The Big Country by Donald Hamilton

Author:Donald Hamilton [Hamilton, Donald]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 0440334055
Published: 2018-05-31T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

JULIE MARAGON checked her horse when she saw the lights of Ladder ahead. In the two years that had passed since she had been welcome here, she had forgotten what an impressive sight it made even at night-the long house, a blaze with yellow lamplight, lying in the bend of the river that gleamed dully with the reflection of the starlit evening sky. As she urged the horse into motion, a tall figure stepped out of the shadows by the house to meet her as she rode up. Steve Leech came forward and looked up at her.

“Riding late, ma’am,” he said.

It occurred to her to wonder what he had been doing, standing there so still, almost as if he had been listening to the voices from the open front windows. She dismissed the first suspicion that came to mind, the man was loyal, if only because his fortunes and ambitions were bound up with Ladder, particularly now that his gun, according to McKay‘s report, had taken the life of a Hannesey spy. No, Steve Leech would not betray his employers, but he was the kind of man who would want to know what was being said in the big house for the pleasure and power the knowledge gave him. Or perhaps he was simply waiting for someone to come out to him or invite him in...

Yes, I’m riding late, Steve,” Julie said. “Is Pat in there?”

Maybe,” the foreman said coolly. “Does she want to see you, Miss Julie? Last I heard, she had no wish to meet you again. But maybe you’ve got business here that’ll change her feelings?"

She thought, So they don't know he's bought it yet. Does that mean that he's simply not told, or that he hasn't come back? Her errand now seemed a stupid one that could easily be misconstrued, and, after all, what was James McKay to her? She could not be held responsible for every wandering tenderfoot who passed her door. She made a face at her own thoughts and, since Leech made no move to hand her down, extricated herself from the sidesaddle without help and dropped to the ground, pausing to slap at her dusty skirt before she spoke again.

“I’m not selling any ranches tonight, if that’s what you mean,” she said, “I just dropped by to ask-"

“Steve! Is that you, Steve?” The Major’s voice was loud and challenging. The front door swung open, throwing light across the yard. “Who’s there? Who’s sneaking around out there? Speak up before I put a bullet-, Steve, damn it, what are you doing there?”

Another figure appeared in the lighted doorway. Patricia put her hand on her father’s arm. “Oh, put that gun down, Dad, before you hurt somebody. Who were you talking to, Steve? We heard you through the window. I declare, it’s so dark out there I can’t see a thing. Where are you hiding, anyway?”

Julie felt Steve Leech grasp her arm firmly, then he was leading her forward without gentleness so that the impression they made, as they came into the.

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