Part 44 (1/2)
”You can take out a bullet, anyway,” said Ingleby suggestively.
”Oh yes. I'd have had quite a nice practice by this time if it had been convenient for me to stay in Connecticut. As it happened, it wasn't.”
Ingleby looked at him steadily. ”Tomlinson,” he said, ”is a friend of mine, and that, of course, implies an obligation. You, so far as I know, have had very little to do with him, and it seems only reasonable to warn you that you may get yourself into serious trouble by looking after him. The law is generally carried out in our country.”
The American laughed. ”I can take my chances. I'm not going back on a sick man, anyway.”
They said nothing more for awhile until a man who had apparently been running came in.
”Where's Sewell?” he gasped.
”I don't know,” said Ingleby. ”He wasn't at home this morning. Most likely he's looking for a deer.”
”Then I guess you'll have to do. Esmond has trailed Tomlinson to the bakery. He has got Hetty and Tom Leger at the outpost now.”
Ingleby rose suddenly to his feet. ”You're quite sure?”
”Well,” said the other, ”I guess I ought to be. I met them. Trooper Grieve didn't stop their talking, and they told me. Esmond tried to bluff where Tomlinson was out of them, and they're to stand in with him as accessories.”
It was evident to Ingleby that since Sewell was away a heavy responsibility devolved upon him as a friend of Tomlinson and Leger. He was expected to do something, and, as usual, he did the obvious thing without counting what it would cost him.
”Where is Esmond?” he asked.
”Hitting the trail to the settlements all he's worth,” said the other man.
”Then go round and let the boys know what you have told me. They can meet outside Ransome's shanty. The dinner-hour will do. I'll be there to meet them.”
The man went out, and at the time appointed Ingleby stood outside a little hut of bark and logs with a crowd of bronze-faced men about him.
They were somewhat silent, but their manner was quietly resolute. It suggested that their minds were made up and that they were only waiting for a leader in whom they had confidence. Ingleby had gained their liking, but he was young, and they were not quite sure whether he would be the man or whether they must choose another. In the meanwhile they were willing to give him a hearing. It was evident that he was equal to the occasion when he stepped forward and looked at them with steady eyes.
”Boys,” he said, ”do any of you believe Tomlinson killed Trooper Probyn?”
There was a general murmur of dissent, and Ingleby made a little sign of concurrence. ”Are you willing to let the troopers have him? You must remember that the thing looks bad against him, and he will not be tried by you.”
The murmurs were articulate now, and it was very clear that not a man there had the least intention of giving up Tomlinson.
”Then it should be quite plain that you will have to keep the troopers from him. It is only a question of a day or two at the longest before they trail him. They may do it to-night. Esmond will very soon find out that he isn't pus.h.i.+ng on in front of him for the settlements.”
A big man stood forward, and glanced at the rest. ”There's not a trooper in this valley going to lay hands on Tomlinson.”
Again the murmurs rose portentously, and Ingleby smiled.
”Well,” he said, ”since the trouble can't be shuffled off, we may as well face it now. We have got to make a stand and maintain it until Esmond finds he has to humour us. He has Leger and his sister in the outpost. Do you know any reason why we shouldn't take them out?”
”I guess not,” said the man who had spoken already. ”Still, if there's any shooting, two or three of us are going to smell trouble as well as Tomlinson.”
”There will not be any,” said Ingleby. ”Esmond has only two men at the outpost. n.o.body wants to hurt them. The thing can be done without it. In fact, that's essential. I want three or four determined men.”
They were forthcoming, but one of the rest asked a question.