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 "to bee sure I did. I asked how's Weekes' hunt after the Floridy lady goin' on? Is she caught yet?"

Gedge rose from his seat and walked up to him. He was little but was as hard as wire, and now he was in a dangerous rage.

"Mr. Ranger," he said, in a voice that had a rasp in it, "do you know that it's admitted on all hands that you're the biggest fool that ever showed up in Painted Rock?"

Ranger's hand was lying on the bar, and Gedge put his on it. Ranger found that iron grip immovable. "You ain't for startin' a difficulty with me for sayin' what everyone says?" he asked quietly enough.

"If you say it again there will be trouble," said Gedge. "Do you understand me? There'll be serious trouble, and I don't want to hev my business interrupted by being obliged to leave the town till your funeral is forgotten."

Not a soul spoke a word. The bar-tender wiped a glass, put a bottle straight, and stood quietly expectant.

"You talk high," said Ranger.