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Updated: June 7, 2025
"Stockholders live aroun' here?" he asked, between mouthfuls. "Oh no, that is, not many," replied Sautee with a quick glance at his questioner. "This district is pretty well worked out. Most of our stockholders live in the Middle West and the East." He winked at Rathburn. "Any other mines been robbed?" Rathburn persisted. "No, that's the funny part of it. Still no, it isn't funny.
He left Sautee at the entrance to the restaurant and strolled around the hotel barn to see that his horse was being taken care of properly. He found that the barn man was indeed looking after the dun in excellent shape. Rathburn spent a short time with his mount, petting him and rubbing his glossy coat with his hands. Then he took his slicker pack and started for the hotel.
"And I suppose you The Coyote are taking a hand in this business as a matter of principle," sneeringly replied Sautee. "I didn't take a hand," Rathburn pointed out sternly. "You an' Carlisle forced a hand on me, an' I'm goin' to play it out. I've another reason, too," he added mysteriously. "Did you say you had Carlisle?" Sautee asked in feigned anxiety.
Sautee waved a hand impatiently. "I am the manager of the Dixie Queen. I have been around a bit, and I have eyes. I can see. I know the signals. I witnessed the play in the Red Feather last night." "That ain't a bad name for the place," Rathburn mused. "Just what do you suppose was my object in getting you out of jail?"
His gun was in his holster. "We've got you, you outlaw!" he cried as he flung himself from the saddle and strode up to Rathburn, Mannix, and Sautee. Rathburn's eyes had narrowed until they were slits through which his cold, hard gaze centered upon Carlisle. His attitude had changed. Even his posture was suddenly different. There was a long breath from the men behind Mannix. It was a tense moment.
"I suppose they'll believe it quicker if it's in writing," said Sautee bravely. Rathburn finished writing, folded the paper, and placed it in the left-hand pocket of his coat. He carefully put away the pencil. His next act caused Sautee real concern. Using a drill which was there for the purpose, evidently, Rathburn broke open a box of dynamite caps and a box of dynamite.
The black reputation he had given to Rathburn led him to believe that the man could not be depended upon, and that he was liable to carry out his threat and blow them all to bits. He wet his lips with a feverish tongue. "Where's the money you an' Carlisle got away with?" demanded Mannix. "I've got all I took," whined Sautee. "I'll give it back. I don't know what Carlisle's done with his.
"Who's Carlisle?" Rathburn asked dryly. Sautee frowned. "He's a well, I guess you'd call him a sort of adventurer. I knew him down in Arizona. He follows the camps when they're good, and this one happens to be good right now, for we're improving the property. That's how he happened to come up here about a year ago. Then, when the first robbery occurred, I engaged him as a sort of special agent.
The wording of the note was a bit complicated, but it bore Sautee's signature. It was at least evidence that there had been an agreement. "Everything set?" asked Sautee. "All cinched up an' ready to go," replied Rathburn. "How soon you going to start?" asked Sautee as he unlocked the door. "By midnight," Rathburn answered. Sautee held out his hand before he slipped out of the door and was gone.
The mines manager was fully dressed, and the bed was made. It was evident that he had merely dozed on top of the covers with his clothes on. These things Rathburn noted even as Sautee surveyed him with a frown. "Well, what is it?" snapped out Sautee. Rathburn blinked in the light. "I I was held up," he said sheepishly. The mines manager stared.
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