Shoot Him On Sight

you.'

'That's the last thing I want—now,' she said shortly. 'I just want to be left alone. I don't like being shot at.'

'But they weren't shooting at you,' Webster said impulsively.

'How do you know who they were shooting at?' I snapped. 'You've already stated they weren't operating under your orders.'

Before Webster could think up an answer for that one, Topaz rose from her chair, passed through the bedroom and opened the front door. 'Good night, gentlemen,' she said briefly.

Webster and I got the idea. We both said good-night and passed through to the street. I heard the door close behind us.

Side by side, Webster and I both made our way back to the main street of Onyxton, though I was still walking slightly to his rear. Neither of us spoke and I could sense he was boiling within at the turn the night's events had taken.

Just before we parted at the Onyxton Saloon and Gambling Parlors, he paused a moment. 'Cardinal,' he said coldly, 'I've stood just about enough of your stalling. It's none of your business, but I don't mind telling you that I've got to be allowed to cross my wagons over Box-CT holdings. So it's up to you. Either you're with me or against me.'

'Meaning what?' I asked quietly.

'I'll be frank. I'm not sure you're to be trusted—'

'So you tried to get Hondo Crowell and his pals to rub me out tonight—'

He swore harshly. 'That's not true. I don't understand Hondo's actions, after I gave orders. But he must have thought he could collect the rewards on your scalp and was acting on his own. I assure you he wasn't acting on my say-so.'

I thought, You blasted liar! But I didn't put it into words. I said, 'So what do you expect of me?'

'You can prove yourself to me by getting rid of Tawney.'

'You mean killing him?'

'Do you know of any better way?' he asked cruelly.

'I can think of a better price than five hundred for the job.'

'I'll give it some thought,' he said briefly.

'Don't bother. A thousand, or nothing.'

'You're pretty damn cocky, Cardinal. We'd better come to some sort of terms, or you'll be sorry.'

'Meaning just what?'

'I'll make other arrangements—and they'll include you as well as Tawney.'

'That sounds like a threat, Webster.'

He laughed harshly. 'It was meant to be, Cardinal. Now you'd better do some damn fast thinking toward your own interests.'

'You're laying it on the line. You mean, if I don't kill Tawney, you'll arrange to have us both bumped off.'

'What do you think? I've given you a chance to prove your loyalty to me. I'm losing patience. Think fast, Cardinal, think fast.' He turned away and started for the entrance of the Onyx Bar. At the doorway he stopped, turned back a minute. 'It's just a matter of whether you value your life more than the extra five hundred you're asking.' He said again, 'Think fast, Cardinal,' and disappeared into the saloon.

I drew a long breath. It was like associating with a rattler to have anything to do with that bustard. Well, he'd certainly made it clear that I'd better cook or get out of the kitchen—before the kitchen collapsed on me.

I gazed along the street. It was some quieter than what it had been earlier in the evening. Probably a large portion of the population was sleeping off its drunks by this time. A lot of noise was still emanating from the Onyx dance hall, though.

I strolled thoughtfully along the street, considering whether or not to return to Topaz' house for some serious talk. Then I cancelled that idea. Webster might have thoughts along the same line; for the present I didn't want to stir up any more trouble.

Finally, I made up my mind. I continued on until I found my buckskin pony, waiting at the hitch-rack, mounted and turned my head out of town. I wasn't pushing hard as I rode through the canyon, cutting through Buzzard Buttes; puzzled thoughts were churning through my mind. If I understood the setup correctly, why had Topaz acted to save my life, when she was supposed to be Shel Webster's woman? I winced, as that thought entered my mind. I hated the idea of her having anything a-tall to do with Webster. And how much longer could I carry out the bluff I was pushing? Eventually, Webster would realize what a fake I was. No doubt about it: a showdown was certain to come before much longer.

It was late when I reached the Box-CT, but there were lights in the ranchhouse, as well as in the bunkhouse. I rode down to the corral and found a vaquero lounging there to take care of my horse. That surprised me and I commented on it. He replied he'd had orders to await my return and unsaddle for me, adding, 'We had something of worry, Senor Cardinal.'

I told him, 'Forget the 'Senor', Manuel. I'm Johnny to my friends. But why the worry?'

'There is much to worry over, when a friend stays late in Onyxton.'

'I'll try not to let it happen again,' I laughed, and thanked him.

A minute later in the living room of the house, I found Mike, Jeff and Mateo sitting before the fireplace. Mama Benita was still up too and hurried to bring coffee.

'We were beginning to fret a mite, when you didn't show up,' Jeff smiled, though he still looked a bit uneasy. 'Mike wanted to ride in and see what was keeping you— we all did for that matter—but decided to wait an hour longer. Thank God, you got here.'

I explained what had detained me. The features of the others were grave by the time I'd finished.

'Good God!' Jeff exclaimed. 'You might have been killed.'

'I should have stayed with you,' Mike scowled. 'Of chances, you run too many, Johnny.'

'Remember,' I told them, 'it was Topaz figured out a way so I wouldn't be hit. That mirror stunt was smart. I still can't figure why she double-crossed Webster. I'm certain he ordered that shooting.'

Mateo nodded wisely. 'Who can say in what direction a woman's heart may turn?'

'I'd feel a hell of a lot safer, Johnny, if you'd stay away from that Topaz girl,' Jeff frowned.

'Sure, it might be safer,' I conceded, 'but I'm playing my hand the same as I've been doing, until I learn what's going on. If Webster is planning a revolution in Mexico, with that gang he has down in Heraldica, maybe I can learn things fast enough to stop it. So I intend to see Topaz every chance I get.'

Mateo laughed softly. 'Love is an abcess that forms in a man's heart and bursts in his head,' he stated.

'Who said anything about love?' I bridled.

Mike grinned. 'It is not much of the necessary, Johnny, for you to put it into words. We see, without you putting it into words.'

I growled, somewhat abashed, 'Oh, hell, let's forget that subject. Mike, what do you think of the lay- out?'

'Wonderful, Johnny. And to think you are the half-owner, and you didn't know it. Such good fortune. You are like the man who fell into a sewer and came up with a bouquet of violets in his hand.'

We talked a while longer, then when somebody mentioned it was time to turn in, I realized I was, suddenly, desperately weary. So much, so much, had developed in the past few hours. Anyway, I wasn't running anymore. It was time I'd started to fight back.

XVII

I was awake much of the night, thinking over developments. By the time we were up and had breakfast, I knew what I intended. I was going to Onyxton again. Jeff, Mateo, and Mike all objected, then when they saw I'd made up my mind, they insisted on accompanying me. That I vetoed as too dangerous for them, pointing out that I was safe, so long as Webster thought he had a chance of using me to get rid of Jeff, despite his attempt on my life the previous night. There might be another attempt on my life, but now, seeing how the first project had come out,