced at the sheriff’s badge, -silently shoved out the letters, and stared at -Robinson as that young man departed. -</p> - -<p> -Without looking at his mail, Robinson took his -easy way to the sheriff’s office. He nodded to the -loungers outside, and passed in. At the door which -bore the sheriff’s name he paused. Turning the -handle, he walked in. -</p> - -<p> -Sheriff Tracy was seated at a desk, alone in the -room. He looked up, saw who his visitor was, and -gasped. Then his hand slid across the desk. -</p> - -<p> -“Don’t!” said Robinson, and Tracy looked into a -gun. “Set back; I dropped in for a quiet talk. -Also, I aim to use your office a spell.” -</p> - -<p> -“You impudent scoundrel!” gasped the sheriff. -“Look here! What d’you know about that shooting -on the north road yesterday?” -</p> - -<p> -“Know all about it,” responded Robinson coolly, -closing the door and drawing up a chair opposite the -sheriff. He sat down and laid the gun before him. -“In fact, I done it. Now, set still and don’t call in -anybody just yet. We got to have a talk. First, I -want to look at this here mail, if you don’t object.” -</p> - -<p> -He put the letters on the desk and spread them -out. Tracy’s glance fell to them. A start of -surprise, and his gaze returned to Robinson’s face. -</p> - -<p> -“Whose mail you got there, Robinson?” -</p> - -<p> -“My own.” Robinson smiled thinly, knowing -that Tracy had read the name on that mail. -</p> - -<p> -There was a moment of silence. Tracy surveyed -his cool visitor with frightful uneasiness, licked his -lips, tugged at his mustache. Then: -</p> - -<p> -“Well, what you want here?” -</p> - -<p> -“Several things, sheriff. I’ll be real busy -to-morrow, so I thought we’d better get all fixed up -to-day. Got to go out to the Lazy S to-night with the -preacher and attend to the funerals to-morrow.” -</p> - -<p> -“Funerals? At the Lazy S? What in time -d’you mean?” -</p> - -<p> -“Shootin’; somebody murdered Miguel Cervantes -this mornin’. Shot him twice in the back.” -</p> - -<p> -The sheriff leaped from his chair. Robinson’s -hand went to his gun, and Tracy sat down again, -breathing hard. -</p> - -<p> -“Who done it?” -</p> - -<p> -“Now, sheriff, don’t go to askin’ me unpleasant -questions. One of the gents that done it is real -dead. The other gent is going over the road for -it—in my care.” -</p> - -<p> -Tracy bristled. -</p> - -<p> -“You may be Sam Fisher and you may not,” he -said aggressively, “but you ain’t walkin’ into my -county and givin’ no orders, stranger. That’s -plumb final. You got no authority here; not a -mite.” -</p> - -<p> -“I know it,” said Robinson sweetly. “But I aim -to get that authority real sudden. Now don’t go -to causing any trouble, Sheriff Tracy. In about -ten minutes from now you got to saddle up and take -quite a journey, and I’d hate to make you take a -longer journey than is necessary.” -</p> - -<p> -“Saddle up! Me?” queried Tracy, red-faced. -</p> - -<p> -“Yep. First thing, you look over this here -telegram. It’s about a gent named Murphy, which -same is sojournin’ in our midst. Since somebody -wants him bad enough to offer three hundred dollars -for him, you’d ought to be interested in picking up -the money.” -</p> - -<p> -He laid his telegram on the desk. Tracy read it. -His face was a study in mingled emotions. Finally -he looked up at Fisher with a complete change of -front. -</p> - -<p> -“I guess you’re Sam Fisher, all right,” he observed. -“They say he’s got the devil’s own nerve, and you -sure show it. But you’re making a terrible mistake -butting into things like this, Fisher. You don’t -know this here county——” -</p> - -<p> -“Here’s my badge for proof, and my mail,” said -Robinson. “I’m Sam Fisher—fact is, I never said -right out that I was Robinson. Folks just took that -for granted. You and the old gang are plumb out -of luck, Tracy. I got no hard feelings against you, -and I’m going to give you the chance to slide out of -town, avoid trouble, and pick up three hundred iron -men. In other words, take Mr. Murphy to the -railroad and go away with him. By the time you get -back the trouble will be all over and you’ll have a -clean slate.” -</p> - -<p> -Tracy, breathing hard, surveyed his visitor with -anxious eyes. -</p> - -<p> -“Don’t get hasty now,” warned Robinson—or, to -use his real name, Sam Fisher. “And don’t get to -thinking about Templeton Buck and how much -power he has. He ain’t going to have much left -when I get through with him, Tracy. I s’pose he’s -given out orders that poor Jack Robinson has got to -be eliminated. Fact is, he thought he had me -eliminated a few hours ago. That’s all right; we’ll -leave Jack Robinson out of it. Sam Fisher has -drawn cards in this game, and he’s going to stick -for the pot.” -</p> - -<p> -“Why don’t you take Murphy, if you want him, -and go?” demanded the sheriff. -</p> - -<p> -“I don’t want him. Three hundred bones means -nothin’ in my young life. Also, and moreover, I -don’t aim to go in that direction.” Fisher’s smile -was cherubic. “You are gettin’ off mighty easy, -Tracy. All you got to do is to swear me in as a -deputy and turn over the jail keys to me, then start -travelin’ with Murphy. I’ll even go so far as to -help you arrest him.” -</p> - -<p> -Tracy reddened again. -</p> - -<p> -“Leave you here?” he said. “Not much! I -ain’t going to do no such thing——” -</p> - -<p> -“I said not to get hasty, didn’t I?” Fisher’s eyes -hardened into blue steel. -</p> - -<p> -“You can’t run no riffle on me, Fisher!” blustered -Tracy. “If I don’t do it, then what?” -</p> - -<p> -Fisher surveyed him a moment with that bitterly -cold gaze: -</p> - -<p> -“If you don’t do it,” he returned slowly, “then -you got to make a heap big war talk, and do it -sudden. Balance her up now, and make your play. -I’m talkin’ turkey.” -</p> - -<p> -In those tense features Tracy read the truth—this -man was in to play the limit. And Tracy dared not -back his hand; he could not trust his own cards. -There was too much he did not know. He had been -unable to find Buck that afternoon, and he was -facing this crisis on his own backbone—which did not -amount to much. -</p> - -<p> -He had heard of Sam Fisher often and often. -The sheriff of Pecos had a reputation, and stood -behind it hard. Tracy could not tell just what this -man would dare do, and he did not care to take -chances on finding out. -</p> - -<p> -On the other hand, he was offered a trip with a -prisoner which would net him three hundred dollars -reward money. He would be safely away while -Fisher was playing his game. It would be certainly -all right to leave Fisher, the sheriff of the next -county, in charge of Pahrump while he was gone. -And if Fisher got killed, what loss? None. If he -did not get killed, he was apt to kill off several -people who were behind Tracy. That would be no -great loss either. -</p> - -<p> -A grim smile curved the lips of Tracy. -</p> - -<p> -“Sam, your arguments are powerful good,” he -said. “There’s a couple o’ deputies outside. If -you want to have the ceremony over right away——” -</p> - -<p> -Fisher nodded, rose, and went to the door. -</p> - -<p> -“Hey, fellers!” he called to the group outside. -“Come inside; sheriff wants you.” -</p> - -<p> -Five men trooped in, eyeing Fisher with uneasy -glances. Sheriff Tracy, having made his decision, -lost no time in putting the job through. -</p> - -<p> -“This here,” he said, motioning to his visitor, “is -Sam Fisher, sheriff o’ Pecos County. I’m about to -swear him in as deputy and leave him in charge of -things here. Fisher, you want these deputies to -work with you?” -</p> - -<p> -Sam Fisher eyed the group and smiled. -</p> - -<p> -“Nope, I’m satisfied to play a lone hand, Tracy. -Much obliged for the offer.” -</p> - -<p> -“Very well. You boys can bear witness to this -here affair, then you’re free. Hold up your hand, -Fisher—” -</p> - -<p> -Sam Fisher was duly sworn as deputy sheriff, and -Tracy handed him a badge. Fisher put it in his -pocket with a grin. The startled, staring men -behind him were dumfounded. Tracy then shoved -over the jail keys. -</p> - -<p> -“They’s four brand-new cells,” he said, “just installed, -all the latest fittin’s. The others ain’t worth -much ’cept for looks. Four will be plenty, I guess?” -</p> - -<p> -“One,” said Fisher significantly, “is all I figger on -using. I’d hate to cause the county a lot of -expense, Tracy, when you’re treatin’ me so wide and -handsome.” -</p> - -<p> -“You want to move into the office here while I’m -gone?” -</p> - -<p> -“Nope, thanks. I’ll just lock her up; I expect to -be plumb busy for a few days. Now what say to -you and me going after that bad guy? I reckon -we’ll find him down to Mike’s Place. Boys,” and -he turned to the ex-deputies, “Sheriff Tracy has -discovered that there’s a feller here badly wanted for -a holdup and murder—and he aims to light out -with him right off. That is, providin’ we gather -him in without any gunplay, which we hope to do. -You might spread the news, so folks won’t think it -funny that Tracy is out o’ town.” -</p> - -<p> -“What about that killin’ up on the north road?” -asked somebody. “Matt Brady?” -</p> - -<p> -Fisher looked at the speaker. -</p> - -<p> -“Oh, him?” he asked in surprise. “Why, I done -that myself. No objections?” -</p> - -<p> -“Gosh, no!” was the response, hastily rendered. -</p> - -<p> -Sam Fisher smiled grimly as he left the office -with Tracy at his elbow. -</p> - -<p> -“Any of the Running Dog outfit in town?” he -asked when they were crossing the street. -</p> - -<p> -“Not that I know of,” said Tracy, jingling the -handcuffs in his pocket. “But if I was you, Fisher, -I’d sort of keep my eye skinned for Buck.” -</p> - -<p> -“Thanks.” Fisher chuckled. “That’s the best -little thing to do, Tracy. Well, here goes for the -big show! Bet you a dollar we don’t even have a -rumpus.” -</p> - -<p> -He pushed open the swinging doors of Mike’s Place. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap08"></a></p> - -<h3> -CHAPTER VIII -<br /><br /> -EXIT MR. P. BRADY -</h3> - -<p> -The saloon was deserted, except for Galway -Mike and Mr. Murphy, who were closely -engaged in conversation across the bar. In another -half hour the place would be rushed; the stage would -be in, and the usual evening’s business would be -opened up. -</p> - -<p> -Sam Fisher wasted no time on preliminaries. -When he stepped inside the place it was with a -drawn gun. -</p> - -<p> -“Hands up, gents!” he said quietly. “Move -quick, Mike!” -</p> - -<p> -Two pairs of hands were swiftly elevated. Murphy -saw in the bar mirror who had come in, and he -stood petrified. Mike grimaced angrily. -</p> - -<p> -“This ain’t a holdup, is it?” he uttered. “Sure -an all——” -</p> - -<p> -“Nope, and you aren’t in it, Mike,” responded -Fisher. “So long as you keep out of it, you’re not -in it; get the idea? All right. Better iron this -gent, sheriff.” -</p> - -<p> -Tracy appeared, to the amazement of Mike. He -produced handcuffs and stepped forward. From -Murphy broke a string of oaths. -</p> - -<p> -“Shut up!” ordered Fisher. “One more word -out of you, Pincher Brady, and I’ll drill your -hand—should ha’ done it yesterday. You’re going to -the capital for robbery and murder. Guess I’ll take -a look at his pockets, Tracy, if you don’t mind.” -</p> - -<p> -Gyved and backed against the bar by Tracy, the -prisoner was helpless. Sam Fisher stepped -forward, removed his gun, and then swiftly searched -him. He took from Murphy’s breast pocket a -number of papers, and hurriedly glanced over them. -</p> - -<p> -“Most of these have bearings on my case, Tracy,” -he announced. “You’ll have no objections if I take -charge of ’em?” -</p> - -<p> -“None whatever, Fisher,” said the sheriff amiably. -</p> - -<p> -At this response Murphy gave a violent start. -Galway Mike, behind the bar, opened his mouth -and started with a drooping jaw. -</p> - -<p> -“Fisher!” stammered Murphy. “Who you callin’ -Fisher, sheriff? This here gent——” -</p> - -<p> -“Is the sheriff o’ Pecos County,” said Sheriff -Tracy. “And he’s takin’ my place here for a few -days, gents. Now, Brady, march along!” -</p> - -<p> -“I’ll run along and see you off,” said Sam Fisher -languidly. -</p> - -<p> -Tracy grinned. He was beginning to feel that he -had chosen the wiser way out of a very bad dilemma, -and was fully as anxious to depart from Pahrump as -Sam Fisher was to have him gone. He had nothing -to gain by staying, and much to lose. -</p> - -<p> -“If I’d knowed you was Sam Fisher,” said Murphy -ruefully as they went out, “I wouldn’t have -monkeyed with you no ways.” -</p> - -<p> -“But you didn’t, and you did,” returned Fisher -cheerfully. “And now you’re in the soup, Pincher. -But cheer up; you’ll meet some friends of yours -before long, as soon as I get time to round ’em up and -send ’em along. Where are your hosses, Tracy?” -</p> - -<p> -“I got a couple in the hotel corral.” -</p> - -<p> -Sight of the two men with their obvious prisoner -quickly assembled a small crowd, which drifted -along to the hotel. On the porch Sam Fisher seated -Mr. Murphy in a chair and stood guard over him -while Tracy went for the horses. The crowd eyed -the two men and offered many comments and questions, -to which Sam Fisher only replied with a smile. -News of his identity having been spread by the -ex-deputies of the posse, he was at length confronted by -a direct question. -</p> - -<p> -“Are you Fisher o’ Pecos County?” demanded -one of the crowd about the porch. -</p> - -<p> -“C’rect the first shot, pardner,” responded Sam -Fisher. -</p> - -<p> -“What ye doin’ here?” -</p> - -<p> -“Workin’,” was the laconic retort. “Any objections?” -</p> - -<p> -“You wait till Buck hears about this!” came in -quick response. “Him and the Runnin’ Dawg will -certainly take down your hide. Hey, fellers! -Let’s run this Pecos sheriff out o’ town! We don’t -want him here!” -</p> - -<p> -There was a general, although by no means -hearty, assent to the proposal. At this moment -Tracy rode up with a spare horse. He grinned at -Fisher and addressed the crowd. -</p> - -<p> -“Gents, I’ve swore in Sheriff Fisher as special -deputy and am leavin’ him in charge of things here. -Adios! Gimme the prisoner, Sam.” -</p> - -<p> -Fisher led the wilted Mr. Murphy to the waiting -horse and assisted him into the saddle rather -energetically. He waved the pair an ironic farewell. -</p> - -<p> -“Hearty travelin’ to you gents! See you later, -Tracy.” -</p> - -<p> -The two rode down the street. Sam Fisher -turned to the crowd surrounding him, and all the -laughing geniality had fled out of his face. -</p> - -<p> -“Boys,” he said gravely, “I don’t blame you for -not wanting strangers butting into your affairs. I’m -not going to do it for long—but while I’m doing it -I aim to do it thorough and proper. Miguel -Cervantes was murdered this morning; shot from -ambush. I’m going to get the man who did it, and -I’m going to send him to the pen. That’s all. Now -will some gent kindly direct me to where the nearest -or next preacher resides?” -</p> - -<p> -Dumfounded by this information, the crowd split -before him. Somebody volunteered the desired -direction, and Sam Fisher strode off to arrange for -the funeral at the Lazy S on the following day, also -for a coroner’s jury. The latter gave him some -trouble, but mention of his name and present -position proved sufficient to obtain what he desired. -Also, tale of the murder of Cervantes and the -manner thereof was a tremendous shock. Sam Fisher -was careful to make no mention of the murder, and -merely shook his head to all queries. -</p> - -<p> -It was seven o’clock that evening when Chuck -Hansom, rider for the Running Dog, came into town -from the north alone. Before he had ridden a -block he was hailed eagerly and brought to a halt, -where a small crowd gave him the astounding -information about Sam Fisher. Now Chuck was a -quick-witted rascal. He readily saw the general -sentiment of puzzled wonder and resentment against -Fisher’s intrusion into Pahrump, and inside of two -minutes he took prompt advantage of it. -</p> - -<p> -“Listen here!” he cried out hotly. “This here -guy ain’t Sam Fisher at all. He’s a feller named -Robinson, pretending to be Fisher. He’s the guy -that murdered Mig Cervantes. Me and Buck seen -him do it—seen him! You boys go git your guns -and we’ll ’tend to him.” -</p> - -<p> -There was a howl as his words became understood. -</p> - -<p> -Meantime, from the south, two other men came -riding into town on jaded, staggering beasts. They -were two Running Dog riders who had been absent -from the community for some weeks; so unkempt, -so dust covered and weary were they that they -arrived at Mike’s Place without recognition. -</p> - -<p> -Sliding out of the saddle with groans of relief, -they staggered into Mike’s Place, which was -comfortably crowded. They were too fearfully tired -with hard riding to note the startled silence which -fell on the crowd as they were recognized. -</p> - -<p> -“Liquor, Mike!” croaked the foremost, wiping -his dust-rimmed eyes. “A drink! Buck been in -town to-day?” -</p> - -<p> -Galway Mike set out a bottle and made a grimace, -but neither man noticed it. Both seized for -the bottle at once, pouring drinks with shaking -hands. -</p> - -<p> -“Nope,” said Mike at last. “Ain’t been in.” -</p> - -<p> -“Gosh, that feels good goin’ down!” rejoined the -foremost man. “Say, you got to get word out to -Buck to-night; we can’t ride another mile. Done -killed two hosses on the way up. Tell Buck we -done lost our man——” -</p> - -<p> -At length the dead stillness of the place struck -home. The two riders glanced at each other, then -turned to survey the crowd. Despite the fact that -the general sympathy was with them, nobody could -keep back a grin at their perturbed wonder. Then, -from the end of the bar, a voice spoke up—a drawling, -whimsical voice: -</p> - -<p> -“You ain’t lost him, cowboy. You just follered -him. Ain’t it the truth?” -</p> - -<p> -There, thumbs in his vest and leaning back in his -chair, was Fisher. The two stared at him, petrified. -Fisher sat at a table just beyond the lower -end of the bar, where he was practically hidden -from view of any one at the door, yet had a clear -field of vision. -</p> - -<p> -“Sheriff Fisher!” exclaimed the two astounded -riders in unison, as though they were staring at a -ghost. -</p> - -<p> -There was dead silence for a moment. -</p> - -<p> -Every one in the room sensed the peculiar -tenseness of that moment—a moment of crisis, of taut -nerves, of impending disaster, as the two riders -stared at Sam Fisher and he smiled back at them. -Perhaps he saw how their fingers stiffened, yet he -did not move. If he did not see it, Galway Mike -did. Mike’s hand fell, inch by inch, below the edge -of the bar on which he leaned. -</p> - -<p> -These were the two men who had been keeping -watch on Fisher down in Pecos City. They knew -without telling that the presence of Sam Fisher here -meant danger to the Running Dog. Perhaps they -had been too closely in touch with Fisher down -below to retain much awe of him, and, besides, they -were dead tired, nerves on edge, and reckless. -</p> - -<p> -As with one accord they reached for their guns. -</p> - -<p> -Sam Fisher came to his feet, gun in hand. He -had no intention of shooting unless so compelled, -but he was watching the two riders and not Mike. -</p> - -<p> -Before any shot sounded Mike’s hand had completed -its motion—a swift, underhand fling of -deadly accuracy that sent his bung-starter down -behind the bar unseen. It crashed into Fisher’s -forehead and sent him down like a felled steer. -</p> - -<p> -Two shots came. That bung-starter saved -Fisher’s life, for it dropped him beneath the -bullets. He lay quiet, momentarily stunned. In -another five seconds the crowd had fallen upon him; -he was trussed hand and food and bound in a -chair. -</p> - -<p> -Amid the pandemonium that ensued, with wild -yells for ropes and much loud cursing, Galway Mike -mounted the bar with a gun in each fist, fired into -the ceiling, and evoked comparative silence. -</p> - -<p> -“Byes, this gent is my meat!” he roared. “’Twas -me dropped him, and it’s me that’ll have the say, -moind that! There’ll be no lynchin’ party yet a -while. Two of yez carry him into the storeroom -behint and lave him rest a bit. We’ll be talkin’ -this over, and maybe Buck will be in town to-night.” -</p> - -<p> -The mention of Buck’s name carried weight. Besides, -Sam Fisher had opened his eyes and was looking -around. It was one thing to tie up a man—it -was another thing to murder a bound and helpless -prisoner. The crowd hesitated. -</p> - -<p> -“Take him into the back room wid ye now,” -repeated Mike, flourishing his guns. The gaze of -Sam Fisher dwelt upon him for a moment. -</p> - -<p> -“Mike,” said the prisoner calmly, “you’re interfering -with justice, and you know it. Inside of an -hour I’ll get you for this. Be ready.” -</p> - -<p> -That was all. The brutal features of Galway -Mike reddened, then turned deathly pale under the -intent gaze of Fisher. One of his hands jerked up; -for an instant it looked as though he would shoot -the bound man. Perhaps he would have done so -but for the crowd. Instead, he motioned to the -back room with his weapon, and jumped down from -the bar. -</p> - -<p> -Two men picked up Sam Fisher, still bound to his -chair, and carried him into the storeroom behind -the main room of the saloon. It was a good-sized -room, stacked with barrels and cases of liquor, with -a single window. A lantern, hung to a peg, -illumined the place dimly. Stowing the prisoner here, -the men closed the door again and joined the -clamorous throng around the bar. -</p> - -<p> -The two arrivals from the south were hurriedly -apprised of events—the departure of Sheriff Tracy, -the killing of Matt Brady and ’Lias Knute, the -rumored murder of Miguel Cervantes. In the midst -Steve Arnold pushed open the doors and entered. -At sight of him everyone pressed forward eagerly. -</p> - -<p> -“Here’s Arnold of the Lazy S now! Hey, -Steve, is it true Cervantes was shot to-day?” -</p> - -<p> -Arnold swept the place with his eyes, nodding -curtly. He saw nothing of Robinson. -</p> - -<p> -“Yes,” he said. “Not shot—murdered.” -</p> - -<p> -“Who done it?” went up a mad clamor of voices. -“How? Where?” -</p> - -<p> -“Ain’t for me to say,” returned Arnold. -</p> - -<p> -His attitude would have provoked instant -hostility had not two men rushed into the saloon at this -moment with a loud shout. -</p> - -<p> -“Hey! Chuck Hansom of the Runnin’ Dawg is -comin’ a-smokin’ with a crowd; he says this feller -ain’t Fisher at all; says he’s a feller named -Robinson; murdered Cervantes! Chuck says him an’ -Buck seen it done——” -</p> - -<p> -Uproar filled the place, and mad confusion. For -two minutes pandemonium reigned supreme. Then -somebody thought of appealing to Steve Arnold to -confirm the tidings, but when things quieted down -Arnold proved to have vanished. -</p> - -<p> -Hot upon the heels of this arrived Chuck Hansom -and a yelling crowd. Standing in the entrance, -Chuck showed a gun in each hand. -</p> - -<p> -“Where’s the feller calls himself Sam Fisher? -I’m lookin’ for him.” -</p> - -<p> -Finding no prey awaiting him, Chuck strode -forward, greeted his two brethren, and found himself -confronted by Galway Mike, who held a sawed-off -shotgun across the bar. -</p> - -<p> -“Far enough, Chuck! We got Fisher in the -back room, tied up. Hold on, you byes in the -doorway! L’ave us be, will ye?” -</p> - -<p> -Silence was obtained, leaving the center of the -floor to Mike, Chuck Hansom, and the two Running -Dog riders. -</p> - -<p> -“Now, me lad,” pursued Mike over his shotgun, -“what’s this tale ye been tellin’?” -</p> - -<p> -“It was Robinson murdered Cervantes, and we’re -aiming to ’tend to him,” returned Chuck. “He -ain’t Sam Fisher at all, ye numskull Irisher! His -name is Robinson——” -</p> - -<p> -“It ain’t!” spoke up one of the two returned -men. “He’s Sam Fisher, all right. Ain’t we been -follerin’ him for two weeks? You’re locoed, -Chuck!” -</p> - -<p> -This staggered Chuck for a moment, then he recovered. -</p> - -<p> -“You durned fools!” he cried wrathfully. “Let -him be Fisher, for all I care. Anyhow, we seen him -shoot down Miguel Cervantes. Shot him in the -back, I’m tellin’ ye. You, Mike! Lay down that -gun!” -</p> - -<p> -From behind Hansom went up a low, surging -growl. Every man there saw red at the tale he -heard; the story of Miguel Cervantes shot in the -back. For only an instant did Galway Mike -hesitate; then his shotgun fell. -</p> - -<p> -“You win, byes,” he cried. “If he done that, go -git him and have a party!” -</p> - -<p> -There was a swelling roar as the crowd surged to -the doorway of the storeroom. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap09"></a></p> - -<h3> -CHAPTER IX -<br /><br /> -FISHER RIDES NORTH -</h3> - -<p> -Mike’s Place was lighted into the semblance -of day by two huge acetylene lamps in the -center of the ceiling. -</p> - -<p> -As the foremost of the crowd entered the storeroom -there came to the others a howl of baffled -rage. The entire rear of the long room was a surging -mass of men, all fighting to be first. The front -of the place was quite deserted, except for the -figure of Mike, who stood behind the bar, hand still -on his shotgun. -</p> - -<p> -About the rear doorway centered a wild struggle. -Nobody knew just what was taking place until -Chuck Hansom leaped to a chair and dominated the -mob. -</p> - -<p> -“He’s gone!” roared the cowboy with the gay -beaded vest. “Gone! Somebody’s cut him loose. -Got out the windy——” -</p> - -<p> -“C’rect the first shot, Chuck,” drawled a quiet -voice from the front. -</p> - -<p> -Every man there turned, to behold Steve Arnold -in the doorway, a gun in each hand. To one side of -the swinging doors, thumbs in his vest, was -negligently posed Sam Fisher. -</p> - -<p> -“I’ve come for you, Mike,” he said in the moment -of dead silence. “Chuck, you and your friends will -be attended to by Mr. Arnold, here, so be careful. -Mike, go for your gun——” -</p> - -<p> -Mike had already gone for it, merely switching -around the shotgun atop the bar. It burst into a -shattering, deafening roar that drowned the words -of Sam Fisher. Under the roar came the whiplike -crack of a revolver. -</p> - -<p> -There was a crash and crackle of falling glass; -the double load of buckshot took out the front -window with admirable unanimity. Silence fell, dread -and ominous. Galway Mike had fallen over his -bar, and lay there motionless. Sam Fisher jerked -his gun into its holster again, his face hard and -flinty, his eyes burning. -</p> - -<p> -“Sorry about this, boys,” he said, “but it’s time -that Mr. Buck and his friends were put out of business.” -</p> - -<p> -“Who killed Cervantes?” yelled somebody. Sam -Fisher held up his hand. -</p> - -<p> -“I’ll tell you,” he said, and there was silence. -“Three men hid in the brush and shot Cervantes, -ambushed him, murdered him without a chance. -Two of those men did the shooting. The third man -was Chuck Hansom, yonder. One of the actual -murderers is dead. The other was Templeton -Buck—and I’m going to send him to the pen for it.” -</p> - -<p> -“You lie!” cried the shrill voice of Chuck -Hansom. “You lie! You done it yourself——” -</p> - -<p> -“You devil, I seen the whole thing!” shouted -Steve Arnold, breaking loose. “I seen it all——” -</p> - -<p> -Chuck Hansom flung up his gun. Arnold shot -him before the hammer fell. -</p> - -<p> -Two shots echoed—Fisher fired twice at the ceiling, -blew out the lights, and was gone through the -doorway, dragging the raging Arnold with him. -Behind them the crowd began to mill in wild confusion, -not realizing what had happened, engulfed in -darkness, fearing more shots from the doorway. -</p> - -<p> -“Confound you!” exclaimed Sam Fisher as he -dragged his companion along. “What’d you drop -him for? We’d have had a confession out of him -later.” -</p> - -<p> -“I seen red,” panted Steve. “I jest couldn’t help -it, thinkin’ of the way they’d downed Miguel. He -was one o’ the three.” -</p> - -<p> -“Duck in back o’ the hotel, Steve; hurry up! We -got to make those horses; there’s going to be a -string of hornets on our trail in a hurry.” -</p> - -<p> -Five minutes later the two had ridden out of -town. Behind them the lights and confusion died -down, but both knew that parties of riders would -be on their trail ere long. For a space they pushed -their horses in silence, then Fisher reined in. -</p> - -<p> -“Long trail ahead, Steve; no use overdoin’ it,” -he said. “I got to thank you for snaking me out of -that storeroom. How’d you find out?” -</p> - -<p> -“Heard ’em talk in the front.” Arnold drew in -at his stirrup. “Listen! Why in thunder didn’t -you tell me you was Sam Fisher?” -</p> - -<p> -“I was aiming to keep it dark a while, Steve,” -returned the other apologetically, “only things got -to moving too lively and I had to make the play. -Did you see Stella?” -</p> - -<p> -“Yep! And say! I ain’t had a chance to tell -you yet; things have busted loose aplenty! Buck -must ha’ got Jake Harper.” -</p> - -<p> -“What!” The word broke from Fisher like an -explosion. “What? How come?” -</p> - -<p> -“I ain’t certain.” Steve became calmer as he -spoke. “Right after I got back to the Lazy S, -Buck and this feller Chuck rode home, savvy? I -aimed to come right to town, only Stella was badly -broken up about Miguel, so I had to stick around a -while. Finally I had a chance to tell her the rights -of the whole business, so she up and tells me that -you was Sam Fisher himself. It took us quite a -spell gettin’ straightened out. Then the poor ol’ -señora took to throwin’ fits and I had to give Stella -a hand with her, which ate up considerable time. -</p> - -<p> -“Well, I was gettin’ saddled up, when in rode one -of our veterans from the Circle Bar, seekin’ Jake. -Seems like Jake had started for the Shumway place -early this mornin’ alone. Must ha’ clear dropped -out o’ sight. Stella told me to ride in and git you, -which I done. That’s all we know.” -</p> - -<p> -Sam Fisher studied over this information for a -time, gravely perturbed. -</p> - -<p> -“Steve, we’re in for it, up to our necks!” he said -at last. “Buck is makin’ a great play for the -Shumway place and Stella; at least, he started that way. -</p> - -<p> -“He knows nothing of what’s happened in town. -He thinks that I’m in jail, safe to be put away for -the murder of Cervantes. Cervantes is dead and -out of his way. The only other obstacle in his path -was Jake Harper, and he must have arranged to -handle the old man. If he has, by Heaven, I’ll get -him! No—I won’t get him. I’ll still send him -over the road.” -</p> - -<p> -“A bullet would simplify things a heap,” and -Arnold sighed. -</p> - -<p> -“No, Steve.” Fisher’s voice was grave, heavy, -stern. “Buck is the prime mover behind all the -deviltry up here. It was Buck who sent Frank -Shumway to the pen—and that fellow Murphy, or -Pincher Brady, framed the deal from the capital. I -found a letter in Murphy’s pocket from Buck -referring to it—clear enough evidence to free -Shumway.” -</p> - -<p> -“Glory be!” ejaculated Arnold with a sudden yell -of delight. “Is that the truth?” -</p> - -<p> -“It’s the truth. That letter is locked in the -sheriff’s desk—and nobody knows about it. Now, -Murphy is safe out of the way, and we’ll get Frank -loose from the pen in no time. But Buck—give -him a quick, hot bullet? Not much! That devil -is going behind the bars for life, if I can send him!” -</p> - -<p> -“I’m right sorry about Chuck Hansom, Red,” -Steve said slowly. -</p> - -<p> -“Don’t worry. I don’t believe Chuck would have -squealed, anyhow. Now, I have to be at the -Shumway place to-morrow to handle that coroner’s jury; -so do you with your evidence. If we’re going to -clean up this county, we have to do one thing at a -time. This affair to-night has mussed up -everything pretty badly. If that gang from town is -allowed to come after us, it means a lot of shooting -and killing—which I want to avoid if possible. -Chuck and Mike deserved what they got, but we -can’t shoot up a lot of hysterical fools who think -they’re chasing a murderer. With Buck and his -gang it’s different. Where Buck made his mistake -was in murdering Cervantes; that murder is going -to cost a lot of blood.” -</p> - -<p> -“What about Jake Harper?” exclaimed Steve -suddenly. -</p> - -<p> -“I’m thinkin’ about Jake right now—but if he’s -dead I can’t help him. If he ain’t, he’s all right. -That coroner will be out to-morrow morning with -his jury; so will the preacher. Until noon -to-morrow, I’m tied up. And we’ve got to stop that mob. -Here, Steve, let’s tie the hosses and have a smoke.” -</p> - -<p> -Fisher dismounted abruptly and began to lead his -horse off the road. Arnold reined in and stared at -the darkness. -</p> - -<p> -“My gosh, have you gone crazy or what, feller? -We got no time to smoke——” -</p> - -<p> -“All the time in the world, cowboy!” came the -whimsical, laughing response. “Get down and roll -me one, will you? Done lost my makin’s in the -confusion back yonder.” -</p> - -<p> -With a sigh of resignation to what he considered -utter folly, Steve dismounted and joined his friend. -Fisher said nothing until a cigarette was rolled and -lighted; then: -</p> - -<p> -“Steve, I’ve been thinking about those boys who -are behind us. Who’s leading them? Nobody. -They’ll cool off mighty quick after leaving town. -They ain’t sure just what has happened or who I -am. When they strike trouble in the darkness -they’ll be all confused and imagining things. Now, -all we got to do is like this——” -</p> - -<p> -He spoke for a moment, low-voiced. -</p> - -<p> -The crowd of men who rode out from town on -the north road was headed by the two Running Dog -riders, who now had Chuck Hansom to avenge. -Only their savage spurrings had availed to rouse -the crowd, in fact; nobody was quite certain whether -Miguel Cervantes had been murdered by Fisher or -by Templeton Buck. The fall of Galway Mike and -Chuck Hansom had considerably cooled the -enthusiasm of the mob, and by this time many tales of -Sam Fisher were being circulated. -</p> - -<p> -Thus, by the time the crowd of riders came -toward the crossroads, not a few of them had -trailed off back to town. Under the starlight the -men rode in a clump at a steady jog. Hereabouts -the road was edged by a dense thicket of manzanita. -From this thicket came a drawling voice that -caused every rein to jerk sharply at the bit. -</p> - -<p> -“That’s far enough, boys; halt! You fellers -from the Circle Bar—got the front ones covered? -We’ll attend to the rear.” -</p> - -<p> -“We got ’em, sheriff,” came a deep bass voice. -</p> - -<p> -“Leave ’em to us!” said a sharp falsetto. Steve -Arnold laughed from somewhere. -</p> - -<p> -“Sure, Fisher; sure! Go ahead with your -palaver.” -</p> - -<p> -The crowd halted as one man. Their imaginations -painted a dozen voices from the clumps of -brush. They saw themselves trapped, surrounded. -Men cursed and drew rein. -</p> - -<p> -“I want a little talk, boys,” said the invisible -sheriff of Pecos. “We don’t aim to have any more -bloodshed than we got to, and you fellers are honest -enough in your convictions. Willing to listen a -minute?” -</p> - -<p> -“Sure,” said a nervous voice from the crowd. -</p> - -<p> -“That’s sensible.” Fisher’s tone was grave, -steady, holding them spellbound. “I’ll be at the -Lazy S to-morrow to meet the coroner and the -preacher. This Cervantes murder is going to be -handled by the law. You may think I did it; all -right. To-morrow the coroner’s jury will decide -that little matter, and I’m spilling no secret when I -say their verdict is going to be hard on Templeton -Buck. -</p> - -<p> -“But I don’t want a mob of you out there, messing -things up and starting trouble. I want to -propose a fair and square deal all around. You boys -elect a committee of three to accompany the -coroner; the rest of you stick around town and wait. -If that suits you, go on back home. If it don’t, -then ride ahead—and take your medicine. -</p> - -<p> -“You two Running Dog men! Come on alone a -dozen steps. I want a personal word with you -boys, and I’d advise you not to pull for any guns. -Come on!” -</p> - -<p> -There was a moment of hesitation. Then the -two punchers urged their horses forward. Into the -road ahead came the figure of Sam Fisher on foot. -Cowed, startled, fearful, the crowd watched to see -what would happen. -</p> - -<p> -“If you two boys want to go on to the Running -Dog,” Fisher said quietly, “you’re free to go ahead. -But I warn you here and now that your boss is -facing trouble. Every man with him will become an -accessory. You know me, boys, and you know I -mean what I say. I’m giving you fair warning. -Buck, it appears, got Jake Harper to-day, and the -Circle Bar outfit is behind me to the limit. You -know what that means—every man of ’em a sharpshooter, -out to kill! The roads are watched; your -outfit will be shot down the minute you reach the -Running Dog buildings. Ride on if you want -to—but you can’t come back, boys.” -</p> - -<p> -The two riders sat motionless, drinking in his -words. Most of those words had reached the -crowd. News that Buck had “got” Jake Harper -was paralyzing; it meant war to the finish with the -Circle Bar. Few in the crowd doubted any longer -that it was Buck who had murdered Cervantes. -This sheriff of Pecos was too steady, too composed, -too certain of his position. He was no murderer. -</p> - -<p> -The two Running Dog men glanced at each other. -A word passed between them; they knew full well -what it meant if they rode forward. But they were -men, unafraid. -</p> - -<p> -“Much obliged, sheriff,” said the foremost coolly. -“You’re sure actin’ white. Jest the same, we’re -workin’ for the Runnin’ Dawg and we don’t aim to -lay down on the job.” -</p> - -<p> -“All right, boys; I’m sorry.” Fisher stood aside. -“The road’s yours! Let these two boys pass, -fellers—and plug the first to follow.” -</p> - -<p> -“All right, Sam,” came the voice of Arnold. -</p> - -<p> -The two cowboys rode on. Not a man followed -them. When they had vanished into the darkness, -Fisher stepped up and addressed the crowd. -</p> - -<p> -“Well, gents? Going to break through, or take -my advice about sending that committee?” -</p> - -<p> -There was un uneasy laugh from the crowd. -</p> - -<p> -“Guess we’ll send the committee, sheriff.” -</p> - -<p> -With a surging of turned horses, the crowd -headed about and started back for town. Fisher -gazed after them until the darkness had swallowed -up the mob; then he turned, and found Steve Arnold -at his elbow. -</p> - -<p> -“Red, you’re sure a wonder!” exclaimed Steve -admiringly. “You done it. What next?” -</p> - -<p> -“Riding,” replied Fisher. “Hard riding, Steve. -You know the country better than I do. You have -to go ahead to the Circle Bar and get every last -one of Jake Harper’s boys out around Buck’s place; -no fighting, understand, but the Running Dog outfit -must be cooped up. Tell ’em to drop any man that -rides out.” -</p> - -<p> -“Ain’t enough of ’em,” objected Arnold dubiously. -</p> - -<p> -“Sure there is.” Fisher laughed. “Those old -fellows are dead shots, Steve; you don’t know ’em. -They’ll circle out around the Running Dog buildings -and close up things tighter than a drum. Anyhow, -they have to do it. Tell them I’ll be over -to-morrow, after getting cleaned up at the Lazy S. -And tell them to wait, understand? Wait! No -foolishness. Then you come ahead to the Lazy S -yourself. I’m going there now.” -</p> - -<p> -“S’pose Jake’s all right?” suggested Arnold. -“We ain’t certain that Buck got him——” -</p> - -<p> -“The orders stand. If Jake’s there, tell him it’s -a clean-up of the Running Dog.” -</p> - -<p> -“Suits me, feller. Adios!” -</p> - -<p> -Arnold climbed into the saddle and was gone. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap10"></a></p> - -<h3> -CHAPTER X -<br /><br /> -THE LAST STAKE -</h3> - -<p> -Templeton Buck might have a dirty -streak in him, but he was no coward. -</p> - -<p> -If the man’s make-up held a large amount of -deliberate criminality, of cold and unscrupulous evil, it -also held a large amount of strength and resolute -purpose. Otherwise, Buck could never have -remained the leader of such men as followed him. -</p> - -<p> -And on this bright and sunny morning Templeton -Buck was facing the hardest battle he had ever -faced—a battle with himself. -</p> - -<p> -On the previous night he had learned of the -disaster which had overwhelmed all his craftily laid -plans. True, he had Jake Harper a prisoner, tied -into the big chair before the fireplace. But -Robinson had turned out to be Sam Fisher—and the -roads were watched by the Circle Bar men. -</p> - -<p> -The story told by the two men on the previous -night had been utterly incredible, but with daylight -it had been backed up when Sandy Davitt undertook -to ride forth. Sandy’s horse had been killed -under him. No one else tried to leave the Running -Dog buildings. -</p> - -<p> -Here in the living room of the ranch house, alone -with the old man tied into the chair, Buck paced up -and down, fighting out his battle. Would he lie to -his men, or tell them the truth? That was it. -</p> - -<p> -From the chair old Jake Harper watched him -with terrible, intent eyes. -</p> - -<p> -“Give me your word to act gentle, and I’ll loose -you, Jake,” said Buck. -</p> - -<p> -“I’ll give you my word,” said Jake, his voice -deadly, “that all I want is to git my hands on a gun, -and I’ll fill ye full o’ lead, ye mis’able coyote!” -</p> - -<p> -So Jake Harper remained where he was. Buck -continued his steady pacing back and forth, then -suddenly came to a pause before his captive and shot -out a remark: -</p> - -<p> -“Where I made a mistake was in killing Cervantes. -I should have given him a chance.” -</p> - -<p> -Jake Harper swore at him angrily. -</p> - -<p> -“Where you done made your mistake, Buck, was -in tryin’ to covet the Shumway place. You stole the -Lazy S cattle, and you should ha’ stopped there.” -</p> - -<p> -Silence again. Buck went on with his uneasy -stride. It was a difficult decision which faced him. -</p> - -<p> -At this moment, while he stood on the brink of -disaster, Templeton Buck for the first time saw -clearly how things had come to this pass. He was -rich in money and land. He did not need the -Shumway land added to his own. He was powerful. -</p> - -<p> -Being rich and powerful, he had thought himself -secure, had determined to get both Stella and the -Lazy S, and had been careless as to his methods. -Back in the old days, when Frank Shumway had -knocked him down, he had revenged himself by -sending young Shumway to the -penitentiary—deliberately framing him. -</p> - -<p> -He had not stopped there. One thing had led to -another—little things, most of them. Like a -rolling snowball, the affair had gained impetus. The -one man Buck had feared was Sam Fisher, the sheriff -of Pecos, and he had tried desperately to keep -Fisher out of the way. Even now, he perceived, -Fisher was the one man who threatened him. -</p> - -<p> -If he could only be rid of Fisher! With Fisher -out of the way all would yet be well. The murder -of Cervantes could be met and faced down; with -Sheriff Tracy handling the affair, no jury in the -county would dare to convict Buck. Jake Harper -could be held a prisoner until the mortgage was -foreclosed. Lies and false witnesses would still serve -to smooth the way. -</p> - -<p> -Buck strode from the room, left the building, and -passed over to the corrals. Here his entire outfit -was lounging about as though waiting for his -coming. Not until he met their nods and greetings did -Buck come to a full decision as to what he would do. -</p> - -<p> -For, as yet, these punchers knew nothing of the -Cervantes killing beyond what had been reported -from town. None of them had witnessed it. All -of them, beyond a doubt, held strong suspicions. It -had been a despicable act, even in their eyes. -</p> - -<p> -Buck came to a halt, beckoned to the men, and -met their curious stares with a flame of resolution -in his eyes. -</p> - -<p> -“Boys,” he said quietly, “the story that Sam -Fisher told in town was true. Steve Arnold must -have seen the killing of Cervantes. We could have -made it stick on Fisher, at that, if he hadn’t been too -smart for me.” -</p> - -<p> -Every man there appreciated what this confession -meant to Buck. -</p> - -<p> -“Now, boys,” went on the rancher, “Sam Fisher -is no fool. As things stand right now, he’s playin’ -a strong game and a winnin’ game. He’s got us -blockaded here, and the only thing left for me is to -take my med’cine without a whine. I aim to do it. -Still, that’s no reason for draggin’ you boys into the -same noose, so I’m here to give each of you his -time. You ain’t workin’ for me no more.” -</p> - -<p> -An outburst of protest was quieted by Buck’s -uplifted hand, in which was a roll of bills. -</p> - -<p> -“Sandy Davitt! Come an’ git it, puncher.” -</p> - -<p> -Davitt stepped up, started to speak, reddened, -and checked the words. He took the money placed -in his hand, and waited. One by one the other -Running Dog men stepped up to Buck and received their -wages. When it was finished Buck smiled thinly. -</p> - -<p> -“Now, I reckon, you-all can git past the Circle -Bar men.” -</p> - -<p> -Nobody moved. Of the eleven men who stood -there in the sunlight around the tall figure of -Templeton Buck, none budged. Sandy Davitt glanced -around, hitched up his belt, and grinned at the -rancher. His cast eye gave the grin a baleful -aspect. -</p> - -<p> -“Buck,” he said, “I opine we ain’t workin’ for you -no more. Is that c’rect?” -</p> - -<p> -“You said it, Sandy.” -</p> - -<p> -“Then, far as I’m concerned, I don’t give a durn -about Cervantes. You’ve spoke out to us like a -man, Buck, and by thunder I’m stickin’ right here!” -</p> - -<p> -“And me!” chimed in a voice. Then a chorus: -“Me, too! We stays here, Buck!” -</p> - -<p> -Buck stood in silence a long moment, his thin, -high-boned features flushed darkly. It was a -magnificent tribute these men paid him—a tribute of -which he was unworthy. To the last one they were -men; reckless, scoundrelly if you like, but men unafraid. -</p> - -<p> -“Ain’t none of you ridin’ to town?” asked Buck. -</p> - -<p> -“Nary one, I guess,” Sandy Davitt made response. -A growl of assent backed him up. -</p> - -<p> -“I appreciate this, boys; I sure do!” Buck’s tall -figure straightened up. “Well, I give you the worst -end of the talk on the start. It’s true that Sam -Fisher is playin’ a winning hand so far, but he ain’t -raked in the pot by a long sight! He’s bluffed out -Tracy, and he’s got Pahrump buffaloed—but all he’s -got behind him is the Circle Bar, and we’ve got Jake -Harper here. That means we got to wipe out Sam -Fisher to win the pot!” -</p> - -<p> -“And Steve Arnold,” corrected Davitt. Buck nodded. -</p> - -<p> -“Yep. Them two, y’ understand. They’re over -to the Lazy S, as I get it, while Harper’s bunch has -us held up here. Also, we can’t afford to drop -Fisher when, he comes to arrest me; it’d look too -much like he was killed in the performance of his -duty, y’ understand? We want to fix it so nobody -won’t know jest what happened. Do you foller me?” -</p> - -<p> -“You bet!” came the admiring response. “How -ye goin’ to work it?” -</p> - -<p> -Buck was silent for a moment, his eyes searching -the surrounding country. Not a sign of the Circle -Bar men was in evidence, but well he knew that they -were waiting, grimly hidden. -</p> - -<p> -Almost any man, given the opportunity, will shoot -rather than be sent to the penitentiary, and Buck -was now perfectly cool and steady in his resolute -air. He had everything to gain and nothing to -lose, and a single bold, well-planned stroke might -yet save him from the brink of disaster. -</p> - -<p> -“Twelve of us,” he murmured. “We might -work it! How many horses in the corral, Sandy?” -</p> - -<p> -“Close to thirty,” returned Davitt at once. -</p> - -<p> -“And the Circle Bar lays right up the valley from -the Lazy S. Anybody at Shumway’s would be sure -to see the Circle Bar if she was burnin’, I guess?” -</p> - -<p> -Davitt straightened up in surprise. -</p> - -<p> -“Certain, Buck, certain! They’d see the smoke -sure. But how ye goin’ to reach the Circle Bar to -fire her?” -</p> - -<p> -Buck smiled weakly. “That’s the easiest part of -it, Sandy. This here Sam Fisher, he never wants -no crowd; it’s always a lone-hand play with him. -If him and Arnold seen the smoke from the Circle -Bar, what’d they do?” -</p> - -<p> -“Light out to investigate where we were,” was -the response. “They’d know we’d got away from -here and was busy. And they’d come a-smokin’.” -</p> - -<p> -“Exactly, Sandy,” was Buck’s triumphant return. -“Jest what I figger my ownself.” -</p> - -<p> -“But how in time are we goin’ to git away from -here?” -</p> - -<p> -Buck laughed and clapped his ex-foreman on the -shoulder. -</p> - -<p> -“Jest ride, cowboy, ride!” he exclaimed. “All -right, boys; rustle up some grub and git saddled. -Bring out every hoss in the corral, rope ’em -together, and wait. Saddle an extry hoss for Jake -Harper. Sandy, come along and give me a hand -with Jake.” -</p> - -<p> -Comprehending, at least in part, the bold -scheme which Buck planned, the men leaped into -action. -</p> - -<p> -Thirteen of the horses were saddled, the others -were hastily strung together; rifles were booted, -packets of grub made up, canteens filled. By the -time the punchers were mounted they had not long -to wait; Sandy Davitt and Buck appeared, shoving -forward the figure of old Jake Harper, hands firmly -bound behind his back. They could not bind his -tongue, however, and he cursed the entire gang with -vitriolic emphasis as he came. The hearers smiled -and grinned, making no response. -</p> - -<p> -“Climb or we boosts you, Jake,” said Buck, reaching -the spare saddle. -</p> - -<p> -The boost was necessary, and was given; following -which the old scout was firmly lashed in the saddle. -At Buck’s orders a reata was put about his -neck, the loose end of which Buck took over when -he had mounted. Then, revolver in hand, Buck -gave the word to ride north. -</p> - -<p> -“Take it easy, boys,” he ordered. “No hurry.” -</p> - -<p> -His strategy became only too apparent to friend -and foe alike. Any shots from ambush would draw -an instant bullet into the body of Jake Harper; the -menace of the rope and Buck’s drawn revolver were -entirely obvious. -</p> - -<p> -Buck himself rode in the van, Jake Harper a -little in front. Behind, the Running Dog men spread -out, the extra horses crowding up in the rear. As -they wound out on the way, Jake Harper perceived -how he was being used, and he sent a booming roar -of command at the empty spaces around, where he -knew his men were hidden. -</p> - -<p> -“Fire into ’em, boys! Shoot! Don’t ye mind -me! Shoot!” -</p> - -<p> -No response was made. None could be made; -the Circle Bar outfit dared not call the silent bluff -that Buck was running. Well they knew that the -bluff would be backed up. -</p> - -<p> -Without a shot being fired, without an enemy -being sighted, the Running Dog men rode off in peace. -After them, undoubtedly, would trail Harper’s men, -but it would take some time for the latter to collect -and follow. -</p> - -<p> -Immediately upon reaching the highway, Buck -halted and lifted a hand. -</p> - -<p> -“I want two of you boys to take all the spare -hosses and ride on to the Circle Bar. Fire her, -barns and all, and kill your beasts gettin’ there. -It’s got to be done quick. Harper’s outfit will likely -foller your trail. Four stays here to hold ’em up -half an hour, no more. The rest goes with me.” -</p> - -<p> -Two of the men at once gathered in the lines of -the spare horses, waved an adios, and went north at -a gallop. To the four who announced themselves -as ready to hold up the pursuit, Buck gave a few -brief words. -</p> - -<p> -“No killin’ if ye can help it. Shoot the hosses. -Then make your get-away to town and wait for -news. If I win I’ll join ye there to-night. If not, -then beat it into Laredo County and lay low. Good -luck to ye, boys!” -</p> - -<p> -“Same to you!” they rejoined, and scattered out -to take position. -</p> - -<p> -Five men with him, besides their captive, Buck -turned from the road and led the way toward the -hills. -</p> - -<p> -Old Jake Harper cursed luridly as he perceived -the really admirable strategy that was under way, -although its object was hidden from him. When -the Circle Bar came up, they would be delayed -appreciably by the four men. When at last left free -to take the trail, they would naturally follow that -left by the largest number of horses, leading toward -their home ranch. And in the meantime Buck -would be somewhere else. -</p> - -<p> -“What’s the big idea, Buck?” asked Sandy -Davitt, riding at the rancher’s stirrup. “Where -we off for?” -</p> - -<p> -“Git through the hills, hit the valley trail beyond, -and lay up,” said Buck with a grin. “Sam Fisher -and Arnold are bound to come that way from the -Lazy S when they see the smoke, ain’t they?” -</p> - -<p> -Sandy Davitt slapped his thigh with a loud guffaw. -</p> - -<p> -“Whoop-ee! Buck, you sure wins the deal! -And while we gathers in the sheriff o’ Pecos and his -pal, the Circle Bar outfit is millin’ around tryin’ to -find out what’s done happened, eh?” -</p> - -<p> -“Somethin’ like that, Sandy,” and Buck grinned -confidently. -</p> - -<p> -Jake Harper fell silent from sheer desperation. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap11"></a></p> - -<h3> -CHAPTER XI -<br /><br /> -THE TRAP IS SPRUNG -</h3> - -<p> -In less than an hour Buck and his party were -assured that they had nothing to fear from -any trailing Circle Bar riders. They rode through -the hills and gained the farther slopes of the divide, -with the rolling river flat beyond. -</p> - -<p> -Here Buck drew rein, pointing. -</p> - -<p> -There was no need for words, although Jake -Harper, with recovered vocabulary, spilled pardonable -curses upon the air. To the-north was ascending -a stream of heavy smoke that rose straight into -the windless sky. -</p> - -<p> -“They done it,” said Sandy Davitt briefly. -</p> - -<p> -“Two of you boys stay here with Jake,” ordered -Buck to his five. “If you don’t get no word from -me by dark, turn Jake loose and make your getaway. -If I win, I’ll send word to ye ’fore dark.” -</p> - -<p> -Nobody wanted to remain, so straws were pulled. -The losers, disgruntled, took over the prisoner’s -bridle and sat their horses while Buck, Sandy -Davitt, and the remaining two men rode on. -</p> - -<p> -“Good luck!” they called. Buck responded with -a wave of his white Stetson. -</p> - -<p> -The four men who were left in company now -pushed their horses ahead at a good clip. Two -miles away was the river trail, which Arnold and -Sam Fisher would follow, provided they did the -expected thing. -</p> - -<p> -“Gosh, she’s sure a-smoking!” observed Sandy -Davitt, his squint gaze flitting to the smoke in the -north. “They done it, all right. Fired everything -in sight! I’ll bet Jake will curse over losin’ -his first cuttin’ of alfalfa. He only laid it in last -week.” -</p> - -<p> -Buck smiled weakly, but made no response. If -he lost his stake, he would lose more than alfalfa. -</p> - -<p> -Knowing to what manner of work they rode, the -four pressed on warily, eyes searching the landscape -ahead. They were unlikely to meet any one here. -The Lazy S and Circle Bar lands ran together at -a short distance, and the river road was only a trail -used by the few riders of the two ranches. -</p> - -<p> -They came upon it at last, and simultaneously -drew rein. The trail told them a plain story; no -one had passed this way within the past few hours, -at least. -</p> - -<p> -“What you aim to do?” asked one of the punchers -as they sat motionless. “Rope him?” -</p> - -<p> -“Rope him?” Buck spat a vicious oath. -“We’d look fine ropin’ that gent—and Arnold! -What would we want to rope ’em for?” -</p> - -<p> -Sandy Davitt laughed harshly. He swung up -his arm to a bend in the road fifty yards to their -left. -</p> - -<p> -“Stick right here, Buck, and drop ’em as they -come around that bend. Don’t need the rifles to do -it. Better hobble the cayuses in this bresh.” -</p> - -<p> -Buck nodded assent. A better place for the -ambush could not be found. -</p> - -<p> -The four men dismounted. One of the punchers -led off the animals. The other three went to -the river bank, here a scant hundred yards distant, -and slaked their thirst. Upon rising, Buck gave -his orders. -</p> - -<p> -“We’d better spread out jest far enough to keep -an eye out in both directions. I’ll watch the south -for ’em, Sandy, attend to the Circle Bar end; ain’t -likely any one will come, but we’d better watch that -way, too.” -</p> - -<p> -Sandy Davitt swung off, followed by his companion. -</p> - -<p> -Buck sought a position whence he could obtain a -fair view of the valley in the direction of the -Shumway ranch. He did not need to have the winding -road in view. Even this slightly used trail was -deep in dust, and any rider would leave a brown -smudge that would rise into a trailing wedge to be -discerned afar. -</p> - -<p> -The horses were hidden away from sight among -the trees that fringed the river. To the north the -great splotch of smoke had lessened into a thin -trail; Harper’s place was burned out. It could -not be long now before Fisher would come—if he -came at all. -</p> - -<p> -“Hey, Buck!” rose the cautious voice of Davitt. -“Rider from the north!” -</p> - -<p> -“Comin’,” responded Buck hastily, and ran to -join his men. -</p> - -<p> -The north trail was nearly hidden from them, -but they could make out a trail of dust, and -presently the swiftly moving object which had drawn -the attention of Davitt. As this object came closer -Davitt uttered an impatient exclamation. -</p> - -<p> -“Ain’t no rider at all! By gosh, it’s a hoss!” -</p> - -<p> -“It’s Jake Harper’s hoss, Celestine,” added Buck, -watching the approaching beast. -</p> - -<p> -“He got away from us when we nabbed Jake -yestiddy,” said Sandy Davitt. “Git a rope, boys——” -</p> - -<p> -“Stop!” ordered Buck. “Git off the trail, quick; -leave the brute go through! It’ll fetch Sam Fisher -jest that much quicker.” -</p> - -<p> -They hastened to clear the way. A moment -more and the pound of hoofs came to them, and -along the trail dashed the rawboned brute at a mad -gallop, his vicious eyes rolling wildly, panic driving -him. He was past them like a whirlwind, and went -pounding away to the south. -</p> - -<p> -“Fire scart him,” said Davitt, emerging into the -road again. “Good idee to let him go, Buck. -Scatter out, everybody! Keep yer eyes skinned!” -</p> - -<p> -It was only a moment later that Buck’s voice rose -warningly: -</p> - -<p> -“Dust a-comin’, boys! Git together!” -</p> - -<p> -Excitement spurred them as they ran in to the -place of ambush. From here they had a view of -the road farther down the river; they stood motionless, -guns drawn, tense with expectation. Davitt -and Buck were together on one side of the road, the -other two men opposite them. -</p> - -<p> -Into the patch of road down the river crept a -moving object, dust trailing it. From Davitt broke -one astounded oath. -</p> - -<p> -“Look out thar, boys! It’s Stella Shumway -comin’; out o’ sight, quick! Duck, you devils, duck! -Let her go through; likely they’ll be behind her.” -</p> - -<p> -Davitt and Buck plunged down into the brush, the -others following suit. Hoofs came pounding; -around the bend just ahead plunged Stella Shumway, -wildly spurring her horse forward. The Circle -Bar smoke had drawn her as well as others. Her -strained and drawn face showed the girl’s inward -anxiety. -</p> - -<p> -“Hurry, boy, hurry!” she cried to her mount. -“We’re ahead of them yet; we’ve got to find Uncle -Jake! Hurry, hurry——” -</p> - -<p> -Her voice died into the distance. Almost before -she had gone, Davitt was out in the road, then -swinging himself into a tree for a swifter view of the -lower valley. -</p> - -<p> -“They’re comin’ behind her,” said Buck, his voice -steady. “Now the only question is—who’s a-comin’? -If it’s a hull blamed crowd, we got to lay -low. If it’s them two——” -</p> - -<p> -“Hey, Buck!” Davitt came sliding down, -plunged into the dust, sprang eagerly to his feet -again. “Two comin’—no more that I can see. -Likely they stopped to halt Harper’s hoss, or try to, -and the gal went on ahead. Them two’ll be our -meat; couldn’t be no others. Watch the road now——” -</p> - -<p> -The four craned forward, intent. Into the patch -of road down the river slid the forms of two horses, -galloping neck and neck. -</p> - -<p> -“Got ’em!” cried Buck triumphantly. “Git set, -boys; let ’em have it as they come around this here -bend.” -</p> - -<p> -They scurried to their places, eager with the -trembling thrill of the man hunt, fired out of themselves -by the hot lust for blood, careless of the thing -they were about to do. Hidden, they waited, guns -at the level, bloodshot eyes trained on the bend of -the trail. -</p> - -<p> -Came a furious drive of hoofs pounding the dusty -trail. Through it lifted the voice of Steve Arnold -gayly, boyishly: -</p> - -<p> -“Whoop-ee! Out o’ my way, cowboy! I’m -crowdin’ you for room; gimme air! Go git a good -hoss if ye want to ride with me——” -</p> - -<p> -Buck’s lips curved cruelly; they were coming -together, racing neck and neck! -</p> - -<p> -And then—they came. Plunging around the -bend together, Sam Fisher and Arnold, low in the -saddle, driving their white-flecked horses, racing to -catch up with the girl ahead and reach the cause of -that smoke reek in the sky. -</p> - -<p> -<i>Crack</i>! Pistols roared from either side the road. -The two riders caromed together, a horse sent up -its horrible scream, men and beasts went flinging -down in a terrible crash. -</p> - -<p> -Mad with the killing, Buck’s two punchers leaped -into sight across the road, ran forward. From the -great cloud of dust cracked a shot, and another. -The foremost man fell on his face; the second -coughed, spun around, and dropped. -</p> - -<p> -“Got you!” yelled Arnold. -</p> - -<p> -At the same instant Buck shot, Davitt close behind -him. Arnold, dimly visible amid the dust, fell -back and straightened out. But, as though in echo -to those two shots, came another from the dust. -Buck’s hat jerked from his head. -</p> - -<p> -“By gosh, Fisher’s still klckin’!” cried Sandy -Davitt in stark amazement. -</p> - -<p> -An oath burst from Buck. He fired into the dust -again and again, frenzied. One shot answered -him, and one only; the bullet seared across his face, -sent him down into the grass wiping at his cheeks, -swearing, death frightened. Yet he was unhurt. -</p> - -<p> -Both Davitt and Buck crouched low, peering -forward, waiting for the dust to settle. It seemed -impossible that Fisher could have gone down in that -awful welter of death and yet have remained alive; -but he was not dead. The shot had shown that. -</p> - -<p> -Little by little the dust subsided. Arnold’s horse, -its shoulder smashed by a bullet, raised a shaking -head and emitted another frightful scream, then fell -back. The other horse lay behind, kicking feebly, -trying to grip the ground with its fore hoofs; the -poor beast’s back was broken. -</p> - -<p> -Midway between the two animals lay the body of -Steve Arnold, face to the sky. But of Sam Fisher -there was no sign. -</p> - -<p> -“My gosh!” breathed Davitt incredulously. “He -ain’t there. Ah, behind his hoss, Buck! There -he is!” -</p> - -<p> -Buck fired, and swore at the miss as he ducked to -escape an answering shot. None came. Sandy -Davitt, unable to bear the sight of what had been -done, deliberately leaned forward and shot the two -horses. He, too, ducked low, but no shot answered. -</p> - -<p> -“The son of a gun!” muttered Buck hoarsely. -“He’s playing possum, Sandy. Watch out! He -wants a good shot at us.” -</p> - -<p> -“I’ll bet he does,” assented Davitt fervently. -</p> - -<p> -For long moments the two men crouched there, -peering forward, seeking any sign of movement. -None came. The sun beat down on the scene, -flooding with pitiless light each terrible detail on the -shot-up Steve Arnold, the two horses, the two -Running Dog men who had paid the price. And still -Sam Fisher remained silent. -</p> - -<p> -At last Buck, unable to stand the strain, went -suddenly to his feet. -</p> - -<p> -“All right, you can have your chance!” he cried, -and flung himself forward. -</p> - -<p> -Davitt watched, ready to fire at Fisher’s shot. -But, to his amazement, he saw Buck check his rush, -lower his pistol, and turn. -</p> - -<p> -“All right, Sandy.” Buck’s voice was hoarse. -“It’s all over. We got ’em.” -</p> - -<p> -Davitt slowly rose, still half fearful of a trap. -Then he put up his gun and stared at his work in -silence. -</p> - -<p> -“We win,” said Buck softly, and there was none -to say him nay. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap12"></a></p> - -<h3> -CHAPTER XII -<br /><br /> -THE CLEAN-UP -</h3> - -<p> -A little later Buck and Sandy Davitt sat in -the dust, cigarettes in their still tremulous -hands, and watched their victims. -</p> - -<p> -“After all, we bungled it a heap,” said Davitt -morosely. “Now there’ll be hell to pay and no -pitch hot! Buck, we’d ought to finish it.” -</p> - -<p> -Before them lay Steve Arnold, shot through the -leg and with an ugly scalp wound; unconscious, but -far from dead. The sheriff of Pecos lay beside -Arnold, and was equally unconscious. His right knee -had been dislocated in the fall, he had a bullet -through the right shoulder, another had broken his -right wrist. -</p> - -<p> -“We’d ought to finish ’em for our own sake now,” -repeated Sandy Davitt. -</p> - -<p> -Buck shook his head. He was white to the lips. -</p> - -<p> -“Do it if you can, Sandy. I can’t.” -</p> - -<p> -Sandy Davitt picked up his gun, compressed his -lips, then with an oath thrust the weapon away. It -was more than he could do. Buck smiled ironically. -</p> - -<p> -“It ain’t so bad, at that,” he observed. “They’re -both put out o’ business and in our hands; anyhow, -it’s better’n if we’d killed them, Sandy. Here’s the -story. They come on us and started shooting; -downed them two boys yonder ’fore we could git -into action. Savvy? So we let ’em have it in -self-defense. How you goin’ to prove otherwise?” -</p> - -<p> -Davitt nodded, and his face cleared. “All right. -But I see plain how come Sam Fisher missed us with -them two shots; he done the work with his left -hand.” -</p> - -<p> -“He didn’t miss far at that.” Buck shivered a -little. -</p> - -<p> -“Thanks,” said Sam Fisher, opening his eyes. -“So it ain’t a dream after all, Buck? Say, I’d -appreciate it a lot if you gents would do somethin’ to -my right knee.” -</p> - -<p> -Buck looked at his companion. By tacit consent -they rose and approached their victims, who had -been thoroughly disarmed. Fisher turned his head -and inspected Steve Arnold. -</p> - -<p> -“Well, this ain’t so bad!” he observed. “Look -after Steve first, Buck. His leg is sure pumping -out a lot o’ blood. Tie him up good.” -</p> - -<p> -“You shut up,” said Buck roughly. “Catch on -here, Sandy.” -</p> - -<p> -They rudely bandaged Arnold’s leg, found that -his scalp wound was not serious, and turned to Sam -Fisher. Investigation confirmed his previous -schedule of injuries. -</p> - -<p> -“She’s dislocated,” announced Sandy. “Buck, -catch hold of the ankle; I got the thigh. Go to it.” -</p> - -<p> -Sam Fisher lay back, his fingers gripping at the -dirt, a sweat of agony beading his brow. It was -done. He said no word as the two men effected a -hasty bandaging of his broken right wrist and -wounded shoulder. Then they stood erect above him. -</p> - -<p> -“Sandy,” said Buck, steady and calm once more, -“you got to ride on the back trail in a hurry. Find -the boys we left with Jake Harper and bring ’em -on.” -</p> - -<p> -“You can’t stay here with ’em,” said Sandy Davitt -roughly. -</p> - -<p> -“I don’t aim to. We got two extra hosses. Tie -Arnold in one saddle; Fisher can ride without bein’ -tied, I reckon. Anyway, he’s got to! You help -me with ’em, then ride on hard for the boys. We’ll -put these two with Jake and hold ’em safe for a -spell, then I’ll clean up everything here and light -out. A week will do it.” -</p> - -<p> -“You aim to light out, do you?” asked Davitt in -surprise. Buck nodded. -</p> - -<p> -“Yep. It’s that or kill Sam Fisher, and I guess -I’ve gone my limit to-day, Sandy. We’ve done -a-plenty.” -</p> - -<p> -“Suit yourself.” Sandy Davitt shrugged. -</p> - -<p> -“Besides, Tracy will be back soon. We’ll lay -charges o’ this murder,” and Buck pointed to the -two dead men, “against ’em both and lock ’em up. -We’ll git clear off ’fore they are able to travel. -Dog-gone it! If Fisher was whole, I’d say shoot, -but he’s too much shot up, Sandy. Dogged if I -can do it now!” -</p> - -<p> -They led out the horses. Into one saddle they -lifted the unconscious Arnold, and then lashed him -firmly in place. With an effort, Sam Fisher gained -his feet, his right hand dangling in its bandage. -The ghost of his old whimsical smile touched his -lips. -</p> - -<p> -“Put me up, gents, and I guess I can ride,” he -said quietly. “And I still got one good hand for -the reins——” -</p> - -<p> -“The reins ain’t goin’ to trouble you none,” -intervened Buck. “Ready, Sandy!” -</p> - -<p> -Once he was placed in the saddle, Fisher clung to -the pommel, his face livid; the pain of the operation -was intense. However, he would be able to ride -fairly well. -</p> - -<p> -“All right, Sandy,” said Buck as he strung together -the reins of the two horses. “Git off and on -your way, cowboy! And use them spurs.” -</p> - -<p> -Sandy Davitt leaped to his saddle, yelled at his -cayuse, and was gone in a mad rush. -</p> - -<p> -For a little Sam Fisher could only cling to his -pommel, faint with pain, his head swirling. When -he came to himself he found himself riding beside -the still senseless Steve Arnold. Buck rode in -front, their reins fastened to his saddle, his rifle -across the pommel. He glanced back and glinted -a hard smile at the sheriff of Pecos. -</p> - -<p> -“You’re luckier than most, Fisher. Yes, sir, you -sure are. If it’d been anybody else you’d be dead -this minute.” -</p> - -<p> -Sam Fisher tried to smile. “I don’t see, Buck, -why in thunder you didn’t finish the job. It isn’t -like you to weaken at killing a man.” -</p> - -<p> -“I may yet.” Buck eyed him morosely. “Reckon -I got sentimental for a spell.” -</p> - -<p> -“Then you’d better do it quick,” said Fisher, “for -I’ll sure get you, Buck. Yes, sir, I’ll sure——” -</p> - -<p> -His words ended in a groan of anguish and he -clutched at the pommel. -</p> - -<p> -Buck smiled. “I reckon you won’t do no gettin’ -for some while to come, sheriff; you with a bum laig, -a busted arm, and a bullet through the shoulder!” -</p> - -<p> -“I’ve still got one good arm.” Fisher tried to -smile, but his lips twisted in pain. A groan was -torn from him again. “This knee! I can’t ride -with it, Buck.” -</p> - -<p> -“You got to,” said Buck shortly. -</p> - -<p> -At this time, from the wooded hills ahead of -them, came a single rifle shot that echoed and died -away. Buck frowned and vainly searched the hills -with his eyes. Nothing was in sight. -</p> - -<p> -For ten minutes the three pursued their slow -course. Fisher clung to his saddle; every movement -of his horse caused him torture. At last a -cry burst from his lips—a cry so bitter, so -desperate in its suffering that Buck drew rein. -</p> - -<p> -“Buck! I can’t do it! I can’t do it! You got -to put your coat or somethin’ under my knee; it’s -more’n I can bear.” -</p> - -<p> -The man reeled in the saddle as he spoke; he was -bent, broken, all his iron nerve shattered by the -agony of his tortured body. His blue eyes, dulled -with pain, stared horribly at Buck. -</p> - -<p> -The rancher, a trace of pity in his harsh features, -silently nodded. He put the rifle in its boot and -took off his corduroy coat. This he rolled loosely, -then edged his horse beside that of the swaying -Fisher. -</p> - -<p> -“Ease up on your laig now while I shove her -underneath.” -</p> - -<p> -Fisher reeled, caught at the shoulder of Buck as -the latter stooped. Another groan broke from his -lips when Buck thrust the rolled corduroy beneath -his leg. Then suddenly—— -</p> - -<p> -Fisher’s left hand caught the revolver from the -holster of the stooping rancher. Swift as light he -slashed the front sight across the head of Buck. -</p> - -<p> -“Still got one hand, Buck!” lifted his voice. -</p> - -<p> -Buck hardly knew what had hit him. That front-sight -blow stunned him, raked his skull almost to the -bone, left a grisly wound. Blindly putting one -hand to his head, Buck uttered a hoarse cry, plunged -forward, and rolled to the earth senseless. -</p> - -<p> -For a moment Fisher sat gazing down, the revolver -in his hand. -</p> - -<p> -“Good work, Sam!” lifted a roaring voice from -the trees. “Good work! I was jest gettin’ a bead -on the skunk when you riz up.” -</p> - -<p> -Jake Harper urged a horse into sight, uncocking -his rifle as he came. Fisher stared at him weakly, -hardly realizing what the man’s appearance here -meant. -</p> - -<p> -“You got away?” he murmured. -</p> - -<p> -“You bet! Any time I can’t git out o’ buckskin -thongs when they’s water handy to stretch ’em—— -Good gosh, Sam! What’s happened?” -</p> - -<p> -Sam Fisher reeled a little. Jake looked at the -limp figure of Arnold, perceived that Fisher himself -was swaying in the saddle. -</p> - -<p> -“Me, I’m about all in, Jake,” said the whimsical -voice. “You got to do the rest. Don’t hurt Buck, -mind; he’s got to go to the pen. I have the goods -on him. You have to take us back to the Lazy S—but -look out! Look out for that man Sandy——” -</p> - -<p> -Jake Harper dismounted, rushed to Fisher’s side, -and caught the sheriff of Pecos as he went limp. -</p> - -<p> -“Don’t you worry none about Sandy Davitt,” he -said grimly. “That’s his hoss I’m ridin’ now. -Didn’t ye hear a shot a while back?” -</p> - -<p> -But Sam Fisher could make no response. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap13"></a></p> - -<h3> -CHAPTER XII -<br /><br /> -FINIS -</h3> - -<p> -In a room of the Lazy S ranch house Sam Fisher -lay upon a cot; another held Steve Arnold, both -men bandaged, splinted, and smoking cheerfully. -Beside the sheriff of Pecos sat Estella Shumway, in -her eyes a glow of happiness such as they had not -known for months. -</p> - -<p> -Jake Harper, caressing his glossy black mustache, -stood in the center of the room. He was just -leaving for town. Behind him stood his half-crippled -foreman, surveying Sam Fisher with a wolfish smile -on his ancient features. -</p> - -<p> -Jake clapped his foreman on the shoulder. -</p> - -<p> -“Listen, Sam!” he said earnestly. “This here -old relic, which same has fit more Injuns than kids -like you ever seen, is agoin’ to camp outside the door -of that there cell we puts Mr. Buck into. Three -more of my outfit camps in the jail likewise, until -you gits there in person. If you figger Buck gittin’ -away from them four you guess again.” -</p> - -<p> -“C’rect; Jake,” and Sam Fisher laughed softly. -“Hold Buck there until I can reach town, that’s all. -You don’t think any one will try to rescue him?” -</p> - -<p> -Jake Harper pursed up his lips. -</p> - -<p> -“Rescue him? Not much. The coroner’s -verdict will guarantee him a quick trial for the -murder of Miguel, won’t it? And I’m goin’ to stick -around town my ownself. Don’t you worry none -about any rescue. Them decrepit Injun fighters of -mine is runnin’ his whole outfit, or what’s left of it, -out the county.” -</p> - -<p> -“All right,” said Fisher, nodding. “You take -the keys to the sheriff’s office—they’re with the -others I gave you—and look inside the sheriff’s desk -for those papers about Buck and Murphy. They -must go to the governor at once; I’ll have to go with -’em, I guess, so that puts it off a few days. Those -papers are more important than anything else, -Buck; they prove that Frank Shumway was framed -and that it was done through Murphy. We’ll get -a full confession out of Murphy, beyond a doubt. -So we want to get the matter up to the governor and -get a pardon for Frank at the earliest moment.” -</p> - -<p> -“I’ll attend to them,” promised Jake. He -stepped forward and held out his hand. “So long! -<i>Hasta la vista!</i>” -</p> - -<p> -“Say, Jake!” Over their clasped hands Fisher -looked up, a twinkle in his eye. “One thing more! -Send that preacher out here to-morrow, will you?” -</p> - -<p> -“What for?” demanded Jake in surprise. -</p> - -<p> -“Never mind. You send him.” -</p> - -<p> -“All right. So long, Stella; see you later!” -</p> - -<p> -Jake and his foreman stamped out. Stella Shumway -looked at the sheriff of Pecos, her face very red. -</p> - -<p> -“Sam, what do you want that preacher for?” -</p> - -<p> -“Wait a minute.” Fisher lifted himself on his -good elbow, and looked at the adjoining cot. He -met the grinning features of Steve Arnold, and made -a fierce grimace. “You, Steve! If I was you, -cowboy, I’d look the other way—right at that wall. -It’s a heap interesting.” -</p> - -<p> -With a chuckle Steve obeyed and turned his head. -</p> - -<p> -Fisher dropped on his pillows, and reaching out, -seized the hand of the girl. -</p> - -<p> -“Stella, I done bought the ranch, and I’ll pay that -mortgage, too—but you ain’t told me yet if it’s done -with your consent. You know, Stella——” -</p> - -<p> -The girl’s eyes met his in a smiling glory. -</p> - -<p> -“I don’t aim to leave the old place, Sam,” -she said softly, and bent her lips to his. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /></p> - -<p class="t3"> -THE END -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /><br /></p> - - - - - - - - - -<div style='display:block; margin-top:4em'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SHERIFF OF PECOS ***</div> -<div style='text-align:left'> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Updated editions will replace the previous one—the old editions will -be renamed. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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