W. C. Tuttle

“ Henderson smiled. He had been Bud’s bunkie and liked Bud, in spite of the fact that Bud laughed at the traditions of the Royal Mounted. Henderson was heart and soul in the service.
“Going to leave this country, Conley?” he asked.
“I—reckon—so—mebbe.”
Henderson glanced toward Beaudet’s store and stepped in closer to Bud. “Keep your eyes open, Conley. Beaudet is half crazy and Burgoyne is as venomous as a snake. Dr. Clarey has been trying to talk sense into both of them, but I don’t think he has done much good.” ”

“ Grandon looked curiously at Bud. “Are tie-ropes unbreakable?” he asked, a trifle vexed.
“No,” Bud shook his head slowly, “but it ain’t noways reasonable t’ suppose that both of them horses would break loose in such a way as t’ leave their ropes; and a tie-rope don’t usually break in the neck-loop. Ain’t neither horse got a rope nor a rope-burn. Nawsir, them two broncs were untied.”
“What do you think, Henderson?” asked Grandon.
“I think that Conley is right, sir.”
“Possibly. You will go at once to Kingsburg and try to get in communication with McKay, Henderson.” ”

“ Don’t you know that every smuggler, rustler, bootlegger is on Magee’s side? What can can one man do?
“You swell out your chest and imagine that the R. N. W. M. W P. is all powerful, don’tcha? They ain’t. A red coat ain’t got a Chinaman’s chance in Kingsburg. I know Magee and his outfit. He told me that I was wastin’ m’ time tryin’ t’ put the deadwood on him, and that, if I’d quit the force, he’d show me how to make more money than the force ever paid anybody.”
Grandon’s eyes fairly snapped with anger, but he knew down deep in his heart that Bud was right. ”

“ Norah had moved in beside old Louie and now they turned and went out through the door that led to the Beaudet living quarters. Bud looked after Norah, but she did not turn her head.
“You will leave here soon?” questioned the doctor.
“Yeah,” nodded Bud. “I reckon I’ll throw in with the bunch at Kingsburg. I’m just ornery enough to make good up there with that layout. I’m kinda curious t’ know more about the kind of hootch Magee sells. She sure makes a feller throw a peculiar fit.” ”

“ They knew Bud, but did not recognize him.
The place was orderly enough, as far as Bud could see, but he was, as he expressed it, “a little leary of the whole outfit.” Magee was outwardly friendly to Bud, and talked to him about the Indian liquor selling trouble.
“I sabe how they suspect me,” said Magee confidentially, “and mebbe I don’t blame ’em. I’ve got a little good liquor, Conley—for my friends.”
“Thasall right,” admitted Bud. “I ain’t ridin’ yuh, am I, Magee? ’F yo’re sellin’ hootch to the reds, you’ll get yours sooner or later. The Mounties always get their man, yuh know.” ”

“ Dr. Clarey was the one that found ye—him and Joe Burgoyne.”
“Yeah?” Bud grimaced and scratched his touseled hair nervously. “Clarey, eh? What was he doin’ up there?”
“A man got half killed in a brawl, so he says. Burgoyne came after Dr. Clarey, and they found ye maudling drunk, and with ye was the little Marie, and she was——"
“Aw, shut up,” snorted Bud, as he got to his feet. “I’m goin’ in and have it over with. If Joe Burgoyne sticks a knife into me I hope it’ll be in the stummick; I’ve no use for that part of me.”
Bud kicked the door shut behind him and went to face Inspector Grandon ”