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He strode out, leaving Lefingwell slightly stunned over his abrupt leave-taking. A minute later he was in the squatty frame courthouse, towering above Judge Lindman, who had been seated at his desk and who had risen at his entrance. Trevison shoved the summons under Lindman's nose. "I just got this," he said. "What does it mean?"
Lefingwell had been bluff, frank, and sincere; there was something in Warden's manner that seemed to exude craft and guile. The contrast between the two men was sharp, acute, startling; and Lawler descended the stairs feeling that he had just been in contact with something that crept instead of walking upright like a man.
So far as I know, you are not a liar. I'm telling you this, though: A man's word in this country has got to be backed by his performances and he's got to have memory enough to know when he gives his word. "I reckon that where you come from men give their word without knowing it. Maybe that's what happened to you when Jim Lefingwell spoke to you about his agreement with me.
I've got eight thousand head good clean stock. They're above the average, but I'm keeping my word with Jim Lefingwell, and turning them in at the market price." "That's twenty-five dollars, delivered at the railroad company's corral, in town here."
The name, Jefferson Corrigan, appeared as plaintiff in the action. Lefingwell was watching Trevison's face closely, and when he saw it whiten, he muttered, understandingly: "You've got it, too, eh?" "Yes." Trevison shoved the paper into a pocket. "Looks like you're not going to be skinned alone, Lefingwell. Well, so-long; I'll see you later."
But the man with the rope stood firm, as did Lefingwell, grim, his face darkening with wrath. "This is the law actin' here, 'Firebrand," he said, his voice level. "You've done your bit, an' you're due to step back an' let justice take a hand. This here skunk has outraged every damned rule of decency an' honor.
Jim's word was all I ever wanted from him all I ever asked for." "But perhaps Gary Warden's business methods are different?" "I talked that over with Lefingwell when he sold out to Warden. Jim said he'd already mentioned our agreement to Warden and that Warden had agreed to carry it out." "But suppose Warden has changed his mind?" Lawler spoke seriously.
Added to that was disgust over the knowledge that Warden, and not Jim Lefingwell, was a liar that Warden had no respect for the sacredness of his word, given to Lefingwell. The man's honor must be wrapped in a bond or a written contract.
As long as I am resident buyer at Willets you'll never ship a hoof through me. Understand that! You can drive to Red Rock and be damned! If you'd been halfway decent about this thing; if you hadn't come swaggering into my office trying to dictate to me, and calling me a liar, I'd have kept Lefingwell's agreement with you!" "Then Lefingwell wasn't the liar," smiled Lawler; "you're admitting it."
In my case, I made arrangements with Jim Lefingwell, the buyer at Willets, as long ago as last spring. But Lefingwell isn't buyer any more, and Gary Warden, the present buyer, refuses to recognize my agreement with Lefingwell." "A written agreement?" "Unfortunately not. Lefingwell's word was always good." Hatfield's smile was very near a sneer.
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