CHAPTER 30
A moment later, from the side door which led from the store into the main
body of the hotel, stepped the chunky form of Denver Pete, quick and
light of foot as ever. He went straight to the counter and asked for
matches, and as the storekeeper, still keeping half an eye upon the
formidable figure of Larrimer, turned for the matches, Denver spoke
softly from the side of his mouth to Terry—only in the lockstep line of
the prison do they learn to talk in this manner—gauging the carrying
power of the whisper with nice accuracy.
“That bird’s after you. Crazy with booze in the head, but steady in the
hand. One of two things. Clear out right now, or else say the word and
I’ll stay and help you get rid of him.”
For the first time in his life fear swept over Terry—fear of him
