oy said, making a feint now of moving the cigar
boxes around in the case.

"This town isn't so big that they'd miss a man if they went out to hunt
him. Where are they?"

"I left them at Peden's, the big dance hall up the street. Ain't you got
a gun?"

"No," Morgan returned thoughtfully, as if he had not even considered one
before.

"The best thing you can do is to take a walk out into the country and
forget your way back, kid. Them fellers are goin' to be jangled up just
about right for anything in an hour or so more. I'd advise you to
go--I'll send your grip to you wherever you say."

"You're very kind. How many of them are there?"

"Seven besides Craddock, the rest of them went to Kansas City with the
cattle you saw leave in them three extras this evening. Craddock's
celebratin' his new job, he's leadin' 'em around throwin' everything
wide open to 'em without a cent to pay. 'Charge it to me' he said to
Peden--I was there when they came in--'charge it to me, I'm payin' this
bill.' You know what that means."

"I suppose it means that the collection will be deferred," Morgon said,
grinning over the city marshal's easy cut to generosity.

"Indefinitely postponed," said Conboy, gloomily. "I'm goin' to put all
my good cigars in the safe, and do it right now."

"Here's something you may put in the safe for me, too," said Morgan,
handing over his pocketbook.

"Ain't you goin' to leave town?" Conboy asked, hand stayed hesitantly to
take the purse.

"I've got an appointment with Judge Thayer to look at a piece of land in
the morning," Morgan returned.

"Well, keep out enough to buy a gun, two of 'em if you're a
double-handed man," Conboy counseled.

"I've got what I need," said Morgan, putting the purse in Conboy's hand.

"I'd say for you to take a walk out to Judge Thayer's and stay all night
with him, but them fellers will be around here a couple of weeks, I
expect--till the rest of the outfit comes back for their horses. Just
one night away wouldn't do you any good."

"I couldn't think of it," said Morgan, coldly.

"You know your business, I guess," Conboy yielded, doubtfully, "but
don't play your luck too far. You made a good grab when you took that
feller's gun away from him, but you can't grab eight guns."

"You're right," Morgan agreed.

"If you're a reasonable man, you'll hit the grit out of this burg,"
Conboy urged.

"You said they were at Peden's?"

"First dance house you come to, the bigges