Now I know why you was always talkinabout the pine
trees.
It was he who set me on correcttrail that very
first night.
A blind man gits a loto time to think, an I been at
it this afternoon, at it hard.
Tell that boatman on the pierI said to run you up
to the house. You have caused us muchworry and suffering. He went on up the back
stairs, walking asquietly as the tiger to whom Sam Holt had compared
him.
I didnot recall it myself until last night, while I
waited alone in creakinghouse of death.
Youve told me now, Holt replied
gloomily.
In terrific dinmade by airplane, a dozen shots
might have been fired and gone unheard. It was a simple question concerning the
bullets, Chan replied calmly. Ye know, Don really is in authority here. Reckon hed
feel hed jest have to go after a certain party, anbring him back.
Youve told me now, Holt replied
gloomily.
After lunch, Chan retired to his room to finish the
last few galleys ofLandinis story. It indicates, I fear, theheaviness of my
person.
Seems nothing against you, Chan
admitted.
You have caused us muchworry and suffering. We
saved this young hothead here from a mightyembarrassin situation. Chapter XIXCHAN
CLIMBS A LADDERDon Holt walked up and down the small room excitedly.
Do not poke your finger through yourown paper
lantern. The firelight flickered in friendly peaceful fashion on the walls of
thegreat living-room. He moved on, straightthrough the lobby and into Dinsdales
small private office.
He went on up the back stairs, walking asquietly as
the tiger to whom Sam Holt had compared him.
And at that moment, Charlie was surprisingly far
from the thoughts of thesheriff. That doctor took them blankets from Sing at the
door, anlaid em on the floor beside the body. Retiring to the shadows close to the
station, Chan stood watching. Seems nothing against you, Chan admitted.
But I fear we leave Pineview toomuch alone. Ward
and Ryder were seated at the table, coffee cups before them. Holt was silent for a
moment, playing with a paper-knife on the desk. Charlie turned to see an
unaccustomed smile on the faceof John Ryder. Sure, I niver give it a thought from
thatday to this. Chapter XVIIIRANKIN DROPS A BOMBA boat for China! But when I took
the oathof office, there wasnt anything in it about protecting my friends. Ive been
double-crossed, the boy went on. When he returned down-stairs,Ward and Ryder were in
the living-room.
He fairly ran to the kitchen, reappearing almost at
once with anotherbowl.
Then how could you let me down like this?