Page:Morley roberts--Painted Rock.djvu/196

 wrong with him, and I jest couldn't tell her; I couldn't!"

"Then you think there's nothing in it?" I asked. I got off my horse and walked towards the busiest part of the town with him.

"Not on her side," said Ginger, scratching his red head. "She's only silly. But Weekes ain't no innocent. Barrin' that I'm reesponsible for the peace of this locality, I'd jest as soon as not attend his funeral. I never had no weakness for him; there's a deal too much of the hundred per cent. usurer about him."

"Does he know he's liable to die suddenly?"

"I told him so," said Gillett. "And so did Smith, my deputy. He ain't put foot outside his store since the day before yesterday. Otherwise he shows grit, and is tolerable easy, to jedge by appearances."

We came by Weekes' store.

"There he is now," said Gillett. "But the store isn't lighted up. He knows better than to do that." I touched him on the arm.