"Two cowpunchers that was down on their luck. I got to stand in with
the boys now and then."
"I s'pose so. Shorty Rhinehart in here to see you, Lee?"
"Yep."
"You told him that the town was gettin' pretty hot."
"It is."
"You said you had no dope on when that delayed shipment was comin'
through?"
Hardy made lightning calculations. A half truth would be the best way
out.
"I've just got the word you want. It come this morning."
Silent's expression changed and he leaned a little closer.
"It's the nineteenth. Train number 89. Savvy? Seven o'clock at
Elkhead!"
"How much? Same bunch of coin?"
"Fifty thousand!"
"That's ten more."
"Yep. A new shipment rolled in with the old one. No objections?"
Silent grinned.
"Any other news, Lee?"
"Shorty told you about Tex Calder?"
"He did. Seen him around here?"
The slightest fraction of a second in hesitation.
"No."
"Was that the straight dope you give Shorty?"
"Straighter'n hell. They're beginnin' to talk, but I guess I was jest
sort of panicky when I talked with Shorty."
"This Tex Calder----"
"What about him?" This with a trace of suspicion.
"He's got a long record."
"So've you, Jim.
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