Black Aces by Stephen Payne

Author:Stephen Payne
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction
Publisher: Dorchester Publishing Co., Inc.

There were a dozen more entries each naming an individual or a brand with varying amounts of money opposite the name or brand. The grand total of all the sums was one hundred and ninety thousand dollars.

“If this list was to come to light and Truesdale was asked what it meant,” Tedro resumed, “he’d say, ‘Anticipatin’ the demands of the Black Aces I figured how much I could furnish each man—to save his life. ’ But it’s mighty noticeable that Len Stoddard and his brother ain’t on the list, nor Boyd Loomis, nor Greasy Holderness.

“Also it’s powerful significant that Frank Carter was asked for an even twelve thousand bucks; Henry Kline for ten. I see I was down for three thousand—about every nickel my layout was worth. Evidently Fay McKenzie was asked for twenty thousand. The snakes got it, too. It also looks as if they intended to bleed the Half Moon for another twenty thousand, also, as I figure, rob old Bill of the cash he’ll get for the shipment of beef he’s now marketing.

“So you see this list is an estimate of how much the mob aims to clean up by its hellish scheme, and, as I get it,” Tedro scratched the whisker stubble on his chin and thought he ought to shave, “accordin’ to the plan, Mister Truesdale, the great benefactor and man who saves ranchers’ lives in this shocking crisis by advancing them money, will be holdin’ from fifteen to twenty first-mortgages (can’t get his hooks into a few men who have actually got cash) when all the smoke and fire has died away.

“Truesdale, unsuspected of course of any remote connection with the Black Aces, will then remind the Circle C, the H K, the Pick Bar and others how he now expects the mortgages and interest to be taken up. Yeah, he has paid out his money and though he regrets the circumstances he must ask for its return.”

Tedro’s usually mild eyes were smoldering as he stared at the sheriff. But his voice did not lift as he resumed: “The slick hound. He and his mob will split the big wad they get, his helpers gettin’ well paid. Then Truesdale aims to collect again. Talk about eatin’ your cake and havin’ it too!”

“I don’t follow you none,” muttered the sheriff. “What you drivin’ at?”

Tedro stabbed the moon-faced fellow with a look. “I’ve been tellin’ you that Harmon Truesdale is the boss of the Black Ace herd. I’ve named others, and I’ve given you convincing proof to back up what I said. Sheriff, it’s up to you to nail their hides to the fence!”

“Tedro Ames,” said Potter steadily, looking the young cowpuncher straight in the eyes, “you’re a danged outlaw. You kilt Thurston and Greenwald. You was forkin’ Wolf Whalen’s hoss. I sees only that you’re tryin’ tuh throw ugly s’picions on the finest man we got in our county, Truesdale. Yore hull story’s a lie, and I wouldn’t b’lieve a danged word you’d say on oath.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.