Free May There Be a Road (Ss) (2001) by Louis L'amour

carelessly. And then he added, "I am always ready." "Good! The hour will be at six, in the morning."
    Their meals came, giving the Kid time for thought.
    Now what the deuce had he run into, anyway?
    "That's mighty early," he suggested.
    They looked at him sternl) "Of course. It must be early. You will be waiting outside?"
    Perhaps, if he agreed, more information would be forthcoming.
    "Yes, I'll be waiting."
    Instead, they finished their meals in silence and left him, and he stared after them wondering. Oh, well. It was an entertaining dinner, anyway, and that was that.
    Catch him getting up at six in the morning! This was the first time in months that he'd had a chance to sleep late.
    He scowled. What was it all about? Obviously, they thought he was someone else. Who did they think he was? His boss had told him to go ahead and enjoy himself for a couple of days after the cattle were delivered, and the Cactus Kid meant to do just that. And one way he planned to enjoy himself was sleeping late.
    He was sitting over a glass of wine and a cigar when the door opened and he saw a tall, fine-looking old man come in with a girl--a girl who took his breath away.
    The Cactus Kid sat up a little straighter.
    She was Spanish, and beautiful. Her eyes swept the room and then came to rest on him. They left him, and they returned. The Kid smiled.
    Abruptly her glance chilled. One eyebrow lifted slightly and she turned away from him. The Kid hunched his shoulders, feeling frostbitten around the edges of his ego, The two seated themselves not far away, and the Kid looked at the older man. His profile was what is called "aristocratic," his goatee and mustache were purest white. The waiters attended them with deference, and spoke to them in muted voices. Where one nonchalant waiter had drifted before, now a dozen of them rushed to and fro, covering the table with dishes, lavishing attention.
    One waiter, and suddenly the Kid was aware that it was the same who had served him, was bending over the table talking to them in a low voice. As he talked, the girl looked toward the Cactus Kid, and after the waiter left, the older man turned and glanced toward him.
    That he was an object of some interest to them was plain enough, but why? Could it have some connection with the two odd men he had just shared his meal with? In any event, the girl was undoubtedly the most beautiful he had ever seen--and quite aware of it.
    Calling the waiter, he paid his bill, noting the man's surreptitious glances. "Anything wrong?" he asked, studying the waiter with a cold glance.
    "No, no, seor! Only..." He paused delicately.
    "Only what?" the Kid demanded.
    "Only the seor is so young! Too young," he added, significantly, "to die so soon!"
    Turning quickly, he threaded his way among the tables and was gone. The Cactus Kid stared after him, then walked to the dining-room steps and climbed them slowly. At the door he glanced back over his shoulder. The girl and the older man were watching him.
    As he caught their glance the girl made a little gesture with her hand and the Kid walked out of the room.
    Whatever was happening here was too much for him.
    Unfortunately, he knew nobody in this part of Mexico except the man to whom he had delivered the cattle, and that had been more miles to the south.
    Somehow he had become involved in a plot, some development of which he knew nothing at all.
    An hour of fruitless speculation told him nothing. He searched back through the recent weeks to find a clue, but he found no hint. And then he remembered the mysterious appointment for six tomorrow morning.
    "At six?" he asked himself. "Nothing doing!"
    An old Mexican loitered at the gate that led from the patio into the street. Casually, the Kid drifted across the patio to him, and there he paused. Taking his time, he built a cigarette, then offered the makings to the old Mexican.
    The man glanced up at him out of shrewd old eyes. "Gracias, seor," he said softly. He took the makings and