MacAllister

“Cheyenne? Yes, I think Cheyenne would be a good place to start.”

“Then what do you say, cousin, that we take a trip to Cheyenne in a couple of days?”

“I would not want to put you out any,” Duff said. “’Tis not necessary that you come.”

“Nonsense. You are still new to the country. I’m sure I can be of some assistance to you. Besides, I would enjoy the trip.”

“Then your company would most assuredly be welcome,” Duff said.

It was Falcon’s routine to drop in at the post office anytime he was in town, and this morning the postmaster handed him a letter.

“It is addressed to Duff MacCallister, care of you,” Pleas Terrell said as he handed Falcon the letter. “It’s from your brother in New York.”

Falcon took the letter from Terrell. “Thank you. This is my cousin, Duff MacCallister, the man to whom the letter was addressed. Duff, this is Pleas Terrell, our postmaster.”

“’Tis an honor to meet you, Mr. Terrell,” Duff said.

“Will you be with us for a while, Mr. MacCallister? The reason I ask is because if I should get any further mail addressed to you, I shall know what to do with it.”

“I shan’t be here for too much longer. But if you should receive another letter for me, please feel free to give it to Falcon.”

“Thank you, that is how I will handle it, then,” Terrell said.

From the post office they went to the City Pig Restaurant, and there, as they waited for their meal to be served, Duff read his letter.

Dear Cousin Duff,

I hope this letter finds you, for I am writing to impart some information that I believe to be of great importance to you. Percy Fowler, whom you will remember as one of the stagehands, has betrayed a confidence. As a result, Fowler has lost his position with the theater. However, it is an act of closing the door after the horse has left the barn for I have learned, upon good authority, that Fowler provided information to Deputy Sheriff Malcolm from Argyllshire County in Scotland. Malcolm has learned that you are in Colorado and I am certain that he will be coming out there to find you, so please be on the lookout for him.

“The Highlander” continues to run with naught but glorious accolades from the newspapers. The “New York Tribune” said of Rosanna: “Rosanna MacCallister portrays Lady Margaret in the play ‘The Highlander,’ and such a luminary is she that Mr. Edison’s electric lights, by which the theater is illuminated, are scarcely needed. Miss MacCallister brightens the stage by her mere appearance.” I report this to you in all great pride of my twin sister’s accomplishments, though I dare not say this to Rosanna, lest her head grow too large.

With regards and affection from your American cousin, I remain yours faithfully.

Andrew MacCallister

“The New York newspapers speak well of Rosanna,” Duff said as he finished reading the letter.

“They always do,” Falcon said as he spread butter on a biscuit. “They praise Rosanna and Andrew alike, and I agree. I have seen them perform and think it is more than mere brotherly pride that makes me believe them to be players of great talent.”

“’Tis no mere brotherly pride, for I have seen them, too, and they are very good.”

“What else did my brother have to say?”

Duff hesitated for a second before he responded because he didn’t want Falcon to think that he would be asking for help in dealing with Deputy Malcolm. Then he thought that to hold back anything Falcon’s brother may have said would seem impolite, so he passed the letter across the table.

Falcon read it quickly, then glanced up at Duff.

“This man, Malcolm, would be the deputy who came for you in the theater?”

“Aye.”

“Then Andrew is right, we should be on the lookout for him.”

“I thank ye kindly, Falcon, but this isn’t your battle.”

“Duff, do you really think this deputy will come after you by himself?”

“I don’t know,” Duff answered, though not too convincingly.

“He will find as many men as he can,” Falcon said.

“But how will he be able to recruit so many?” Duff asked. “He knows no one in America.”

“He knows that you have come to join me,” Falcon said. “He will use that as his means of recruiting. Believe me, Duff, he will be able to round up an army just by collecting men who want to see me dead.”

“Och,” Duff said, hitting his forehead with the palm of his hand. “I did not think of that. I left New York so no’ to bring danger to Andrew and Rosanna, and here, I have brought it to you instead. I am sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry,” Falcon said. “I’ve been in danger before. And this may be a good way of bringing my enemies out.”

After they ate, they went to the depot, where they bought tickets to Cheyenne. They would leave on the train the next day, then change trains in Denver for the northbound to Cheyenne. After making their travel arrangements, Falcon took Duff around the town, introducing him to the sheriff, the doctor, and several of his friends. They participated in a game of horseshoes, in which Duff did poorly, and a game of darts, which Duff won handily.

Then they went to the saloon, where Duff was introduced to Argus Fincher, the saloon keeper.

“You’re Scottish?” Fincher asked.