Novel 1955 - Heller With A Gun (v5.0) Read Online Free

building a reputation.
    Or unless the man with the narrow face was one of them. That one had a devil riding him. He would kill.
    If the weather broke by daybreak he would push on. He took the gun from his waistband and spun the cylinder. It was a solid, well-made gun. He returned it to his belt and walked back to the outer room.
    â€œHow about grub?”
    Williams jerked his head toward an open door through which came the rattle of dishes. “Beef and beans, maybe more. Best cook this side of the IXL in Deadwood.”
    Mabry walked around the bar into a long room with two tables placed end to end. Benches lined either side. At the far end of the table near the fireplace Healy sat with the girl, and with a big man whom Mabry had not seen before.
    He was a man with a wide face and a geniality that immediately rubbed Mabry the wrong way. Better dressed than most of the men in the outer room, he held a fat black cigar between his fingers.
    â€œTake some doing, all right. But we can do it.”
    The big man was speaking. He glanced down the table at Mabry, who was helping himself to dishes that an aproned man had put before him. The big man lowered his voice, but it was still loud enough for Mabry to hear.
    â€œWest out of here into the Wind River country. Then north. There’ll be fuel along the Big Horn.”
    â€œWhat about Indians?”
    The big man waved his cigar. “No trouble. Mostly Shoshones up thataway, and they’re friendly.”
    Healy made no comment, but he glanced at Mabry, who was eating in silence. Healy seemed about to speak, but changed his mind. Twice the girl looked at Mabry, and he was aware of her glance.
    The fellow was either a fool or a liar. Going up that valley was tough at any time, but in the dead of winter, with a woman along, it was asking for trouble. And with two loaded vans. As for Indians, the Shoshones were friendly, but there were roving bands of renegade Sioux who had taken to the rough country after the Custer fight and had never returned to the reservation. Only last week a couple of trappers out of Spearfish had been murdered up in the Big Horns. Their companions found their bodies and plenty of Indian sign. They lit out for Deadwood and the story had been familiar around town before Mabry took the outtrail. It was not the only case. Mabry had talked to them, had bought the black horse from them, in fact.
    â€œI’ll have my two men,” the big man said. “That will make four of us and the three women.”
    Three women.…
    And those renegade Sioux did not have their squaws with them.
    He filled his cup and put the coffeepot down. The girl glanced around and for an instant their eyes held, then she looked away.
    â€œJoin us, friend?” Healy suggested.
    â€œThanks,” Mabry said. “I don’t want to interrupt.”
    It was obvious that the big man was not pleased at the invitation. He was irritated, and shifted angrily on the bench.
    â€œWe’re planning a trip,” Healy said. “You can help.”
    Only the irritation of the big man prompted him. Otherwise he would have stayed where he was. He shifted his food up the table and sat facing the big man and the girl.
    â€œKing,” Healy said, “meet Janice Ryan. She’s with my troupe. And this is Andy Barker, who’s agreed to guide us to Alder Gulch.”
    â€œIn this weather?”
    Barker’s face tightened. “I told them it wouldn’t be easy, but I know that trail.” He hesitated, then took a chance. “Do you?”
    â€œNo.”
    Barker showed his relief. “Then I’m afraid you won’t be much use to us,” he said abruptly, “but thanks, anyway.”
    â€œI haven’t been over that trail, but I’ve been over a lot of others in bad weather.”
    Barker brushed the ash from his cigar, ignoring Mabry. “That’s about it. We can leave as soon as the weather breaks.”
    â€œYou missed