"I'm runnin' a little surprise party of my own," declared Calumet.
"Was you thinkin' I was fool enough to go to gassin' with you, trustin'
that you wouldn't take your chance to perforate me? You've got another
guess comin'."
The disappointed gleam in Taggart's eyes showed that such had been his
intention. "There wasn't to be no shootin' until after we'd held our
peace meetin'," he complained.
"Correct," said Calumet. "But the peace meetin' is now over. Get your
sky-hooks clawin' at the clouds!" he warned coldly as Neal hesitated.
When both had raised their hands above their heads he deftly plucked
their weapons from their holsters. Then, alert and watchful, he drew
the elder Taggart's rifle from its sling on the saddle and threw it a
dozen feet away.
"Now just step over to that bunch of mesquite," he ordered; "there's
somethin' there that I want to show you."
In obedience to his command they went forward. Both came to a halt
when around the edge of the mesquite clump they saw the dead body of
Sharp, with the handkerchief over his face. Neither recognized the man
until Calumet drew the handkerchief away, and then both started back.
"Know him, eh?" said Calumet, watching them narrowly. "Well, he done
his duty--done what you wanted him to do. But your man, Telza,
double-crossed him--knifed him.
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