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Goatry held out his hand. "I'm with you. If you get him this time, clamp him, clamp him like a tooth in a harrow." Halbeck had stopped his horse at the post-office door. Dismounting, he looked quickly round, then drew the reins over the horse's head, letting them trail, as is the custom of the West. A few swift words passed between Goatry and Foyle.
There was a red trickle at the temple. He had chosen the best way out. "He had the pluck," said Goatry, as Foyle swung round with a face of misery. A moment afterward came a rush of people. Goatry kept them back. "Sergeant Foyle arrested Halbeck, and Halbeck's shot himself," Goatry explained to them. A white-faced girl with a scar on her temple made her way into the room.
He'll not interfere." The handle of the door turned slowly. "You keep watch on the post-office, Jo," he added. Goatry came round the opening door with a grin. "Hope I don't intrude," he said, stealing a half-leering look at the girl. As soon as he saw her face, however, he straightened himself up and took on different manners.
Has any one seen him?" "Only Billy Goatry," he answered, working his way to a solution of the dark problem. "Only Billy Goatry knows him. The fellow that led the singing that was Goatry." "There he is now," he added, as Billy Goat passed the window. She came and laid a hand on his arm. "We've got to settle things with him," she said. "If Dorl comes, Nett "
There was silence for a moment, then he caught her hand in his and held it. "If he comes, leave him to me, Jo. You will leave him to me?" he added, anxiously. "Yes," she answered. "You'll do what's right by Bobby?" "And by Dorl, too," he replied, strangely. There were loud footsteps without. "It's Goatry," said Foyle. "You stay here. I'll tell him everything. He's all right; he's a true friend.
"Hi, there, you damned sucker!" he called after Goatry, and then saw Foyle waiting. "What the hell !" he said fiercely, his hand on something in his hip pocket. "Keep quiet, Dorl. I want to have a little talk with you. Take your hand away from that gun take it away," he added with a meaning not to be misunderstood.
She did not reply, for she was looking down the street, and presently she started as she gazed. She laid a hand suddenly on Foyle's arm. "See he's come," she said in a whisper, and as though not realising Goatry's presence. "He's come." Goatry looked as well as Foyle. "Halbeck the devil!" he said. Foyle turned to him. "Stand by, Goatry. I want you to keep a shut mouth. I've work to do."
"Do your duty, Dorl," said the ex-sergeant as he turned his back on his brother. The door of the room opened, and Goatry stepped inside softly. He had work to do, if need be, and his face showed it. Halbeck did not see him. There was a demon in Halbeck's eyes, as his brother stood, his back turned, taking his chances. A large mirror hung on the wall opposite Halbeck.
Goatry was watching Halbeck's face in the glass, and saw the danger. He measured his distance. All at once Halbeck caught Goatry's face in the mirror. The dark devilry faded out of his eyes. His lips moved in a whispered oath. Every way was blocked. With a sudden wild resolution he raised the pistol to his head. It cracked, and he fell back heavily in the chair.
"Come away come away, Jo," said the voice of the man she loved; and he did not let her see the lifeless figure in the chair. Three days later the plains swallowed them, as they made their way with Billy Goatry to the headquarters of the Riders of the Plains, where Sergeant Foyle was asked to reconsider his resignation: which he did.
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