The Forbidden Read Online Free PDF

about.”
    â€œThis job is likely to get dangerous before long.”
    â€œI know it. And I’m too damn old for a lot of rough stuff.”
    â€œI told the doc to start sending out wires to find a man for the job.”
    â€œSo he didn’t tell you?”
    â€œTell me what?”
    â€œWe’ve been trying to hire a new marshal for several months. No one wants to lock horns with Colonel Trainor.”
    â€œI see. What is Trainor’s first name?”
    â€œColonel is all I ever heard.”
    â€œIf he was a colonel in the war, he’s got to be a few years older than me. I was in the war too.”
    â€œI think he’s fifty. I’ve heard that a couple of times. Did the doc ask you if you wanted the marshal’s job?”
    â€œYes. I told him no.”
    â€œI don’t blame you. This end of the valley is filled with good people, but they’re not fighters. They’re farmers, and good ones too, but they’re family men, with wives and kids to worry about. Most of them don’t even own a pistol. I’ve never seen any carry one.”
    â€œAnd you’ve got that religious bunch.”
    â€œThe Hutterites. Yes. Good hardworking folks. But they won’t fight. They don’t believe in it.”
    â€œDon’t believe in defending themselves?”
    â€œDon’t believe in taking a human life.”
    Frank had heard of those types of religious people, but had never actually met any. Personally, he didn’t believe that any-one would just stand by and let another person kill him or a loved one . . . unless he was some sort of a fool.
    â€œAre there any ranchers in the north end of the valleys who want to live in peace?” Frank asked.
    â€œOh, sure. Most of the smaller spreads. But the Snake is the biggest spread and the colonel is the top dog. No one wants to buck him.”
    â€œWhat are some of the others?”
    â€œThe Lightning spread is just about as big as the Snake. It’s owned by Ken Gilmar. The Diamond .45 is right up there too. It’s owned by Don Bullard. Those are the big three. And all three men are greedy and mean as hell.”
    â€œAnd those three you named are gobbling up the smaller ranches.”
    â€œYou got it. Just as fast as they can grab them.”
    â€œNice bunch of men. Are they married, have families?”
    â€œAll of them. They’ve got a whole passel of kids.”
    â€œDo any of the wives or kids ever come to town? This town, I mean?”
    â€œThey used to. But now?” He shrugged his shoulders. “Not very often. Too much hard feelings on both sides for that”
    â€œA couple of Snake riders came here today.”
    â€œLooking for trouble.” Marshal Handlen smiled. “And they found it, didn’t they?”
    â€œOne of them sure did.”
    â€œI’m going to make my early rounds, Morgan. Nice talking with you.”
    â€œSee you around, Marshal.” Frank watched as the marshal walked slowly away. An old man caught up in a really bad situation that was sure to get worse. “But it’s none of my business,” he muttered.
    Frank walked around the small town until it was full dark, then decided to make one final check on Horse and Dog before heading back to the hotel and an early turn-in.
    He was walking past an alley when he caught a glimpse of someone standing in the darkness. Frank tensed, his hand closing around the butt of his pistol.
    â€œStand still and listen and live or grab iron and die, Morgan,” the voice said. “It’s your choice.”

FOUR
    â€œI ’m standing easy,” Frank said.
    â€œStay that way, Morgan. I’ll do the talkin’.”
    â€œI’m listening.”
    â€œYou done me a good turn once, way back years ago, down in Texas. It don’t matter what my name is, or was back then. I ain’t forgot the favor. Now it’s my turn to do you a favor, and this is it. You listen up