The Gunsmith 385 by J. R. Roberts Page B

looking off to the east, the direction they were now going.
    â€œWhat town is that way?” Travis asked.
    â€œNot sure,” Clint said. “I guess we’ll just have to follow and find out.”
    â€œThey might be goin’ to meet someone,” Travis said. “That would support what you’ve been thinking.”
    â€œWhat I’ve been toying with,” Clint said.
    â€œYour friend Hartman, does he have many enemies?” Travis asked.
    â€œEverybody’s got enemies,” Clint said, “and he’s a businessman, so he probably has more than most.”
    â€œWell,” Travis said, “could be somebody don’t like the way he does business.”
    â€œCould be,” Clint said.
    Travis looked at the ground again.
    â€œThey’re stayin’ together,” he said, “so the odds are even.”
    â€œUntil they get where they’re going,” Clint said, “then we don’t have any idea of the odds.”
    â€œBut you’re gonna let them get there, aren’t you?”
    â€œYes, I am.”
    â€œWell,” Travis said, “I guess there’s no point in pushin’ the horses anymore. We know where they
ain’t
goin’, and I’d say we’re only a few hours behind them.”
    â€œIf we come to a town first,” Clint said, “we’ll stop and see if they have a telegraph office.”
    â€œSuit yourself,” Travis said. “You’re callin’ the play.”
    â€œYou can still ride on.”
    Travis shook his head.
    â€œI came this far,” he said, “might as well see it through the rest of the way.”
    â€œAll right,” Clint said, “but when this is over, I think I’m going to deserve the answer to a question.”
    â€œReally?” Travis asked. “I’m helping you out, and you think you deserve somethin’?”
    â€œI’m letting you ride with me,” Clint said.
    â€œTo watch your back,” Travis reminded him.
    â€œOnly I didn’t ask for your help.”
    Travis looked stubborn.
    â€œOkay,” Clint said, “I guess we’ll have to deal with this later.”
    â€œI guess we will.”
    Â * * * 
    As they rode up to the large house, several men in a corral stopped what they were doing to watch them.
    â€œYou know them fellas?” Hastings asked.
    â€œNope.”
    â€œBut you’re expected here, right?”
    â€œThat’s right,” Barry said. “Don’t worry, we won’t have no trouble here.”
    â€œI’m always expecting trouble, Tom,” Hastings said. “You know that.”
    â€œI do,” Barry said. “That’s what I like about you, Tracy. You’re always ready.”
    They stopped their horses in front of the house and dismounted.
    Barry started up the steps to the front door and Hastings asked, “What about the horses?”
    Barry gestured toward the men in the corral and said, “They’ll take care of them.”
    Hastings wasn’t so sure, but he followed Barry up the steps anyway. He almost expected Barry to just open the door and go right in, but he knocked.
    The door was opened by an old man, wearing old jeans and a shirt buttoned all the way to the neck.
    â€œIt’s about time,” he groused.
    â€œIs he here?” Barry asked.
    â€œOf course he is,” the old man said. He looked past Barry and scowled at Hastings. “Who’s this?”
    â€œMy partner.”
    â€œDidn’t know you had a partner.”
    â€œWell, I do. Can we come in?”
    â€œCome ahead,” the man said, backing away.
    As they went past him, Hastings got a close-up look. He thought the man’s skin looked as if he’d just spent a week in the desert. He was surprised the skin didn’t crack.
    The old man closed the door and then turned to face them.
    â€œWait here,” he said. “I’ll tell him