CHAPTER IX
THE FIRST CHECK
It was characteristic of Gordon to act unhesitatingly once a decisionwas arrived at. The consideration of Silas Mallinsbee's generous offerwas the work of just as many seconds as it took the rancher to make itin. Though, verbally, it was left for a decision the next day, Gordonhad no doubts in his mind whatever as to the nature of that decision.
When he returned to McSwain's sheltering roof, when another meal hadbeen devoured in the evening, when the soup-like contents of thewash-trough had been stirred in the doubtful effort of cleansinghimself, when the busy flies had gone to join the birds in theirevening roost, he betook himself to his private bathroom, and sathimself upon his questionable bed and gave himself up to reflection,endeavoring to apply some of the wisdom he believed himself to havealready acquired.
But the application was without useful effect.
He began by an attempt to review the situation from a purely financialstandpoint, and in this endeavor he stretched out his great muscularlimbs along his bed, and propped his broad back against the wall with adogged do-or-die look upon his honest face.
At once a mental picture of Hazel Mallinsbee obscured the problem. Hedwelt on it for some profoundly pleasant moments, and then resolutelythrust it aside.
Next he started by frankly admitting that Mallinsbee's offer left him acertain winner all along the line--if things went right. Good. Ifthings went wrong--but they couldn't go wrong with those wonderfulyellowy brown eyes of Hazel's smiling encouragement upon him. Thethought was absurd.
Again for some time his problem was obscured. But after a few minuteshe set his teeth and attacked it afresh.
Of course, if things did go wrong he was done--absolutely finished.His six months would have expired, his stake would have melted intothin air. His whole future---- But he would have spent six months atHazel's side, working upon something that was obviously very dear toher brave and loyal heart. What more could a man desire?
He felt his great muscles thrill with a mighty sense of restrainedeffort. Was there any thought in the world so inspiring as that whichhad the support of the most wonderful creature he had ever met for itsinspiration? He thought not. His pulses stirred at the bare idea ofbeing Hazel Mallinsbee's companion all those weeks and months. Ofcourse it would mean nothing to her. She was far too clever, and--andaltogether brainy to give him a second thought. But he felt he couldhelp her. He felt that to go back home with the knowledge that he--hehad been one of the prime factors in her achieving the hope of her lifewould not be without compensations. Compensations? He wondered whatform such compensations took. They certainly would need to beconsiderable for the loss of such a companionship.
He thought of the vision he had seen upon the trail. The beautifullyrounded figure. The graceful movements, so obviously natural. Thenthose eyes, and----
He smiled and abandoned all further attempt to consider seriously theoffer he had received. What was the use? His good fortune wascertainly running in a strong tide. To attempt to steer a course wasto fly in the face of his own luck. No, he would swim with it, let ittake him whither it might. Meanwhile, Hazel had promised to meet himon the morrow, and show him the great coal seam, after which he was tointerview her father, and have supper at the--office. Forthwith hehastily retired to his nightly game of hide-and-seek amongst thehummocks of flock in his disreputable bed, that the long hours of nightmight the more speedily merge into a golden to-morrow.
The next day Gordon, at an early hour, spent something over fiftydollars on a pair of ready-made riding-breeches and boots. For once inhis life he felt that the faithful Harding had been found wanting.Somehow, in arriving at this conclusion, he had forgotten the episodeof the five-cent-cigar man. Anyhow, the purchase had to be made, sinceit was necessary to ride out to the coal seams.
It was during the time spent on these matters an incident occurredwhich caused him some irritation. He saw in the distance, as he wasmaking his way to the principal store, the pale-faced, sickly-lookingcreature who had accosted Hazel the day before. The sight of the manput him into a bad temper at once, and he forthwith gave thestorekeeper all the unnecessary trouble he could put him to.
Then, on returning to his hotel, he discovered the man in the officetalking to Peter McSwain. His swift temper left him utterly withoutshame, and he stood and stared at the object of his dislike, taking himin from head to foot with profoundly contemptuous eyes.
Somehow his inspection made him feel glad he disliked the man. He wasa broad-chested person with aggressively cut clothes. His black hairwas obviously greased, and his general cast of features suggested hisHebrew origin. Gordon had no grudge against him on this latter score.It was not that. It was the narrow, shifty eyes, the hateful way inwhich he smoked his cigar, with its flaming band about its middle. Itwas the loud coarse laugh and general air of impertinent arrogance thatset his back bristling. And this--this had spoken to Hazel Mallinsbeeonly the day before.
He deposited his parcels in his bathroom, and returned to the office tofind McSwain by himself. He had no hesitation in satisfying hiscuriosity.
"Say," he demanded, in a crisp tone. "Who was that rotten-looking'sharp' you were yarning to when I came in?"
Peter's amiable expression underwent the most trifling change.
"Guess I lost ten thousand dollars talkin' that way once," he said,smelling cautiously at one of his own cigars.
Gordon promptly snapped back.
"Maybe I've lost more than that. But it don't cut any ice. Who washe?"
Peter smiled as he lit his cigar.
"David Slosson. Guess he's chief robber for the railroad company.You've seen him. Are you scared any? Say, we've been waitin' to hearhim talk two days now. I guess you could hand us a bunch of emperors,an' kings, an' princes, an' dust over 'em a sprinkling of presidents,but I don't reckon you'd stir a pulse among us like the coming of thatman did to this city. That feller's right here to put the railroad inon this land scoop. When he's fixed 'em the way he wants we'll hearfrom the railroad."
Gordon's eyes were thoughtful.
"Chief grafter, eh? He surely looks it."
"Some of 'em do," agreed Peter. "It's my belief the best of 'em don't,though," he added reflectively. "Yet he surely ought to be right.Railroads don't usual graft with anything but the best. He was talkin'pretty, too."
"Pretty? More than he looked," snorted Gordon. Then he began tolaugh. "Say, you and I are pretty well agreed about miracles. I sortof feel it'll have to be one of them miracles if the time don't comewhen I knock seventeen sorts of stuffing out of that man. I feel itcoming on like a disease. You know, creeping through my bones, andgetting to the tips of my fingers. I'd like to spoil his store suit inthe mud, and beautify his features with your 'hoss' soap, and drown 'emin--well, what's in your washing-trough."
Peter's smile was cordial enough at the forcefulness of his youngguest. He had not forgotten that Gordon was a friend of Mallinsbee.
"I wouldn't play that way till we see how he's buying," he saidcautiously.
"Play?" Gordon laughed and shook his head. "Well, perhaps you'reright. It certainly will be some play."
After midday dinner Gordon set out on one of Mike Callahan's horses tokeep his appointment with Hazel Mallinsbee. All his ill-humor of themorning was forgotten, and he looked forward with unalloyed pleasure tohis afternoon, which was to culminate in his entering into hisagreement with her father.
Hazel was waiting for him on the veranda of the office. Her horse, afine brown mare, was standing ready saddled. Gordon noted the absenceof Sunset, and understood, but he noted also that her smile of welcomewas lacking something of the joyous spirit she had displayed the nightbefore.
"Sunset off duty?" he inquired, as he came up and leaped out of thesaddle to assist her.
Hazel scorned his assistance. She was in the saddle almost before hewas aware of her intention.
"Sunset's father's," she
said. "The Lady Jane is my saddle horse.She's the most outrageous jade on the ranch. That's why I like her.Every moment I'm in the saddle she's trying to get the bit between herteeth. If she succeeded she'd run till she dropped." Then, with adeliberate effort, she seemed to thrust some shadow from her mind asthey set off at a brisk canter. "You know, father's just dying to showyou the ranch. He's quite quaint and boyish. He takes likes anddislikes in the twinkle of an eye, and before all things in his lifecomes his wonderful ranch. I'll tell you a secret, Mr. Van Henslaer.The day you--arrived, after he'd told me just how you had arrived, hesaid, 'I'd like to get that boy working around this lay out. I likethe look of him. He don't know a lot, but he can do things.' He'scertainly taken one of his wonderful, impulsive fancies to you. He'svery shrewd, too."
Gordon laughed.
"Now I wonder how I ought to take that. I'm all sorts of a fool, but Ican hit hard. That's about his opinion of me, eh?"
Hazel's eyes were slyly watching him. She shook her head.
"That's not it," she smiled back. "You don't know my daddy. He mightsay that, but there's a whole lot of other thoughts stumbling around inhis funny old head. If he wants you he thinks you can do more than hithard."
The humor of it all got hold of Gordon.
"Good," he cried, with one of his whole-hearted laughs. "Now I'll letyou into a secret. This is a great secret. One of those secrets afeller generally hangs on tight to because he's half ashamed of it. Ican do more than hit hard!"
Then he became serious, and it was the girl's turn to find amusement.
"You see, I've been raised in a bit of a hothouse. Maybe it's more ofa wind shelter, though. You know, where the rough winds of modern lifecan't get through the crevices and buffet you. That's why I fell forthat sharp on the train. That's why I bumped head first into Snake'sFall. That's why your daddy thinks I don't know a lot. But I tell youright here I've got to make that hundred thousand dollars in sixmonths, and I'm going to do it by hook or crook, if there's half asmell of a chance. I've no scruples whatsoever. I just _must_ makeit, or--or I'll never face my father ever again. Do you get me?Whatever you have at stake in this land proposition, it's just nothingto what I have. And you'll know what I mean when I say it's just theyouthful pride and foolish egoism of twenty-four years. Say, do youknow what it means to a kid when he's dared to do some fool trick thatmay cost his life? Well, that's my position, but I've done the daringfor myself. My mood about this thing is the sort of mood in which, ifI couldn't get that money any other way, I'd willingly hold up abullion train."
The girl nodded. For a moment she made no attempt to answer him. Shewas gazing out ahead at a point where signs of busy life had madethemselves apparent. Something of the shadow that had been in her eyesat their meeting had returned. Gordon was watching them, and a quickconcern troubled him.
"Say," he observed anxiously. "You're--worried. I saw it when I cameup."
The girl endeavored to pass his inquiry off lightly.
"Worried?" she shook her head. "The anxieties of the business are onmy poor daddy's shoulders, and will soon be on yours. They're not onmine."
But Gordon was not easily put off. He edged his horse closer to herside.
"But you _are_ worried," he declared doggedly. Then he added morelightly, "I'll take a chance on it. It's--a man. And he's got a sortof whitewash face, and black, shoe-shined hair. He's got a nose you'dhate to run up against with any vital part. As for his clothes,well--a blind man would hate to see 'em."
The girl turned sharply.
"What makes you think that way?"
Gordon smiled triumphantly.
"Guess I've been trying to impress you with the fact thatfoolishness--like beauty--is only skin deep. The former applies to me.The latter--well, I guess I must have just read about--that."
"If you're not careful you'll convince me," Hazel laughed.
"That's one of the things I'm yearning to do."
"You're talking of David Slosson," she challenged him.
Gordon nodded.
"The railroad's--chief grafter."
"And a hateful creature."
"Who's started right away to--annoy you--from the time he got aroundSnake's Fall."
A great surprise was looking back into Gordon's eyes.
"You're guessing. You can't know that," Hazel said, with decision.
"Maybe. Say,"--Gordon's eyes were half serious, half smiling--"a girldon't push her way past a man when he's talking to her if--he isn'tannoying her."
"Then you saw him stop me on Main Street yesterday?"
"Sure." Then, after a pause, Gordon went on, "Say, tell me. We're tobe fellow conspirators."
Just for one moment Hazel Mallinsbee looked him straight in the eyes.She was thinking, thinking swiftly. Nor were her thoughts unpleasant.For one thing she had realized that which Gordon had wished her torealize--that he was no fool. She was seeing that something in himwhich doubtless her father had been quick to discover. She wasthinking, too, of his direct, almost dogged manner of driving home tothe purpose he had in view, and she told herself she liked it. Then,too, all unconsciously, she was thinking of the open, ingenuous,smiling face of his. The handsome blue eyes which were certainly hischief attraction in looks, although his other features were soundenough. She decided at once that for all these things she liked himand trusted him. Therefore she admitted her worries.
"Yes," she said, "it's David Slosson--and your description of him istoo good. He's been here two days. He came here the day before you.He came out to see father directly he arrived, but, as you know, fatherwas away. I had to see him. And it wasn't pleasant. Maybe you canguess his attitude. I don't like to talk of it. He took me for somesilly country girl, I s'pose. Anyway I got rid of him. Then he saw meyesterday." Suddenly her face flushed, and an angry sparkle shone inher eyes. "His sort ought to be raw-hided," she declared vehemently.Then, after a pause, in which she choked her anger back, "We got a notefrom him this morning to say he'd be along this afternoon. Father'sgoing to see him. And I was scared to death you wouldn't get along intime. That's why I was waiting ready for you, and hustled you offwithout seeing father. I was scared the man would get around before wewere away. I haven't said a word to my daddy. You see he'd kill him,"she finished up, with a whimsical little smile.
Gordon was gazing out ahead at the great coal workings they were nowapproaching. But though he beheld a small village of buildings, and anastonishing activity of human beings and machinery, for the time, atleast, they had no interest for him.
"I knew I was up against that man directly I saw him peeking into thatstore after you," he said deliberately. "Miss Mallinsbee, I'm going toask you all sorts of a big favor. We three are going to work togetherfor six months. Well, any time you feel worried any by that feller,don't go to your daddy, just come right along to me. I guess it wouldpuzzle more than your daddy to kill him after I've done with him. Idon't guess it's the time to talk a lot about this thing now. I don'tsort of fancy big talk that way, anyhow. All I ask you is to let meknow, and to be allowed to keep my own eyes on him."
Hazel shook her head.
"I don't think I can promise you anything like that," she saidseriously. "But I--thank you all the same. You see, out here a girl'sgot to take her own chances, and I'm not altogether helpless that way."Then she definitely changed the subject and pointed ahead. "There,what do you think of it?"
"Think of it? Why, he's a low down skunk!" cried Gordon fiercely,unable any longer to restrain his feelings.
"I wasn't speaking of him. It!" the girl laughed. "The coalpits."
"Oh!" There was no responsive laugh from Gordon. Then he added withangry pretense of enjoyment, "Fine!"
For nearly two hours they wandered round the embryonic coal village,examining everything in detail, and not without a keen interest. Theplace, hidden away amongst the higher foothills, was a perfect hive ofindustry. Great masses of machinery were ly
ing about everywhere,waiting their turn for the attention of the engineers. Woodenbuildings were in the course of construction everywhere. A small armyof miners and their wives and children had already taken up theirabode, and the men were at work with the engineers in the preparatoryborings already in full operation.
Even to Gordon's unpracticed eye there was little doubt of the accuracyof the information he had received relating to Snake's Fall. Herethere was everything required to provoke the boom he had been warnedof. Here was an evidence that the boom would be a genuine one built onthe solid basis of great and lasting commercial interest. Long beforethey started on their return journey he congratulated himself heartilyupon the accident which had brought him into the midst of such anenterprise, and thanked his stars for the further chance which hadbrought him into contact with the train "sharp," and so with SilasMallinsbee.
It was getting on towards the time for the Mallinsbees' evening mealwhen the little frame house once more came within view. There was adecided charm in its isolation. On all sides were the undulations ofgrass which denoted the first steps towards the foothills. There was awonderful radiance of summer sheen upon the green world about them, andthe brightness of it all, and the pleasantness, set Gordon thinking ofthe pity that all too soon it would be broken up almost entirely bythose black and gloomy signs of man's industry when the resources ofthe old world have to be tapped.
However, he was content enough with the moment. The sky was blue andradiant, the earth was all so green, and the wide, wide world openedout before him in whatever direction he chose to gaze. While besidehim, sitting her mare with that confident seat of a perfect horsewoman,was the most beautiful girl in all the world, a girl in whosecompanionship he was to spend the next six months. The gods of Fortunewere very, very good to him, and he smiled as the vision of hissportsman father flashed through his mind.
But his moments of pleasant reflection were abruptly cut short.
Hazel had suddenly raised one pointing arm, and a note of concern wasin her voice.
"Look," she cried. "Something's--upset my daddy."
Gordon looked in the direction of the house.
Silas Mallinsbee was pacing the veranda at a gait that left no doubt inhis mind. It was the agitated walk of a man disturbed.
"What's the matter?" demanded Gordon, with some concern.
"It looks like--David Slosson," said Hazel, in a hard voice.
They rode up in silence, and the girl was the first to reach the ground.
"Daddy----" she began eagerly.
But her father cut her short. The flesh-tinted patch, which Gordon hadalmost forgotten, which he used to cover his left eye with, was thrustup absurdly upon his forehead. His heavy brows were drawn together inan angry frown. His tufty chin beard was aggressively thrust, his twogreat hands were stuck in the waist of his trousers, which gave himfurther an air of truculence.
"Say," he cried, his deep, rolling voice now raised to a pitch ofthunder, "it's taken me fifty-six years to come up with what I've beenchasing all my life. Say, I've spent years an' years huntin' around tofind something meaner than a rattlesnake. Guess I come up with himto-day."
"David Slosson," cried Hazel, her eyes wide with her anger.
Her father waved her aside as she came towards him.
"No, don't you butt in. I've got to let off hot air, or--or--I'llbust."
He paced off down the little veranda, and came back again. Then hestood still, and suddenly brought one great fist down with terrificforce into his other palm.
"Gee, but it's tough. Say, you ever tried to hold a slimy eel?" hecried, glaring fiercely into Gordon's questioning eyes. "No? It's aheap of a dirty and unsatisfact'ry job, but it ain't as dirty asdealing with Mr. David Slosson, nor half as unsatisfact'ry. You canstamp your heel on it, and crush it into the ground. With DavidSlosson you just got to talk pretty and fence while you know he's gotyou beat all along the line, an' all the time you're just needin' tokill him all to death. Of all the white-livered bums. Say, if onlythe good God would push him right into these two hands an' say squeezehim. Say----" He held out his two clenched fists as though he werewringing out a sponge.
Gordon raked his hair with one hand.
"Do you need to worry that way, Mr. Mallinsbee? I owe him some myself."
The old man glared for some moments. Then a subtle smile crept intohis eyes. Hazel saw it, and seized the opportunity.
"Let's get right inside and have food. You can tell us then, Daddy.You see, Mr. Van Henslaer's one of our confederates now. He's comealong to tell you so."
It was with some difficulty that Hazel contrived to pacify her father,but at last she succeeded in persuading him to partake of the pleasantmeal provided by Hip-Lee.
Gordon was glad when at last they all sat down. The appetizing smellof coffee, the delicious plates of cold meats, the glass dishes ofpreserves, and steaming hot scones, all these things appealed to theaccumulated appetite consequent upon his ride.
"Now tell us all about it," Hazel demanded, when the meal was wellunder way.
Old Mallinsbee, still with the absurd eye-shade upon his forehead, hadrecovered his humor, and he poured out his story in characteristicfashion.
"Wall," he said, "maybe I was hot when you come up. He'd been gonebest part of an hour. During that time I'd been sort of bankin' thefurnaces. Gordon Van Henslaer, my boy, I hate meanness worse 'n anydevil hated holy water. Ther's all sorts of meanness in this world,and ther' ain't no other word to describe it. Killing can be justevery sort of thing from justifiable homicide down to stringin' up someblack scallywag by the neck for doin' the same things white folks doan' get off with a caution. The feller that steals ain't always toblame. As often as not we need to blame the general community. Lyin'smostly a disease, an' when it ain't I guess it's a sort of aggravatedform of commercial enterprise, or the budding of a great newspaperfaculty. You can find excuse, or other name, fer most every crime ofhuman nature--'cept meanness. David Slosson is just the chief ancestorof all meanness, an' when I say that, why--it's some talk. He's hereto put the railroad in on the land scoop, and, in that respect, I guesshe's all I could have expected. We were making elegant talk. Or, Iguess, he was mostly. He said his chiefs had sent him up to see howthe general public could best be served by his road with regard to thiscoal boom, and I told him I was dead sure that railroads never failedin their service of the public. I pointed out I had always observed it.
"That talk of mine seemed to open up the road for things, and I handedhim a good cigar and pushed a highball his way. Then he made a bigmusic of railroads in general, and talked so pious that it set meyearnin' for my bed. Then I got wide awake. Say, I ain't done a heapin chapel goin' recently, but I've sort of got hazy recollections ofsitting around dozing, while the preacher doped a lot of elegant hotair about things which kind of upset your notions of life generally.Then I seem to recollect getting a sack pushed into my face, and I gotvisions of the terrible scare of its coming, and the kind of nervouschase for that quarter that I could have sworn I'd set ready in mypocket for such an emergency. That's how I felt--nervous. He wastalkin' prices of plots.
"Wal, I got easy after awhile, and we fixed things elegant. Therailroad was to get a dandy bunch of plots at bedrock prices, if theybuilt the depot right here at Buffalo Point. And that feller was quickto see that I was out for the interests of the public, and to makethings easy for the railroad. So he talked pretty. Then--then hehooked me a 'right.' He asked me plumb out how he stood. I was readyfor him. I said that nothing would suit me better than he should comein the same way with the railroad." He shook his head regretfully."That man hadn't the conscience of a louse. He was yearning for twentytown plots, in best positions, five of 'em being corner plots, in thecommercial area for--nix! I was feeling as amiable as a she wild-cat,and I told him there was nothing doing that way. He said he'd hopedbetter from my public-spirited remarks. I assured him my public spirithadn't changed a cen
t. He said he was sure it hadn't, and wasastonished what a strong public spirit was shown around the whole ofSnake's Fall. He said that the old town was just the same as BuffaloPoint. They were most anxious to help the railroad out, too. Which,seeing the depot--the old depot--was already standing there, made it acinch for the railroad. They were dead anxious to save the railroadtrouble and expense. I pushed another highball at him, but he guessedhe hadn't a thirst any more, and one cigar was all he ever smoked in anafternoon. Then he oozed off, and I was glad. I guess homicide hasits drawbacks."
"High 'graft,'" said Gordon.
"Maybe it's 'high,'" said Mallinsbee, with a smile in which there wasno mirth. "Guess I wouldn't spell it that way myself. There's justone thing certain: if my side of the game has to go plumb to hell DavidSlosson don't get his graft the way _he_ wants it. And that's what youand me are up against."
"And we'll beat him."
"We got to."
"You and----"
"You," cried Mallinsbee, thrusting out a hand towards him across thetable.
The two men gripped. Gordon had joined the conspirators.