Free California Killing by George G. Gilman Page B

into the foot mark of John Wesley Hardin. "Known for one thing," he 'murmured.
    "What that sir?" The Chinese was excited.
    "Eating the waiter when I'm hungry and my breakfast ain't ready. Raw."
    Edge reached out a hand and the boy emitted a startled cry. He scurried into the restaurant, Edge ambled in after him and took a checkered clothed table near the window, offering a broad view of the empty street. As he waited for the meal to cook, and then ate it, the sun hauled itself clear of the mountain ridge and it was as if its mounting heat breathed life into The Town With No Name.
    He saw thetacitum Cooper sweep dust out of the Paramount and then fasten the batswing doors wide. Three men, still bleary-eyed from yesterday's drinking, went into the saloon, trying not to hurry. A flatbed wagon rolled along the street from the north and he recognized Mrs. Vine up on the seat. A buggy halted outside the porch of the Metro and a rotund man with soft hands lifted down a black doctor's bag before going up the steps into the hotel. Sheriff Breen, swinging his Starr rifle easily at his side, sauntered in front of the restaurant. The eyes of the two men clashed through the glass of the window and the lawman broke his stride, then tightened his mouth line and moved on down the street.
    Just as Edge was finishing the last of his coffee, Elmer Dexter came limping down the steps of the Metro Hotel and started across the street towards the restaurant. Edge was preparing to demand credit for the meal and leave when his gaze wandered to the steps from the Playhouse sidewalk and what he saw caused him to do a double-take.
    The well-dressed, bearded man whom Dexter had identified as the theater owner was coming down the steps and behind him, moving as a group, were what looked like four young children. But they were dressed and had the freshly-shaved features of men in middle years. Not one of them stood higher than four feet. As they hurried forward to Crowd in through the doorway ahead of Dexter and Holly, Edge continued to stare. He had seen a dwarf before, but never four together.
    "No, Mr. Edge," Rodney Holly said, grinning through his beard. "You didn't drink too much last night. They're real." As the four miniature men climbed on to chairs and began a good-natured bantering of the Chinese boy, Dexter led Holly to Edge's table. "First rule for an actor. Never act with children. Steal every scene. Dwarfs are much easier to handle. I'm Rodney Holly. Elmer told me you're Edge."
    Holly's beard was dark brown, but his flowing, shoulder-length hair was almost white. He was taller than he had looked from the hotel window last night and close up there was an impressiveness about him. Not of strength: rather of unaggressive arrogance. Edge didn't get up as he shook the man's proffered hand. Holly covered his resentment.
    "Mind if we join you?"
    "You can even pick up the tab if you like," Edge responded as he watched the actor and the rancher sit down.
    The Chinese appeared and both men confined their orders to coffee.
    "You need an advance on the reward money, Edge?" Dexter asked, slipping a hand under his jacket.
    "Mayer money?"
    Dexter shook his head. "Out of the bank. Mayer simply put up the collateral."
    "Two big ones should do it." Dexter took out a shiny new billfold and slid two one hundred dollar bills from it. Edge stuffed the money carelessly into his shirt pocket.
    "Mayer could pull the rug out from under if he hears you're still acting cozy with me the half-breed said, beginning to roll a cigarette.
    "I heard what you did to his boys," Dexter said nonchalantly as the waiter brought the coffees. "He blames them for letting you get the drop. He wants Hood caught and hung, Edge. He'd like to fix the bastard himself because that would increase his stock in this town. But if somebody else does it, he'd still be happy."
    Edge fired the cigarette and spoke through a cloud of grey smoke. "What makes him so anxious to get rid of the Hood