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On the way down to the Ranty, the colt behaved remarkably well. Hefollowed closely in the wake of Frosty, occasionally shaking his headin an effort to throw the bit from his mouth. At the ford, Landyadjusted the bridle so as to withdraw the bit and allow the colt todrink his fill.
It was a proud moment in the varied career of David Lannarck, midgetand showman, as the little cavalcade gained the level land nearPinnacle Point after a strenuous half-hour on the hazardous trail thatled up from Brushy Fork. He waved a cautious hand to a man and womanstanding near a car parked in front of the cabin.
Landy lifted Davy from his saddle, removed the bit from the colt'smouth, made an improvised halter out of his bridle and tied the reinsto a sapling. The older horses were left standing with reins down.
"Well! If it ain't my ole scatter-about-friend, James Madison Stark,in person!" cried Landy as he and Davy made their way to the car. "NowI know that winter is not two days away. Hi, Maddy! Howdy, Mis Carter!Must be big news in the wind, if you two hit Pinnacle Pint same time,same day. What's up?"
"Maddy is anxious to see Mr. Welborn," Mrs. Carter replied gravely toLandy's facetious banter, "but I don't know how to get back to wherethat gas engine is chuffing. Welborn will have to come out here toMaddy, for the hoodlums over at Grand Lake have burnt his feet andtortured him until mind and body are a wreck."
"Tell Sam to come out here," was Landy's command to Davy. "Well,somebody has shore mussed ye up a heap, en right in yer gaddin' aboutdepartment," he added as he noted the bandaged feet and ankles of theold fellow. "Sandals and a crutch don't become ye at all, Oldtimer.Who's been disturbin' yer dogs that away?"
"I got all that and a lot more, off the killer that built this cabin,"said the oldster firmly, "and I want to warn this newcomer as to histhreats to come over here and kill him."
Welborn, accompanied by Davy, came through the arch and approached thecar. He had never seen the oldster but had heard, in full, the storyof his idiosyncrasies, his wanderings, and persistent research for thehidden mineral wealth of a vast and varied district. In his life'sstory there were no paragraphs that old Maddy was a hoarder of gold ora promoter or exploiter of things found. His research yielded amplyfor his needs. It was known that he owned the filling station and thathis summer accumulations of mineral wealth was more than sufficient tomeet the annual upkeep of that establishment. James Madison Stark'spleasures had been the joys of solitude rather than the raptures ofvast accumulations. He preferred that the mineral wealth of earthremain in the veins of its native rock rather than be taken out enmasse, to be later hoarded, manipulated, and juggled to createdistress and poverty and want.
Old Maddy had not reduced his life's philosophy to writing, but themidget, David Lannarck, as he had heretofore heard the fragments ofthe stories of this long and varied career, wondered if he too was notin the same groove. His present-day problem was the life-story of theancient Nestor who preferred solitude to the mob; who would leavenature's treasures to remain hidden and unclaimed, awaiting theinvestigations and industry of the generations to follow. Davy gazedin awe at the old man, who in general appearance resembled theaccepted portrayals of Santa Claus, but whose face was now seamed withlines of pain.
Landy made hasty introductions. Maddy proceeded with the business athand. "I've come to warn you," he said to Welborn, "that the mobsterwho built this cabin says he is going to kill you. He's been hidingout at some of the resorts over in the Grand Lake district, but likeothers of his kind, he just couldn't keep his mental cussedness hiddenand the better element over there is making it too hot for him. It'shis next move and he's evidently going to make a big jump, leaving thestate, maybe the nation. But before he goes, he swears he is comingover here and kill the only man that ever beat him to the draw--thatever knocked him down. So be on your guard, my friend. He's a fiend, amaniac, and that incident preys on him."
"Well, I am certainly obliged to you for this warning," said Welbornquietly. "If I only knew the date of his proposed visit, we wouldprovide him with a fitting welcome--a welcome that would add a climaxto his book of hate."
"When he's to come, or how, I don't know," Maddy replied. "It's been aweek since I heard him make the threat, then he made it twice in onenight, accompanied by all the profanity he could muster. He and hisgang were dissolving partnership on account of recent publicity. Twoof 'em would go over to Las Vegas to look over the new dam at Boulder,one was returning to Denver and this Count Como--he has several othernames--was to come here, get his revenge, and seek another hideout."
Pressed by Landy as to how he contacted the gangsters and received hisinjuries, the oldster related the story of his summer's wanderings. Hehad spent some time on the other side of the Divide in the Hahns Peakdistrict, skirted Steamboat Springs on his way to Oak Creek. In hiswanderings, he had panned the alluvium of many small streams and hadrecovered more than the usual amount of gold. Now he would work hisway back home through the Middle Park and cross the tortuous windingsof the Divide by the way of his secret pass.
Approaching the Grand Lake district he encountered two men who saidthey were looking for lost sheep. Both were maudlin drunk and each wastrying to impress the other with his wisdom, his repartee andboldness. Upon Maddy's refusal to accompany them, they seized himbodily, searched him, searched the burro to find the gold and thenpushed, dragged, and drove him and the burro to a nearby cabin.
Here, he was to encounter two other drunken fanatics whose maudlinquarrels were interrupted by the exhibition of the pouches of gold.Now, they would know the exact location of the find. The explanationof the aged wanderer that the dust and particles came from manysources, seemed to enrage them further. "Just where was thismother-lode?" They wanted to know. "Here was wealth aplenty-enough tobuy everything."
And they applied the third degree with all the fiendish deviltries oftheir distorted minds, to get the exact location of this rival of theComstock lode. The aged man was tied hand and foot and beaten andabused the whole night long. In pushing splinters under his toenails,the lamp was upset, kerosene was spilled over his feet to catch fire.A quarrel ensued as to whether the fire should be extinguished orallowed to burn. A fist-fight developed and they abandoned the cabin,leaving Maddy to his fate.
"It was young Byron Goff that found me," concluded the aged narrator."I recognized his voice when I came to, the next day. He was lookingfor lost sheep and stopped to inquire. He took me to his home,doctored me, cared for me, and brought me home. I owe him my life, notonly for the rescue, but for his kindly nursing. Due to him, my feetwill be all right in a few days. While he would accept nothing fromMrs. Carter, we've got a plan to part-pay him for his kindness."
The disclosures as made by Maddy, awakened much interest among thefive dwellers of Pinnacle Point. Mrs. Gillis arranged for the eveningmeal at the Gillis home where plans could be made to thwart aninvader. Landy and Davy rode their horses to the Gillis barn; Welbornand Gillis came later in the car. It was following the meal that theproblem was talked over in detail.
It was agreed by all that the invader would come in his car; there wasno other way. He would have to come to the filling station to gain theroadway to Pinnacle Point. He would have to pass the Gillis cabin anda warning could be phoned if a wire was strung from the Gillis home toWelborn's cabin. But in that case the wire would have to be extendedto reach the mine as Welborn was up in that canyon during the day. Jimproposed a fence across the road with an electric alarm on it when thegate was opened. Landy suggested felling a tree across the road at anarrow place and thus reduce the uses of the thoroughfare to journeyson horseback; Davy offered to keep watch at a favorable place where hecould shoot the tires of the intruder's auto.
Welborn took but little part in the discussions. As the conversationlagged he briefly summarized the situation. "This gangster is a killerall right and drink and dope may have overcome the usual cautions ofthe breed. All of 'em are cowards; they prefer unarmed victims thatare hog-tied. Sometime in his career this buzzard was
the killer forsome liquor gang. He evidently double-crossed his associates ingetting this money that he's spending. He hides from them as well asthe law. There is little we can do except to keep alert. I'll keep mygun with me up at the canyon and a shot through his windshield woulddrive him frantic. He's liable to miss the bridge in his zeal to getaway. He will have to come in the daytime and the folks at the fillingstation will warn us now that they know his intentions."
However the matter of the proposed visit of the killer had an excitingand ludicrous interruption when, on the next morning, Mrs. Gillisheard the labored chugging of a car coming up the hill to the east.Landy and Davy were at the barn. They too heard the noise and saw asmall ancient roadster turn into the driveway and stop. A young mangot out of the car and came to the door. This was not the killer butit might be news of his plans. Landy and Davy entered the house by theback door.
"Why, it's young Goff," said Landy, interrupting the introduction. "Imet you last spring over at Rawlins. You were in a confab with somesheep men over there."
The visitor laughed. "Yes, these Rawlins folks are big operators," theyoung man explained. "I have to visit 'em about once a year to let 'emknow that I am still alive and still grazing a few head over east oftheir allotment. Why, my little band isn't big enough to make up theirsummer shortage. If one of their herders rambles over in my districtand there is a mixup, I could easily lose a lot of grass and somesheep. I can't talk Spanish, and the herder says that he no savvy'Meriky' and it's up to me to sort and claim.
"But they are a fine lot of fellows, these Rawlins operators, oncethey understand that you are on the square. I visit with them everyspring when I sell my fur and pelts. Yes, I have to trap in the winterto get enough money to pay my grazing allotment, and in my contactswith these sheep owners, I find that they are always willing tocooperate."
The young visitor had taken the proffered chair. Mrs. Gillis, Landyand Davy joined to complete the half-circle. It was apparent that hehad a mission more important than reciting the details of herding andtrapping. Landy had introduced Davy as a new-comer, "Wuth a lot morethan his size would indicate."
"I came over to Carter's last evening to buy some gas and see how oldMaddy was getting along and to tell him how his friends, thegangsters, finished their orgy. I found the oldster was doingfine--would be fully recovered by next spring--but they wouldn't sellme any gas." The raconteur allowed an interval for the astonishingnews to be absorbed. "No sir, not a spoonful would they sell me. Theywanted to give it to me--by the tankful. And after I told my news ofthe gangster's finish and the complications incident thereto, Maddyand the Carters insisted that I take all the gas--that I come up herewith the news, and the problem, and work out the solution.
"You see, I was over to Northgate Saturday on the matter of tradingsome bucks with Andy Pelser and encountered the astonishing news thatthe whole gangster mob, those that stole Maddy's dust, were in jail.They had been arrested, and convicted, on about all the crimes in thebook. Reckless driving, drunkeness, inciting a riot, possessing stolenproperty, and finally contempt of court, when they offered JudgeWithers, Maddy's two sacks of dust if he would let 'em off. On thislast charge the Judge added four months in jail. It was a grand finishof an awful mess.
"I went over to the country seat to verify the news. It was no mererumor, it was a fact. Sheriff Bill White had 'em all in hock; had thetwo bags of gold dust and their guns. He wants to get rid of the dustif he can find the true owner, and get a disclaimer of ownership fromthe gangsters. I told him it was Maddy's, and Bill wants Maddy to comeand prove ownership and take the property. Maddy is willing, butthere's a hitch to it. Just now, I want to see Mr. Gillis, or youLandy, and unhitch the hitch."
"Well, Jim is up at Pinnacle Pint helpin' Welborn scrape the bottom ofthe canyon fer what dust he can find, en I'm shore busy gittin' thisyoungster acquainted with his new hoss," said Landy thoughtfully. "Butwe ort to take time out to recover Maddy's property. Let's go up tothe canyon en sign Jim up fer the job. That dust up in the canyonwon't run away. It will still be thar even if Jim knocks off work fera couple a days."
The young visitor readily concurred in the plan, he wanted to see thehouse that the gangster had built anyhow. He started out to the car,but was detained by Landy. "You wait here," the veteran cautioned, "yemight git a bullet through yer windshield if ye drive up tharunannounced. My podner here and I will saddle up and ride ahead, toprevent accidents."
Following his equestrian escort, the visitor presently reached thePoint where introductions were made and the purpose of the visitexplained. Jim asked many questions and for the most part the answerswere satisfactory. Really, the judge and sheriff wanted to get rid ofthese malefactors if the serious charge of robbery was eliminated.They were a burden to the state and community. "I begrudge feeding thedirty skunks," was the sheriff's scornful comment. "Hanging 'em wouldterminate expense and trouble."
But two problems hindered a quick solution; would these culprits leavethe country if given a suspended sentence. Judge Withers was givingthem a few days for reflection. Meanwhile Sheriff White was makingtheir stay as uncomfortable as possible in order to hasten a favorabledecision.
"What's the other problem?" asked Gillis, casually.
"Why, if the dust is recovered, old Maddy wants to give it to me, saysthat I earned it. And I'm not going to take it."
During the interview, Welborn had been a quiet listener. On hearingthis last declaration from the visitor, he straightened up to make aquick inquiry. "Why won't you take it?" he demanded.
"I haven't done anything to earn it," replied young Goff in a low butfirm tone.
There was an interval of silence.
"You see, Maddy is old," the visitor explained. "The awful experiencehe's gone through affected him. He wants to contrast the littleservice I gave him with what the gangsters did to him. His sentimentoutruns his judgment. I didn't do anything out of the ordinary--justfed him and doctored him as best I could. I didn't do any more--"
"Is your mother living?" interrupted Welborn. "She must be a gentle,thoughtful woman, well-grounded in the old fashioned ideas of kindnessin social service, to have raised a son with such ideals. People,now-a-days, expect pay, even for their charities. You will have muchtrouble and many disappointments if you approach a sordid world withsuch sentiments."
"Hold on Mister," said the younger man, with much spirit. "Old Maddy'scase is different. His case was not a business transaction, it was aduty." The young visitor ducked his head to chuckle a little while hescraped the gravel with the toe of his shoe. "If you run into AndyPelser, in about a month from now, you will know what I mean. Andy isyoung and bright, but old in the sheep game. I had no scruples ingiving him a good cross-lifting in that sheep trade we made. But thisMaddy case is different. I don't want pay for being neighborly, fordoing my duty to oldsters."
"Back the car out, Jim!" commanded Welborn. "This young man isirresistible. We had as well take a day off to do our part in thisentanglement. Back the car out while I spruce up a little to meet thelaw as well as the law-breakers."
Presently Welborn came out of the house, dressed as a man of business.His attitude was as one in authority. "I have a plan in mind thatmight work. It has about one chance in fifty of fitting the case, butwe'll take that chance. But we must do two things if it is tosucceed," cautioned Welborn. "We must not let the Judge see poor oldMaddy in his present plight. It would infuriate the Judge to sentencethose buzzards to the hoosegow for life. Then too, I must see thissheriff alone, if the plan is made to work. Drive on, my boy," he saidto Goff, "and we'll try to keep in sight. See you tomorrow night,maybe," he called to Landy and Davy as the two cars got underway.
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