The Collected Short Stories of Louis L'Amour, Volume 2 Read Online Free PDF Page B

scenes we can’t decide on.”
    â€œGreenley thinks it’s Rafe, eh?”
    â€œYes. I’ll admit most of the gang hang around the Sluice Box. But I’m sure Rafe’s in the clear.” Wade looked up. “Listen, Clip. If you ride with the stage tomorrow, watch your step. There’s three hundred thousand in gold going out.”
    Doc Greenley was standing with Buff McCarty on the walk in front of the High-Stake Palace when they rode up. He glanced swiftly at the body slung over the lead horse. Then he smiled brightly. “Got ’em on the run, boy?” he asked. “Who is it this time?”
    â€œDirk Barlow,” Buff said, his eyes narrowing. “You’ll have to ride careful now, Haynes. His brothers will come for you. They’re tough as hell.”
    Haynes shrugged. “He asked for it.” His eyes lifted to Buff’s. “I back-trailed Tommy. I knew he cut in ahead of me last night, and if you looked, there was a chafed spot on his wrist. I knew he’d been tied, so I looked for the place. I found it, and this hombre tried to kill me.”
    â€œYou think he killed Tommy?” Buff demanded.
    â€œI don’t know. He hasn’t the money on him.” He turned his head to see Ruth Manning standing in front of the post office. Their eyes met, and she turned away abruptly.
    Clip swung down from the saddle and walked across the street. When he stepped into the Sluice Box he saw Rafe Landon leaning against the end of the bar.
    He was a tall man, handsome, and superbly built. There was an easy grace in his movements that was deceptive. He was wearing black, and when he turned, Clip saw he carried two guns, tied low.
    â€œHow are you, Haynes?” he said, holding out his hand. “I’ve been expecting you.”
    Haynes nodded. “What do you know about this McCarty killing?” he asked coolly. He deliberately ignored the outstretched hand.
    Landon smiled. “An accident, of course. Nobody cared about hurting Tommy. He was a grand youngster.”
    â€œWhat d’you mean—an accident?”
    â€œJust that. They were gunning for somebody else, but Tommy got there first.” Rafe looked down at his cigarette, flicked off the ash, and glanced up. “In fact, it would be my guess they were gunning for you. Somebody who didn’t want Clip Haynes butting in.”
    â€œNobody knew I was Haynes.”
    Rafe shrugged. “I did. I’d known for two weeks. Manning knew, too. Probably there were others.” He nodded toward the street. “I see you got Dirk Barlow. Watch those brothers of his. And look out for Porter, too.”
    â€œYou’re the second man who told me that.”
    â€œThere’ll be more. Joe and Gonny Barlow will be in as soon as they hear about this. Joe’s bad, but Gonny’s the worst. Gonny uses both hands, and he’s fast.”
    â€œWhy tell me this?” Clip asked. He looked up, and their eyes met.
    Rafe Landon smiled. “You’ll need it, Haynes. I’m a gambler, and it’s my business to know about men. A word of friendly advice never hurt anyone—even a gent like you. Joe Barlow’s never been beat in a gunfight. And like I said, Gonny’s the worst.”
    â€œPorter? What’s he like?” Clip asked.
    â€œMaybe I can tell you,” a harsh voice broke in.
    Clip turned to see Porter standing in the doorway. He was big, probably twenty pounds bigger than Clip, and his shoulders were powerful.
    â€œAll right,” Clip said. “You tell me.”
    CHAPTER 3
    Porter walked over to the bar.
    Glancing past him Clip could see the room filling with men. Come to see the fun, to see if the new marshal could take it. Clip grinned suddenly.
    â€œWhat’s funny?” Porter snarled suspiciously.
    â€œYou,” Clip said shortly. “Last night I thought I heard you say I needed lynching. I suggested anyone who wanted to debate the