The Sheriff of Pecos
BY
H. BEDFORD-JONES
GARDEN CITY NEW YORK
DOUBLEDAY, PAGE & COMPANY
1923
COPYRIGHT, 1923, BY
DOUBLEDAY, PAGE & COMPANY
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, INCLUDING THAT OF TRANSLATION
INTO FOREIGN LANGUAGES, INCLUDING THE SCANDINAVIAN
COPYRIGHT, 1921, BY STREET & SMITH CORPORATION
PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES
AT
THE COUNTRY LIFE PRESS, GARDEN CITY, N. Y.
First Edition
CONTENTS
CHAPTER
I. Jack Robinson
II. Exit Matt Brady
III. Robinson's Partner
IV. Buck Lays Plans
V. Buck's Lucky Day
VI. Proof
VII. Masks Off
VIII. Exit Mr. P. Brady
IX. Fisher Rides North
X. The Last Stake
XI. The Trap Is Sprung
XII. The Clean-Up
XIII. Finis
THE SHERIFF OF PECOS
CHAPTER I
JACK ROBINSON
Besides "Galway" Mike, who was reading the Pahrump County News 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.
The tall, dangerous man who had a rattler skin about his white Stetson was speaking:
"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——"
"So I heard." The large, red-faced man chuckled. "So I heard, Buck."
Buck grunted. "Well, Frank Shumway went to the pen; I was sorry, too——"
"Oh, sure!" commented Murphy sarcastically. "Made you weep a lot, huh?"
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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——"
"Times have changed since then," said Buck hastily. "As I say, Stella can't make the place pay, in spite of everything. Cervantes——"
"Done heard of him in the Panhandle. Ain't he the greaser with a big rep——"
Buck emitted a lurid oath.
"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."
Murphy touched his companion's arm cautiously, and glanced at the bartender.
"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?"
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.
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.
"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."
Buck, taking a handful of cigars from his corduroy coat pocket, laid them on the bar.
"C'rect, Mike," he assented proudly. "Smoke. And give us that new bottle."
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.
"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."
"Oh!" said Murphy, and nodded heavily. "I s'pose you got reason for being so roundabout?"
"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."
"Oh, I savvy plenty," and Murphy nodded again. "But s'pose anybody with money buys in the place and pays off the mortgage?"
"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."
Murphy had straightened up a trifle.
"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."
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——"
"Don't monkey with the mails, Buck!" Murphy frowned uneasily.
"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."
Buck left the place.
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.
"——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——"
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.
Galway Mike grabbed a towel and began to mop the bar.
"The top o' the mornin' to ye, Miguel Cervantes!" he exclaimed. "What'll it be now?"
Murphy started slightly, turned, and surveyed the new arrival with insolent eyes.
"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."
His eyes met those of Murphy. The latter spoke challengingly:
"Meaning me, maybe?"
"No, not you," and Cervantes smiled, seeming to take no heed of the tone and look. "Another gentleman."
He turned away as though to leave. The hand of Murphy dropped like a flash.
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.
"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?"
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.
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.
"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.
"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——"
"Look out you don't make a mistake, mister," said the voice of Murphy, biting and deadly. "What'd you say your name was?"
"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."
"No, he ain't," said Murphy, steadily observing him. "Now you've seen the mistake, let's have a drink, hey?"
"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.
Miguel Cervantes unobtrusively left.
"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?"
Galway Mike looked at Murphy, who made, answer:
"We might. Where to?"
Robinson leaned one elbow on the bar, and surveyed Murphy with piercing, laughing, reckless eyes.
"Upon my word," he drawled, "your voice sounds a heap like Pincher Brady's, pardner!"
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.
Crack! The bursting report of a revolver filled the place.
"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."
Mike straightened up. Clinging to the bar with his left hand, Murphy looked down at his right, which was wounded.
"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——"
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.
"Who's shootin' here?" demanded the foremost man.
"I am," said Robinson, stepping out. "Got any objections?"
They faced around to meet his weapon. Over it his eyes held them; no longer smiling, those eyes were keen and bitter blue.
"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——"
"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——"
"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?"
The sheriff changed countenance.
"Why," he stammered, "I understood a greaser was makin' trouble here——"
"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?"
Murphy was not hurt to any great extent, and proved it by his voluble cursing.
"Ease off steam; that's right," said Robinson soothingly. "Satisfied, sheriff?"
"Plenty," said the officer.
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."
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.
"You sure bungled it!" he said raspingly.
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!"
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."
The doors were flung open again, and Buck strode into the place.
"The greaser!" he exclaimed sharply. "Did you get him?"
Mr. Murphy cursed.
CHAPTER II
EXIT MATT BRADY
Two men were riding away from the town of Pahrump together. One was Miguel Cervantes, the other was Jack Robinson.
"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."
Cervantes nodded and flashed white teeth in a smile.
"I was not watching him," he confessed. "I was looking for someone, as I said. Every day I have come, but no luck."
"Maybe you drew a little luck to-day," and Robinson chuckled. "I don't suppose, by any chance, you were looking for Sam Fisher?"
Cervantes started. His dark eyes centered upon his companion.
"You know him?"
"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?"
"I used to be," said Cervantes bitterly.
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.
"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."
"I shouldn't think your friends would let things go that way," said Robinson.
"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——"
"Templeton Buck?" suggested Robinson.
"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."
"Brady?" said Robinson suddenly, his eyes narrowing. "Matt Brady?"
"Yes." Cervantes gave him a questioning glance.
"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?"
"You know him, then?"
"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?"
"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?"
"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?"
A black frown settled on the face of Cervantes.
"Nobody," he answered. "We don't know a thing against any one. Two detectives——"
"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."
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.
"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——"
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.
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.
"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!"
"You must ha' come from quiet parts, then," said the big man. "That cayuse bears a brand strange hereabouts."
"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."
"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."
Robinson blew a cloud of smoke and shook his head regretfully.
"Later, mebbe. Me, I got business over to Laredo."
"Laredo?" The foreman stared. "This ain't the Laredo road, ye numskull!"
"Ain't it, now?" said the other sweetly. "I never 'lowed it was, did I?"
Brady scowled. "Where ye headin' for?" he demanded bluntly.
"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.
"Better remember it pronto." Brady's tone was significant. His eyes were stormy.
"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?"
Brady stared at him murderously. Knute edged a trifle farther to the side. Robinson appeared quite unruffled and innocent of offense.
"Stranger, are you jest plain fool, or ignerant?" demanded Brady.
"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."
The big foreman settled into a deadly calm. "Yes? How come?"
"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."
From the two men broke startled oaths. The ratty little Knute saw the twinkle in Robinson's eye, and cried out shrilly:
"He's stringin' us, Matt! Somethin' fishy about this guy——"
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.
"Tryin' to ride me, are ye?" Brady queried. "Want trouble, do ye?"
"I'd welcome it," said Robinson.
"Then take it——"
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
"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!"
He swept off his black Stetson, waved it to the nearest hill, and rode on his way.
"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."
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.
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.
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.
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.
"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!"
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.
"Howdy, pilgrim! Jest out from town?"
"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."
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."
"Then," drawled Robinson, "I reckon you done heard of Pete Hendricks?"
"Friend of yours?" queried Arnold.
"Yep."
"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?"
Robinson inspected him quizzically.
"Friends of yours?" he retorted. Arnold flushed violently and pointed to his underwear.
"Does that look like it?"
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."
"Meaning what, pardner?" Arnold inspected him, narrow-eyed, cautious.
"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?"
"Right behind," said Arnold, thin-lipped, watchful. "Elucidate!"
"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."
"Oh!" said Arnold. "By gosh, d'you mean to say——"
"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?"
"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."
"How come?" Robinson surveyed him with lifted brows.
"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?"
"Seems not." Robinson frowned. "Orders to meet me? How in thunder did you get 'em?"
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——"
"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?"
"Comin' behind you, I reckon," said Arnold dryly.
Robinson uttered a low whistle. "The darned old fox! So that's who it was! Let's ride, cowboy; let's ride."
Arnold turned his horse, and they rode stirrup to stirrup.
CHAPTER III
ROBINSON'S PARTNER
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.
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.
"For the love of Mike!" he uttered. "You!"
"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?"
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.
"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——"
"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."
"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?"
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?"
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?"
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?"
"Uh-huh—blamed near got him, too, only I was watchin' the trail. Let's travel, gents. We got to git home 'fore dark."
"You seem to have met before," observed Arnold.
"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.
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.
"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."
Robinson nodded, but did not respond.
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.
"The house is yourn!" he said emphatically. "Set an' talk! We eats with the boys when supper's ready. Meantime, talk!"
"Suits me." Robinson dropped into a chair. "You weren't in town to-day?"
"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?"
"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."
"You met 'em?" asked Jake Harper. "All of 'em?"
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."
"My lord! You did?" Jake Harper was eager, incredulous, astonished. "How come? Thought Buck was keeping a close watch on things."
"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?"
Jake Harper tugged at his mustache.
"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."
"That's old stuff," said Robinson calmly. "You folks up here have a fine county organization, looks like."
The insistent banging of a tin pan interrupted them, and they hastily departed.
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.
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.
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.
"Live bunch, ain't it?" opined Arnold. "Looks to me, Red, like you was some disappointed."
"What at?" queried Robinson.
"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."
"Oh!" said Robinson. "Call you Mister Arnold over there, would they?"
"It's always been Steve around home."
"Oh! All right, Steve. You and me, what say we go ridin' for a change?"
"Your hoss look plumb wore out, Red."
"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?"
Jake Harper inspected the two slender figures, hands on his hips.
"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?"
"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."
"And what's the answer to the durned thing?" asked the old plainsman.
"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."
"Oh!" said Jake, fingering his very black mustache. "I see! You think I'd lie to save your worthless neck?"
"You seen Matt Brady draw first, didn't you?"
"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."
Arnold and Robinson started away together, and lost themselves in the shadows near the corral. Robinson touched his companion's arm.
"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."
Steve Arnold grunted. "What you want to run for, then?"
"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."
Arnold glanced at him suspiciously.
"You tryin' to run some joke on me, Red?"
"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?"
"Looks all right," vouchsafed Arnold. "Got your saddle handy?"
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.
"That's Jake's old Brown Bess," said Steve. "Trouble back of us!"
Robinson held up a hand for silence. They sat motionless, listening. No further shot came, and Robinson relaxed with a soft laugh.
"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!"
They merged into the darkness. The moon would not be up until midnight.
CHAPTER IV
BUCK LAYS PLANS
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.
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.
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.
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.
"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."
"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."
Buck swore under his breath. His thin, raw-boned features were etched with red.
"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."
"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."
"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?"
"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."
"Who'd you suggest?" asked Buck, a lurking devil in his eye.
"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?"
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.
"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?"
"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!"
Buck released his hold suddenly, and stepped back, smiling nastily.
"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!"
Sandy Davitt departed hurriedly.
"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?"
"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."
Buck departed. Murphy glanced after him, then lighted his cigar thoughtfully.
"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!"
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.
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?—
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
"Buenos dias!" cried the rider gayly. "How goes it this morning, Miguel?"
"Well, seÑor. I am glad to see you again."
"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?"
"Frying doughnuts." Cervantes chuckled. His keen eyes darted over the other's figure. "You slept out last night, yes?"
"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?"
The other shrugged. "No, thanks. It would be better if you rode on to the ranch."
Robinson gathered up his reins. "Then, hasta la vista! See you at dinner time."
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
"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."
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.
Something happened swiftly.
"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?"
Holding the platter, Robinson surveyed her with twinkling eyes.
"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?"
The girl's cheeks reddened again, then she broke into a glad laugh.
"If I'd known it was you," she cried, "why——"
Hastily Robinson set down the doughnuts and turned to the doorway—but Estella had changed her position and now stood outside, laughing at him.
"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——"
"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."
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.
"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——"
"You met Miguel this morning?" repeated the girl.
"Yes. Stopped for a chat, then came on. I've been doing considerable running around since yesterday."
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.
"Sam was right worried over not hearing from you," he observed.
"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——"
Robinson's eyes narrowed. "Who posted that letter for you?"
"I gave it to Mr. Buck to mail, as he was going to town."
"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."
"Sold it! Sold this ranch?" The girl stiffened. "For how much? Who to?"
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."
"Oh!" A trace of anger flamed in the girl's eyes. "I'd like to shake you——"
"I'd sure like to have you," Robinson said with a grin. "Go ahead, ma'am!"
Instead, Stella settled back in her chair and regarded him narrowly.
"What kind of a game are you playing, anyway?" she demanded.
"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."
"I had!" repeated the astonished girl. "Why, nothing of the sort! I wrote Sam that he had full power——"
"Sure, sure, but this was different. Seems like this feller wanted you to go with the ranch," averred Robinson innocently.
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!"
"Feller name of Robinson—Jack Robinson. Got any objections?"
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:
"Hello the house! Anybody home?"
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.
"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."
"Good morning," said the girl, somewhat perplexed at the whole affair. "Weren't you looking for me?"
"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."
The girl's face whitened a trifle. "The—mortgage?" she stammered. "Why—why, I thought the bank held it——"
"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——"
He broke off suddenly, for his eyes had fallen upon Robinson. The latter grinned at him cheerfully.
"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."
Murphy looked paralyzed, and in this case looks did not lie.
CHAPTER V
BUCK'S LUCKY DAY
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.
"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?"
"I—I didn't expect to be findin' you here," said Murphy, glaring viciously.
"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."
Murphy compressed his thick lips, removed his hat, and finally shook his head.
"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——"
"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."
"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?"
Murphy gave him a savage glance.
"I was goin' to say," he said sullenly, "that we could make arrangements about it's bein' paid off at the Pahrump bank."
"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?"
"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——"
"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?"
Murphy regarded him with veiled hatred.
"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——"
"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!"
"Are you threatening me?" demanded Murphy belligerently.
"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!"
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.
"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'."
"Two men coming up the road," intervened Estella quickly.
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.
"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."
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.
"Morning, ma'am! You sure look fresh as ever. Got visitors, I see."
A smile on her lips, Estella stepped forward and shook hands.
