صفحة 358 من 439

"If Jed has served notice that he's going after you, Steve, he'll

ce'tainly back the play. What's more, he won't be any too

particular how he gets you, just so he gets you. He may come

a-shooting in the open. Then, again, he may not. All according to

how the notion strikes him."

"That's about it," agreed Howard.

"While it's fresh on my mind, I'll unload some more comfort.

You've got an enemy in this valley you don't know about."

"The one that shot me?"

"I ain't been told that. I was to say, 'One enemy more than he

knows of.'"

"Who told you to say it?"

"I was to forget to tell you that, Steve."

"Then I must have a friend more than I know of, too."

"I ain't so sure about that. You might call her a hostile

friend."

"It's a lady, then. I can guess who."

"Honest, I didn't mean to tell you, Steve. It slipped out."

"I won't hold it against you."

"She sent for me last night, and this morning I dropped round.

Now, what do you reckon she wanted with me?"

"Give it up."