"Sit fast!** Thompson ordered his men. **Maybe the IddTl get some sense knocked into his fool head.**
Slamming the dazed yoimgster to his feet. Dusty released him. As Joey began to stagger, the small Texan smashed a punch into his belly. Up whipped Dusty's other hand, colliding with Joeys jaw as he folded over from the other blow. TTie yoimgster straightened once more, spim around and landed limply on the floor. Tinning fast. Dusty faced the table with hands held ready to deal with any land of attack. One glance told him that the rest of the party did not intend taking up the play for their companion.
**Keep him out of my way, Hfll," he warned.
^'Sure, Dusty. You boys take him out and wake him up, then make sure he doesn't come back."
"Sure, boss," replied one of the men. "Will you be needing usr
"If I do. 111 shout,** Thompson promised and watched his orders obeyed. Then he turned back to Dusty and grinned, "See you re as fast as ever."
"When I have to be," Dusty agreed.
At that moment a very nervous-looldng Lily made her appearance. Coming across to the table, she prepared to make excuses and wondered how Dusty would regard finding outlaws in her place.
**The lady didn't know who we are, Dusty," Thompson stated, before she could speak. "I don't reckon she goes to her visitors and asks for references."
"She'd not have much trade if she did," Dusty replied, "That chair'U have to be paid for, Hill."
*m see to it," the outlaw promised.
"And I'd like to talk to him in private. Miss Lily," Dusty went on.
"My office's as private as you can get around here, Cap'n,** Lily answered.
"Let's go. Hill,'' Dusty ordered.
**Like you said. It's yoxu- town.**
Goiag into the madam's office, the two Texans sat at her desk. After oflEering to supply free drinks or food, Lily withdrew. At the door she paused, then, imable to decide what to do next, went out. Her bouncer came over and asked for orders.
"Go get some rest for tonight," she replied. "I figure the marshal knows what he's doing and don't need any help to
"How's it going. Hill?" Dusty asked as the door closed behind Lily.
"I can't complain."
"Why not give yom^elf up? Davis' carpetbaggers aren't in office any more, so you'U get a fair trial."
"And go to jail for maybe ten or more years," Thompson answered. "I'd sooner live and die an owlhoot. Dusty."
"Then don't try anything in Mulrooney, or Edwards County," Dusty warned. 'Take I said, I'll stop you if I have to. So don't make me do it."
"I didn't know who held the badge here," Thompson assured him. "And, as far as I know, I'm not up here to pull anything local."
"You don't know why you're here?"
"That's the hving trudi. All I heard was that Tricky Dick Cansole wanted for me to come up here to meet him."
"Cansole, huh?" Dusty repeated.
"Yeah," Thomspon agreed. "You've likely heard of him, wearing a badge in a Kansas town, although he's not too well known in Texas. He passed word to me diat he'd got something big coming up and needed extra help. OflFered me five hundred just to come up and talk it over. I heard tell he's sent for Dick Dublin and Alf Marlow to come up. Word has it that he's calling down some north country hands as well."
"He must have something big on."
"Big enough to offer waiting money for them who stidc around until he needs 'em," Thomspon answered. "At least that's the word that came with the five hundred."
*Trou figuring on taking him up on whatever it is?** Dusty asked.
*1 don't know imtfl I've learned what the play is. Anyways, I reckon I'll take some waiting money for a spell. Texas's a mite too lively since the Rangers were brought back. You and yoiu" Hooded Riders sure spoiled things back to home, Dusty. If it hadn't been for them, we'd still only have the State Police to worry about. Which wasn't any worry at all."
A faint frown came to Dusty's face at the words. Despite the fact that he had played an important part in bringing a decent, elected government back to Texas, he still hated to be reminded of how it came about. Learning of a plot, hatched by certain members of the corrupt Davis administration, to ruin Texas' economy by wrecking the State's major industry, ranching. Dusty kaew he must fight back. Yet to be caught, or even recognised, doing so would compromise his Uncle Ole Devil and other influential Texans who were working to regain the franchise for the people of the State. So, reluctantly. Dusty, and the rest of the floating outfit had organised the Hooded Riders as a means of fighting the State PoUee. To a pure-dyed Texas fighting man like Dusty hiding his identity under a hood held no appeal. However, he did so, achieved his goal, then tried to forget the means employed to do it.
Then a thought struck him and he looked hard at Thompson. "How'd you know I ran them, Hill?"
"It wasn't hard. Those Hooded Riders worked like you did with Company *C' in the War, fast and unexpected. Who else could it've been?"
**I hoped nobody knew," Dusty said quietly.
**Nobody does know, for sure. You must've had some mighty slick help to keep you so well informed about what the Yankees aimed to do next."
"You might say that."
"Anybody I'd know?"
"That's one thing I don't aim to tell," Dusty stated flatly.
With the War over, BeUe Boyd had accepted an offer to join the Yankee Secret Service. One of her tasks had gained the information which led to the forming of the Hooded Riders and she passed on much news they used. The future safety of the Rebel Spy depended too much on secrecy for Dusty to mention her part in the affair.
Not wishing for further discussion of what he regarded as
a tasteless, unpleasant, if necessary, business. Dusty changed the subject.
"I'll only be here for another couple of weeks, Hill. Until Kale Beauregard comes up from the Indian Nations to take over. Don't pull anything while I'm here. I'd hate like hell to have to bring you in."
**But you'd do it,'* Thomspon said, more as a statem^it than a question.
"I took an oath with the badge and HI not break it."
**Which same I'd hate to put you where you might have to,** Thompson said. "So me V the boys'll ride back to the hideout and let Tricky come there to us." He grinned. "Don't suppose it's any use asking who told you I was here?"
**You're right," Dusty agreed. "It's not. Adios, Hill."
^Hasta la vista/" Thompson replied. "Only not up here."
Just as Dusty prepared to leave, a thought struck him. "Say, Hill, how'd you know to meet Cansole in Mulrooney?"
"He sent word to the hideout for us to come up here instead of waiting for him," Thompson answered. "Said for us to stop at the house and he'd be in touch with us afore night."^
Knowing that he would learn no more, and in fact knew more than he had a right to expect even from an old friend like Thompson, Dusty walked out of the house. Moving away without a backwards glance. Dusty thought over what Thompson told him. As he entered the trees, he saw Mark Counter learning against the trunk of a large flowering dogwood.
**What the—I" Dusty began wrathfully.
"Sarah and Frank come in just after you left and allowed to want to be alone. So I thought I'd take a walk, not wanting to get the name for being a spoil-sport," Mark replied. "I just happened to be passing and leaned on the tree to rest my poor aching shoulder."
"I believe in fairies," Dusty growled. "Damn it, Mark. I said that I'd come here alone—."
"That's what you said," Mark interrupted. "Only who'd it be who had to go home to tell Ole Devil and Betty happen you got shot? Me, that's who."
**You've got a right smart point there," Dusty said in a milder tone, his anger tempered by the knowledge that Mark's disobedience stemmed from concern over his safety
and weD-being. "If that shoulder's better now, we'll find some place where we can keep watch from."
"Are you expecting trouble?"
"Nope. Just wanting to see who comes calling."
**Was it Hill Thompson there?" Mark inquired as they found a place which allowed them to see front and rear of the house.
"Sure. He'n be pulling out soon."
"Did he say why he's here?"
**Tricky Dick Cansole sent for him."
A low whistle broke from Mark's lips and he asked, "Why?"
"To help pull something big," Dusty replied. "You know that we've been wondering why Cansole tried to get Smith out; or if he'd try again after losing those two men?"
"Sure," Mark agreed. "Fm starting to think that he's forgot Smith and's set to take a loss on the hidden money."
"I*dVe gone along with you this morning," Dusty admitted. "Only now I reckon he's got to free Smith and lay hands on it."
**What'd Hill tell you?" Mark asked, guessing the source of Dusty's changed opinion.
"iTiat Cansole's calling in a slew of high-price help for whatever he plans. And offering to pay them to stick around imtil the right time for it. That'd run into big money."
"Which he can't raise from more hold-ups after losing Stayley and that other pair," Mark mused. "Say, if Hill came here, Cansole must be in town or close by."
^That's why we're waiting," Dusty answered. "Even if it's not Cansole who comes to meet Hill, whoever it is might lead us to him."
Settling down with the patience acquired performing more than one such task, the two Texans waited and watched. After about half an hour Thompson and his men left, Joey supported by the other two and offering no objections to the departure. Time dragged by with no callers arriving. A couple of girls emerged, passing the hidden lawmen and returned later carrying baskets of laimdry. In another town Dusty might have suspected them, but he figured Lily had too much to lose to chance siding with outlaws.
On their return to the oflBce, the Kid and Waco listened as Pickle-Barrel told what he—with Dusty's unspoken consent— had overheard dining the interview with the informer. Guessing what must have happened, the Kid told the others that
he would go and lend a hand. Although Waco wanted to go along, the Kid stated his turn would come later.
When the Kid joined them, Dusty told Mark to return to the oflBce, pay the informer another ten dollars and order him out of town. In case of objections, Mark was to hint that Smokey Hill Thompson mi^t like to know who told Dusty of his presence. On hearing tliat, the informer left in a hurry and did not return.
At sundown Waco joined the watchers, sent by Mark to relieve Dusty. However by that time the evening's business had started to build up. Dusty decided that the man they wanted would not come. Or if he did, they had no way of knowing him. Figuring there would be plenty of other work to do. Dusty called off the surveillance and walked with his companions back towards the main business section of the town.
Passing the Fair Lady, Dusty glanced through the window. What he saw brought him to a halt. At his side Waco and the Kid also stopped and stared. While they all realised that the staff of the saloon regarded the feud with the Buffalo as a deadly serious affair, none expected it to be carried to such extremes.
The girl who first caught Dusty's eye wore a skirt that trailed to the floor—at the back. In front the material ended at the waist and was cut down almost to the nipples of her imsupported bosom. Although the Kid and Waco looked in frank approval. Dusty clearly found the sight less pleasing.
"Damn iti" he growled. **What in hell's Freddie reckon she's doing?"
Much as the Kid appreciated the female form so attractively displayed, he knew what Dusty meant. "Let's go look at what the Buffalo gals're wearing," he said.
On arrival, they found that Kate offered girls in outfits little more than bodices; ending at the level of frilly, brief drawers and with only one layer of cloth above the waist.
"I'll be damned ff I'll ever credit a woman again with having good sensel" Dusty barked, stamping off along the sidewalk.
"What's riling him?" Waco asked. "Those gals look mighty good to me."
"And to them," the Kid replied, nodding to a group of goggle-eyed cowhands who came from the direction of the Fair Lady. "There'll be trouble tonight, boy.**
Before half past eight that evening Waco knew what riled Dusty and understood the Kid's cryptic utterance. By then they had quelled a near riot between gandy-dancers and the BuflFalo's male staflF, stopped a buffalo hunter attempting to drag a townswoman into a dark alley and prevented three cowhands chasing girls along the street.
At which point Dusty decided to put an end to one aspect of the feud. Sending for Freddie and Kate, he interviewed them in private. For the first time since they met Freddie was not treated as a lady and received a tongue-lashing she never forgot. Finally Dusty delivered an ultimatum: each saloon must get its girls back into suitable clothing before half an hour passed, or be closed down. Realising diey had asked for all they received, and probably more, the women obeyed. However Dusty knew that the feud had not ended, nor would until they knew who was boss between them.
HE WALKED RIGHT BY US INTO TOWN
The full Story of how the rivalry between Freddie Woods and Buffalo Kate Gilgore came to its explosive head has been told elsewhere. Briefly, a group of prominent Brownton citizens, finding their town did not render the expected financial success hoped for, planned to use the feud as a means to help them rob the Mulrooney bank. In addition to offering them a better than fair profit, it would also ruin the other town. By a trick the Brownton crowd brought Freddie and Kate together in a boxing ring, relying on tihe noisy approval of the audience to drown the noise as they blew the safe. This failed due to Wally and Vera, acting as seconds to their respective employers, drugging both contestants in an attempt to keep diem from inflicting too much damage on each other. The collapse of Freddie and Kate came just as the explosion soimded, and the lawmen heard it in the shocked hush following the abrupt end of the fight.
Although Dusty feared the fight might be a trick on Can-sole's part, he took all the deputies to the Buffalo Saloon; leaving Pickle-Barrel locked in me jail with orders not to open up to anybody but himself. So he had the means on hand to break up the hold-up, although the task of halting the riot which started among tlie disappointed and angry crowd fell upon Big Sarah.
151
Learning the identity of the robbery's organisers from one of the men who attempted it and was captured, Dusty received a warrant for their arrest. Although it was then Sunday, he intended to head for Brownton and serve it. Then word came that Kate meant to force a showdown with Freddie that morning. Once again Dusty faced a problem of what to do. At last he decided that the Brownton bimdi must be brought in. Sarah claimed she could confine the trouble between Freddie and Kate to the Fair Lady, so once more Pickle-Barrel received his orders to remain in the locked building and admit nobody. While Dusty and the male deputies rode out, the female staflE of the two saloons came together in a clash which finally brought an end to the feud.
In the middle of the afternoon Dusty*s party returned. As they approached Mulrooney, bringing two wounded Brownton citizens in a buggy, they saw a couple of rifle-armed riders galloping their way.
**What's up?*' Dusty asked, recognising the men as a gandy-dancer and cowhand who had each spent a night in me jail for being drunk on the streets.
**There's been trouble down at the pokey, Cap'n," the cowhand replied. **M—!*'
Dusty waited to hear no more. Setting his spurs to the huge paint, he sent it racing towards the town. Leaving Derringer to continue driving the buggy and bring in its occupants, only one of whom was a prisoner, the floating outfit went hot-foot after their leader.
Ignoring the men gathered before the ofiBce, although they came from every section of the commtmity and visitors, Dusty brought his paint to a halt. He hit the ground before the huge animal stopped, leaving it free as he crossed the sidewalk to enter the building. Inside he found two trail bosses, the head of the railroad division based on Mulrooney and a pair of prominent buffalo hunters. Slumped in a chair, dressed in her tovm clothes, cleaned up but showin
g signs of what had been one hell of a fight, Freddie raised a face lined with remorse and anxiety to look at the new arrival.
'*What happened?'* Dusty asked, speaking to Sarah who stood at Freddie's side.
**It was near on noon when I got here, what with one thing and another," the big female deputy answered in a
husky, grief-ladened voice. **! found Pickles—dead on the floor and Smith gone."
"God danm itl** Dusty blazed, swinging in sudden fury to face Freddie. "If you and Kate hadn't—."
"You don't have to tell me about that," Freddie answered in a sick voice.
Not since the day outside Dodge City, when Bat Masterson told Dusty that the wrangler of tibe Rocking H trail herd had been killed in mistake for him, had Mark and the Kid seen him so angry. Freddie sank into herself and seemed almost on the verge of tears, all her calm self-possession gone before his fury. It was Big Sarah who spoke first.
"Leave her be, Cap'n. Miss Freddie's near on crazy with sorrowing now. Only as soon as she heard what'd happened, hurt like she is, she come down here to do what she could. And she's done plenty.'^
**That's true. Captain Fog,** the railroad supervisor went on. "Freddie's got every trail crew's scout cutting for sign around town, had groups of men searching every empty house, or unoccupied place in town. Few men could have organised things better."
"You've no call to rawhide her, Cap^n,** one of the buffalo-himters went on.
The making of a lawman Page 16