Part 39 (1/2)
He was drunk as a lord, Oliver knew quite well from the augmented insolence of his cruel lips; but Oliver knew that he might be all the more deadly, and that some drunken gunmen can shoot better than when sober.
”What is this?--a holdup?” he asked, and bit his lip as he noted the tremble in his tones.
”A holdup is right,” said Foss. ”A holdup, an' a little business matter you and me's got to attend to.”
”Well, let's get at it!” Oliver snapped.
”I'm gonta kill you after our business is settled,” Foss told him in a matter-of-fact tone.
A cold chill ran along Oliver's spine. Should he make a dive for his gun? Foss had every advantage, but--
Foss was stepping lazily nearer, his eyes intent on the horseman, his six-shooter ready.
”Down there by the river they're fightin' it out all because o' you b.u.t.tin' into this country, where you ain't wanted.” Foss had come to a stop, and was leering up at him. ”You've made trouble ever since you come here. Old Man won't get rid o' you, but I'm goin' to today. But first, where's them gems?”
”I can't tell you,” said Oliver.
”You're a liar!”
”Thank you. You have the advantage of me, you know. Slip your gun in the holster, and then call me a liar. I'll draw with you. My hands are up--you'll still have the advantage of having your hand closer to your gun b.u.t.t.”
”D'ye think you could draw with me?”
”I know it. And before you. Try it and see!”
Foss studied over this. ”Maybe--maybe!” he said. ”I never did throw down on a man without givin' 'im a chance. But you got no chance with me, kid. They don't make 'em that can get the drop on Digger Foss!”
”I'll take a chance,” said Oliver quietly.
”We'll see about that later. But where's them stones?”
”I don't know, I tell you.”
”What did you come up in this country for?”
”On matters that concern me alone.”
”No doubt o' that--or so you think. But they're interestin' to me, too.
What's in that letter Jess'my handed you at Lime Rock yesterday?”
”Oh, you were sneaking about and saw that, were you! Through your gla.s.ses, I suppose. Well, I haven't opened it, and don't know what's in it. If I did I wouldn't tell you. My arms are growing a little tired.
Will you holster your gun and give me a chance before my arms play out?”
”I will if you come across with what you know about the gems. You might as well. If I kill you, you won't be worryin' about gems. And if you croak me, why, what if you did tell me?--I'm dead, ain't I?”
”There's sound logic in that,” said Oliver grimly. ”I'll take you up.
Put your gun in its holster and drop your hands to your sides. Then we'll draw, with your gun hand three feet nearer your gun than mine will be. Come! I've got business down below.”