Free The Lone Ranger and Tonto by Fran Striker, Francis Hamilton Striker Page A

caller.
    This might result in death for one or both of the men inside. The Lone Ranger had already heard many things as he crouched at the window, and he hoped to hear something that would shed light on the Dave Walters's situation. He did not want to intervene in the discussion unless it became absolutely necessary. He was fully aware of the risk in waiting. His keen eyes, staring from behind his mask, watched Higgy's trigger finger. If that finger started to tighten, or if Steve Delaney gave the slightest indication that he would make an attempt to grab his gun, the masked man would have to fire. Moreover, he would have to fire with deadly accuracy; fire through the window glass, and blast away the gun of one or both the adversaries.
    But Steve Delaney had not attained his present position of prominence in the community through being cowardly or careless. He made his living by gambling, but he had the law of averages in his favor. He was not a man to gamble on the short end, and that is precisely what he would do if he tried to grab his gun. As he saw that Higgy did not intend to fire at the moment, he spoke again. His voice sounded very convincing, perhaps because a part of what he said was really true. His cool poise, when he regained it, did more than anything he might have said to convince Higgy that it might be well to listen.
    "I'm sorry, Higgy," said the gambler, "if shooting me is worth the risk, and if it will give you any satisfaction, you'll just simply have to shoot. I can't stop you." The gambler casually drew a cigar from a pocket of his vest and lighted it. He tilted his head to blow a cloud of smoke toward the ceiling. Higgy appeared uncertain as to what he should do next.
    "If you'll stand back a little," the gambler continued, "I'll proceed with what I was about to do when you came in so suddenly." Higgy stepped back a pace and watched the tall man as he removed his coat and vest and hung them on hooks with meticulous care. This utter disregard for weapons was one of Delaney's many tricks. His contempt for aggressors had many times been of great help in taking him through situations of this sort.
    "Now, look here, Delaney," Higgy said, "I'm flat broke."
    "I'm sorry."
    Higgy took a more pleading manner. "If you could just give me a little somethin' on account. Just a few dollars or so, it would help out. You could pay the rest when you got it."
    Delaney said, "Not a dime. I'm just as broke as you are."
    Higgy began to speak but Delaney stopped him. "I don't care to hear any more arguments from you, Higgy. I resent the way you came in here and the way you threatened me. If you'd been halfway decent, I might have borrowed a little cash and given it to you, but you've called me a liar several times and threatened me. I admit my debt to you, and you'll get the cash when I can pay it."
    Higgy showed signs of having an idea. "Look here," he began, "can't yuh get some cash from the barroom? I understand you own this place."
    "Perhaps I can tomorrow, but I can't go out there now and take it, because it would raise a lot of questions. Not many people are aware of the fact that I'm the owner and I'd just as soon they didn't find it out."
    "Maybe they'll find this masked man an' the cash," suggested Higgy hopefully.
    "Perhaps they will. He can't be far away. You get a room at the hotel, you won't have to pay for it until you leave. I'll have a little cash for you in the morning, and perhaps by that time the masked man will be found. Keep out of sight, though, until I send for you." Delaney dropped his cigar to a dish on the dresser and ground it out in a way that suggested that so far as he was concerned the entire matter was settled.
    "Now look, Steve," Higgy said with an apologetic manner. "I don't want no bad feelins with you. I thought at first you was tryin' to put somethin' over on me, but now I know that ain't the case. I didn't know about this robbery."
    "All right," snapped Steve. "But keep out of sight and