Page:Jackson Gregory--joyous trouble maker.djvu/81

Rh you boys something that isn't very well known yet. I am at this minute on my own land."

No change came into Turk Wilson's red, immobile face. Bill Rice, however, showed his surprise frankly at the information.

"How's that come about, Steele?" he demanded.

"Very naturally, Bill," answered Steele. "But we're not here for the discussion of unnecessary details, are we? All we need to go into at present is that the ground you're squatting on, with eighty acres including the Goblet yonder and a nice little stretch of timber land, belongs to me."

"If you was most any other man I know," said Bill Rice after his own blunt fashion, "I'd say liar to you, Steele."

"But since I am not any other man you know I am giving it to you straight, eh, Bill? Thanks, old man."

Rice discarded his cup, scratched his head and finally shrugged his ample shoulders.

"Well, Turk," he said thoughtfully, "I guess we're through? Ed Hurley musta got his signals mixed."

"My orders," muttered Turk, "was to run him out. Especial if he was Bill Steele. Orders straight from Ed an' he got 'em straight from the Queen. When I take a man's pay … yes, or a woman's … I always obey orders. Always did."

He stopped. Both Steele and Bill Rice watched him interestedly, awaiting the next words. But Turk Wilson, having set himself his proposition, took his own time in working it out. For full five minutes there was only