The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1923-02-22


Clay In his gently ironic drawl.
"Slim" Jim growled something the
meaning of which was crowned In an
oath.
"You say 1t was a free rider Much
obliged. That's sure fair enough"
Clay went on easily. "Well. didn't
come to talk to you about that. I've
got other business with you this mon
In"
The chauffeur looked at him sullen-
ly and silently.
Suppose we get inside the cab.
where we can talk comfortably" Clay
proposed.
"Slim" Jim stepped into the cab and
sat down. Clay followed him. closing
the door.
"Have you seen Jerry Durand this
sunny mo'nin'?" asked Lindsay, with
surface amlability.
"Wot's 1t to you" demanded Col
Inns.
mot thing. Nothin' a-tall," agreed
Clay. "But 1t may be somethin' to you.
I'm kinda wonderIn' whether I'll have
|
"Slim" Jim reached for the door
hastily.
A strong sinewy hand fell on his
arm and frightened, slightly twisting
the flesh as the fingers sank deeper.
Collins let out yell. "Gawd Don't
do that. You're KILN me-"
beg yore pardon. An accident. II
i get annoyed I'm liable to hurt with
out meanin' to-" apoogized Clay.
suavely. "I'll come right down to brass
tacks. Mr.. Collins. You're through
with Annie Milllkan. UnderstandT
Say, wot tells this stuff you're pip
in? Who d you t'ink youse are?"
"Never you mind who am. You'll
keep away from Annie from now on
absolutely. If you bother her-if any
thing happens to her-well, you go
and take a good long look at Durand
before you make any mistakes"
"You touch me an I'll croak you.
Seel" Missed Collins.
"a gun-play" asked Clay pleasant
ly. Say, there's a shootin'-gallery
round the corner. Come along.
| wantta snow you Somethin.
Jaw, 60 to h-lw
The sinewy hand moved again to-
ward the aching muscles of the gun
man. Collins changed his mind hur-
riedly.
"All right. I'll come" he growled.
Clay tossed dollar down on the
counter. took % and aimed at the
row of ducks sailing across the gal
lery pool. Each duck went down as 1t
appeared. He picked up second rifle
and knocked over seven or eight mice
as they scampered across the target
screen. With third gun he snuffed
the flaming eye from the right to the
left side Of the face that grinned at
him, then with another shot sent 1t
back again. He smashed few clay
pipes by way Of variety. To finish of
with, he scored six center shots In a
target and rang bell each time. Not
one single bullet had failed to reach
its mark.
The New York gunman had never
seen such speed and accuracy. He was
impressed In spite of the lnsolent
sheer that still curied his lip.
"Got six-shooter-a fohty-five r.
asked Clay of the owner of the gal
lery.
mo"
"Sorry I'm not much with a rifle,
but I'm a good average shot with a
six-gun. l kinda take to It natural
They turned and walked back to the
cab. Collins fell Into the Bowery
strut.
"Tryin' to throw a scare into me-
he argued feebly.
"Me? Oh, no. Yor mentioned soft
music and the preacher. Mebbeso.
But it's liable to be for you If you
monkey with the buzz-saw. I'm no gun
sharp, but no man who can't empty a
revolver In shade better than two
seconds and put every bullet inside the
rim of a cup at fifteen yards wants to
throw lead at me. You see. hang up
my hat In Arizona. l grew up with a
six-gun by my side"
81 should worry. This is little old
New York, not Arizona" the gangman
answered.
That's what yore boss Durand
thought. What has II brought him
but trouble? Lemme give you some
thing to chew on. New York's the big
gest city Of the biggest, freest country
on Gods green footstoOl. You little
sewer rats pull wires and think you
run 1t. Get wise. you poor locoed
gink. You run II about as much as
that fly on the wheel OF yore taxi
drives the engine. Durand's the whole
works by his way of 1t. but when some
one calls his bluff see where he gets
off,"
"He amt through with you yet"
growled "Sllm" Jim. sulkily.
"Mebbe not, but you-you're through
with Annie" Clay caught him by the
shoulder and swung him round. His
eyes bored chilly into the other man.
Don't you forget to remember not to
forget that. Let her alone. Don't go
near her or play any tricks to hurt
her. Lay off for good. If you don't
well. you'll pay heavy. I'll be on the
Job personal to collect"
Clay swung away and strobe down
the street, lght-heeled and 1.-THE, the
sap of vital youth in every ripping
muscle.
"Slim" Jim watched him, snarling
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