No Name on the Bullet Page #6

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Even if he wants to

throw his gun away, he can't...

because he knows that just around the

bend there's someone that'll kill him.

A lot of that

could be just in his mind.

Maybe he can quit

and get away with it.

Maybe this killer around the bend isn't there

at all and is just something he's afraid of.

You're still wrestling with the idea that,

given half a chance...

you could talk him into

a different kind of life.

- I wish I could.

- It wouldn't do any good, Luke.

A man can't escape his past.

Here we are.

Just the coffee, honey.

I've got some patients in the office.

If you can wait till I hitch up the buggy,

we can go to town together.

- I've got some shopping to do.

- All right, that's fine.

Look at it.

And don't argue with me, Jim Merts.

That was cracked

when you sold it to me.

Then why didn't you say so then?

You can't hold me

responsible for-

- Here. Excuse me.

- Well!

About last night, Mr. Gant, I hope

you don't think that I had anything-

Some shaving soap, please.

Yes, sir.

Good morning, Miss Benson.

Good morning.

Excuse me.

You're a very lucky

young woman, Miss Benson.

I like the man

you're going to marry.

I find him remarkable.

But he told me-

Well, last night-

I don't meet very many honest men.

I respect them when I do.

Mr. Gant.

Mr. Merts, would you

send this on over to the house?

- I should be getting back to Dad.

- Sure, Anne.

Excuse me, Mr. Gant.

Miss Benson?

If I may, I'll walk with you.

If you like.

I understand

your father's an invalid.

Yes.

I'm sorry to hear that.

Nothing serious, I hope.

Well, I'm afraid so.

Luke's been treating him.

He's a wonderful doctor.

I'm sure of it.

- Your father's bedridden?

- No, not entirely.

But he is too weak

to leave the house.

- He's a judge, isn't he?

- He was once. Why?

Judges interest me.

They have the power

of life and death.

So do physicians.

Mr. Gant, who have you

come to see?

Perhaps anyone, Miss Benson.

I don't quite understand.

Everyone has enemies,

Miss Benson.

Everyone.

I'd rather go the rest of

the way myself, Mr. Gant. Good day.

Remember, it's Stricker we want.

If Gant or anybody else butts in,

do some shootin' and do it fast.

- How about Buck Hastings?

- He won't be botherin' anybody.

Come on. Let's go.

Dad, I'm home.

Secrets?

Not from you.

- What's the matter, honey?

- Nothing.

- It's funny.

- What is?

You'll never guess

who I was talking to today.

Don't tell me

Luke has competition.

It was John Gant.

- What did he want with you?

- I don't know.

He just walked up to me

in the store and started talking.

Oh, Dad, you don't think

it's me he's after?

- No, no, no, of course not, but-

- Anne?

In here.

I saw you from my window

talking with John Gant.

You too?

What's the matter with you men?

I don't like it. I don't want you

to have anything to do with him.

You're being jealous,

Dr. Canfield. You actually are.

Don't be silly. It's just that

it's dangerous to be around him.

Somebody might decide to

take a shot at him any time.

Hello, Judge. How do you feel?

Fine.

Sit down.

All right.

Luke, I've been thinking.

- I know how to stop your man for good.

- You do?

No one's been able

to convict Gant of murder...

because he's always been

able to prove self-defense.

He's never shot down

a man in cold blood.

- That's my understanding.

- Yes.

But suppose the man Gant

has come after, whoever he is...

would be willing to die

to stop Gant for all time.

I don't follow you.

Suppose his man this time

refuses to defend himself...

would willingly sit there

and force Gant to commit murder.

That's a little farfetched, isn't it?

Nobody in his right mind

would let himself be murdered.

No, I suppose not.

It would be a hard thing to do,

to give up even a moment of life.

Everybody wants to live.

Isn't that what you say?

- That's right.

- What are you doing?

Now look, Judge, I thought we agreed

there'd be no more smoking.

It was a bad bargain.

You got me in a weak moment.

Judge, I won't take the responsi-

It's Chaffee. He's headed

for Stricker's place. I'll see you later.

Gabe! Frank! It's Chaffee!

Cover me.

Stop it, you crazy fools!

Stop it! Stop it!

Stop it!

Doc, guess Stricker-

Guess Stricker didn't

need Gant after all.

You're gonna be all right.

Earl's dead, Doc, and Frank's got hit.

He's inside.

In a minute.

Get my bag off my horse.

Easy, Ben. Easy.

I knew this was gonna happen.

- I could have stopped it.

- It wasn't your fault, son.

No, it wasn't. It was Gant's.

You're a doctor, boy.

This is where you're needed most.

All right, Dad.

Bring him inside.

Make out my bill

and get my horse. I'm leaving.

Oh. Yes, sir!

What are you doing?

Just tidying up a little.

Why was the door closed?

I didn't realize they were.

I have to go out for a while.

You just came in

a little while ago.

Well, I forgot to go

to the dressmaker's. I won't be long.

Well, Miss Benson.

Where can I find John Gant?

Why, he's up in his room,

number seven.

But I wouldn't go up there

if I were you.

Who is it?

Anne Benson.

I want to talk to you, Mr. Gant.

I'm gonna kill you, Mr. Gant.

Would you mind telling me why?

Because I know now

that you've come to kill my father...

and I'm not gonna let you do it.

Then you should have

loaded your gun.

- What was that?

- Anne Benson's up there.

We'd better get

the doc over here.

You stay here. I'll get him.

Mr. Gant, please,

I beg you, don't do it.

He hasn't long to live.

I'm sorry about that.

Oh, no, you're not.

You like to kill.

But it won't do any good. He's not

going to defend himself against you.

He's going to make you murder him,

and they'll hang you!

He told Luke that that was

the only way to stop you.

Kill him, and you'll hang!

Then I'll have to do

something about that, won't I?

Luke.

Luke!

- My bill.

- Yes, sir.

Luke!

She's still up there,

but Gant left.

Anne?

Anne?

Anne!

Anne, it's Luke. What happened?

I'm all right. It's Dad!

He's gone after Dad!

- Take it easy.

- No, it's true! He admitted it!

Please, Luke, you've got

to stop him. Please!

Stay with her, Sid.

- What happened?

- Gant's after the judge. Is the buckboard hitched up?

Yeah.

Mr. Gant?

Some of your former associates

back East send their regards.

So I see.

You're not afraid?

I've been dying for a long time.

Death's an old friend.

But some of your other

old friends are impatient.

They always were.

What are they afraid of, Gant?

I didn't ask.

I know anyway.

No one knows the structure of an edifice

better than the architect.

If I were to tell what I know...

it would send the governor

and the mayor...

and myself to jail.

The two of them would make

distinguished convicts.

- Perhaps.

- But killing me won't silence me.

It'll all come out, anyway.

That's their problem.

Well, go ahead, Mr. Gant.

I don't intend to resist you.

Other men have warned me

that they wouldn't defend themselves...

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