"'Thanks, but I ain't drinkin', says he. 'Look here, Shorty, are you
loco to come ridin' into Elkhead this way?'
"'I'm jest beginnin' to think maybe I am,' says I.
"'Shorty,' he says in a whisper, 'they're beginnin' to get wise to the
whole gang--includin' me.'
"'Take a brace,' says I. 'They ain't got a thing on you, Hardy.'
"'That don't keep 'em from thinkin' a hell of a pile,' says he, 'an'
I tell you, Shorty, I'm jest about through with the whole works. It
ain't worth it--not if there was a million in it. Everybody is gettin'
wise to Silent, an' the rest of you. Pretty soon hell's goin' to bust
loose.'
"'You've been sayin' that for two years,' says I.
"He stopped an' looked at me sort of thoughtful an' pityin'. Then he
steps up close to me an' whispers in that voice: 'D'you know who's on
Silent's trail now? Eh?'
"'No, an' I don't give a damn,' says I, free an' careless.
"'Tex Calder!' says he."
Silent started violently, and his hand moved instinctively to his
six-gun.
"Did he say Tex Calder?"
"He said no less," answered Shorty Rhinehart, and waited to see his
news take effect. Silent stood with head bowed, scowling.
"Tex Calder's a fool," he said at last.
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