"You was right an' we was wrong," he said. "I'm sorry, butit shore seemed an open an' shut case. No hard feelin's, I hope?"
"I'm forgettin' it," Sudden told him. "But give the next fella a chance."
CHAPTER XV
In a dilapidated shanty, built with becoming modesty away from the street, five men were drinking and smoking. The wavering light of a couple of tallow dips dimly revealing their forbidding faces. They had just finished weighing and dividing a bag of gold-dust.
"An' that's the finish, I s'pose," Berg said sourly. "Hank, you've managed to spoil as pretty a plan as ever I made, damn you." The black-haired fellow who had attracted Sudden's notice at the attempted lynching looked up. "How the devil could I help it?" he asked angrily.
"We had the game in our hands," was the rejoinder. "You shouldn't 'a' touched the Lesurge woman; it was lunacy."
"I couldn't do nothin' else when she found I wasn't Sudden," Hank argued. "It was a fair give-away."
"An' havin' made the mistake o' carryin' her off you put another to it by lettin' her get loose."
"How in hell was I to know she had a sticker?"
"You oughta--she advertised it, not so long back."
"Yo're all so damn clever, ain't you?" Hank sneered. "Well do the risky work yoreselves an' I'll keep under cover an' collect my share, like some o' you." A new voice chimed in, that of a rodent-faced youth, one of whose cheeks bore a jagged, half-healed wound. "Whatsa use scrappin'? If anybody's got a squeal comin' it's me"--he jerked a thumb at his injury--"an' you ain't heard me yap any."
"That's the way to talk, Lem," Bandy Rodd supported. "When pals fall out, trouble comes in, an' you can put yore pile on that."
"The trouble's in a'ready," Berg said. "The old game's too risky now--we'll have to find another way." So far Fagan had been silent, but now he spoke: "We gotta get that mine. It's big, or Lesurge wouldn't be after it--he ain't no piker."
"Him an' Reub Stark is gettin' mighty strong in the town," Bandy observed. "He won't be needin' yu much longer." Fagan spat contemptuously. "He dasn't turn me off--I know too much. We're pardners."
"An' yo're tryin' to double-cross him?" Hank fleered.
"Why not? He'll do it to me if I give him a chance," was the candid answer.
Hank, still sore from the wigging he had received, laughed scornfully. "Well, we know what to expect from you," he said. "Damn you!" Fagan roared. "I'll "
"Stop it," Berg snapped. "Where's the sense in heavin' rocks at each other? We're all out to double-cross Lesurge. What we gotta think of is how to put it over."
"What about gettin' the gal--Ducane's niece--an' puttin' the screw on her?" Lem suggested.
"Might come off if you wiped out Ducane an' that cussed cowboy first," Bandy said. "If not, they'd guess the game an' be waitin' at the mine for us." The plan aroused no enthusiasm; even to their desperate natures it seemed too big an order.
"If there's to be any bumpin' Mister Sudden off you can count me out," Lem contributed. "I've had some, an' I seen Logan get his."
"Lefty rated hisself too high," Fagan said. "I owe Sudden somethin' an' he'll get it, but I shan't worry if he don't know who's payin' him."
"Any hope o' makin' Ducane so tight he'll talk?" Bandy asked.
"He's allus talkin', but he don't say nothin'," was Fagan's answer. "An' it wouldn't be no good--he claims he's forgot where the mine is; Sudden's the on'y one what knows."
"An' we lost him," Berg said dismally. "A million dollars waitin' to be picked up an'--"
"Oh, can it," Hank burst in. "We gotta watch for another break, that's all. What about a game?" They fell to playing cards, which gave them a new excuse for wrangling. After a while, Fagan rose to depart. "Goin' to see Paul," he told them.
* * *
"You have been taking a holiday?" Paul inquired amiably. But the visitor understood, and moved uneasily in his seat.
"Things was gittin' hot," he muttered. "It was too dangerous."
"Another, apparently, did not think so," came the reply.
"You were not, by any chance, that other?"
"Hell, no, Paul. Why do you ask that?"
"I thought you might have had an inspiration; I should have known better. So you are not in need of money?" Fagan conceived what he regarded as an inspiration. "I shorely am," he said mournfully. "Got cleaned out at Pedro's las' night--playin' the wheel--you never see such luck."
"At Pedro's? Ah, yes," Paul said softly, and the liar wished he had not named the place; if inquiries were made ... But the next remark reassured him. "I can let you have fifty dollars, but you must earn them by finding for me a fellow named `Hank' who was concerned in the seizure of my sister."
"Shore I will; what's he like?" the ruffian replied, hoping that his start of surprise had escaped notice.
"I can't tell you, but he may be with another called `Lem,' who had a cheek laid open in the scrimmage with Green." Fagan nodded; it was going to be easy money. "Them gravel-grubbers come near to riddin' you o' Green," he grinned.
"I've no desire to be rid of him," Paul replied coldly. "Had that been so, Lora would have arrived too late to substantiate his story. Unfortunate, in that case, of course, but ..." The smooth voice faded and Fagan was conscious of chilliness creeping up his spine. Once, when a boy, a rattlesnake had brushed against his bare leg, Lesurge, at times, recalled that horrible moment--the cold sliminess of the contact, the breath-taking fear of impending death.
"What you aimin' to do with this Hank fella, Paul?" he ventured.
"Use him," was the reply.
Though he took care not to show it, Fagan was delighted. It suited him that Lesurge should surround himself with his, Fagan's, confederates; he was assisting in his own downfall.
"If he's in town, I'll get him," he promised. "Pity you've fell in love with Green; I had a plan "
"Then forget it," Paul ordered. "I hate him, but he must not be touched. He alone knows
"Where the mine is," Fagan finished.
"Who told you that?"
"Snowy let on that his memory had slipped up again an' he said the directions in the letter was misleadin' an' it was mainly luck that they struck the right trail." Mentally Lesurge anathematized the prospector for a chattering old idiot, but Fagan's next remark suggested another aspect.
"Mebbe he's stringin' you." This produced a thoughtful frown. The secret was a dangerous one, as the puncher had already discovered. Snowy would not be anxious for a similar experience and might be playing for safety. But why should he tell Fagan? With an impatient gesture, he flung a roll of greenbacks on the table and said:
"When you locate the man I want to see him, but not here." After the visitor had gone, Lesurge sat pondering over his position. So far, matters had gone well with him. Without unduly thrusting himself into the limelight he had become of importance in the settlement. But his ambition had grown. To merely deprive Snowy and Stark of wealth no longer contented him--he wanted power. The prospect he had dangled as a bait before the greedy eyes of the saloon-keeper now appealed to him as a possibility--for himself. Lavish hospitality was purchasing support for Reuben Stark, but when the moment came, he would be shelved and Lesurge would largely control the destinies of Deadwood.
To bring this about he must have gold--a great deal of gold. Snowy's mine would provide this eventually--he was getting together a gang to seize and work it--but his present need was urgent. Putting on his hat, he went to the Monte. The proprietor was in his private room, and his greeting was none too cordial.
"Damned if I savvy yore play, Paul," he said irritably. "A piece back you wanted Sudden put outa business, an' now you snatch his neck out'n the noose."
"He saved my sister," Paul pointed out. "And you can add to that he was an innocent man."
"Mebbe, but a hangin' wouldn't 'a' done any harm," was the brutal reply. "These murderin' thieves need a lesson; we'll be havin' a treasure coach stopped next." Paul's eyes gleamed, but his tone betrayed little interest when he sa
id carelessly, "I suppose it would be worth while?"
"Worth while?" Stark echoed. "Well, I'd call a hundred to a hundred an' fifty thousand, that."
"The shipments are well guarded, of course." Stark shrugged. "What can we do? The express messenger is armed, but to send a big escort is tellin' everybody what the coach carries. An' where you goin' to get 'em? All the fellas you could trust is too busy searchin' out gold to risk their lives protectin' other folks's dust. Secrecy is the best caper--on'y a few knows when the stuff is sent."
"Good. Pass me word about the next time," Paul said. "I'd like to send a small consignment myself." The saloon-keeper nodded and went on with his grumbling:
"That Hickok is gettin' too Gawd Almighty. 'Pears to think that 'cause he run one or two tough towns he can have the say-so here. Some o' the boys ain't likin' the way he talked to 'em."
"You needn't worry about him--he'll be attended to, and so will Sudden, if my plans work out right. The man who is going to run Deadwood is in this room." Stark's ill-humour vanished. "You've got a brain, Paul," he complimented, "an' when I'm on top, you'll find I ain't ungrateful to my friends."
"I'm relying on you, of course, Reub," Lesurge told him, and the other did not detect the hidden sneer.
* * * Fagan, on leaving Lesurge, had hurried back to the shanty where he had left his fellow-rogues. They were still there, and the bottle of whisky he had purchased on his way, insured his welcome.
"Fagan, yore an angel in disguise," Hank grinned. "But I'm bound to say the disguise is perfect," he added, helping himself liberally. "What's the news?"
"I've just left Paul--he wants to see you."
"The hell he does. Why?"
"I expect he's achin' to thank you for lettin' his sister loose," Rodd suggested.
Hank ignored the sarcasm. "He can go to blazes," he decided.
"Don't be seven sorts of a fool," Fagan snapped. "Would I push you into trouble? He thinks he can use you--it'll make you one of us. Can't you see what that means?"
"Makes a difference, o' course, but why pick on me?" Hank was clearly suspicious.
"Paul wants a few fellas what ain't finicky," Fagan explained. "Mebbe you can pull Lem in too; that'll fill our hand. Now do you savvy?"
"It's good, Hank," Berg exulted. "It's damned good. When does he want to see him, Fagan?"
"Mustn't be for a day, at least. You see I gotta find Hank first an' that ain't goin' to be too easy; unfortunately, Paul couldn't give me no description." A shout of laughter greeted the jest, and they filled their glasses and drank to the man they meant to cheat when the time was ripe.
Chapter XVI
Two evenings later Gerry and Jacob were engaged with the chess-beard and Sudden was looking on. The game was nearing the end, and the younger man was jubilant because it appeared that he must win. Then came a reverse. He had early captured his opponent's Queen, but by seemingly unimportant moves, Jacob had gradually pushed a pawn right across the board and now replaced the more powerful piece.
"Cuss it, I warn't noticin' that no 'count fella," Gerry lamented.
"Always watch the pawns, my friend, both in this and the game of life," the old man said. "They have--potentialities." He made a move, and went on, "How do you like mining?"
"It's mighty monotonous," Gerry grumbled. "Shovellin' an' washin' dirt allatime. I'd ruther be ropin' cattle; when one goes on the prod, yu get a change." Jacob smiled at Sudden. "The poor fellow is having a dull time," he said. "We must try to find him a little excitement." Someone knocked, opened the door, and entered; it was Paul Lesurge. He nodded to the cowboys, sat down, and looked at the gold-buyer.
"Have you put it to them?" he asked.
"No, I left that to you."
"Right," Lesurge replied, and turned to the younger men. "Here is the proposition: A coach with a load of gold is going East. It is supposed that it will start to-morrow evening, but actually it goes to-night. This is known only to those who are sending the stuff, like myself and our friend, Jacob. There will be no travellers save the driver and the express messenger--who will learn the starting time when it arrives. Originally, two well-armed riders were to follow the vehicle but some of the consignees think the convoy should be doubled, and Jacob mentioned your names."
"I'm afraid I took a liberty," the old man put in. "But--"
"Shucks," Sudden said gently, and waved him to silence.
"I told Stark that if he only wanted two men, Sudden would fit the bill," Lesurge smiled, "but he is of very limited intelligence. Personally, I don't apprehend much danger from roadagents--the secret has been well kept. When you reach Laramie, you can return. Now, what do you say?" The puncher did not reply at once; he was turning the matter over. He looked at Jacob, and received a slight nod. That decided him.
"We'll go yu," he agreed.
"Good," Lesurge said. "That means both of you, of course."
"I trail along with Jim, every time," Gerry told him. "Quite a David and Jonathan, eh? Well, that's all settled. Green, J want a private word with you." When they were outside, Lesurge said, "If the gold gets through this will put you in well with the men who matter in Deadwood. On the other hand, if someone has talked unwisely, you may meet with overwhelming odds, and fail. The gold will be lost, it is true, but you will have done your best and I'll see that you don't suffer--in any way. Understand?"
"I get yu," the puncher said.
"I made a mistake about you at first, Green," the oily voice went on. "You're no fool. A hundred thousand is a lot of money but not worth one's life, when it belongs to other folk. Personally, I'd rather have a tenth of it and go on living." He laughed meaningly. "Be behind the Monte at ten. Good luck." He held out a hand, but the cowboy did not appear to notice it; his belt had slipped and required adjustment.
"We'll be there," he said.
When he returned to the room his face was enigmatical. "Just a few final directions," he explained.
"I'm grateful to you boys," Jacob said. "Practically all I possess will be in that consignment. Where does Lesurge get dust from, Jim?"
"Yu can search me," the puncher replied. "Buys it like yu do, grubstake miners as Stark does, or wins it at cards--there's plenty ways."
"Yes, of course," the other agreed, and, thoughtfully. "He doesn't like you."
"He was apologizin' just now for havin' misunderstood me," Sudden smiled.
"Then I'll bet a blue stack he's aimin' to play yu a shabby trick." This from Gerry.
"An' he wished me good luck."
"Which makes it a certainty. Jim, we'd better renig on that job."
"Shore, if yo're scared.--Awright, yu curly-headed calamity. I on'y said 'if.' Don't forget our friend here is relyin' on us."
"I wouldn't want you to run into danger on my account," Jacob said earnestly, "I'd sooner lose the gold."
"Easy, or-timer," Sudden grinned. A point occurred to him. "Yu didn't see the jaspers who are to ride with us?"
"No, but Lesurge referred to one as `Hank'."
"There yu are," Gerry chimed in triumphantly.
Sudden carefully inspected himself. "So I am," he said gravely. "Friend Paul ain't likely to be usin' the man who smouched his sister, an' if yu took a census o' this beeyutiful city yu'd probably round up fifty Hanks. Ever heard o' mares' nests, Gerry?"
"Yeah, an' I've heard o' damn idjuts who squinted down the barrel of a gun an' pulled the trigger to see if it was loaded," the young man retorted.
"Well, we'll hope it ain't--to-night," his friend said. He looked at the clock and spoke to Jacob. "We needn't to start yet. I've been watchin' this chess caper an' I'd like to try her out." The old man, who was an enthusiast, readily agreed, and they sat down, with Mason an interested spectator. The battle lasted for nearly an hour and then the cowboy made a move and said quietly, "I guess I got yu corralled, seh." His opponent studied the board for a moment and then smilingly admitted defeat.
"I rather pride myself on the brand of chess I can produce," he said, "and
here I am, beaten by a beginner. My wits must be wandering this evening." He pondered for a while, recalling the stages of the game. "Why, hang it all, you were jockeying me into that position right along and I failed to see it. Young man, I feel more hopeful about my dust."
"Time we started," Sudden said. "Fetch the horses, Gerry, an' we'll need our rifles." When the boy had gone, he added quietly, "I'm afraid he's right--there's somethin' brewin', but it's too late to do any-thin'. We've no proof--gotta go through with it. Tell Hickok, an' watch out for yorself." He smiled. "We won't be here to look after yu."
"Don't worry about me," Jacob told me. "All I have to lose now will be with you." Behind the Monte they found the coach, the body of which, slung on its leather supports, contained only a pile of packages covered with a canvas sheet. Injun Joe, the rugged-faced old driver, was examining every strap and buckle of the harness of his team of six horses. The express messenger, a shot-gun between his knees, was already on the box, and a couple of horsemen, whose turned-down hat-brims partly concealed their faces, were waiting. Reuben Stark was giving instructions.
"Slide outa town at a walkin' pace," he said to the driver,who, satisfied that all was in order, now climbed to his seat. "The escort'!! catch you up."
"Don't hold 'em too long," Injun Joe warned. "Once I'm clear, I'll be travellin'. Sabe?" Creaking and rocking over the rough ground, the cumberous vehicle rolled away and was blotted out in the darkness. Sudden moved noiselessly to where the other men sat in their saddles and struck a match to light his cigarette. The tiny flare showed him a red wheal running up the cheek of the nearest rider.
"That's an ugly scar yu got, friend," he remarked. "Looks like yore bronc had piled yu into a cactus."
"Nothin' o' the sort," the man growled. "If it's any o' yore damn business, a Greasex slung a knife at me." Sudden flipped the match into the air, but not before he had caught the malevolent gleam in the fellow's eyes. He was a poor liar; the wound was ragged; a knife-blade would have made a clean cut.
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