Further Adventures of James Butler Hickok (9781101601853) by J. R. Roberts Read Free Book Online Page B

that,” Sunshine said. “I got the man who did it in a cell.”
    â€œYou do? Why would you do that?”
    â€œI got to find out what happened,” the sheriff said. “What I need is a witness. Somebody who saw what happened.”
    Hickok nodded.
    â€œDid you see what happened, Bill?”
    Hickok took a quick look at the bartender, who suddenly found something interesting at the bottom of a glass.
    â€œI saw it,” he said.
    â€œCare to tell me?”
    â€œAppeared to me to be a fair fight,” Hickok said, “if you can call three against one a fair fight.”
    â€œYou see who started it?”
    â€œI’m gonna say the three pushed it, Sheriff,” Bill said. “I mean, what man in his right mind would start a fight with three men?”
    â€œYou see who drew first?”
    â€œThe three,” Hickok said, “and then that other fella dusted ’em. Whoo-whee! He was quick, I tell you.”
    â€œYou know who he is?”
    â€œNo, sir,” Hickok said. “And when it was over, I came right back in here for a drink. That’s all I know, and it’s the God’s honest truth.”
    â€œI believe ya, Bill.”
    â€œThen I guess you better let that boy outta your jail,” Hickok said. “You mind if I go back to my game?”
    â€œI don’t mind at all, Bill,” Sunshine said, “and I thank ya.”
    * * * 
    Clint looked up when the sheriff came into the cell block. The man stuck his key into the door and opened it.
    â€œYou’re free to go, son,” Sunshine said. “Come on out here and I’ll give ya your gun.”
    The sheriff turned and walked into his office. Clint picked up his hat and followed.
    â€œI guess you found your witness,” he said.
    â€œI did.” The sheriff opened a drawer, took out Clint’s gun and holster, and set them on top. Then he took out a piece of paper.
    â€œSign here, please.”
    Clint signed at the bottom, picked up his gun, and put it on.
    â€œYou mind if I ask who the witness was?”
    Sunshine studied him for a minute, then said, “Wild Bill Hickok. He watched from the front of the saloon.”
    â€œThat was good enough for you?” Clint asked. “He couldn’t have heard what was being said from there.”
    â€œWell, like Bill put it,” Sunshine said. “why would one man pick a fight with three? And he says you outdrew them clean. Three men. That true?”
    â€œTrue enough.”
    â€œBill says you’re quick.”
    â€œHe must be right,” Clint said. “I’m still alive.”
    â€œWell, look,” Sunshine said, “those boys probably have friends in town. In fact, I know they do. It might be a good idea for you to be on your way.”
    â€œCan’t do that, Sheriff.”
    â€œWhy not?”
    â€œThose boys were put up to bracing me,” Clint said. “I want to find out by who.”
    â€œThat’s only gonna cause more trouble, son.”
    â€œWell, Sheriff, I’ll do my best to avoid it, but somebody wanted me dead or gone. I’d like to find out who that was.”
    â€œAll right,” Sunshine said, “but when you find out, let me know, will you?”
    â€œSure thing. And will you do something for me?”
    â€œIf I can.”
    â€œTell me the name of the café you were feeding me from.”

EIGHTEEN
    Clint left the jail and went back to his hotel. He needed a bath and a change of clothes. He told the clerk to get the bath ready, went up to his room to collect the clothes, then went back down.
    He soaked in the tub for a while, getting the smell of the jail cell off his body, then got dressed and strapped on his gun. He went back to his room to leave the dirty clothes, but when he got there, he saw that the door was ajar. He tucked the clothes under his left arm, drew his gun with his right, and opened the door with his foot.
    â€œThe