Part 37 (1/2)
Some of the bandits nodded gloomily.
”Aw!” burst out Red Pearce. ”Gulden never seen a ghost in his life. If he seen Creede he's seen him ALIVE!”
”Sh.o.r.e you're right, Red,” agreed Jesse Smith.
”But, men--Cleve brought in Creede's belt--and we've divided the gold,”
said Kells. ”You all know Creede would have to be dead before that belt could be unbuckled from him. There's a mistake.”
”Boss, it's my idee thet Gul is only makin' more trouble,” put in Bate Wood. ”I seen him less than an hour ago. I was the first one Gul talked to. An' he knew Jim Cleve did for Creede. How'd he know? Thet was supposed to be a secret. What's more, Gul told me Cleve was on the job to kill him. How'd he ever find thet out?... Sure as G.o.d made little apples Cleve never told him!”
Kells's face grew livid and his whole body vibrated. ”Maybe one of Gulden's gang was outside, listening when we planned Cleve's job,” he suggested. But his look belied his hope.
”Naw! There's a n.i.g.g.e.r in the wood-pile, you can gamble on thet,”
blurted out the sixth bandit, a lean faced, bold-eye, blond-mustached fellow whose name Joan had never heard.
”I won't believe it,” replied Kells, doggedly. ”And you, Budd, you're accusing somebody present of treachery--or else Cleve. He's the only one not here who knew.”
”Wal, I always said thet youngster was slick,” replied Budd.
”Will you accuse him to his face?”
”I sh.o.r.e will. Glad of the chance.”
”Then you're drunk or just a fool.”
”Thet so?”
”Yes, that's so,” flashed Kells. ”You don't know Cleve. He'll kill you.
He's lightning with a gun. Do you suppose I'd set him on Gulden's trail if I wasn't sure? Why I wouldn't care to--”
”Here comes Cleve,” interrupted Pearce, sharply.
Rapid footsteps sounded without. Then Joan saw Jim Cleve darken the doorway. He looked keen and bold. Upon sight of Joan in her changed attire he gave a slight start.
”Budd, here's Cleve,” called out Red Pearce, mockingly. ”Now, say it to his face!”
In the silence that ensued Pearce's spirit dominated the moment with its cunning, hate, and violence. But Kells savagely leaped in front of the men, still master of the situation.
”Red, what's got into you?” he hissed. ”You're cross-grained lately.
You're sore. Any more of this and I'll swear you're a disorganizer....
Now, Budd, you keep your mouth shut. And you, Cleve, you pay no heed to Budd if he does gab.... We're in bad and all the men have chips on their shoulders. We've got to stop fighting among ourselves.”
”Wal, boss, there's a power of sense in a good example,” dryly remarked Bate Wood. His remark calmed Kells and eased the situation.
”Jim, did you meet Gulden?” queried Kells, eagerly.
”Can't find him anywhere,” replied Cleve. ”I've loafed in the saloons and gambling-h.e.l.ls where he hangs out. But he didn't show up. He's in camp. I know that for a fact. He's laying low for some reason.”
”Gulden's been tipped off, Jim,” said Kells, earnestly. ”He told Bate Wood you were out to kill him.”
”I'm glad. It wasn't a fair hand you were going to deal him,” responded Cleve. ”But who gave my job away? Someone in this gang wants me done for--more than Gulden.”