The Floating Outfit 51

by J. T. Edson

  Following the group to the prestigious Columbus Grand Hotel, the conspirators had thought he was merely giving his services as a guide. Instead, accommodation had been arranged for him there. Much to their relief, he had not taken the precaution of making use of the safe behind the reception desk in which guests could have valuable items protected. Furthermore, it had seemed he was making their task easier. He had announced that, after leaving the portmanteau in his room, he meant to go to the livery barn where he had stabled his horse and make sure it would be ready for him in the morning. Although the decision had offered them an opportunity to waylay him off the premises, they had acquired quarters on the same floor in order to facilitate the retrieval of the documents if he should not be carrying them.

  While changing into the clothes brought by Stiggins, the conspirators had decided upon a line of action. Slipping out of the hotel without being seen, they had waited nearby until the small Texan emerged. Knowing the town better than his companions, the book-keeper had gone ahead and the brothers followed a short distance behind their intended victim. As Stiggins had claimed would be the case, they had found the street upon which the livery barn was situated almost deserted due to the other business premises having closed for the night. Waiting until their companion selected and turned into an alley, the brothers had closed in and set about springing the trap, confident that the Texan was completely unaware of the danger. What was more, considering his size, they had no doubt that they would be able to cope with any attempt he might make to resist.

  The lack of hostile response on the part of their captive as he was being forced to leave the street led the brothers to assume he was either too startled, slow witted, or frightened to resist!

  Before the pair reached Stiggins, the passive behavior came to an end!

  Having performed a movement resembling that of a soldier changing step to conform with the other members of his squad, Edward Marsden braced himself against the grips upon his arms. Then, as his left foot descended, he set his weight upon it and, raising the right leg, he bent the knee until the thigh was parallel to the ground. Having done so, he drew Rudolph forward a little with a surprisingly powerful pull of the right arm and snapped the elevated limb to the rear. Driven with accuracy, the side of the boot’s sole caught and raked along the front of the elder brother’s shin in a most painful fashion. Letting out a yelp of pain, the recipient released his holds on the Texan and stumbled back a few steps.

  Giving Aaron and Stiggins no chance to respond to the changed state of affairs, Marsden brought his right foot to the ground. Although he had removed one captor in a manner suggestive of competence, the way in which he continued acting seemed to be a bad mistake. He had swung the leg to the rear in such a fashion that his still held left arm was twisted behind his back, but this proved to be less than beneficial to the younger brother.

  Before Aaron was able to take advantage of the apparent error, having clenched the liberated right fist and lifted it until level with his left shoulder, the Texan flexed his legs slightly. Swiveling to the right at the hips, his movements caused the taller man to bend at the waist. Nor was this the only effect of the pull he was exerting. It positioned the recipient to be caught in the side by the elbow of the raised arm which was propelled around. Feeling an impact on the ribs which reminded him of an occasion when he had been kicked by a horse, Aaron was compelled to let go and staggered away until colliding with the wall of the building.

  Taking advantage of Marsden being preoccupied with his companions, the book-keeper bounded forward. As the younger brother was knocked clear, he enfolded the Texan’s arms in his own and began to apply a bear hug. Not quite as tall as his companions, he was heavier and, despite his sedentary life, far from puny. Yet, for all his efforts to the contrary, he found the hold was being broken by a strength much greater than he had envisaged could be possessed by the diminutive intended victim. Realizing he could not achieve his purpose, an instinct for self preservation caused him to jump backwards. Not, however, quite far enough. Coming up, Marsden’s right foot thrust out to catch the center of his chest and propel him to the opposite side of the alley where Aaron had been brought to a halt.

  Snarling curses and limping slightly, Rudolph returned to the fray. Seeing the Texan was starting to turn his way, he threw a punch. It landed on the side of Marsden’s jaw, driving him in a reeling sprawl across the alley. Although he was unable to keep his feet, he contrived to alight rolling in the fashion of a very competent horseman who nevertheless had been thrown by his mount. Halting by the right side wall on hands and knees, his attitude showed he was far from being incapacitated by the blow.

  Even as the elder brother was shouting for his sibling and Stiggins to help and preparing to follow up his attack, there was an interruption!

  ‘Hey!’ yelled an authoritative voice.

  Looking to find out who had spoken, the conspirators discovered that a man was crossing the street at the rear of the buildings. He wore range style clothing, but the moon glinted on the badge fastened to his calfskin vest and warned he was more than just a cowhand passing by chance. What was more, he was taking the precaution of arming himself by drawing his revolver as he advanced.

  ‘Come on!’ Stiggins yelled.

  Needing no such advice, as they had arrived at an identical conclusion, the brothers joined the book-keeper in his flight. Despite the increased pain caused by doing so, Rudolph contrived to run as swiftly as the other two. Behind them, their intended victim began to thrust himself to his feet.

  ‘Hold it, feller!’ the peace officer commanded. As his order was obeyed he came closer and studied Marsden, then went on, ‘Hey, you’re—!’

  ‘I am,’ the small Texan replied, showing no surprise at being recognized so quickly. He no longer spoke as he had when conversing with the two couples on the train. There was a more decisive timbre to his Southern drawl and he was altogether more assertive as he continued, ‘Which I hope you know those three jaspers as well.’

  ‘Good evening, Mr. Marsden,’ Sarah Grimston greeted, rising and walking forward as the young man entered the lobby of the Columbus Grand Hotel. Overlooking the way in which he was carrying a bulky tarpaulin wrapped bed roll with no discernible effort in spite of its size, she went on, ‘I trust you found your horse in good health?’

  ‘He’s fit as a flea and near to as lively, Your Ladyship,’ the small Texan replied, having reverted to his former mode of speech. ‘And, now I’ve seen to him, I reckon I’ll go out ’n’ ’tend to myself as soon as I’ve dropped my gear in my room.’

  ‘I’ve always admired a man who cares for his horse before he thinks about his own welfare,’ the blonde claimed, walking alongside the small Texan. ‘Perhaps you would show Sir Albert and myself the sights tonight, unless you have other arrangements?’

  ‘Well no, ma’am, I don’t have any at all and I’d surely admire to do it,’ Marsden answered, seeming to consider himself honored by having received the offer. ‘Only there aren’t a whole heap of “sights” around Newton that a for-real ladylike you could go and look in on.’

  ‘You’ll find I’m pretty broad minded,’ Sarah asserted, which was true enough as far as it went. ‘And, anyway, a breath of fresh air won’t come amiss.’

  While talking and accompanying Marsden upstairs, the blonde Englishwoman watched him from the corner of her eye!

  At the start of the train journey, Sarah and her husband had drawn almost the same conclusions to those which, unbeknown to them, Fred Defayne was forming about the Texan. However, since her discovery that the Zebra was not in the pocket where she had dropped it to avoid being found with it in her possession when searched by the detectives in Kansas City, they had studied him more closely and had revised their assumptions. Noticing that he appeared to be practically ambidextrous had been one factor which led to their change of mind. They had considered that, if he really was what he seemed, he would have boasted of his ability as an aid to impressing them. Deciding he
was far less naive than he had behaved, they had wondered whether he might be a confidence trickster of some kind and had selected them, or the rather common ‘Gilberts’, as potential marks to be fleeced. This point of view had been enhanced when, on arriving at the hotel, it had been apparent that the reception clerk recognized him. Although the reaction had been brief and his suggestion that ‘Cap’n Fog was going to get me a room here’ was accepted immediately, the Grimstons had not returned to believing he was the innocuous ‘nobody’ he tried to give the impression of being.

  On reaching the second floor, the thoughts Sarah was having about, the possible motives of the Texan were brought to an end. Coming from the room she was occupying with her husband, ‘Margo Gilbert’ walked towards them. Like the blonde, she was bare headed and she no longer wore the feather boa.

  ‘Hi there!’ the red head said, in what appeared to be an amiable fashion. ‘You wouldn’t have seen that husband of mine while you were coming back to the hotel, would you, Mr. Marsden?’

  ‘That’s a question a feller don’t rightly know how to answer for the best, when it’s asked by somebody’s lady-wife,’ the Texan replied, with the air of one who was trying to give the impression of being far more worldly than was the case. ‘But, seeing’s as it’s truthful-true, I can come right on out and say, “no”.’

  ‘Darn it!’ Margo ejaculated. ‘He went out to buy some cigars and I’ve just had word that the manager of the Bon Ton Theatre wants to see one of us urgently. I don’t suppose you’d take me there, Mr. Marsden, would you?’

  ‘I’d be right honored to do it, ma’am,’ the Texan declared, but kept walking in the direction he was going when addressed, ‘Just let me drop my thirty-year gatherings off and we’ll go.’

  ‘Why sure,’ the red head agreed, raising her voice.

  ‘May I come along with you?’ Sarah asked, also speaking louder than might have been considered necessary. ‘As I told you downstairs, Mr. Marsden, I feel like taking a breath of fresh air.’

  ‘That’s all right with me,’ Margo assented, as the Texan glanced in an interrogative fashion at her.

  There was more than just a desire for exercise and fresh air behind the request made by the Englishwoman. She had been waiting in the lobby to intercept Marsden if he returned before her husband had finished searching his room. As Albert had not joined her, she assumed the task was taking longer than they had anticipated. However, although he might still be in the room, she felt little concern. Even if he had not heard them coming, on hearing the click of the lock being operated, he would have time to hide either in the large wardrobe or under the bed. Provided he had not left too obvious signs of his activities, the Texan might just put down the bundle inside the door and return to the passage without becoming aware of his presence. On the other hand, should he be discovered, she was confident that he could overpower and silence such a small man and felt no doubt of her ability to do the same with the overweight red head.

  Falling slightly behind the other two, so she would be able to take Margo by surprise if necessary, Sarah stood tense and ready as Marsden inserted the key in the lock and turned it. Pushing open the door, he started to enter. He had not doused the lamp suspended from the ceiling on going out and, by its illumination, was able to see the whole of his temporary quarters.

  ‘What the hell’s hap—!’ the small Texan ejaculated as he crossed the threshold, coming to a halt.

  Looking over Marsden’s shoulders, the women each let out an equally startled and profane exclamations as they discovered the cause of his behavior!

  The room was in a state of considerable disarray!

  Far more so, in fact, than even a thorough search would have left it!

  The reason was obvious!

  Having engaged in what was clearly a long and savage fight, Defayne was lying supine by the bed with Grimston kneeling astride his chest and throttling him!

  Giving a squeal of fury, Margo pushed by Marsden and rushed forward!

  Knowing her husband had entered the room to search for the Zebra, the red head had been of much the same opinion as the Englishwoman on the possibilities of the situation. What neither woman had taken into consideration was the circumstances which, due to both couples having decided upon a similar line of action, had arisen. Nor, seeing Fred in such dire straits, did Margo pause to take into account the consequences. Instead, hoisting her skirt above knee level as she advanced, she launched a kick with her shapely and muscular right leg. Caught under the chin with far from inconsiderable force by the rapidly rising high-button shoe, Grimston’s head snapped back and he was pitched sideways from his unconscious opponent.

  Despite having been just as shocked by the sight, although relieved to discover her husband had the upper hand, Sarah responded almost as quickly as the red head. Also having darted by the small Texan, it having been her intention to grab Margo from behind if the need had arisen, she was just too far away to prevent the kick being launched and arrived an instant after it was delivered.

  Accompanying the action with a scream of rage, the blonde grabbed the red head by the shoulders and gave a surging heave. Taken unawares by the suddenness and strength of the assault, Margo felt herself being propelled backwards with a momentum which left her unable to halt the hasty involuntary retreat. In fact, she was having considerable difficulty in retaining her balance and expected to fall at any moment.

  Although Margo was oblivious of the fact, she had been sent on a potential collision course towards Marsden. As he had when dealing with the shortest of his attackers in the alley a short while earlier, he displayed the surprising power possessed by his small yet remarkably sturdy frame. Without releasing the bed roll from his left hand, he raised and extended the other. Laying the right palm against the back of the rapidly approaching woman, in spite of her being somewhat larger and heavier than himself, he brought her to a stop without any noticeable difficulty.

  Finding herself being halted in a much less painful way than she had anticipated, Margo did not waste any time in trying to ascertain how this had been brought about. Instead, she plunged forward and was met halfway across the room by Sarah. Two pairs of hands sank eagerly into hair and started pulling. They spun around, locked together by the grips they had taken. Then the extra weight of the red head and their mutually incautious movements caused them to stagger until they tripped over her recumbent and immobile husband. Landing upon the equally unresisting Grimston broke the force of their fall, but did nothing to stop them fighting.

  Watching the women rolling across the floor with legs flailing wildly and hands jerking at hair, Marsden gave a shake of his head indicative of puzzlement. He had formed certain conclusions about the reason why one or both couples had sought to make his acquaintance on the train, so had taken steps to try them out. Considering what he had found on returning to his room, he wondered if each pair had the same motive unbeknown to the other. However, instead of trying to intervene and solve the mystery, he stepped into the passage and closed the door behind him.

  Having laid the bed roll on the floor and turned the key he had left in the lock, the Texan started to walk towards the stairs. Before he reached them, he saw three men coming from a room at the other side of the passage. Two were clearly closely related, the one on the left limping a little, and the third was shorter and older. All were bare headed and wore respectable suits, shirts, ties and footwear such as might be expected of residents in such a good quality hotel.

  For some reason, each of the trio was keeping his right hand concealed behind his back!

  Having made good their escape, without being pursued by the peace officer or their intended victim, the conspirators had managed to return unchallenged to their room at the Columbus Grand Hotel and hold a council of war.

  Finding the brothers were equally disinclined to give up the attempt to prevent the delivery of the documents, Wilfred Stiggins had proposed a plan which neither Rudolph nor Aaron Chufnell had been able to better. He claimed i
t was unlikely the small Texan had had time to take a close look at their faces and might believe they were no more than ordinary robbers, so they would have a better chance of catching him by surprise at the hotel. Certainly he would be less alert there than if found again on the streets. All they had to do was keep watch on the passage and select the most suitable moment to go out and tackle him.

  Changing into clothing more suitable for their surroundings, the trio had put the plan into effect. When their intended victim had made his appearance, having the women with him had prevented them from taking any action. However, the book-keeper had insisted the observation was continued. Although puzzled by his behavior on emerging alone from his room, they had decided to make the most of the opportunity. Remembering how effectively he had defended himself in the alley, they had felt it was most inadvisable to rely upon bare hands to subdue him. To avoid the need to do so, each was carrying one of the revolvers which Stiggins had had the forethought to supply along with their disguises. They were confident that, particularly as the small Texas did not appear to be armed in any way, he would have no choice other than to surrender when confronted by their weapons.

  ‘Now!’ the book-keeper snapped, when satisfied he and his companions were close enough. He started to bring the revolver from behind his back.

  Being basically simple, the plan was good!

  However, to achieve success, the intended victim was required to be taken unawares and too startled, or frightened, to resist!

  Edward Marsden quickly proved he lacked all the necessary qualities!