Tall in the Saddle Page #3

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we had last night, wasn't it?

- Yes.

- Excuse me. I'll get my coat.

Yes, sir, that was

quite a little poker game.

What can I do for you, sir?

I understand you were

Red Cardell's lawyer.

- I was. Yes, that's right.

- You know anything about this?

"Dear Rocklin, glad you have

made up your mind to come.

"Enclosed find train fare

and $150 advance on your wages. "

$150?

I don't quite understand.

I don't know why Red

should have wanted to hire you.

Why not?

I don't know.

It's true that he did

a lot of peculiar things...

but I don't know

where he could have used you.

Of course, if you'd like to go on

as an extra hand...

Excuse me.

- Good morning, ladies.

- Judge Garvey, I presume?

- Yes, and you are?

- I'm Miss Martin.

- This is my niece Clara Cardell.

- How do you do?

Come in, please, and sit down.

You arrived at

a very opportune moment, madam.

As the new owner of the KC Ranch,

I'm sure you'll be interested to know...

that this gentleman claims

to have a letter...

"Claims to have"? You read it, didn't you?

Has a letter, shall we say, then,

from the late Mr. Cardell...

engaging him to work on the KC.

You can't hold us to account

for every promise made by that man.

Everybody knows he wasn't responsible

for his actions half the time.

And if you think I'd have you work

on the ranch in any capacity...

Lady, I'd rather walk for somebody else

than ride for you.

What impudence!

The only reason I came here today...

was to pay back the $150

Red Cardell sent in advance.

- No.

- Don't interfere, Clara.

Of course he must pay it back.

As far as the railroad fare is concerned...

I reckon we can check that off

to time lost, call it quits.

But, mister, I...

- I'm sorry. I don't know your name.

- Rocklin, miss.

It isn't fair for you to pay anything back.

I'd prefer it that way, if you don't mind.

I have a message for you.

- About what?

- Wait a minute.

I just heard they let George Clews out

of the penitentiary...

and you can tell him

if he sets foot on the Topaz Ranch...

I'll shoot him on sight.

But, Miss Arly, I don't know

why you should...

want to deliver your message through me.

- You have mutual friends.

- If you're referring to Sheriff Jackson...

- I am.

- But that's absurd, Miss Arly.

The fact that he employs

one of Clews brothers...

doesn't make the other his friend.

Have it your own way, but warn him.

I mean it.

Miss Harolday, this is Miss Cardell.

- How do you do?

- Hello.

And Miss Martin, her aunt.

- Hello.

- How do you do?

I think you should know each other,

seeing that you're going to be neighbors.

Miss Harolday runs the Topaz Ranch

for her stepfather.

She's a famous horsewoman

in these parts.

I saw you ride into town this morning.

You looked lovely.

Yes?

Harolday wants to see you

down at his office.

What about?

He's got a proposition to make

about riding for him.

- $60 a month.

- That's foreman's wages.

I wouldn't give you a red cent,

but it's his money.

The way things are shaping up

around the ranch...

maybe we could do with somebody

as mean as you.

I warn you, Miss Harolday,

you're making a great mistake.

Do you want the job?

Lead the way.

Why did you have to say that?

I simply don't understand you.

But I understand you.

You should be ashamed,

throwing yourself at a man like that.

Why, I...

- You must excuse her. She's young.

- And inexperienced.

Young people must be protected

from themselves at times.

- Don't you agree?

- Exactly.

- He following you?

- Not following me. He's with me.

He's always with me.

- Just an old friend.

- Best friend I've got.

Wait here.

I just hired a man named Rocklin,

said you made me do it.

$60, and he'll earn it, while he lasts.

Arly, you know we don't need

any more help.

- Why did you do it?

- So I can fire him.

I hate him.

Clint and he quarreled last night.

Clint lied about it...

and I made a fool of myself.

- He's outside.

- Arly, wait.

Come in.

- Howdy.

- Howdy.

Mr. Rocklin, what happened

between you and my stepson last night?

Poker.

About this suggestion,

you working for me...

- It was your suggestion, not mine.

- Yes, that's right.

$60 is big money.

- If you've changed your mind, I...

- No. Wait a minute.

I take it you've had the experience.

- Enough for Red Cardell to hire me.

- Red Cardell hired you?

Yes, but I won't ride for the new owner,

so it leaves me open.

I see. Were you a friend of Red's?

Nope.

Rock, George Clews is in town.

He seen what you done to Bob

and he's looking for you.

Tell him I'll be outside in the street

in front of the saloon.

Yeah.

Get them children out of here.

Get out, Joe. There's going to be trouble.

Clear the street! Hurry up, everybody!

I'm gonna get his ears.

You, George Clews.

Rocklin said if you don't come out,

he's coming in here to tear you apart.

That was my beer, you know?

If he comes in again, I'll throw you.

- I'm gonna get his ears.

- His ears are outside.

- Come on.

- How about those drinks?

Pay him.

Pardon me, ladies.

Would you mind stepping inside?

Inside? Why?

- I think it might be safer.

- Safer?

Touch that gun and I'll kill you.

Did you want to see me?

Why, you...

I saw you! I saw you strike that poor man!

Yes, ma'am, just as hard as I could.

Hey, you. What you been up to?

I just laid the gun barrel across the head

of a drunk friend of yours...

like you did yesterday.

- I don't know what you're talking about.

- You're a liar.

You look here, young fella.

You keep on talking like that...

and you'll find yourself

in a heap of trouble.

Don't say you ain't been warned!

- Say, that was...

- What were you saying about Cardell?

You being hired by Red Cardell

only confirms what I'd suspected.

- He was getting ready to fight.

- Fight? Who?

Organized rustling.

At least, that's my belief.

Red was no friend of mine.

He was too fond of...

taking the law into his own hands.

But he had my sympathy.

He'd been harder hit than any of us.

To top it all, he lost his foreman.

You mean he quit on him?

No. He was shot.

Shot in the back by a bullet...

from the same caliber rifle as got Red.

Got any ideas?

No, except the man you just

pistol-whipped is in on it somewhere.

It's a pity you didn't kill him

when you had the chance.

Say, it doesn't sound like

it's going to be so easy...

on those women at the KC.

Want to go back and work for them?

Nope.

And I'm not jumping

at this offer of yours, either...

'cause I don't hold

with working for women.

You mean my stepdaughter?

Don't worry. She won't interfere with you.

Rocklin, I figure we've been losing cattle

over a place called Tabletop.

It's the back way into the Topaz Ranch

and a perfect route for rustlers.

I'm going to send you up to the line camp.

Don't mind working a lone hand, do you?

- I like working that way.

- Good. How soon can you move out?

As soon as I can get my gear together.

You bring it here,

and I'll see it gets up to the ranch.

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