Preacher's Justice Read Online Free

course, that was a mere coincidence. I assure you, there is nothing to this story. You will recall that when I came to work here, I told you that I had been instrumental in putting some brothel houses out of business?”
    â€œOh, yes, I do recall.”
    â€œI’m sure this all has to do with that. It is spite directed against me because I did my civic duty. As I say, the woman in question is a whore. You ask how I know who was behind this, even though you had not mentioned a name. I can only report that the woman in question has tried shenanigans of this sort before. It is bitterness, pure and simple.”
    â€œWell, that may be the case for the woman,” Fontaine said. “But what about Mr. Ashley? I have checked on him, and I find that he is one of the most successful businessmen in St. Louis, highly respected by all in the fur-trading industry.”
    â€œYes, but you must understand that William Ashley cavorts, on a daily basis, with whores, trappers, hunters, wilderness guides, boatmen. And one cannot come into such constant contact with such people without being affected by them. Why, I have no doubt but that Mr. William Ashley was himself a habitué of the establishment in question.”
    â€œThat is quite an accusation,” Fontaine said.
    â€œPerhaps so, but it is less damning than the false accusation he has lodged against me,” Epson said.
    â€œWhy do you think someone like Ashley would make such a charge?” Fontaine asked.
    â€œOh, that’s easy to understand. The whore, Jennie, no doubt talked him into making the accusation against me and bringing it to your attention. I’m sure that she understands that a respectable bank such as the Trust Bank of Philidelphia will have nothing to do with such a spurious accusation being lodged against a bank officer by a common whore.”
    â€œNo doubt the matter will soon be cleared up,” Fontaine said.
    â€œYes, I’m sure it will be.”
    â€œGo on back to work, Mr. Epson. I will investigate thoroughly, but quietly.”
    â€œYes, sir, thank you,” Epson said. “I shall return to work confident in my total and complete exculpation.”
    Shortly after he left Fontaine’s office, Epson wrote a letter to a St. Louis citizen whom he knew to be of disreputable character. Such a low-class citizen, however, was exactly what he needed for the task at hand.
    The letter went by stage from Philadelphia to Steubenville, Ohio, making the transit in six days. At Steubenville, the letter was put aboard a riverboat for transit to St. Louis. Traversing the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers required another fourteen days so that, twenty days after Epson mailed the letter, the St. Louis postal clerk stepped into LaBarge’s saloon, carrying the letter with him.
    LaBarge, who was wiping off the bar, looked up as Toomey came inside. He smiled.
    â€œWell, well, if it isn’t our illustrious mail official Mr. Toomey,” LaBarge said. “This is indeed an occasion. I don’t believe I’ve ever seen you in here before. What can I get for you, Mr. Toomey?”
    â€œI’m not here to partake of any spirits, thank you,” Toomey answered officiously. “I am here on U.S. Government business. I have come to deliver a letter.”
    â€œI’ve got a letter? Who from?” LaBarge asked, reaching for it.
    â€œIt isn’t for you,” Toomey said, pulling the letter from him.
    â€œWell, if the letter ain’t for me, what the hell are you doin’ in my tavern?”
    â€œBecause I am told that the person for whom I am looking can nearly always be found here,” Toomey said as he continued to look around the room. “And indeed, there he is.”
    When LaBarge looked in the same direction as Toomey, he blinked in surprise.
    â€œWhat the hell?” he said. “Surely, you ain’t talkin’ about ole Ben Caviness?”
    â€œI am,” Toomey