Texas Killers Read Free Page B

he had been appointed town marshal of Corpus Christie. For all his lack of more desirable qualities, he was a reasonably competent gun handler. Flashing swiftly across, his right hand disappeared briefly beneath the left flap of his jacket and emerged holding the Colt Model of 1871 House Pistol. Its three inches-long barrel and the four-shot cylinder in the form of a cloverleaf made it a compact and easily concealed weapon, factors which had done much to enhance his local reputation as being very fast on the draw.
    Closing his right thumb and forefinger around the Remington Double Derringer’s “bird-head” butt, the man who was currently calling himself “George Luncher” began to pluck the twin superposed barrels from the U-shaped grip of the spring-operated wrist holster’s carrying rod. While doing so, he was relieved to notice that the peace officer was also drawing a weapon. He was aware of the limitations as well as the advantages of the way in which he was armed. Less than five inches in overall length and flat, the Double Derringer was an even better concealment device than the Colt House Pistol. However, the qualities which created this also gave it a very limited potential for accuracy at any but the shortest range.
    Considering that he was beyond the distance at which the Remington was effective, “Luncher” felt that Digbry’s help was most desirable. The small Texan might not be the hired killer “ Rapido Clint,” but that did nothing to render him harmless. From previous visits and during his present sojourn in the Lone Star State, “Luncher” had heard too much about the capabilities of Captain Dusty Fog—and his antagonist could be none other—to underestimate the extent of his peril. Before he could be sure of making a hit, he would need to move closer. Such a respite might give theother sufficient time to recover from the marshal’s push and defend himself.
    Drawing back the Remington’s hammer to fully cocked, “Luncher” began to advance. He was so confident of having Digbry’s support that the full implications of what he was seeing did not strike him at first. Being aware of just how much authority his organization wielded in and around New York, he could not believe that a man he regarded as a dull witted country yokel would dare to double cross him. So it was with a sense of disbelief that he became aware of something alarming.
    The peace officer’s weapon was not being turned in the direction of the small Texan.
    Ever an opportunist, Digbry offset a lack of intelligence with an abundance of low cunning. He had appreciated the ramifications of the situation as soon as he had seen how “Luncher” reacted to finding him with Dusty Fog. When he was asked for details regarding “ Rapido Clint’s” past activities and reputation, he had been informed of the Easterner’s desire to obtain the “hired killer’s” service. Rather than admit to a complete lack of prior knowledge, he had made up enough “facts” to convince “Luncher” not only that “Clint” would be worth hiring but that they were old acquaintances. So he had anticipated that his owndishonest activities might be exposed to the man he now knew was Dusty Fog.
    With that factor foremost in his thoughts, the marshal had reached a hurried decision upon what type of action was in his best interests. Knowing the kind of people who were the small Texan’s kinsmen and friends precluded any thought of loyalty to “Luncher.” The last thing he wanted was for one member of the OD Connected’s floating outfit in particular investigating an incident in which Dusty Fog had been killed or even injured.
    There was only one other alternative!
    Shock twisted at the Easterner’s face as he watched Digbry’s Colt swinging into alignment on him. Flame and white smoke from the ignited black powder