2-Gun Western, November 1955 — page 29: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

“NOON TOMORROW 99 crowded into his small office. He nodded at each man as he came in. They didn’t waste time once they were inside. There were twelve of them there. “Jim, Mojave Jack just rode into town,” Mayor Fred Keaton announced pompously, as if the whole didn’t know already. “I saw him,’ Jim answered. “Well, what are you going to do about it?” Bill Osborn asked hotly. “Nothing,” Jim said. 7 “What do you mean, nothing?” Ed Holmes asked in a voice that was al- most a shout. “You can’t let him stay. Think of the women and kids. If he wtays, someone’ll get hurt. You’re paid to keep this town clean and we want you to do your job.” “I told you when I took the job that I’d do it my way,” Jim said, He was smiling at them and there was a cool contempt in that smile. “Mojave jack isn’t wanted anywhere in this Territory. I have no reason to run him out.” “He’s killed ten men,” Fred Keaton said. “You know he’s been hired to do those killin’s. It’s common knowledge. ‘Just because he’s forced his victims to draw first, he’s gotten away with it. But he’s here to kill someone and you have to stop him.” “Till talk to him,’ Jim said and got to his feet. He stood for a mo- ment, silently regarding the anxious faces of the men. “I can’t run him out unless he does something wrong. I can warn him against breaking the law and I can maybe tell him to be gone before tomoroow noon, but that’s all. If any of you have any reason to think he’s after you, I suggest you get out of town fast. Ill try to protect you, but I can’t guarantee it.” Jim strode through them and out of the office, leaving an uneasy silence behind him. AS HE WALKED slowly down to the Palace, Jim was thinking. They were right, of course. Mojave Jack was a killer and he was here on a mission, but he was within his rights to be here. Jim had seen the gunman kill a man two years before in Cheyenne and he didn’t like the idea of going against him. Still, this was his town and he had to enforce the law and protect the \ people. If that meant going against Mojave Jack, he would have to do it. Then he was busy trying to think who it could be that the killer was ‘ after. It was impossible to tell, since © anyone could have hired him to shoot any man in town. Jim shook his head and entered the saloon. Monty Ferris, the owner, was be- hind the bar and he raised his eye- brows in mute warning when Jim walked in. Jim merely nodded to him and swept his eyes around the room until he found the still figure of Mojave Jack sitting at one of the side tables, his chair backed against .the wall. The gunman was watching Jim with a strict attention, his hands motionless on the table. Jim crossed the room and stood beside the table. “Welcome to Bent Fork, Jack,” he said. “I’m Jim Forbes, marshal here.” “Glad to meet you, Marshal,” Mo- jave Jack said. “You've got people here all in a sweat,” Jim said, “They’re takin’ it out on me. How long were you plan- nin’ to stay?” Jim pushed his words at the gunman slow and easy, not wanting to anger him. Jim knew that Mojave Jack could probably beat him in a fight and therefore, he wanted no fight. “I can’t see that it’s any of your business,” the gunman replied coolly. There was insolence in his tone and that puzzled Jim. The gunman acted | like a man looking for trouble. But from what Jim knew of Jack’s type, they only fought when they were paid to kill. “Just the same, I think you'd bet- ter tell me. You’re welcome here overnight. After that, you’re not wel- come. I thought we’d better have an understanding about that.” Mojave Jack smiled tightly. “You’re a brave man, Marshal. I ad- mire a brave man, as long as he isn’t a fool. It would be foolish to try to send me out of town before I’m ready to go.” The gunman’s eyes were wide- sprung and Jim smelled trouble on him. The man was cocked, ready to fight, and Jim didn’t understand it. “Pm just hopin’ you'll go without that. Noon tomorrow should be time enough. Don’t stay beyond that.” He turned on his heel and walked from the saloon, catching the fright- ened look on Monty Ferris’ face. CoOMmicdsooks.€c©