Golden Riders Read Online Free PDF Page B

all. . . .” He paused and nodded at the mess of broken glass, wood and curtains in the street. “You see how well that worked for him.” He shook his head. “I’ve got all three of them locked up. Can’t make sense out of anything they say.”
    Cutthroat Teddy snickered under his breath.
    â€œThat would be ole Foz doing the fancy riding,” he said. “That’s one fool that shouldn’t be allowed on a horse’s back.”
    â€œShut up, Cutthroat,” Sam said.
    The Sheriff looked at Bonsell, then at Sam.
    â€œThis one would be Cutthroat Teddy Bonsell, I take it?” he queried.
    Cutthroat Teddy looked proud of being recognized for his growing notoriety.
    â€œWhat gave me away, Sheriff?” he said, his chest a little puffed.
    â€œIt’s known that you never keep your mouth shut,” the sheriff replied sharply.
    Sam said to Schaffer, “Yep, that’s him all right. And this one is Jake Cleary. I expect you’ve heard of him, too.”
    Jake Cleary only looked down at his boots.
    â€œYou bet I have,” Sheriff Schaffer said. He touchedhis hat brim toward the older gunman almost in a gesture of respect.
    Not liking the way the two lawmen were paying more attention to the older gunman than to him, Cutthroat Teddy spoke loud enough for gathering bystanders to hear him.
    â€œIf you two lawdogs think you’re cleaning up this badlands you’ve got another think coming—”
    â€œShut up, Teddy,” Cleary said, cutting him off. “Can’t you see folks are on a sharp edge here?” He gave a wary look around the street at the stark, angry faces gathering in closer.
    â€œShutting up is wise advice; you’d best take it,” Schaffer quietly warned Bonsell. Bonsell looked all around at the faces of the townsfolk, then lowered his head. Sam looked at Schaffer.
    Schaffer nodded over his shoulder toward his office door and spoke to the Ranger.
    â€œThis is a good time to get in out of the sun,” he said. “Bring your prisoners on in, Ranger Burrack. This is one robbery you’ll likely want to hear about sitting down.”

Chapter 4
    With the two prisoners in a cell next to the Garlets, the Ranger and the sheriff walked back down the short hall to the sheriff’s office. Schaffer closed a thick wooden door separating the jail from the office area and sat down behind his desk. The Ranger leaned against a support post in front of the big oak desk while Sheriff Dave Schaffer related the whole botched robbery attempt to him.
    He took off his sombrero and glanced questioningly at the big wooden door and hesitated before speaking.
    â€œDon’t worry, Ranger,” said Schaffer, “they can’t hear nothing we say back there. It’s been tested.”
    â€œIt crossed my mind listening to you,” Sam said. “At some time or other, every man back there rides with Braxton Kane’s Golden Gang, out of Colorado Territory—the gang I’m trying to round up and put out of business. I’d like to get them all back to Nogales at once if I can.”
    â€œOh . . . ?” said Schaffer. “Why’s that, if you don’t mind my asking.”
    â€œI killed Braxton’s brother, Cordell, just the other day,” Sam replied.
    â€œWhoa, I see,” said Schaffer. “So, Braxton’s going to be sending his whole gang after you, soon as he hears about Cordy. The more of them you get out of the way now, the better?”
    â€œSomething like that, Sheriff,” Sam said. “Once I get Braxton Kane in my sights I can cut the head off the snake, so to speak. But for now, I have to keep moving forward, taking them down one and two at a time when I can catch them.”
    â€œI realize how it is with these big robbing gangs,” the sheriff sighed. “Gunmen drift in and out, job after job. You never know who all’s riding with them and who