But you want to watch out for a
knife in the dark, York. 'Uneasy lies the head that wears a
crown,' you know."
"We didn't come here to listen to a speech, cap, but to notify
you we was dissatisfied, and wouldn't have you run the outfit any
longer," explained Neil.
"In that event, having heard the report of the committee, if
there's no further new business, I declare this meeting adjourned
sine die. Kindly remove the perfume tubs, Captain Neil, at your
earliest convenience."
The quartette retreated ignominiously. They had come prepared to
gloat over Leroy's discomfiture, and he had mocked them with that
insolent ease of his that set their teeth in helpless rage.
But the deposed chief knew they had not struck their last blow.
Throughout the night he could hear the low-voiced murmur of their
plottings, and he knew that if the liquor held out long enough
there would be sudden death at Hidden Valley before twenty-four
hours were up. He looked carefully to his rifle and his
revolvers, testing several shells to make sure they had not been
tampered with in his absence. After he had made all necessary
preparations, he drew the blinds of his window and moved his
easy-chair from its customary place beside the fire.
Pages:
342
343
344
345
346
347
348
349
350
351
352
353
354
355
356
357
358
359
360
361
362
363
364
365
366