Shoot Him On Sight

or otherwise have disposed of that's rattler's nest. They were due to strike without warning, at seven this evening.'

My first thought was of Topaz, and my heart dropped. What would happen to her? I was so miserable I could scarcely find words to speak. I didn't mention Topaz, though. Instead: 'There's that gang at Heraldica. Your men will move down there after taking over Onyxton?'

Taggert shook his head. 'Crossing the border might lead to some sort of international complications, interfering in Mexico's internal affairs, and so on. But the Mexican Government has been alerted by Washington. Two days from now, a detachment of the Mexican Army will swoop down on Heraldica and wipe out that nest of skunks.'

Taggert poured himself a drink, put it away. 'So you can now understand, Johnny, why I came here this afternoon. Webb Jordan wanted you to know, as soon as possible, you are in the clear. And now, I reckon, I'd best get back to Onyxton and see how things have gone.'

I said, 'Damn nice of you to come, Marshal Taggert, though I admit I was mighty scared for a time. This business of juggling a bad record, a bluff and Shel Webster had me a mite nervous.'

'Understandable,' Taggert laughed. 'You'll not have to bother about Webster. By this time he's under arrest —or dead.' He turned to Mateo. 'Would you please have one of your men bring my hawss around? I've already wasted enough time—' He stopped short, then, 'I shouldn't say waste—not with this kind of bourbon to drink —'

We all stopped, listening. From outside came the rapid beating of horse's hoofs, coming fast. The sounds approached nearer. I could almost visualize the scattering of dust and gravel as the rider jerked the horse back into a long sliding halt before the house gallery. There were quick footsteps outside. There came a pounding on the door, even before Jeff could reach it. He flung back the door and Topaz stepped inside. Lord, the sudden feelings that engulfed me. Almost instantly I banished all thought of the scene I'd witnessed earlier that day. I could see she'd been riding hard: wisps of that red-gold hair hung untidily from beneath her sombrero brim. Her divided skirt was foam-flecked from her pony's jaws. She half staggered into the room as Jeff closed the door.

'Is—is Johnny here?' she panted, then she spied me and hurried across the room.

I didn't give a damn who was watching and I guess she didn't either. My arms whipped around her, holding her close. For a full minute neither of us could speak. Finally, Taggert's voice, holding a chuckle, brought us to our senses.

We heard him say, 'Well, this is a new development.'

We parted suddenly, flushing. Topaz spoke in surprise: 'Marshal Taggert, what are you—well, I thought —'

Mama Benita must have been listening in her kitchen. Now she came bustling in, carrying the coffeepot and cups. I guided Topaz to a chair and she settled tiredly into it, saying something about coffee being welcome. We let her rest a minute.

I could hold in no longer. 'Marshal Taggert, since when do you know Miss Topaz?'

His eyes twinkled. 'For a long time. Hasn't Miss Topaz told you that she is one of Mr. Pinkerton's best operatives?'

'I couldn't, Johnny.' Topaz set down her coffee cup. 'I was sworn to an oath of secrecy—'

I let out a yell: 'You're—you're a secret service agent, from Washington?'

She nodded and there was that beautiful smile again. Marshal Taggert said, 'Topaz has been keeping tabs on Shel Webster and his doings for months now—'

'That and fighting him off,' Topaz put in a bit grimly, 'that and pretending to be what I wasn't. I hope, Johnny, that clears things up for you.' I could only nod dumbly, as she went on, 'Did you have a nice ride today, Johnny?' A smile went with that.

I could feel color climbing into my face. 'Did you see me?' She nodded. 'Webster didn't though—' Taggert broke in, 'Now that various friendly relations have been put through'—he cleared his throat—'I'm waiting to hear about Onyxton, Topaz.'

Topaz nodded. 'Our men dropped in on schedule, Marshal. There was very little trouble and not a great deal of shooting. Onyxton was completely taken over. A great many prisoners were taken. There'd likely been more opposition if Webster had been there to lead, but as it was—'

'Where was Webster?' My voice was unusually loud in my excitement.

'That's what I've come to tell you,' Topaz explained, 'and warn you—'

Taggert swore. 'Damn and blast! Orders from headquarters were to get Webster first of all, if possible. He was a key man—'

'He wasn't in Onyxton,' Topaz explained and there was a sort of hopeless note in her voice. 'I went riding with him, this morning—as Johnny knows—and immediately we returned to town he told me he was heading for Heraldica. Had he known his town was to be hit tonight, undoubtedly he would have stayed, but of course he didn't. He didn't even wait to get a fresh horse, but immediately left—'

'I doubt very much he came past here,' Jeff frowned. 'Somebody would have been sure to spot him—'

'He planned to ride wide of the Box-CT,' Topaz explained, 'taking a route over Buzzard Buttes, until he was clear of the ranch, then swing toward Heraldica—'

'Why?' Taggert demanded tersely.

'Webster lost his patience. One way or another he had to have a clear road for munitions through here. He's going to round up that gang of phony Mexicans and raid the Box-CT tonight—'

'How many men has he got over there?' Taggert snapped.

'About fifteen-hundred,' Topaz replied.

Jeff exclaimed, 'Good God! And we're practically defenseless against a gang that size!'

'When's he due to hit here?' I asked.

'By midnight, at least,' Topaz said tiredly.

XX

No one spoke. I reckon we were all too stunned to find utterance for the myriad thoughts coursing through our minds.

It was Taggert who first found his voice, and it was almost a groan. 'And the soldiers being sent by the Mexican Government to Heraldica not due for two days.' He swung on Jeff: 'How many men you got here?'

Jeff's face was white. I reckon mine was too, as I thought: Now that I've really found Topaz, it looks like we'll all be finished. Numbly, I heard Jeff reply, 'A couple of the boys are home on a visit. We can round up about a dozen. There's five of us here—'

'Six,' Topaz corrected. 'I know how to handle a gun.' She seemed cooler than any of us.

Mateo put in, 'Mama Benita is ver' good at the reload for us, an' we have plenty of rifles and six- shooters.'

'But against fifteen-hundred raiders,' Jeff said, 'what chance will we have?'

Mama Benita came waddling into the room. 'Also, I can make the fine coffee which fighters require,' she announced coolly in Spanish. 'What is this business that requires so much of excitement, like a running around by a chicken with the head separated from the body? Mateo! A warning to the vaqueros! Why delay?'

Mateo nodded and rushed from the house. I reckon we were all too stunned to think straight, but some preparations were made for a defense. Furniture was moved against doors and below windows. Half-shutters were raised, and windows lifted part way. Mateo returned to the house followed by the vaqueros, all bearing guns. From an inner room, Jeff produced more rifles and six- shooters, plus boxes of ammunition. Everyone pitched in to help and there was a continual chatter of Spanish and English. I glanced around. Everyone seemed to have his nerve with him. I looked at Topaz. She had again settled to the chair, eyes half-closed, weary almost to death, now that reaction had set in. Chepa, Mama's assistant, was rolling preparatory bandages.

Marshal Taggert spoke suddenly. 'I reckon we're all a bunch of knuckle-heads, not thinking straight. Only a fool could think of fighting off a force of that size. We're doomed before we start. It would be only a question of