Page:Jackson Gregory--joyous trouble maker.djvu/93

Rh to which Bill Steele might rise. And after the gasp a curt, angry,

"Liar! Mr. Hurley, you should know once and for all that you can believe nothing that that man says. He … he …"

The wire connecting the ranch house with Hurley's cabin recorded a sharply indrawn breath of impotent fury. Hurley chuckled, but had the forethought to put his big hand over the receiver.

"Mr. Hurley," and now her voice came with a coolness which caused Hurley to nod his approval of her quick mastery of her anger and, perhaps, of the situation, "I cannot tolerate incompetence. I directed you to send two of your best men to drive Steele off the ranch. They have failed to obey orders. I am not interested in excuses. You will immediately discharge both men."

"They're Turk Wilson and Bill Ri …"

"I don't care to know who they are, thank you," said Miss Corliss in a tone which Hurley recognized. "They are both discharged. You will inform them of that fact without delay. Further, your orders still stand: If you can't handle the situation before dark I'll not hesitate to accept your resignation. That's all, I believe."

And so far as further discussion just now was concerned that was an end of the matter. The Queen, taking advantage of the royal prerogative, had hung up at the other end of the line.

"Damn!" said Ed Hurley softly but none the less emphatically.