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The sun was going now; it had become a golden, blazing ball which was sinking over the peaks of some distant mountains, its fiery rays stabbing the pale azure of the sky with brilliantly glowing shafts that threw off ever-changing seas of color that blended together in perfect harmony. Harlan alternately watched the wounded man and Laskar.
I ain't no angel, but when I down a man I do it fair an' square givin' him his chance. I sent that sneak Dolver out an' that coyote Laskar. It was a dirty, rotten deal, the way they framed up on Morgan. It's irritated me I reckon you can hear my rattles right now. I'm stayin' in Lamo, an' I'm stickin' by this Barbara girl until you guys learn to walk straight up, like men!"
But no man could have told that he looked at Laskar directly, except Laskar himself, who would have sworn that Harlan did not remove his gaze from him, once he had slipped from Purgatory's back. For Harlan's eyes told nothing. They seemed to be gazing at nothing, and at everything.
He grinned mirthlessly now, as he mentally reviewed a past which had been rather like the record of a professional man-killer. And yet, reviewing his past from the day about five years ago, when he had shot a Taos bully who had drawn a gun on him with murderous intent, until today, when he had sent Laskar to his death he could not remember one shooting affray for which he could be blamed.
That had seemed to be the logical thing to do, for he had arrayed himself against her enemies in killing Laskar, and it was reasonable to suppose conceding Laskar and Higgins were leagued with Deveny that Harlan would protect her. It all seemed exceedingly natural, that far. It was when she began to wonder why Harlan was with her now that an element of mystery seemed to rule. And she was puzzled.
"I'm about due, I reckon," he said. "I heard you talkin' to the man you just let get away. It don't make any difference about him. I reckon he was just a tool, anyway. There's someone behind this bigger than Dolver an' that man Laskar. He didn't tell you?" Harlan shook his head negatively, watching the other intently. "I didn't reckon he would," said Morgan. "But there's somebody."
And when he found that Harlan gave him no sympathy, he cursed horribly. This drew a cold threat from Harlan. "Shut your rank mouth or I'll turn Purgatory loose on you again. Lookin' for sympathy, eh? How much sympathy did you give that hombre who's cashin' in behind the rocks? None damn you!" It was the first flash of feeling Harlan had exhibited, and Laskar shrank from him in terror.
For Gage, watching the man, was certain Harlan was looking directly at him as he grinned, and Deveny, like Laskar, was sure Harlan's gaze was upon him. And all of them, noting one another's embarrassment, stood silent, marveling.
And they had purposely dragged Laskar outside, expecting Harlan would do just as he had done, and as his eyes warned he intended to do. "I'm after you, Laskar," he said softly. Laskar stiffened. He made no move, keeping his hands at his sides, where they had been all the time that had elapsed since Harlan had dismounted.
Turning from Purgatory, after he had dismounted in front of the sheriff's office, Harlan faced three men who stood just outside of the building, watching him. The slightly humorous smile that curved Harlan's lips might have betrayed his reason for dismounting in front of the sheriff's office, for he had seen Laskar standing with the two other men.
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