The Killer

traordinary luck-could not have failed to kick up a devil of a clatter. I was young, bold, without nerves; so that I think I can truthfully say I was not in the least frightened. But I cannot deny I

e off no creak nor snap of timbers. The world was muffled-I almost said smothered. The psychological effect

a day on the desert. It seemed that the world breathed again, was coming alive after syncope. And then beneath that loud and cheerful singing I became aware of duller half-heard movements; and a moment

pening was still a foot or so above my head. Being young, strong, and active, I dr

overcoat, stood in a commanding position. They seemed to be searching. Suddenly from a clump of bushes one of the men uttered an exclamation of triumph. I saw his long club rise and fall. A

ciousness of my surroundings and circumstances, and was only slowly brought to myself by the sweet singing of innumerable birds in the willows outside the blank wall. I lay in a half stupor en

hough the bird was dead. An impulse of contempt curled my lips. The old man was childish! Why should he find pleasure in hunting such harmless creatures? and why should he take on triumph over retrieving such petty game? But when he reached the fallen bird h

s accompanying window. The window farthest out was heavily barred. My thrill at this discovery was, however, slightly dashed by the further observation that also all the other windows into the courtyard were barred. Still, that was peculiar in itself, and not attributable-as were the walls and remarkable transoms-to former necessities of defence. My first thought was to stroll idly aro

its doors opened and a very little, wizened old man emerged leading a horse

arbs of the conquistadores. But, though often well formed and as tough and useful as horseflesh is made, they were small. And no man thought of refinements in caring

r shoulders sloped forward as shoulders should; his barrel was long and deep and well ribbed up; his back was flat and straight; his legs were clean and-what was rarely seen in the cow country-well proportioned-the cannon bone short

al was fairly a perfect specimen of horseflesh. And I could not help speculating as to its use. Old Man Hooper had

s and leather gaiters, a plaid waistcoat and a peaked cap; which, when you think of it, was to Arizona about as incongruous as

claim him as a

unted the little m

y," I persisted. "A sixty-fourth blood will

e man gru

he is too short and straight in the pasterns

agreement. I saw to that. Allowing yourself to be converted from an absurd opinion is always a

our hand, sir!" He shook it. "And is that your horse in number four? I wondered! He's the first animal I've seen here properly shod. They use the rasp, sir, on the outside the hoof, and on the clinches, sir;

r him, the

ities until the little man led me to a corner of the corral an

em for water here, and they go greedy for their poison yonder." He indicated flat

ts, not only flies, but bees, hornets, and other sorts as well. I now understood the deadly silen

fell again to grooming the Morgan horse. Then I became aware tha

. "You're a man who saveys a horse-the only man I've seen here who does. Get out! Don't ask why. You

red my horse at the covered trough, and ra

mless as the sunlight on his own flagstones-until he gazed up at me, and then

sir," I greeted him. "I didn't know such a

man displayed n

e to keep Tim happy than anything

rassment, then replied drily that she always breakfasted in her room. The rest of our conversation was on general topics. I am bound to say it was unexpectedly easy. The old man was a good t

ke fiercely and suddenly. "Everything inside the walls is mine!" he declared with heat. "Mine! mine! mine! Understand? I will not tolerate in here

idea suddenly illumin

flies, the frogs, the bi

cat eyes upon me

you will with your own? And if they did deny that right what more natural th

ation came over me that if the old man opposite so willed, I would have no slightest chance to use it. The air behind me seemed full of menace, and the hair crawled on the back of my n

ed. And he stressed subtly the last word in a m

glided into the room. Hooper seemed to under

kly. "You will be wishing to start before the heat

f the old California days-gaily-coloured braided hair bridle and reins; silver conchas; stock saddle of carved leather with silver horn and cantle; silvered bit bars; gay N

th you for a di

gs of Fort Shafter glimmering part way up the slopes of the distant mountains, and talked entert

nclosed a thousand acres or so somewhere near the home station to be used for horses in active service. Before I could anticipate him, he had sidled his horse skillfully alongside the gate and w

again. You are keen and intelligent. You spoke the truth a short time since. You were right. I tolerate nothing in my place that is not my own-no man, no animal, no bird, no in

-my guest; and a guest is sacred. But now you know my customs and ideas. I am telling you. Never again can you c

staring balefully into my eyes. So taken aback was I by thi

notes from that poor idiot: the one I

ket of my shirt; that though alike in tenor, they differed in p

stated, boldly. "It meant nothing to me. As to an

not matter. It is my fancy to collect them. I should have liked to

t that I am no longer your guest. I can, therefore, with propriety, tell you that your ideas and prejudices are noted with

e warned. Keep off. Don't meddle with what does not concern you. And if the ru

I chal

e said, simply; so simply

," I rejoined. "Two can play at

iolence, that day marks the doom of a long list of men whom I consider inimic