Ralph Compton Train to Durango Read Online Free PDF Page A

a numeral one.”
    There were two scraps of paper, and Silver was studying them.
    â€œNot much to go on,” said Wes. “Just three words: Grand Hotel, Denver.”
    â€œIt could be a meeting place, a rendezvous,” Silver said. “Had these
hombres
successfully bushwhacked you and El Lobo, they would have gotten more money.”
    â€œWhat about this piece of paper?” Wes said. “There’s just one word: Stringfield.”
    â€œMight be the name of a town,” said Silver, “or the name of a man. Maybe these two pieces of paper go together. Stringfield may be the name of the contact, and the place the Grand Hotel in Denver.”
    â€œShould be easy enough to find out if there’s anybody named Stringfield at the Grand Hotel,” Wes said. “In fact, if we’re going on to Dodge, we’ll be able to take the train from Boulder. To get there, we’ll have to ride almost through Denver. If this Stringfield is still there, expecting to hear from his four killers, we don’t have any time to spare. If we go on to Dodge and then return to Denver, too much time will have passed, and he’ll know the bushwhacking failed.”
    â€œYou’re dead right,” said Silver. “We’d better ride out in the morning. I’d say it’s at least three hundred miles to Boulder. If Stringfield is a contact, and he’s at the Grand in Denver, it could be the start of something big time. We’ll eat early in the morning and be ready to ride at first light. You’d better break the news to Renita and Tamara tonight.”
    â€œWe will,” Wes said.
    El Lobo knocked on the door, identified himself, and was let in. Wes knocked on his own door, and when he had identified himself, Renita let him in. The lamp was turned low. The tub was still there, towels draped over its edge. Renita wore nothing but a smile.
    â€œI reckon that water’s cold,” said Wes. “I could use some washing, myself.”
    â€œIt’s not all that cold,” Renita said. “Wash, and I will watch.”
    â€œYou’d better get in bed,” said Wes. “We ride out at first light tomorrow, on our way to Boulder, Colorado.”
    â€œI don’t care,” Renita said. “We’re going to have tonight, if we never have anything else.”
    Wes didn’t get into the tub, but soaked one of the towels, using it to wash away some of the trail dust.
    â€œWhy are we going to Boulder, Colorado?” Renita asked.
    â€œFrom there, we’ll be taking the train to Dodge City,” said Wes. “I once worked for the railroad, and was headquartered in Dodge. I have friends there. You and Tamara will be staying at the Dodge House. Silver will be there too, until this case is closed.”
    â€œI believe Tamara and me have the right to know what this conspiracy is all about,” Renita said. “Silver seemed to think so too.”
    â€œI reckon you’re right,” said Wes. “In the left front pocket of my Levi’s there are some double eagles with their faces mutilated. Get them.”
    The half dozen coins were counterfeit, taken from the slain outlaws. Renita spread them out on the bed, and Wes told her as much as he felt she needed to know.
    â€œYou and Palo are involved in something truly grand,” Renita said. “But there are so many of them, and they’re so powerful, how do you know where to start?”
    â€œWe found something on one of the dead men that might be a lead,” said Wes. “We’ll find out when we reach Denver.”
    â€œYou’ve satisfied my curiosity about that,” Renita said. “Now tell me about Silver and Molly Horrel.”
    â€œI’ve been away for months,” said Wes. “Now we have a room all to ourselves, with a soft bed, and all you want to do is talk.”
    â€œI have plans for more than that,” Renita said, “but first, I want