"Louis L'amour - sackett05 - Ride The River" - читать интересную книгу автора (L'Amour Louis)

sooner did they get ashore in this country than they headed for the hills. Like
homing pigeons. Once there, they took to the wilderness as if born to it.
"This young lady comes from a place called Tuckalucky Cove. Never been out of
the hills except for one short trip to visit relatives in Charleston. But she's
no fool. Canny little thing, and afraid of nothing."
"A little fear might do her good."
Chantry chuckled. "Might, but I doubt it. If she is like the other Sacketts I've
known, it is the others who should have a little fear."
"White's a bad actor. Remember Felix Horst? Involved in some killings down along
the river a few years ago? Escaped from prison while awaiting trial? White was
suspected of arranging his escape."
"Ah? Yes, I do recall something of the kind. Well, I am glad she came to me. I
doubt if he will attempt anything if she arrives at his office with me."
"You are going with her?"
"She's a child, George. Only sixteen. Of course I shall go." He brushed the ash
from his cigar. "By the way, George, that clerk of yours who is reading law? I
believe his name is Gibbons?"
"Johnny Gibbons?" Pendleton was surprised. "What about him?"
"Did he not work for Adam Brunn before he came to you? I would like to talk to
him."
"Well, I suppose it could be arranged. Come to think of it, he did work for
Brunn." He glanced up. "Imagine you remembering that."
"Tonight, George? I would like to see him tonight."
Pendleton glanced at his watch. "Finian, you are a most difficult man. I should
have known you had something on your mind."
Reluctantly Pendleton got to his feet. "I don't know. I could send a messengerЧ"
"We shall go ourselves. Or rather, I shall. I do not wish to interrupt your
dinner."
"ButЧ"
"Don't worry about it. I shall go myself, if you will just tell me where to find
him."
"Sir, you cannot consider such a thing! Gibbons fancies himself as a writer. Oh,
he's reading law, all right, and a very astute young man he is, but he is also
planning a book on Philadelphia's history as a seaport. He will not be in his
room tonight, but in some dive on the waterfront."
"Very well, then that is where I shall go. I must see him. He will certainly
know something of the Sackett case, and I must have the information before
calling upon White."
"Sir?" Chantry turned at Archie's voice. "I could go with you, sir. I shall be
finished here in a few minutes, and I know the waterfront well. I went to sea at
one time."
"Thank you, Archie, I shall appreciate the company."
The big black man hesitated. "You know, sir, it is very rough down there?"
"Archie, I am an old man now, but I, too, spent time at sea."
"Very well, sir."
"Do you know Johnny Gibbons?"
"I do sir. There are only a few places he might be, where seamen gather and he
can pick up the stories."
Finian Chantry waited at the door for his carriage and for Archie to join him.
He felt oddly exhilarated. How many years since he had walked the waterfront?