The Coolidge examiner., 1931-01-02
CHAPTER V-Continued

CHAPTER V-Continued
=
"They nearly murdered my
friend, if not quite" OHara said
bitterly, in low voice. Isn't that
enough to give you little satisfac-
tion?"
Young fellow, If you know
what's good for you don't insinuate
that they did it by my orders" In
gram answered harshly. Then,
curtly. Fix me up pad for this,
Barbara Wen not monkey with
the lead pill till Doc comes"
A shadow from the doorway fell
across the sunlit door. Ingram
looked up quickly and as he did SO
his hand slid toward his right hip
and rested there Bob QuantrelI
leaned negIigently against the
jamb.
Come to see how yore sick
friends are gettin' along, BObY the
owner of the Diamond Tail brand
asked ironically. his steady eyes on
those of the young deSperadO. Il
suppose. in a way of speakin, you
might cali them yOre patients"
mo. sir reckon not. The
band began TO play before got
here. Credit Shep with the job.
Does he get another notch on his
gum"
Too early to tell yet The only
notch up to date goes TO innocent
Mr. O'Hara."
Quantrell laughed, slowly and in
sOlently. "He sure tanned a bunch
of wild wolves SOS they was wilin'
to eat out of his hand. My hat off
10 you, Mr.. O'Hara. You're a sure
enough wolf tanner"
O'Hara. This is praise from an ex-
pert" Ingram said grimly.
what do you want hereT" Bar
bara demanded. "Why have you
conner"
Quantrell swept the sOmbrero
from his head. Don't you worry,
miss. I'm through with that bunch
of wolves. I'll throw in with yore
paw if he needs top hand"
"Why? You fought these men.
Half an hour ago you were tryin'
90 kill them"
"All in the way of business. Fact
is, | like the way they called the
turn on Shops crowd They've got
sand in their craws. these two
birds. A man can swap hosses,
can't he?"
Ingram made comment, 'TIl be
glad to write TO yOre father, Bar
bara, recommendin' Quantrell's s
faithful services" he said
The young killers pale blue eyes
rested on the cattle man. He un-
derStOod the spirit of the remark
though it was not obviously ironical.
''Meanin' anything in particular.
Mr.. Ingram?" he asked very gently
The Older man was not afraid of
him. Ingram's courage had been
tried and never found wanting. II
took nerve TO rule the lawlesS bunch
of which he was leader But. on
the other hand he could see no
profit in a duel with this cold-blOOd-
ed machine-like vehicle of death. II
would not be an even match, since he
considered his life far more valu-
able than that of Quantrell.
He smiled. Let it ride as it
lays. Bob. Like you say, man
can change his boss. No law
against that Since we're here we
better make ourselves useful. I've
sent for a doc. Till he shows up
I'm subbin' for him. Take a look
at yore patients shoulder here.
Nice clean flesh wound, wouldn't
you say? Ought to heal in no
time"
Quantrell looked at the wound.
Seems like it ought Not my pa
tient, Ingram. Shep gets the credit.
like | done told you"
so you did. | forgot. Well, the
main thing is that he'll be rOllin' his
tail high as ever right soon.'
"Shep amt what I'd call a top
hand at his trade" Quantrell
drawled. That's twice now he
hasn't cut it. He don't live up to
y his rep. can't see how he reads
his title clear to call himself a
bad man from the Panhandle. II
was his boss I'd read him the riot
act"
"I'll take yOre advice" Ingram
said "That bandage pad ready yet
Barbara?"
They busted themselves over the
wounded man.
The sound of horses hoOfs came
drumming down the wind. Barbara
stepped to the door.
She spoke quietly, as though what
she was mentioning had no special
significance Fathers here"
Neither Ingram nor Quantrell