by WILLIAM O. TURNER ACE BOOKS, INC. THE HIGH HANDER Copyright 1963, All Rights Reserved Printed in U.S.A. [Transcriber's Note: Extensive research did not uncover any HARD ROCK MAKES HARD MEN Tesno was a troubleshooter. That's why the railroad construction company had hired him. His job was to make sure that nobody interfered with the tunnel that they were digging through that frontier region mountain. Tesno knew one thing for sure—if they had called him in, there must have been plenty interference—and the kind that didn't stop at murder. Frontier towns and frontier wilderness didn't pay much attention to city-made laws. Tesno carried his own law with him and he knew he'd have to make it respected. It was the law of the six-gun and the firm high hand. Take no guff, keep your powder dry, and don't give an inch. One moment of uncertainty, and it would mean his end! CAST OF CHARACTERS Jack Tesno Trouble was his business, and he'd never run from it, but a beautiful woman could mean more trouble than Tesno had ever seen! Willie Silverknife A half-breed kid with a stutter, he had everything against him, except his own personal courage. Persia Parker Blonde, beautiful, and a lady too, she could make a man forget everything else—even danger. Ben Vickers He'd staked everything he owned on a single contract, and he was depending on Tesno to make it good. Pete Madrid He was a trained and instinctive killer, who also wore the badge of a town marshal. Mr. Jay He wanted Ben Vickers' contract, and he'd get it—any way he could. Contents |