Спрут: Калифорнийская история
Chapter II
Magnusstoodinthedoorway,talkingtohiswife.
OccupiedwiththepressofbusinessandinvolvedinthefinalconferencewiththeLeague’slawyersontheeveofthelatter’sdepartureforWashington,AnnixterhadmissedthetrainthatwastotakehimbacktoGuadalajaraandQuienSabe.Accordingly,hehadacceptedtheGovernor’sinvitationtoreturnwithhimonhisbuck-boardtoLosMuertos,andbeforeleavingBonnevillehadtelephonedtohisranchtohaveyoungVaccabringthebuckskin,bywayoftheLowerRoad,tomeethimatLosMuertos.Hefoundherwaitingthereforhim,butbeforegoingon,delayedafewmomentstotellHarranofDyke’saffair.
“Iwonderwhathewilldonow?”observedHarranwhenhisfirstoutburstofindignationhadsubsided.
“Nothing,”declaredAnnixter.“He’sstuck.”
“ThateatsupeverycentofDyke’searnings,”Harranwenton.“Hehasbeentenyearssavingthem.Oh,ItoldhimtomakesureoftheRailroadwhenhefirstspoketomeaboutgrowinghops.”
“I’vejustseenhim,”saidPresley,ashejoinedtheothers.“HewasatCaraher’s.Ionlysawhisback.Hewasdrinkingatatableandhisbackwastowardsme.Butthemanlookedbroken—absolutelycrushed.Itisterrible,terrible.”
“HewasatCaraher’s,washe?”demandedAnnixter.
“Yes.”
“Drinking,hey?”
“Ithinkso.Yes,Isawabottle.”
“DrinkingatCaraher’s,”exclaimedAnnixter,rancorously;“IcanseeHISfinish.”
Therewasasilence.Itseemedasifnothingmorewastobesaid.Theypaused,lookingthoughtfullyontheground.
