The Trail Horde

urned from his visit to Gary Warden-and, standing in the flickering

gulf of moonlit distance,-going in different directions toward thei

had not agreed with his. He had not expected them to do

the previous spring, Lawler might also have accepted Gary Warden's

the man. Added to that was disgust over the knowledge that Warden, and not Jim Lefingwell, was a liar-that Warden had no r

with Warden had aroused in Lawler; but it had been his visit to Simmons and his talks wit

. It had set in serious lines and his chin had taken on a pronounced thrust when

e the herd of Circle L cattle were being held for the nigh

ing, and recognizing him,

ed, his lips grimming

the spurred boots that he had worn before beginning his trip to the capital. Then, penning a note to his mother, informing her that he was going to Red Rock with

ard, toward Willets, the twenty men of the outfit flanking th

quiring the continued efforts of the men to keep them moving at all. And yet when darkness came th

n were holding the first. Leaving Blackburn to make arrangements for camp, Lawler rode on into Willets. From a distance he saw that the company corral was we

otel; but he kept on until he reached the station, where he dism

Lawler entered the open door, to find a portly, bald-headed man sitting at a rough, flat-top desk. The man was busy with

hair in a far corner. Warden did not appear to see Lawler, either; he was facing the back of the chair, str

tion that was almost extravagant. The man was writing, and the pencil in his hand seemed to lag. He studie

an?" finally asked Lawler, his patienc

wn again, leaving Lawler to wonder how it was that every official with wh

you in a second-just as soon as I check up this tally. Caldwell drove in h

h the open doorway. On the siding was a long string o

wheeled and faced Warden, who was

ckly enough when you orde

and gazed straight at Lawler,

mons can find them. And he'll have to find them pretty soon or his company will face a lawsuit. You see, Lawler, I or

ou were as certain of that as you were that they woul

wler?" demanded Warde

ends are doing. But, given the power, any bunch of cheap crooks

not move a muscle-that Lawler's wrath was struggling mightily within him. It was also apparent that Lawler'

e verge of deadly action the nerves and muscles that yearn for violent expressi

, unwavering gleam of Lawler's eyes the threat, the

dropped from his fingers and he slacked in

bore for this man glared forth from his eyes, but

trouble for which he plainly yearned; that he would not use the gun that

after considering the situation, and yet he did not speak at once.

egitimate. I am not violating any law. If I have the foresight to contract for cars in time to get them for shipment

ssions were not to be permitted to break the leash in which he he

e. Understand that! You can drive to Red Rock and be damned! If you'd been halfway decent about this thing; if you hadn't c

the liar," smiled Lawler

isonously malevolent.

to antagonize you, then. Only a fool is truthful at all times."

drive it out, to make the man betray some sign of the pertu

spect it, and I'm telling you. You went around last fall with a chip on your shoulder, making trouble far Haughton and his friends. And now they're going to bust you wide open and scatter your remai

ace pale with passion; his eyes glo

w Lawler's eyes narrow and gleam with a cold fl

rant. "You'll understand what I'm going to say a w

od looking into each other's eyes, both understanding the en

Governor Haughton convinced me beyond all reasonable doubt. I'm the man they are after, of course. But incidentally, they're going to mulct every other ca

ther day. God's grace and a woman's mercy permitted you to get away, alive. Don't let it happen again. Just as sure as you m

ler's eyes, found that he could not endure the terrible intensit

a cold shiver over him; and then he saw Lawle

ad, approximately. They're being held just out of town-about a mile. I'd like to have yo

his head and then lowering it again without achieving his desire. He cleared his throat, shifted hi

any trail herds

n back again at Jordan, who had taken up the pencil aga

herds, eh?" said La

headquarters," replie

me see the order, Jordan

Lawler now, and there was rage in

nd his smile as he looked into Jordan'

ung by the mocker

d back, viciously pulled open a drawer in the desk, drew out a paper-a yellow

n' you see it. Mebbe you'll take a

the desk. He looked at Jordan, whose gaze fell fr

cattle over a trail without proof of ownership. We fought for that vent law for a good many years, as a weapon against rustlers. This order leaves a cat

ck at the two men inside, who stood for a