which
he had concealed under his own vest roared spitefully within a foot of
Denver Ed's chest.

Many in the room saw the expression of surprise in Denver Ed's eye as
he pitched forward in a heap at Calumet's feet. There were others who
saw Garvey raise the six-shooter which he had drawn from Calumet's
holster. All heard the hammer click impotently on the empty chambers;
saw Calumet's own weapon flash around and cover Garvey; saw the
flame-spurt and watched Garvey crumple and sink.

There was a dead silence. Taggart had not moved. Calumet's gaze went
from the two fallen men and rested on his father's enemy.

"Didn't work," he jeered. "They missed connections, didn't they?
You'll get yours if you ain't out of town by sundown. Layin' for me
for a week, eh? You sufferin' sneak, thinkin' I was born yesterday!"
He ignored Taggart and looked coolly around at his audience, not a man
of which had moved. He saw the sheriff standing near the door, and it
was to him that he spoke.

"Frame-up," he said in short, sharp accents. "Back Durango way Denver
an' the little guy pulled it off regular. Little man gets your gun.
Denver gets you riled. Sticks his hip out so's you'll grab his gun.
You do. Gun's empty. But you don't know it, an' you try to perforate
Denver. Then he pulls another gun an' salivates you. Self-defense."
He looked around with a cold grin. "Planted an empty on him myself,"
he said. "The little guy fell for it. So did Denver. I reckon that's
all. You wantin' me for this?" he inquired of the sheriff. "You'll
find me at the Lazy Y. Taggart--" He hesitated and looked around.
Taggart was nowhere to be seen. "Sloped," added Calumet, with a laugh.

"I don't reckon I'll want you," said Toban. "Clear case of
self-defense. I reckon most everybody saw the play. Some raw."

Several men had moved; one of them was peering at the faces of Denver
and Garvey. He now looked up at the sheriff.

"Nothing botherin' them any more," he said.

Calumet stepped over to Denver's confederate and took up the pistol
from the floor near him, replacing it in his holster. By this time the
crowd in the saloon was standing near the two gunmen, commenting
gravely or humorously, according to its whim.

"Surprise party for him," suggested one, pointing to Denver.

"Didn't tickle him a heap, though," said another. "Seemed plumb
shocked an' disappointed, if you noticed his face."

"Slick," said another, pointing to