

	When/wrb several/ap minutes/nns had/hvd passed/vbn and/cc Curt/np hadn't/hvd* emerged/vbn from/in the/at livery/nn stable/nn ,/, Brenner/np reentered/vbd the/at hotel/nn and/cc faced/vbd Summers/np across/in the/at counter/nn ./.


	``/`` I/ppss have/hv a/at little/jj job/nn for/in you/ppo ,/, Charlie/np ./.
I'm/ppss+bem sure/jj you/ppss won't/md* mind/vb doing/vbg me/ppo a/at small/jj favor/nn ''/'' ./.


	Brenner's/np$ voice/nn was/bedz oily/jj ,/, but/cc Summers/np wasn't/bedz* fooled/vbn ./.
He/pps moistened/vbd his/pp$ lips/nns uneasily/rb ./.


	``/`` What/wdt is/bez it/pps you/ppss want/vb me/ppo to/to do/do ,/, Mr./np Brenner/np ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	Brenner/np shrugged/vbd carelessly/rb ./.


	``/`` It's/pps+bez very/ql simple/jj ./.
I/ppss just/rb want/vb you/ppo to/to take/vb a/at message/nn to/in Diane/np Molinari/np ./.
Tell/vb her/ppo to/to come/vb here/rb to/in the/at hotel/nn ''/'' ./.


	Vastly/ql relieved/vbn ,/, Summers/np nodded/vbd and/cc started/vbd toward/in the/at door/nn ./.


	``/`` One/cd thing/nn ,/, Summers/np ''/'' ,/, Brenner/np said/vbd ./.
``/`` You're/ppss+ber not/* to/to mention/vb my/pp$ name/nn ./.
Tell/vb her/ppo Curt/np Adams/np wants/vbz to/to see/vb her/ppo ''/'' ./.


	Summers/np pulled/vbd up/rp short/rb ,/, and/cc turned/vbd around/rb ./.


	``/`` I/ppss don't/do* know/vb ,/, Mr./np Brenner/np ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd haltingly/rb ,/, beginning/vbg to/to get/vb an/at inkling/nn of/in Brenner's/np$ plans/nns ./.
``/`` It/pps doesn't/doz* seem/vb quite/ql right/jj ,/, telling/vbg her/ppo a/at thing/nn like/in that/dt ./.
Couldn't/md* I/ppss just/rb ''/'' --/-- His/pp$ voice/nn trailed/vbd off/rp into/in silence/nn ./.


	Brenner/np continued/vbd to/to smile/vb ,/, but/cc his/pp$ eyes/nns were/bed cold/jj ./.
He/pps turned/vbd and/cc looked/vbd around/rb at/in the/at lobby/nn as/cs though/cs seeing/vbg things/nns he/pps hadn't/hvd* before/rb noticed/vbn ./.


	``/`` You/ppss know/vb ,/, Summers/np ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd thoughtfully/rb ./.
``/`` Eagle's/nn$-tl Nest/nn-tl ought/md to/to have/hv a/at fire/nn company/nn ./.
If/cs someone/pn were/bed to/to drop/vb a/at match/nn in/in here/rb ,/, this/dt place/nn would/md go/vb up/rp like/cs a/at haystack/nn ''/'' ./.
He/pps started/vbd toward/in the/at stairway/nn ,/, then/rb turned/vbd to/to add/vb ,/, ``/`` Tell/vb her/ppo to/to come/vb to/in Adams's/np$ room/nn ,/, that/cs Adams/np is/bez in/in trouble/nn ./.
Tell/vb her/ppo to/to hurry/vb ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Yes/rb sir/nn ''/'' ./.
His/pp$ face/nn pale/jj ,/, Summers/np headed/vbd for/in the/at street/nn ./.




Curt's/np$ visit/nn to/in the/at livery/nn stable/nn had/hvd been/ben merely/rb a/at precaution/nn in/in case/nn anyone/pn should/md be/be watching/vbg ./.
He/pps paused/vbd only/rb long/jj enough/qlp to/to ascertain/vb that/cs Jess's/np$ buckskin/nn was/bedz still/rb missing/vbg and/cc that/cs his/pp$ own/jj gray/nn was/bedz all/ql right/jj ,/, then/rb climbed/vbd through/in a/at back/nn window/nn and/cc dropped/vbd to/in the/at ground/nn outside/rb ./.


	The/at fact/nn that/cs Jess's/np$ horse/nn had/hvd not/* been/ben returned/vbn to/in its/pp$ stall/nn could/md indicate/vb that/cs Diane's/np$ information/nn had/hvd been/ben wrong/jj ,/, but/cc Curt/np didn't/dod* interpret/vb it/ppo this/dt way/nn ./.
A/at man/nn like/cs Jess/np would/md want/vb to/to have/hv a/at ready/jj means/nns of/in escape/nn in/in case/nn it/pps was/bedz needed/vbn ./.
Probably/rb his/pp$ horse/nn would/md be/be close/jj to/to where/wrb he/pps was/bedz hiding/vbg ./.


	From/in the/at back/nn of/in the/at barn/nn it/pps was/bedz a/at simple/jj matter/nn to/to reach/vb Black's/np$ house/nn without/in using/vbg the/at street/nn ./.
Curt/np approached/vbd the/at place/nn cautiously/rb ,/, and/cc watched/vbd it/ppo several/ap minutes/nns from/in the/at protection/nn of/in a/at grove/nn of/in trees/nns ./.


	There/ex was/bedz a/at light/nn in/in Black's/np$ front/jj room/nn ,/, but/cc drawn/vbn curtains/nns prevented/vbd any/dti view/nn of/in the/at interior/nn ./.
Curt/np circled/vbd the/at house/nn and/cc located/vbd a/at barn/nn out/rp back/rb ./.
He/pps could/md hear/vb horses/nns moving/vbg around/rb inside/rb ,/, and/cc nothing/pn else/rb ./.
There/ex was/bedz no/at lock/nn on/in the/at door/nn ,/, only/rb an/at iron/nn hook/nn which/wdt he/pps unfastened/vbd ./.
He/pps opened/vbd the/at door/nn and/cc went/vbd in/rp ,/, pulling/vbg it/ppo shut/vbn behind/in him/ppo ./.


	Again/rb he/pps stood/vbd in/in the/at darkness/nn listening/vbg ,/, but/cc there/ex was/bedz only/rb the/at scrape/nn of/in a/at shod/vbn hoof/nn on/in a/at plank/nn floor/nn ./.
He/pps moved/vbd ahead/rb carefully/rb ,/, his/pp$ left/jj hand/nn in/in front/jj of/in him/ppo ,/, and/cc came/vbd to/in a/at wooden/jj partition/nn ./.
Horse/nn smell/nn was/bedz very/ql strong/jj ,/, and/cc he/pps could/md hear/vb the/at crunch/nn of/in grain/nn being/beg ground/vbn between/in strong/jj jaws/nns ./.
He/pps found/vbd a/at match/nn in/in his/pp$ pocket/nn and/cc lit/vbd it/ppo ./.


	There/ex were/bed two/cd horses/nns in/in the/at barn/nn ,/, a/at sway-backed/jj dun/nn and/cc Jess/np Crouch's/np$ buckskin/nn ./.
Curt/np snuffed/vbd out/rp the/at match/nn ./.


	It/pps was/bedz certain/jj now/rb that/cs Jess/np was/bedz in/in the/at house/nn ,/, but/cc also/rb ,/, presumably/rb ,/, was/bedz Stacey/np Black/np ./.
Curt/np wanted/vbd to/to get/vb Jess/np alone/rb ,/, without/in interference/nn from/in anyone/pn ,/, even/rb as/ql spineless/jj a/at person/nn as/cs the/at store/nn owner/nn ./.


	He/pps studied/vbd the/at problem/nn for/in a/at few/ap seconds/nns and/cc thought/vbd of/in a/at means/nns by/in which/wdt it/pps might/md be/be solved/vbn ./.
Reaching/vbg across/in the/at side/nn of/in the/at stall/nn ,/, he/pps slapped/vbd the/at buckskin/nn on/in the/at rump/nn ./.
The/at startled/vbn animal/nn let/vb out/rp a/at terrified/vbn squeal/nn and/cc thrashed/vbd around/rb in/in the/at stall/nn ./.


	As/cs Curt/np had/hvd hoped/vbn ,/, the/at house/nn door/nn banged/vbd open/rb ./.
He/pps slapped/vbd the/at buckskin/nn again/rb and/cc it/pps kicked/vbd wildly/rb ,/, its/pp$ hoofs/nns rattling/vbg the/at side/nn of/in the/at stall/nn ./.


	Curt/np moved/vbd over/rp beside/in the/at door/nn and/cc waited/vbd ./.
Presently/rb he/pps heard/vbd footsteps/nns crossing/vbg the/at yard/nn ,/, and/cc Jess's/np$ smothered/vbn curses/nns ./.
The/at door/nn swung/vbd open/rb ,/, and/cc Jess/np said/vbd sourly/rb ,/, ``/`` What/wdt the/at hell's/nn+bez the/at matter/nn with/in you/ppo ?/. ?/.
''/'' 

	The/at horse/nn continued/vbd to/to snort/vb ./.
Curt/np doubted/vbd that/cs any/dti animal/nn belonging/vbg to/in Jess/np would/md find/vb much/ap reassurance/nn in/in its/pp$ owner's/nn$ voice/nn ./.


	Jess/np cursed/vbd again/rb ,/, and/cc entered/vbd the/at barn/nn ./.
A/at match/nn flared/vbd ,/, and/cc he/pps reached/vbd above/in his/pp$ head/nn to/to light/vb a/at lantern/nn which/wdt hung/vbd from/in a/at wire/nn loop/nn ./.
As/cs he/pps crossed/vbd to/in the/at side/nn of/in the/at stall/nn ,/, Curt/np drew/vbd his/pp$ gun/nn and/cc clicked/vbd back/rb the/at hammer/nn ./.


	``/`` Before/cs you/ppss try/vb anything/pn ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd ./.
``/`` Remember/vb what/wdt happened/vbd to/in Gruller/np ''/'' ./.


	Jess/np caught/vbd his/pp$ breath/nn in/in surprise/nn ./.
He/pps started/vbd to/to reach/vb for/in his/pp$ gun/nn ,/, but/cc apparently/rb thought/vbd better/rbr of/in it/ppo ./.


	``/`` That's/dt+bez the/at stuff/nn ''/'' ,/, Curt/np said/vbd ./.
``/`` Just/rb hold/vb it/ppo that/dt way/nn ''/'' ./.
He/pps reached/vbd out/rp to/to pull/vb the/at door/nn shut/vbn and/cc fasten/vb it/ppo with/in a/at sliding/vbg bolt/nn ./.
``/`` You/ppss and/cc I/ppss have/hv a/at little/ap talking/nn to/to do/do ,/, Jess/np ./.
You/ppss won't/md* be/be needing/vbg this/dt ''/'' ./.
He/pps moved/vbd up/rp and/cc lifted/vbd Jess's/np$ pistol/nn out/in of/in its/pp$ holster/nn ./.


	``/`` Damn/vb you/ppo ,/, Adams/np ''/'' --/-- Jess/np was/bedz beginning/vbg to/to recover/vb from/in his/pp$ initial/jj shock/nn ./.
``/`` We/ppss ain't/hv* got/vbn nothing/pn to/to talk/vb about/rb ./.
If/cs I/ppss don't/do* come/vb back/rb in/in the/at house/nn ,/, Breed's/np+bez going/vbg to/to ''/'' --/-- 

	``/`` Your/pp$ trigger-happy/jj brother/nn isn't/bez* in/in the/at house/nn ./.
About/rb now/rb he's/pps+bez probably/rb having/hvg supper/nn ./.
That/dt long/jj ride/nn the/at four/cd of/in you/ppo took/vbd must've/md+hv given/vbn him/ppo a/at good/jj appetite/nn ./.
Now/rb turn/vb around/rb so/cs I/ppss can/md see/vb your/pp$ face/nn ''/'' ./.


	Jess/np turned/vbd ./.
There/ex was/bedz raw/jj fury/nn in/in his/pp$ eyes/nns ,/, and/cc the/at veins/nns of/in his/pp$ neck/nn were/bed swollen/jj ./.


	``/`` You're/ppss+ber about/rb as/ql dumb/jj as/cs they/ppss come/vb ,/, Adams/np ./.
I/ppss don't/do* know/vb what/wdt you're/ppss+ber up/rp to/in ,/, but/cc when/wrb Brenner/np ''/'' --/-- 

	``/`` You/ppss can/md forget/vb about/in Brenner/np ,/, too/rb ''/'' ,/, Curt/np said/vbd ./.
``/`` It's/pps+bez Ben/np Arbuckle/np we're/ppss+ber going/vbg to/to talk/vb about/rb ''/'' ./.


	``/`` Arbuckle/np ''/'' ?/. ?/.
Jess/np stiffened/vbd ./.
``/`` I/ppss don't/do* know/vb nothin'/pn about/in him/ppo ''/'' ./.


	``/`` No/rb ?/. ?/.
I/ppss suppose/vb you/ppss don't/do* know/vb anything/pn about/in a/at piece/nn of/in two-by-four/nn ,/, either/rb ;/. ;/.
one/pn with/in blood/nn all/abn over/in it/ppo ,/, Arbuckle's/np$ blood/nn ''/'' ./.
Curt's/np$ fingers/nns put/vbd a/at little/ql more/ap pressure/nn on/in the/at trigger/nn of/in his/pp$ gun/nn ./.
``/`` So/rb help/vb me/ppo ,/, Crouch/np ,/, I'd/ppss+md like/vb to/to kill/vb you/ppo where/wrb you/ppss stand/vb ,/, but/cc ,/, before/cs I/ppss do/do ,/, I'm/ppss+bem going/vbg to/to hear/vb you/ppo admit/vb killing/vbg him/ppo ./.
Now/rb start/vb talking/vbg ./.
Who/wps told/vbd you/ppo to/to do/do it/ppo ?/. ?/.
Was/bedz it/pps Dutch/np Brenner/np ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	Curt/np was/bedz holding/vbg Jess's/np$ gun/nn in/in his/pp$ left/jj hand/nn ./.
He/pps drew/vbd back/rb his/pp$ arm/nn to/to slash/vb the/at gunbarrel/nn across/in Jess's/np$ face/nn ,/, but/cc didn't/dod* finish/vb the/at motion/nn ./.
Pistol-whipping/vbg an/at unarmed/jj man/nn might/md come/vb easy/rb to/in someone/pn like/cs Jess/np ,/, but/cc Curt/np couldn't/md* bring/vb himself/ppl to/to do/do it/ppo ./.


	Apparently/rb sensing/vbg this/dt ,/, and/cc realizing/vbg that/cs it/pps gave/vbd him/ppo an/at advantage/nn ,/, Jess/np became/vbd bold/jj ./.


	``/`` Having/hvg all/abn the/at guns/nns makes/nns you/ppo a/at big/jj man/nn ,/, don't/do* it/ppo ,/, Adams/np ?/. ?/.
If/cs we/ppss was/bedz both/abx armed/vbn ,/, you/ppss wouldn't/md* talk/vb so/ql tough/jj ''/'' ./.


	``/`` No/rb ''/'' ?/. ?/.
Curt/np reached/vbd out/rp and/cc dropped/vbd Jess's/np$ pistol/nn back/rb into/in the/at holster/nn ./.
He/pps retreated/vbd a/at step/nn and/cc holstered/vbd his/pp$ own/jj ./.


	``/`` All/ql right/rb ,/, Crouch/np ;/. ;/.
we're/ppss+ber on/in even/jj terms/nns ./.
Now/rb draw/vb ''/'' !/. !/.


	Sweat/nn bubbled/vbd out/rp on/in Jess's/np$ swarthy/jj face/nn ./.
The/at fingers/nns of/in his/pp$ right/jj hand/nn twisted/vbd into/in a/at claw/nn ,/, but/cc he/pps didn't/dod* reach/vb for/in the/at gun/nn ./.


	Curt/np ,/, angry/jj enough/qlp to/to be/be a/at little/ql reckless/jj ,/, raised/vbd his/pp$ hands/nns shoulder/nn high/rb ./.


	``/`` Does/doz this/dt make/vb it/ppo any/dti easier/jjr ,/, coward/nn ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` I/ppss ain't/bem* drawin'/vbg against/in you/ppo ''/'' ,/, Jess/np said/vbd thickly/rb ./.
``/`` I/ppss heard/vbd how/wrb you/ppss outdrew/vbd Chico/np ./.
I/ppss ain't/bem* a/at gunslinger/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` No/rb ./.
You're/ppss+ber the/at kind/nn of/in bastard/nn who/wps sneaks/vbz up/rp on/in a/at man/nn from/in behind/rb and/cc hits/vbz him/ppo with/in a/at club/nn ./.
I/ppss just/rb wanted/vbd to/to hear/vb you/ppo say/vb so/rb ''/'' ./.


	Jess/np stared/vbd at/in him/ppo without/in answering/vbg and/cc let/vb his/pp$ hands/nns fall/vb to/in his/pp$ sides/nns ./.
He/pps had/hvd found/vbn Curt's/np$ weakness/nn ,/, or/cc what/wdt to/in Jess/np was/bedz a/at weakness/nn ,/, and/cc was/bedz smart/jj enough/qlp to/to take/vb advantage/nn of/in it/ppo ./.


	Somewhere/nn in/in the/at distance/nn ,/, a/at woman/nn screamed/vbd ./.
Curt/np was/bedz too/ql involved/vbn in/in his/pp$ own/jj problems/nns to/to pay/vb much/ap attention/nn ./.
He/pps had/hvd to/to make/vb Jess/np talk/vb ,/, and/cc he/pps had/hvd to/to do/do it/ppo before/cs Stacey/np Black/np got/vbd curious/jj and/cc came/vbd to/to investigate/vb ./.
Once/rb more/rbr he/pps lifted/vbd Jess's/np$ gun/nn from/in its/pp$ holster/nn ,/, only/rb this/dt time/nn he/pps tossed/vbd it/ppo into/in the/at stall/nn with/in the/at frightened/vbn buckskin/nn ./.
He/pps dropped/vbd his/pp$ own/jj beside/in it/ppo ./.


	``/`` We'll/ppss+md do/do it/ppo another/dt way/nn ,/, then/rb ''/'' ,/, he/pps said/vbd harshly/rb ./.


	Jess's/np$ coarse/jj features/nns twisted/vbd in/in a/at surprised/vbn grin/nn which/wdt was/bedz smashed/vbn out/rp of/in shape/nn by/in Curt's/np$ fist/nn ./.
With/in a/at roar/nn of/in pain/nn and/cc fury/nn Jess/np made/vbd his/pp$ attack/nn ./.


	Curt/np managed/vbd to/to duck/vb beneath/in the/at man's/nn$ flailing/vbg fist/nn ,/, and/cc drove/vbd home/nr a/at solid/jj left/nr to/in Jess's/np$ mid-section/nn ./.
It/pps was/bedz like/cs hitting/vbg a/at sack/nn of/in salt/nn ./.
Pain/nn shot/vbd up/in Curt's/np$ arm/nn clear/rb to/in the/at shoulder/nn ,/, but/cc Jess/np seemed/vbd hardly/ql aware/jj that/cs he/pps had/hvd been/ben hit/vbn ./.
He/pps slammed/vbd into/in the/at wall/nn ,/, bounced/vbd back/rb ,/, and/cc caught/vbd Curt/np with/in a/at roundhouse/nn right/nn which/wdt sent/vbd him/ppo spinning/vbg ./.
An/at inch/nn lower/jjr and/cc it/pps would/md have/hv knocked/vbn him/ppo out/rp ./.
As/cs it/pps was/bedz ,/, his/pp$ vision/nn blurred/vbd and/cc for/in a/at moment/nn he/pps was/bedz unable/jj to/to move/vb ./.
When/wrb his/pp$ eyes/nns began/vbd to/to focus/vb ,/, he/pps saw/vbd Jess/np charging/vbg at/in him/ppo with/in a/at pitchfork/nn ./.


	Curt/np twisted/vbd to/in one/cd side/nn ,/, and/cc the/at tines/nns of/in the/at fork/nn bit/vbd into/in the/at floor/nn ./.
Jess/np wasted/vbd a/at few/ap seconds/nns trying/vbg to/to yank/vb them/ppo loose/jj ./.
It/pps gave/vbd Curt/np time/nn to/to stagger/vb to/in his/pp$ feet/nns ./.


	The/at tines/nns broke/vbd off/rp under/in Jess's/np$ twisting/nn ,/, and/cc he/pps swung/vbd the/at handle/nn in/in an/at attempt/nn to/to knock/vb Curt's/np$ brains/nns out/rp ./.
His/pp$ aim/nn was/bedz hurried/vbn ;/. ;/.
so/cs the/at pitchfork/nn whistled/vbd over/in Curt's/np$ head/nn ./.


	By/in now/rb Curt/np was/bedz seeing/vbg clearly/rb again/rb ./.
He/pps stepped/vbd inside/in Jess's/np$ guard/nn and/cc landed/vbd two/cd blows/nns to/in the/at big/jj man's/nn$ belly/nn ,/, putting/vbg everything/pn he/pps had/hvd behind/in them/ppo ./.
They/ppss made/vbd Jess/np double/vb over/rp ./.
When/wrb his/pp$ head/nn came/vbd down/rp ,/, Curt/np grabbed/vbd him/ppo by/in the/at hair/nn and/cc catapulted/vbd him/ppo head/nn first/rb into/in the/at wall/nn ./.


	The/at building/nn shook/vbd ,/, setting/vbg the/at lantern/nn to/in swaying/vbg ,/, and/cc the/at buckskin/nn to/in pitching/vbg again/rb ./.
Even/rb Black's/np$ old/jj crowbait/nn began/vbd to/to snort/vb ,/, and/cc from/in the/at house/nn Black/np yelled/vbd ,/, ``/`` Jess/np !/. !/.
What's/wdt+bez going/vbg on/rp out/in there/rb ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	Jess/np didn't/dod* seem/vb too/ql sure/jj himself/ppl ./.
He/pps lurched/vbd drunkenly/rb to/in his/pp$ feet/nns ,/, lowered/vbd his/pp$ head/nn ,/, and/cc took/vbd one/cd step/nn away/rb from/in the/at wall/nn ./.
Curt/np caught/vbd him/ppo flush/rb on/in the/at nose/nn with/in a/at blow/nn which/wdt started/vbd at/in the/at floor/nn ./.


	Jess/np had/hvd had/hvn enough/ap ./.
Blood/nn gushed/vbd from/in his/pp$ nose/nn ,/, and/cc he/pps backed/vbd off/rp as/ql rapidly/rb as/cs he/pps could/md ,/, stumbling/vbg over/in his/pp$ own/jj feet/nns in/in his/pp$ frantic/jj haste/nn to/to get/vb away/rb from/in Curt's/np$ fists/nns ./.


	Curt/np was/bedz in/in almost/ql as/ql bad/jj shape/nn ,/, but/cc he/pps wouldn't/md* quit/vb ./.
He/pps backed/vbd Jess/np into/in a/at corner/nn ,/, grabbed/vbd a/at handful/nn of/in the/at man's/nn$ shirtfront/nn ,/, and/cc drew/vbd back/rb his/pp$ right/jj fist/nn ./.


	``/`` Tell/vb me/ppo about/in Arbuckle/np !/. !/.
You/ppss killed/vbd him/ppo ,/, didn't/dod* you/ppo ''/'' ?/. ?/.


	``/`` It/pps was/bedz Brenner's/np$ idea/nn ''/'' ,/, Jess/np mumbled/vbd ,/, dabbing/vbg at/in his/pp$ nose/nn ./.
``/`` He/pps found/vbd out/rp about/in you/ppo and/cc Arbuckle/np talking/vbg ./.
He/pps wanted/vbd to/to show/vb the/at town/nn what/wdt happened/vbd to/in anyone/pn who/wps tried/vbd to/to start/vb trouble/nn ''/'' ./.


	``/`` You/ppss mean/vb anyone/pn who/wps stood/vbd up/rp for/in his/pp$ rights/nns ''/'' ,/, Curt/np said/vbd ./.
He/pps let/vbd go/vb of/in the/at shirt/nn ,/, and/cc Jess/np slumped/vbd to/in the/at floor/nn ./.
Turning/vbg his/pp$ back/nn ,/, Curt/np crossed/vbd to/in the/at stall/nn ,/, reached/vbd over/rp to/to untie/vb the/at buckskin's/nn$ halter/nn rope/nn ,/, and/cc waved/vbd his/pp$ hand/nn in/in the/at animal's/nn$ face/nn ./.


	The/at buckskin/nn bolted/vbd out/in of/in the/at stall/nn ./.
Curt/np moved/vbd in/rp and/cc picked/vbd up/rp his/pp$ gun/nn ./.
He/pps shook/vbd loose/jj straw/nn out/in of/in the/at action/nn ,/, and/cc placed/vbd the/at gun/nn in/in his/pp$ holster/nn ./.
Leaving/vbg Jess's/np$ where/wrb it/pps lay/vbd ,/, he/pps left/vbd the/at stall/nn ./.


	``/`` Get/vb up/rp ,/, Crouch/np ./.
We're/ppss+ber going/vbg someplace/rb ''/'' ./.


	Jess/np painfully/rb got/vbd to/in his/pp$ feet/nns as/cs someone/pn rattled/vbd the/at door/nn ./.


	``/`` Who's/wps+bez in/in there/rb ''/'' ?/. ?/.
Black/np called/vbd fearfully/rb ./.


	Curt/np opened/vbd the/at door/nn ,/, grabbed/vbd Black/np by/in the/at shoulder/nn ,/, and/cc pulled/vbd him/ppo into/in the/at barn/nn ./.


	``/`` You're/ppss+ber staying/vbg right/ql here/rb for/in a/at while/nn ./.
This/dt dirty/jj coward/nn just/rb admitted/vbd killing/vbg Arbuckle/np ./.
I'm/ppss+bem going/vbg to/to let/vb him/ppo tell/vb it/ppo to/in somebody/pn else/rb ''/'' ./.
He/pps shoved/vbd Black/np toward/in the/at stall/nn ,/, and/cc pointed/vbd his/pp$ pistol/nn at/in Jess/np ./.


	``/`` Get/vb out/rp of/in here/rb ./.
You're/ppss+ber coming/vbg along/rb peacefully/rb ,/, or/cc I'll/ppss+md put/vb a/at bullet/nn in/in your/pp$ leg/nn ''/'' ./.


	Jess/np stumbled/vbd through/in the/at door/nn ./.
Curt/np followed/vbd ,/, reaching/vbg behind/in him/ppo to/to shut/vb the/at door/nn and/cc hook/vb it/ppo ./.
Black/np would/md have/hv little/ap trouble/nn getting/vbg out/rp ,/, but/cc it/pps might/md delay/vb him/ppo a/at few/ap minutes/nns ./.


	``/`` Where're/wrb+ber you/ppss takin'/vbg me/ppo ''/'' ?/. ?/.
Jess/np asked/vbd worriedly/rb ./.


	``/`` We're/ppss+ber going/vbg to/in Marshal/nn-tl Woods's/np$ house/nn ./.
Maybe/rb if/cs the/at marshal/nn hears/vbz this/dt himself/ppl ,/, it'll/pps+md make/vb a/at difference/nn ./.
Somebody/pn in/in this/dt town/nn must/md still/rb have/hv some/dti backbone/nn ''/'' ./.

