Last Reckoning For the Presidio Kid by Emmett Stone

Author:Emmett Stone [Stone, Emmett]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Robert Hale
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

When Bendix had seen Jennings off he decided to have a look around town before collecting the steeldust. There was nothing remarkable about the place, just the usual sprawl of false-fronted clapboard buildings and a scattering of adobe shacks. The only larger building was the one that passed as a hotel, the Sand Bar, which stood a couple of doors from the bank and the general store, opposite to which was the restaurant. Remembering his conversation with the waitress, Bendix decided to drop by the restaurant on the chance of picking up any further information that might prove useful. As he came through the door she looked up and smiled in recognition. The place was quiet and he again took a seat by the window from which he had a view over the street.

‘Hello,’ she said, coming up to him. ‘I’ve been worried about you.’ Not understanding at first what she meant, he gave her an enquiring look.

‘I saw them take you away in the buckboard,’ she said. ‘I wasn’t sure how badly hurt you were.’

Bendix smiled. ‘Just a graze,’ he said. ‘It weren’t anything.’

‘Those two deserved everything they got,’ she said admiringly. ‘Somebody should have stood up to them a long time ago. What can I get you? It’s on the house.’

‘Just coffee,’ Bendix replied.

She moved away and was quickly back with the coffee and some biscuits.

‘Have you got a moment?’ Bendix asked as she poured the steaming black liquid.

‘Sure.’ She pulled up a chair. Bendix poured a mug of coffee and offered one to her but she shook her head.

‘Those two hombres,’ Bendix began. ‘You told me they rode for the Rocking-Horse. What do you know about the woman who runs it?’

‘Miss Otilie? Don’t see much of her. She used to come into town from time to time but that was a long time ago. Some folks say it’s because she got scarred up. Feels embarrassed about it.’

‘Scarred up?’

‘Seems she was in some sort of accident. I only seen it once. All down her cheek. She wore a kind of veil but I still noticed it.’

‘How long has she been the owner of the Rocking-Horse?’

‘She became the owner about two, three years ago. Built it up since.’

Bendix paused for thought. ‘I suppose, things bein’ the way they are, she don’t take kindly to visitors?’ he said after a moment or two.

‘Like I said, she keeps herself to herself. The only people I know who’ve been out to the Rocking-Horse are the marshal and Doc Steiger.’

‘Thanks,’ Bendix said.

She hesitated for a moment before standing up.

‘How is Miss Miranda?’ she said, ‘if you don’t mind me askin’. Must have been mighty upsettin’ for her.’

‘Miss Miranda? Oh, she’s fine.’

‘She’s a real nice lady. Calls in now and again.’

‘I’ll tell her you were askin’ after her.’

The waitress moved off and after finishing his coffee Bendix got to his feet.

‘Can you direct me towards Doctor Steiger’s place?’ he asked.

The waitress accompanied him to the door and pointed down the street.

‘Take the first turn to the left,’ she said.

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.