Читать книгу Parade of the Empty Boots - Charles Alden Seltzer - Страница 10

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Language was invented for the purpose of expressing thought. The greater a man’s vocabulary, the greater his potential facility of expression. Judge Marston was a learned man, with a judicial temperament, who knew that words could also be used to conceal one’s thoughts. So Stoddard reflected, through a silence into which came the muffled vocal murmurings of the merrymakers.

The judge had said either too much or too little. Too much if he had misread Stoddard’s character, too little if he was trying to enlist Stoddard’s services against the sinister forces arrayed against law and order.

“This talk with you has restored my failing courage,” the judge said. “It has revived my faith in men. These stacks of gold pieces did not tempt you, and the sight of a woman’s photograph sent you upon a dangerous mission. I am indebted to you, sir. Captain Weldon and I were beginning to feel that chivalry and honor were dead. Now we feel there must be other men in this country like you.”

His fine old eyes were glowing with gratitude.

“But you must leave Chandler,” he added.

“He should, but he won’t,” said Evan Weldon, smiling at Stoddard.

“He must leave,” insisted the judge. “They’ll kill him!”

“Damme, I should like to see them try it!” said Weldon.

“You seem excited, Captain,” reproved Judge Marston.

“I am, sir. I am more than excited. I am delighted.”

“Why, sir?”

“Because until a moment ago I did not recognize our guest as the famous peace officer who met and killed Blondy Antrim, the most deadly gun fighter the West has known.”

He arose and bowed to Stoddard. “I read an account of that battle in a New Orleans paper, Mr Stoddard. Antrim had terrorized the Southwest, and they sent you after him. You met him in the open and beat him to the draw. It is an honor to know you, sir.”

The judge peered hard at Stoddard, his eyes gleaming. “And I have been trying to frighten you,” he said.

Once again Evan Weldon tried to conceal a smile by placing a hand over his mouth. He knew what lay behind Judge Marston’s tentative explorations into sentiment, he knew that he was merely soliciting Stoddard’s aid while pretending to discourage him, while warning him of the possible dangers he would face. Weldon knew it and now he knew that Stoddard knew it, for the puzzled expression in Stoddard’s eyes had given way to comprehension.

The judge perceived what was happening and was embarrassed but resolute, and his gaze was unwavering.

“Please accept my apologies, sir,” he said. “I hope you will believe me when I say there was no deception intended. What I have told you is the truth. It was merely a question of how to present the situation to you. We were aware that money would be no inducement to you and so we sought to enlist your sympathy. I had no right to do it, sir. We are in desperate straits but we have no right to suggest that a stranger should sacrifice his life in our behalf.” The judge lowered his head and looked at the tabletop. Stoddard and Evan Weldon exchanged glances. Stoddard smiled.

He was not thinking of Judge Marston and his problems but of Allie Tuttle and the girl whose mocking laugh had stirred him so deeply. He stood up and began to restore the stacks of gold pieces to the money belt. That done, he buckled the belt around his waist; then replaced the letters and papers in the pocket of the vest, the judge watching him curiously, Evan Weldon confidently.

“I’m afraid we’ve bungled this affair,” said Weldon. “Judge Marston has not been entirely frank. The fact is, Mr Stoddard, both the judge and myself admire you. We admire you too much to have you stay here to risk your life. But now that you know the danger, we are hoping that you will stay in spite of it.”

The two men were facing each other, and now their eyes met—Evan Weldon’s still confident, Stoddard’s coldly quizzical.

“What would you do if you were Stoddard?” said Stoddard.

“I’m afraid I’d think the judge and myself were two fools to expect you to stay,” grinned Weldon.

“This would be a sad world if it were not for the fools in it,” said Stoddard.