human
Say, began Trentman, after he had closed the door,
gpt
I want to know just how things stand with you and Martin Hawk. No beating about the bush, Barry. I want the truth and nothing else.
human
What are you driving at, Jack?
gpt
Are you mixed up with him in this stock-running business?
human
Well, that's a hell of a question to ask a--
gpt
It's easy to answer. Are you?
human
Certainly not,--and I ought to put a bullet through you for asking such an insulting question.
gpt
He's in jail, charged with stealing sheep and calves, and he's started to talk. Now, look here, Lapelle, I'm your friend, but if you are mixed up in this business the sooner you get out of here the better it will suit me. Wait a minute! I've got more to say. I know you're planning to go down on the boat to-morrow, but I don't believe it's soon enough. I've seen Gwynne. He says in plain English that he won't fight a duel with a horse-thief. He must have some reason for saying that. He has been employed as Moll Hawk's lawyer. She's probably been talking, too. I've been thinking pretty hard the last ten minutes or so, and I'm beginning to understand why you wanted me to arrange the duel for day after to-morrow when you knew you were leaving town on the _Revere_ in the morning. You were trying to throw Gwynne off the track. I thought at first it was because you were afraid to fight him, but now I see things differently. I'll be obliged to you if you'll come straight out and tell me what's in the air. I'm a square man and I like to know whether I'm dealing with square men or not.
human
You say Martin's in jail for stealing? he asked, gripping the corn-husk bedtick with tense, nervous fingers,
gpt
Yep. And I sort of guess you'll be with him before you're much older, if Gwynne knows what he's--
human
I've got to get out of this town to-night, Jack, cried the younger man, starting to his feet.
gpt
Understand, I'm not saying I am mixed up in any way with Hawk and his crowd, but--but I've got important business in Attica early to-morrow morning. That's all you can get me to say. I'll sneak up the back road to the tavern and pack my saddle-bags this afternoon, and I'll leave money with you to settle with Johnson. I may have to ask you to fetch my horse down here--
human
Just a minute, broke in Trentman, who had been regarding him with hard, calculating eyes.
gpt
If it's as bad as all this, I guess you'd better not wait till to-night. It may be too late,--and besides I don't want the sheriff coming down here and jerking you out of my place. You don't need to tell me anything more about your relations with Hawk. I'm no fool, Barry. I know now that you are mixed up in this stock-stealing business that's been going on for months. It don't take a very smart brain to grasp the situation. You've probably been making a pretty good thing out of moving this stuff down the river on your boats, and--Now, don't get up on your ear, my friend! No use trying to bamboozle me. You're scared stiff,--and that's enough for me. And you've got a right to be. This will put an end to your company's boats coming up here for traffic,--it will kill you deader'n a doornail so far as business is concerned. So you'd better get out at once. I never liked you very much anyhow and now I've got no use for you at all. Just to save my own skin and my own reputation as a law-abiding citizen, I'll help you to get away. Now, here's what I'll do. I'll send up and get your horse and have him down here inside of fifteen minutes. There's so darned much excitement up in town about this murder that nobody's going to notice you for the time being. And besides a lot of farmers from over west are coming in, scared half to death about Black Hawk's Indians. They'll be out looking for you before long, your lordship, and it won't be for the purpose of inviting you to have a drink. They'll probably bring a rail along with 'em, so's you'll at least have the consolation of riding up to the calaboose. You'll--
human
Oh, for God's sake! grated Barry, furiously.
gpt
Don't try to be comical, Trentman. This is no time to joke,--or preach either. Give me a swig of--
human
Nope! No whiskey, my friend, said the gambler firmly.
gpt
Whiskey always puts false courage into a man, and I don't want you to be doing anything foolish. I'll have your mare Fancy down here in fifteen minutes, saddled and everything, and you will hop on her and ride up the street, right past the court house, just as if you're out for an hour's canter for your health. You will not have any saddle-bags or traps. You'll ride light, my friend. That will throw 'em off the track. But what I want you to do as soon as you get out the other side of the tanyard is to turn in your saddle and wave a last farewell to the Star City. You might throw a kiss at it, too, while you're about it. Because you've got a long journey ahead of you and you're not coming back,--that is, unless they overtake you. There's some pretty fast horses in this town, as you may happen to remember. So I'd advise you to get a good long start,--and keep it.
human
You bet I'll come back! And when I do, I'll give this town something to talk about. I'll make tracks now. It's the only thing to do. But I'm not licked--not by a long shot, Jack Trentman. I'll be back inside of--
gpt
I'll make you a present of a couple of pistols a fellow left with me for a debt a month or so ago. You may need 'em, said Trentman blandly.
human
Better get ready to start. I'll have the horse here in no time.
gpt
You're damned cold-blooded,
human
Yep, agreed the other.
gpt
But I'm kind-hearted.