quietly. "Heah's yo' gun, sah," he said, handing the
astonished Gentleman John a small, ugly derringer. "When I bumped into
yo' in the doorway, I took the liberty to remove it. I nevah trust an
hombre with eyes like yo's. Nevah mind tryin' to use it, fo' I've
unloaded it."

The face of the man in black was white with fury. His gimlet eyes had
narrowed to slits, and his mouth was distorted with rage. It was the
face of a killer--a murderer without conscience or pity.

"I'll get yuh for this, Wolf!" he bellowed. "Yuh'll find out how
strong I am here. This country isn't big enough to hold us both, blast
yuh! When our trails meet again, take care!"

The Kid raised one eyebrow. "I always do take care," he drawled. "And
while I'm heah in Skull County, yo'd bettah keep yo' dirty work undah
covah. Adios!"

And humming musically under his breath, The Kid strolled toward the
hitch rack where he had left his horse.

CHAPTER XVII

POT SHOTS

There was an old mission at the outskirts of the town of Skull,
established many years before there were any other buildings in the
vicinity. The Spanish fathers had built it for the Indians, and it
remained a sanctuary, in spite of the roughness and badness of the new
cow town.

Early on the morning after Kid Wolf's arrival in the town, the old
padre was astonished to find a package of money inside his door. It
was addressed simply: "For the poor." It was a windfall and a
much-needed addition to the mission's meager finances.

The padre considered it a gift from Heaven, and where it had come from
remained a mystery. The package contained two thousand dollars.
Needless to say, it was Kid Wolf's gift, and the money had been taken
from the town's dishonest gamblers.

The Texan remained several days in Skull. He was in no hurry, and the
town interested him. Although he heard threats, he was left alone. He
saw no more of Gentleman John, nor did he see Blacksnake McCoy. They
had disappeared from town, probably on evil business of their own.

A note thrust under The Kid's door at the hotel two mornings later
threatened him and advised him to leave the country. The Texan,
however, paid no attention to the warning.

The next day, he scouted about the country, sizing up the cattle
situation. The honest cattlemen, he found, were very much in the
minority. By force, murder, and illegal methods, Gentleman John had
obtained most of the land and practically all o