登陆注册
5698000000011

第11章

His aunt met him angrily on the porch."Thar ye are at last,and yer's a stranger waitin to see you.He's been axin all sorts o'questions,about the house and the business,and kinder snoopin'round permiskiss.I don't like his looks,Jeff,but thet's no reason why ye should be gallivantin'round in business hours."A large,thick-set man,with a mechanical smile that was an overt act of false pretense,was lounging in the bar-room.Jeff dimly remembered to have seen him at the last county election,distributing tickets at the polls.This gave Jeff a slight prejudice against him,but a greater presentiment of some vague evil in the air caused him to motion the stranger to an empty room in the angle of the house behind the barroom,which was too near the hall through which Miss Mayfield must presently pass.

It was an infelicitous act of precaution,for at that very moment Miss Mayfield slowly passed beneath its open window,and seeing her chair in the sunny angle,dropped into it for rest and possibly meditation.Consequently she overheard every word of the following colloquy.

The Stranger's voice:"Well,now,seein'ez I've been waitin'for ye over an hour,off and on,and ez my bizness with ye is two words,it strikes me yer puttin'on a little too much style in this yer interview,Mr.Jefferson Briggs."Jeff's voice (a little husky with restraint):"What is yer business?"The stranger's voice (lazily):"It's an at-tachment on this yer property for principal,interest,and costs--one hundred and twelve dollars and'seventy-five cents,at the suit of Cyrus Parker."Jeff's voice (in quick surprise):"Parker?Why,I saw him only yesterday,and he agreed to wait a spell longer."The Stranger's voice:"Mebbee he did!Mebbee he heard afterwards suthin'about the goin's on up yar.Mebbee he heard suthin'o'property bein'converted into ready cash--sich property ez horses,guns,and sich!Mebbee he heard o'gay and festive doin's--chickin every day,fresh eggs,butcher's meat,port wine,and sich!Mebbee he allowed that his chances o'gettin'his own honest grub outer his debt was lookin'mighty slim!Mebbee"(louder)"he thought he'd ask the man who bought yer horse,and the man you pawned your gun to,what was goin'on!Mebbee he thought he'd like to get a holt a suthin'himself,even if it was only some of that yar chickin and port wine!"Jeff's voice (earnestly and hastily):"They're not for me.I have a family boarding here,with a sick daughter.You don't think--"The Stranger's voice (lazily):"I reckon!I seed you and her pre-ambulating down the hill,lockin'arms.A good deal o'style,Jeff--fancy!expensive!How does Aunt Sally take it?"A slight shaking of the floor and window--a dead silence.

The Stranger's voice (very faintly):"For God's sake,let me up!"Jeff's voice (very distinctly):"Another word!raise your voice above a whisper,and by the living G--"Silence.

The Stranger's voice (gasping):"I--I--promise!"Jeff's voice (low and desperate):"Get up out of that!Sit down thar!Now hear me!I'm not resisting your process.If you had all h-ll as witnesses you daren't say that.I've shut up your foul jaw,and kept it from poisoning the air,and thar's no law in Californy agin it!Now listen.What!You will,will you?"Everything quiet;a bird twittering on the window ledge,nothing more.

The Stranger's voice (very huskily):"I cave!Gimme some whiskey."Jeff's voice:"When we're through.Now listen!You can take possession of the house;you can stand behind the bar and take every cent that comes in;you can prevent anything going out;but as long as Mr.Mayfield and his family stay here,by the living God--law or no law--I'll be boss here,and they shall never know it!"The Stranger's voice (weakly and submissively):"That sounds square.

Anythin'not agin the law and in reason,Jeff!"Jeff's voice:"I mean to be square.Here is all the money I have,ten dollars.Take it for any extra trouble you may have to satisfy me."A pause--the clinking of coin.

The Stranger's voice (deprecatingly):"Well!I reckon that would be about fair.Consider the trouble"(a weak laugh here)"just now.

'Tain't every man ez hez your grip.He!he!Ef ye hadn't took me so suddent like--he!he!--well!--how about that ar whiskey?"Jeff's voice (coolly):"I'll bring it."

Steps,silence,coughing,spitting,and throat-clearing from the stranger.

Steps again,and the click of glass.

The Stranger's voice (submissively):"In course I must go back to the Forks and fetch up my duds.Ye know what I mean!Thar now--don't,Mr.Jeff!"Jeff's voice (sternly):"If I find you go back on me--"The Stranger's voice (hurriedly):"Thar's my hand on it.Ye can count on Jim Dodd."Steps again.Silence.A bird lights on the window ledge,and peers into the room.All is at rest.

Jeff and the deputy-sheriff walked through the bar-room and out on the porch.Miss Mayfield in an arm-chair looked up from her book.

"I've written a letter to my father that I'd like to have mailed at the Forks this afternoon,"she said,looking from Jeff to the stranger;"perhaps this gentleman will oblige me by taking it,if he's going that way.""I'll take it,miss,"said Jeff hurriedly.

"No,"said Miss Mayfield archly,"I've taken up too much of your time already.""I'm at your service,miss,"said the stranger,considerably affected by the spectacle of this pretty girl,who certainly at that moment,in her bright eyes and slightly pink cheeks,belied the suggestion of ill health.

"Thank you.Dear me!"She was rummaging in a reticule and in her pocket,etc."Oh,Mr.Jeff!""Yes,miss?"

"I'm so frightened!"

"How,miss?"

"I have--yes!--I have left that letter on the stump in the woods,where I was sitting when you came.Would you--"Jeff darted into the house,seized his hat,and stopped.He was thinking of the stranger.

"Could you be so kind?"

Jeff looked in her agitated face,cast a meaning glance at the stranger,and was off like a shot.

同类推荐
  • 郑氏史料三编

    郑氏史料三编

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 正一论

    正一论

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 上清太玄集

    上清太玄集

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 西畴老人常言

    西畴老人常言

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 治安疏

    治安疏

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
热门推荐
  • 爱如尘埃

    爱如尘埃

    一场车祸,他为了她陷入昏迷,她为了救他,觉醒了前世的记忆,原来他们已经错过了三世,这一次,无论如何,她要嫁给他!【情节虚构,请勿模仿】
  • 冷艳魔妃惹不起

    冷艳魔妃惹不起

    “爱妃,我错了,再也不敢了嘛!”只见一美男子正嘟着嘴,对着一个虽然脸上冷冰冰的女子撒娇着,只见那女子甜甜一笑,那一笑,很是倾城:“好哇!我原谅你……”他小嘴一嘟,挤出一滴眼泪,哀怨的望着那名女子,却没想到那名女子红唇微启:“的反义词!”说着,那名女子毫无留恋的离开了,留下一脸委屈的男子。
  • 林雾晨光

    林雾晨光

    警局联谊会那晚,梁晨被林珅堵在了楼梯间里……“梁小姐,我有一点情况想找你了解一下。请务必配合。”“什么情况?”“家里逼婚太紧,缺一个未婚妻。请问你愿意做林太太吗?”…………一场连环凶杀,让他们意外邂逅。一次全城追凶,牵出尘封已久的文物走私案。狼系刑侦队长VS佛系心理学女硕士。我生命中最温暖的阳光,就是你……--情节虚构,请勿模仿
  • 撸撸姐的超本格事件簿

    撸撸姐的超本格事件簿

    匪夷所思的谜案,简洁有力的解答——这就是推理小说迷要的!这里为各位介绍的撸撸姐和助手,就像福尔摩斯与华生,这么说或许不太准确,毕竟撸撸姐不需要坐火车跟踪或与恶犬搏斗,助手则没有战争创伤和老婆。事实上撸撸姐连家门都不出,就能破解疑案。助手嘛,助手随便他吧。他们住在谜一般的城市,身份关系也都是谜,委托人要怎么上门委托案件呢?必须心怀谜团,你才能找到撸撸姐。可能还需要一点理解冷笑话的能力。
  • 全家都能用的老偏方:一个老中医的坐诊实录

    全家都能用的老偏方:一个老中医的坐诊实录

    本书是一位知名老中医的坐诊实录,收集了老中医40余年来的诊断中医偏方,这些偏方经过无数患者验证,行之有效,可以说面面俱到,非常适合家用。也许伴随你多年的皮肤问题,经过几样简单的食材,即可轻松化解;也许伴随你父母多年的老顽疾经过几副中药的调理,即可治愈;也许,你的孩子感冒、发烧,书中几个简单的小偏方,你随意选一个即可巧妙地化解……一本超实用,最简单,行之有效的偏方书籍。一本书,一个中医院到自家门口。
  • 明星时代之幸而遇见你

    明星时代之幸而遇见你

    因《偶像练习生》这档节目,顾梓柒认识了他们,也遇到了自己爱的蔡徐坤。外界的传言、行程的繁多……一次次的经历,顾梓柒开始认真对待自己的心。“蔡徐坤,这颗早已挂在你身上的心,你还要吗?”
  • 驭兽奇缘

    驭兽奇缘

    一次车祸,女主再醒来竟换了个世界。什么?原主竟是个心狠手辣的女魔头。惨被折磨,为什么她犯的错要我来受刑,不公平!这个世界瑰奇迤逦,绵延千里的大涂山竟是座墓,端庄大方的长侍女是只百年狐妖,叽叽喳喳的小铃铛却是朵荷花。人可御风行,鱼却要上岸跑……
  • 妃一样的公主

    妃一样的公主

    她是从火灾里逃生的公主,她活下来就是为了父皇的死找出真相!误打误撞与邻国神秘公子三皇子天相遇,卷入了皇位争夺之战,被人要挟利用……所幸遇到了他——二皇子歌,他英俊潇洒,幽默风趣,又是性情中人。她求他娶了她,最后却又毅然决然地嫁给了风流多情四皇子下……多情总被无情恼,历经乱世变化,他是不是还会在原地等她……
  • 魔起东方

    魔起东方

    少年皇甫轩来自东方,带着风,带着雨,带着雷电而来,剑指天下,诛魔邪,清正道,开始了他波澜壮阔的人生……
  • 请叫我大BOSS

    请叫我大BOSS

    末世降临,所有生命踏入进化之路!庄有为重生归来,借系统快速进化,成为引领人族强盛的正派大BOSS!星球内部的种族之争,星空外敌入侵,过境毁灭的虫族,先后登临这个大舞台……