He faced the
gambler coolly, but the lad's muscles were working under the sleeves of
his shirt.
Duff drew back three steps, after which he faced the boy, eyeing him
steadily.
"Reade, you've heard what we have to say to you. That you can't go on
living in Paloma. Are you ready to give us your word to leave Paloma
before daylight, and never come back?"
"No," Tom replied flatly.
"Then," sneered the gambler, fixing the gaze of his snake-like eyes on
the young chief engineer, "I'll tell you what we have provided for you.
We shall take you to the edge of the town, at once, and there hang you
by the neck to a tree. After you've ceased squirming we'll fasten this
card to you."
From another man present Jim snatched a printed card, bearing this
legend:
"Gone, for the good of the community!"
CHAPTER XIV
THE COUNCIL OF THE CURB
"How soon are you going to carry out your plans?" Reade demanded.
"Then you won't leave Paloma?"
"I certainly won't--as far as my own decision goes," Reade replied
firmly.
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