Part 41 (2/2)
”n.o.body will know why you left.”
”I would know, wouldn't I? I've got to go right on living with myself. I tell you straight I'm going to see it out.”
Bucky's jaw clamped. ”Not if I know it. You're under arrest.”
Fendrick sat up in surprise. ”What for?” he demanded angrily.
”For robbing the W. & S. Express Company.”
”h.e.l.l, Bucky. You don't believe that.”
”Never mind what I believe. There's some evidence against you--enough to justify me.”
”You want to get me out of Cullison's way. That's all.”
”If you like to put it so.”
”I won't stand for it. That ain't square.”
”You'll stand for it, my friend. I gave you a chance to clear out and you wouldn't take it.”
”I wouldn't because I couldn't. Don't make any mistake about this. I'm not looking for Luck. I'm attending to my business. Arrest _him_ if you want to stop trouble.”
There came a knock on the door. It opened to admit Luck Cullison. He shut it and put his back to it, while his eyes, hard as hammered iron, swept past the officer to fix on Fendrick.
The latter rose quickly from the bed, but O'Connor flung him back.
”Don't forget you're my prisoner.”
”He's your prisoner, is he?” This was a turn of affairs for which Luck was manifestly unprepared: ”Well, I've come to have a little settlement with him.”
Fendrick, tense as a coiled spring, watched him warily. ”Can't be any too soon to suit me.”
Clear cut as a pair of scissors through paper, Bucky snapped out his warning. ”Nothing stirring, gentlemen. I'll shoot the first man that makes a move.”
”Are you in this, Bucky?” asked Cullison evenly.
”You're right I am. He's my prisoner.”
”What for?”
”For robbing the W. & S.”
Luck's face lit. ”Have you evidence enough to cinch him?”
”Not enough yet. But I'll take no chances on his getting away.”
The cattleman's countenance reflected his thoughts as his decision hung in the balance. He longed to pay his debt on the spot. But on the other hand he had been a sheriff himself. As an outsider he had no right to interfere between an officer and his captive. Besides, if there was a chance to send Fendrick over the road that would be better than killing. It would clear up his own reputation, to some extent under a cloud.
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