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I hope you do not think me presumptuous in undertaking such a responsibility?" He looked up eagerly into Mr. Rathburn's face, for he had a great respect for his judgment. But he saw nothing to discourage him. On the contrary, he read cordial sympathy and approval. "Far from it," answered the teacher, with emphasis.
The man's right hand fell to his side while he checked his horse with his left. Rathburn rode in close to him and they came to a halt. Rathburn's lips were curled in a smile of contempt. The other stared at him, white-faced, his eyes wide and inquiring. The fingers of his right hand relaxed, and the gun fell to the ground.
"I don't like the name, but it was wished on me, an' I can't seem to shake it off. If I wasn't the man you think I am you wouldn't be in such a tight fix, Sautee." Rathburn's words conveyed a subtle menace which was not lost on the mine manager. Sautee cringed and rubbed his hands in his nervous tension. "What are you going to do?" he asked. "Listen!" exclaimed Rathburn.
"An' you thought you'd cinch it when you told 'em before you went out that they could tell their funny judge you called!" Rathburn's eyes blazed with angry contempt. "Trading on somebody else's name," he mocked. "Trying to make out you was the goods, an' I believe they thought you was The Coyote, at that. Man, I saw the whole dirty business." Percy's face went white.
There was an exclamation from the sheriff and the sound of moving feet suddenly was stilled. "Is there any one in the cellar?" the sheriff called. Silence with Lamy pressing Rathburn's knee with a hand, and Rathburn smiling that queer, grim smile which conveyed so much, yet nothing which was tangible. "Get around here, you fellows," they heard the sheriff order.
His right hand tipped his sombrero in a lightning move, and there was a flash in the sunlight filtering through the back windows, as Rathburn's gun barked at his hip. Gomez crumpled backward to the floor, as the knife dropped from his grasp at the beginning of the throw.
Don't suppose there's more'n a thousand in the whole bundle." The sheriff put the bills and silver on the table. He investigated all of Rathburn's pockets, returned him his tobacco, papers, and handkerchief, but kept a box of matches. Then he felt his prisoner's clothing to make sure that he had no weapons concealed; he also felt his boot tops.
"If by that you mean intelligent, I thank you for the compliment, and I'm sorry that I can't " She checked herself, but the inference was clear that she intended to add "return it." Miss Rathburn's fair skin became a deeper pink than even a pink-lined parasol warranted, while Kate addressed herself to Disston exclusively. Disston had listened in dismay. Whatever was the matter?
Maybe you ain't bein' right fair." "Seems to me it would look better for me to stay away." "They don't have to see you," urged the old man. "The Mallory place is a good fifteen miles from Hope, close up against the mountains. Boy, don't you think you better make sure?" The wistful, yearning look was back in Rathburn's eyes. His right hand rested upon the butt of his gun.
Anger, swift and uncontrollable, leaped into Rathburn's eyes. Then he laughed, softly and mirthlessly. "If I'd been minded to do for you, or had any such idea in my head, I'd have given it to you long before this," he said. "It's lucky for you, Lamy, that I'm pretty much the breed you thought I was." "Don't pose!" retorted Lamy hotly.
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