"long ride home" - читать интересную книгу автора (L'Amour Louis)

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THE CACTUS KID PATS A DEBT
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Four people, two women and two men, boarded the San Francisco boat in company with
the Cactus Kid. Knight's Landing was a freight landing rather than a passenger stop,
and the five had been drawn together while waiting on the dock.
Mr. Harper, pompous in black broadcloth, wore mutton- chop whiskers and prominent
mustache. Ronald Starrett, younger and immaculate in dark suit and hat, looked with
disdain at the Kid's wide white hat, neat gray suit and high- heeled boots.
The Kid carried a carpetbag that never left his hands, a fact duly noted by both
men and one of the women. The Kid, more at home aboard the hurricane deck of a bronc
than on a river steamer, had good reason for care. He was taking fifteen thousand
dollars, the final payment on the Walking YY, from his boss, Jim Wise, to old Macintosh.
"What time does this boat get in?" the Kid asked of Harper.
"Around midnight," Harper said. "If you haven't a hotel in mind, I'd suggest the
Palace."
"If you go there," Starrett added, "stay out of the Cinch Room or you'll lose everything
you have."
"Thanks," the Cactus Kid responded dryly.
Five feet seven inches in his sock feet, and a compact one hundred and fifty-five,
the Kid, with his shock of curly hair and a smile women thought charming, was usually
taken to be younger and softer than he was.
On the Walking YY and in its vicinity the Kid was a living legend, and the only person
in his home country who did not tremble at the Kid's step was Jenny Simms-or if she
did, it was in another sense.
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6Louis L'Amour
"It's a positive shame!" the older woman burst out. "A young man like you, so nice
looking and all, going to that awful town! You be careful of your company, young
man!''
Nesselrode Clay, otherwise the Cactus Kid, flushed deeply. "I reckon I will, ma'am.
I'll be in town only a few hours on business. I want to get back to the ranch."
Harper glanced thoughtfully at the carpetbag and Starrett's eyes followed. The younger
woman, obviously a proud young lady, indulged in no idle conversation. Miss Lily
Carfather was going to San Francisco with her aunt, somebody had said.
"It looks like a dull trip," Starrett's voice was casual. "Would anybody care for
a quiet game of cards?"
Mr. Harper glanced up abruptly, taking in the young man with a suspicious, measuring
eye. "Never play with strangers," he replied brusquely.
"I think," Lily Carfather said icily, "gambling is abominable!"
"On the contrary," Starrett defended, "it is a perfectly honorable pastime when played
by gentlemen, and we are gentlemen here."
He drew out a deck of cards, broke the seal and shuffled the cards without skill.
The Cactus Kid considered Ronald Starrett more carefully.
Harper glanced at his watch. "Well," he mumbled, "there is a good bit of time. .
. . A little poker, you said?" He glanced at the Kid who shrugged and moved to the
table.
"If," Starrett glanced at the women, "you'd care to join us? Please don't think me
bold but-a friendly game? For small stakes?"