"Way I heard it, it was a chestnut tree he chopped down," grinned the Kid. "Anyways, there wasn't a son-of-a-bitching thing to prove they were the pair that snuck off with Pop Schubert's hard-earned wealth—^We stood outside
listening—So Dusty reckoned they might fall for an old trick—.^
"Making out that you didn't reckon nesters, especially them two, was smart or brave enough to do it."
"Siu-e. Like I said. It's an old trick, but it still works when j'ou pull it on wet-behind-the-ears buttons—on both sides of the fence."
'Tab!" Waco jeered. "I knowed all along what the game was, and that it'd work right."
"You shouldVe told me which way it'd go therL*
"WhyT
**I was betting that Vic jasper'd break first—unless you did."
"GamblingTl be your ruin for certain sure," Waco grinned. **Come on, stop holding me back. I want to wind up my arrest and go see Babsy."
*Tes sir, deputy," the Kid replied. *'And you've sure earned it"
Escorted by the two Texans, Tommy rode from town and led the way to the hiding place of the loot. From the hollow trunk of an old oak tree the young nester drew the floursack and tw^o hats. Using the same half-smart thinking that had led them to hide the proceeds of their robbery, the pair had also left the hats which might identify them. Then, like all beginners, they made a mistake by failing to dispose of their coats and weapons.
With the loot returned to the oflBce and his prisoners bedded down for the night, Waco declared that he had done enough for one watch. Displaying an air of condescension his friends felt he deserved, the yoimgster announced that such menial tasks as gathering up the crop of drunks was beneath his dignity. However he made sure that he stood at the open front door when he said it and departed before reprisals could be uttered against his person.
Going to the Fair Lady, he attracted Babsy's attention and quickly resumed the state of affairs that handling his first crime had caused to be interrupted. Later that night, \ith Babsy snuggled up to him, Waco went to sleep conscious of having done a real good job of work.
!
I FIGURE I OWE HIM THAT MUCH
*Waal, Smithy boy, ole Tricky Dick's not got 'round to hauling you out of here yet/' Pickle-Barrel remarked cheerfully as he carried a food tray into the solo cell at noon on Friday.
Standing with his back to the far wall of the cell, Smith darted a glance past the old jailer. As always one of the deputies stood in the passage ready to back Pickle-Barrel up in case of trouble. Trying to escape imder those conditions seemed almost certain to end in failure.
There's time," Smith answered with a casual shrug. "If I knew Tricky Dick and needed him to get me out, that is."
"You'll have me believing it soon," Pickle-Barrel said dryly. "'Now me, I'd say he'd found that money and don't give a whoop in hell what we do with you."
*^aybe one day youll get somebody to tell me what you're yapping about," Smim replied. "Can I come get my chow now, or do you figure I'd be loco enough to jump yon and get shot trying to escape?"
"It'd be quicker than waiting for Tricky Dick to come pry you loose," the old timer commented and backed out of the ceU.
Despite figuring that Smith would wait for Cansole to rescue him. Dusty had ordered that no chances must be taken. At no time would Pickle-Barrel open the cell door,
133
unless a deputy stood on hand to cover him and even then Smith must be made to back as far away as the cell walls allowed before the jailer entered. As a further precaution nobody went into the cell wearing a gun, but left all weapons with the man in the passage.
The comments on Tricky Dick's failure to eflFect a rescue were not made out of spite, or to goad Smith into a foolish attempt to escape, but with the intention of lessening his faith in his boss. After the first imsuccessful try Smith began to show signs of concern, which increased a little with each passing day. Yet there appeared to be a complete change in his attitude, as Pickle-Barrel remarked upon while leaving the cell.
"He's still not giving anything away,** Waco commented.
"Nope. He was getting a leedle mite worried, but he's perked up considerable again," Pickle-Barrel answered, closing and locking the door.
"Here, take this fool cannon back,** Waco ordered, holding out the jailer's highly-prized Dragoon Colt by gripping the top of its barrel between the tips of thmnb and forefinger. "I thought only a danged Injun'd be mean enough to tote a rusted-up relic like this."
"Injims is smart on some things," Pickle-Barrel replied as they walked towards the front oflBce.
**What's up with us Injuns now?" demanded the Kid, seated at the desk and having heard enough to be alert for an attack on himself.
"You got two-three hours to spare?" Waco wanted to know.
**We was just talking about my handgun," Pickle-Barrel went on.
Being a stout advocate of Colt's thinnb-busting four pound, nine ounce predecessor to the streamlined, light-weight— comparatively speaking—1860 Army Model revolver, the Kid often found himself called upon to defend its virtues against attacks by supporters of the later gun.
"It's the only thing you showed any sense in since I've knowed you," he told the jailer.
"How's Smith this mormng?" Dusty asked before the wrangling could start.
"Right chirpy, Cap'n," Pickle-Barrel replied.
Before any more could be said, a small, dirty, sly-looldng man wearing worn range clothes entered the oflBce. While
he dressed cowhand style, he did not have the appearance of one who worked the long hours needed to handle cattle.
"Is the marshal here?" he asked, darting nervous glances around him.
"That's me,** Dusty replied. "What can I do for youi^
'Td like to speak to you—in private like/'
Taking in the man's nervous attitude, Dusty guessed what kind of mission brought him to the office. The small Texan knew also that the visitor would not talk in the presence of witnesses.
"Don't you bunch have work to do?" he growled, looking at the deputies.
"Why sinre," agreed the Bad. TLet's go aroimd town and see what's doing, boy."
"Ill teach you how to catch owlhoots while we're out," Waco promised, heading for the door.
"Time I looked in on the other prisoners," Pickle-Barrel continued. "Mind if I shut the door behind me, Cap'n?"
"Not this time," Dusty answered.
Left alone with Dusty, the man darted another worried look around, with particular emphasis on the street outside the windows. Then he turned to face the small Texan and said, "I got something mighty important to tell you, marshal."
"What?"
"It's been a long, hard ride here and I'm losing money all the time I'm away from my spread—."
"Sor
"What Ive got's worth something.**
"Try telling me and fll be the judge of that"
*TIow much is it worth?" demanded the man, studying Dusty's insignificant, young appearance and making a mistake.
"Try me first," Dusty countered.
"But—I" the man began.
"I'm busy, hombre/' Dusty growled, pxishing back his chair. "You've got imtil I reach the door and put my hat on to let me know what's brought you here."
"There's a bunch of Texas owlhoots in townl" the man said hurriedly.
Sitting down again, Dusty took out his wallet and extracted a five dollar bill. "Here," he said, dropping it on the desk.
"Is that all?" the man squawked, reaching for the money.
**You ve not told me anything worth even that much yet,*
Dusty snapped, catching the scrawny hand before it closed on the five dollar bill.
Surprise and pain twisted the man's face at the unexpected strength with which Dusty gripped him. At that moment he stopped regarding the grim-faced Texan as insignificant, young or small and realised that he faced a big, tough, experienced peace oflBcer with whom it would not pay to trifle.
*Trhey're at Lily Gouch's place rig
ht now, waiting to meet up with one of Tricky Dick Cansole's boys," he yelped.
TTouVe sure?^ Dusty demanded, thrusting the other's hand from him.
^Td swear to It on a stack of Bibles shoulder high,** the man replied,
"Now that would convince me,** Dusty assin-ed him dryly. **Who is it down there, Dick Dublin, Alf Marlow, Bill Brooken—."
It's Smokey Hill Thompson and three of his boys,** the man interrupted.
Only with an effort did Dusty prevent his surprise showing. Looking at his cold, grim face, the man never realised just how big a shock he had handed the small Texan. When Dusty did not speak, the man decided to strengthen his case.
^They're wanted down in Texas—."
"But there's no warrant out for them here in Kansas," Dusty pointed out. "If you figure on using me to collect a reward, mister, you've come to 9ie wrong man."
Tm only doing my right 'n' civic duty," the man said sullenly. "Ain't you going to do nothing about it?"
**Sure. I'm going to see Hill Thompson, if it's him, and tell him to ride out of Edwards County. Thanking you right kindly for doing yoiu: civic duty, of course."
"Five dollars ain't a whole heap for the time I've lost," whined the man.
"It's plenty for something I don't know's true or not," Dusty pointed out. "After I get back from Lily's, 111 see if it's worth more."
"Aw, the fiveTl do," the man sighed. "Ill take it and be on my w—."
"PicklesI" Dusty called and the jailer ambled in.
"Yeah, Cap'nr
"Keep this jasper entertained imtQ I come back—and see he stays here until then."
111 do jtist that,** promised the old timer, waving the man into a chair. "Set, friend. I sure hopes you like a good game of cribbage, ain't none of the fellers in the cells can play a lick.''
As he left the oflBce, Dusty saw Mark coming along the street. Aware that the man's information might be a trick to clear the building for another escape bid, Dusty halted and told the blond giant to keep guard until he returned.
TLet me fetch Frank along to do that, Dusty," Mark suggested after hearing what news the man brought. *Then 111 go with you."
Tm going alone, Mark," Dusty replied. **If we both go, there might be trouble."
"And there'll be two of us to handle it," Mark answered. *Trou know Hill's had some hard cusses riding with him."
"Sure. And I know we've been good friends for a lot of years. I figure I owe him that much, Mark."
"If you're set on it—."
"Real set. If Hill's only here for a meeting, therell be no fuss. And if it's a smart move to clear the jail, I'd as soon not faUforit."
**Likely you'll be right," Mark said with a faint grin. "Like always. Only Dusty—."
Jeah?"
"Don't get your hands too far from yoin- guns.**
Concern gnawed at Mark as he watched Dusty walk away. While Smokey Hill Thompson used to be a cheerful, amiable jasper and a spirited companion on a spree in town, life as a wanted outlaw might have changed him. Yet Mark knew why Dusty insisted on goiag alone to the meeting.
Turning, Mark collided with Big Sarah as she and Derringer approached the ofiBce door.
"Hey—I" the female deputy began.
"Sarah, you're lovely," Mark told her, gripping her shoulders and planting a loss on her hung-open mouth. "And so're you, Frank. Stay put in the oflBce until we get back."
Before either of the amazed pair could ask questions, Mark strode oflF along the street at a fast pace. Blushing just a mite, Sarah scratched her head and turned a baffled face to the grinning, if puzzled, gambler.
"What in hell—?" she began.
"Damned if I know, Sarah," Derringer admitted frankly. "Ill never understand cowhands."
Not knowing that Dusty had gone alone to face four outlaws, Waco and the kid strolled leisurely through the better section of town. Their route took them by the convent and they studied it with the curiosity most men feel at the sight of women who voluntarily cut themselves oflE from the normal pleasures of life.
^They're not doing much work outside today," Waco commented, seeing only three nuns in the grounds.
**Maybe the new mother superior wants the inside fixed first," die Kid replied. "She's some looker, for a nun."
"She's a looker for any land of gal," Waco corrected, seeing the woman in question stood by the front door, then came walking across the garden as they drew nearer.
The same novice was still working at painting the fence. On hearing the deputies drawing nearer, she looked aroimd. For a moment she seemed to be on the verge of speaking, but the mother superior reached her side.
"Good afternoon, gentlemen," the beautiful woman greeted. "There's nothing wrong, I hope."
"No, ma'am. Just maldng the rounds," the Kid replied.
"Go to the house, Sister Teresa," the woman ordered and, after a moment's hesitation, the novice obeyed. Then the woman looked at the deputies. "I must ask you not to come around here any more than is absolutely necessary."
"How's that, ma'am?" asked the Kid.
**You must imderstand that om: order places a great strain upon us. Living under a vow of silence is far from easy for a woman, without further diversions."
"I reckon it must be, ma'am," the Kid agreed.
"It is especially hard upon a novice such as Sister Teresa," the mother superior went on. "Seeing two good-looking young men like yourself adds greatly to the strain. I'm sure neither of you wish to make her task any harder."
"No, ma'am," Waco said.
"I haven't seen Sister Bridget around since you came, ma'am," the Kid remarked, watching the novice enter the building.
For a moment some emotion flickered across the mother superior's face, coming and going too fast for the Texans to identify it. Then she replied, "With my arrival Sister Bridget is once more under the vow of silence. It is such a trial that she is segregating herself imtil learning to accept it again. You won't forget what I asked, will you?"
f
^No, ma'am," the Kid replied and, seeing that the woman clearly wanted to bring the meeting to an end, went on. *T-iet's get going, Waco/'
**Sm-e,'* the yoimgster replied. **WeTl bear what you said in mind, ma'am."
With that the deputies tinned and walked away. The mother superior stood watching them go for a time and then returned to the door of the convent but did not enter. Instead she remained outside, watching the remaining nuns work.
I'LL STOP YOU IF I HAVE TO
WaHdng towards the brothel's front door, Dusty thought out the variety of tasks a lawman faced during his day's work. That morning he had seen the fathers of the two nesters and, after some patient argument, convinced them that their sons came to be imder arrest for committing a crime, not out of cowhand-farmer spite. Then he arranged with the judge for the pair to be let out on bail until their trial, and saw the current gathering over overnight oflFenders fined and released. After that he had hoped to be able to call Freddie Woods and Cattle Kate togedier to request an end to the way the feud developed, but the informer arrived before he could do so. Now he went to face an old friend turned outlaw, meaning to make the other leave Mulrooney and Edwards Coimty before attempting a robbery.
Silence dropped on the room as Dusty walked in. Only four girls were present, gathered around the table seating the house's four customers. Dressed in cowhand clothes that showed signs of hard travelling, not even the low hanging guns set the quartet apart in appearance from a freshly-arrived trail crew. Two were of middle-age, tough, durable, experienced long-riders with alert watchful ways. The third, more of a dandy than his companions, had fewer years be-
141
hind him and showed a raw brashness that spelled trouble to Dusty's knowing eyes.
However Dusty's main attention went to the man he remembered as a very brave, capable cavalry oflBcer and competent rancher. In some way Smokey Hill Thompson did not appear changed from their last meeting. Tall, tanned, good looking in a rugged way, dressed as
neatly as possible under the conditions, mat was the same. Yet his face carried hard lines, the mouth no longer grin-quirked and merry, an alert wolf-caution replacing the humour.
If the girls did not know their guests* identity, they guessed at the nature of the men s employment. While Dusty crossed the floor, Lily*s employees withdrew from the table. All three of Thompson's companions studied Dusty, but the older pair clearly waited for instructions.
**Howdy, Hill,** Dusty greeted, halting at the table's edge across from his one-time friend.
"You wanting something with us, badge?" demanded the yoimgest of the four.
"Afore you start something that you can't finish, Joey,** Thompson put in. 'TThis here's Dusty Fog and he's my amigo. Howdy, Dusty. I haven't seen you in a coon's age."
"I tried to get to you. Hill, but it was too late."
"Sure, I heard. ITianks for trying anyways, amtgo."
"This's my town. Hill," Dusty said quietly. ^'And I'm sworn in as a deputy sheriff of Edwards County."
No comments came from the two middle-aged outlaws, and Dusty expected none. Their land lacked the intelligence to organise, or the abiHty to lead. Recognising their failings, they were content to take orders from a smarter man. Not so Joey. Young, ambitious, regarding himself as uncurried below the knees, he sought for ways to prove it.
"So?" he asked truculently.
"So I'll stop anything that starts, no matter who starts it and help run down anybody I have to," Dusty replied.
"Youl" Joey spat out, shoving back his chair and reaching
gun-wards as he started to rise. "Why you short-growed
» r—.
Swiftly Dusty estimated Joey's potential and decided on
how to handle him. Fresh to the outlaw life, with a head full
of ideas about his own toughness, the young man lacked
experience. That showed in the way he acted. No man who
knew the score would have taken such a chance when dealing with the almost legendary Rio Hondo gun wizard.
Before Joey could complete rising or draw his gun, Dusty backhanded him savagely. Caught with the full force of a swing from a real powerful arm, Joey pitched backwards. His chair disintegrated imder him and he sprawled heavily to the floor. Even so he still retained a grip on his gun and, despite being winded by the landing, jerked it from leather. Going around the table in a bound, Dusty sprang forward to lash out his foot. A howl of pain broke from Joey as the toe of Dusty's boot connected with his hand, sending the gun spinning from it. Bending down, Dusty laid hold of Joey's vest and almost ripped it from him while jerking the yoimg-ster erect.
The making of a lawman Page 15