PARTNERS ONCE
and had it pointed straight at Bailey's heart.
"If you want death, Bailey, you'll come back. I'll not be put out of them town lots by you or any court. You'll reckon it wisest to stay away."
"I'll come back," said Bailey.
And then the conductor came in. Crowle whipped his "gun" under his coat, and by that Bailey knew the man was not so utterly mad as he seemed. For the conductor was a man called George White, with whom he had once had trouble; and White, though he was little, had by no means got the worst of it. He eyed Crowle with malevolence, and Crowle knew well that if Bailey was "un-heeled" White carried a gun and could use it. The conductor looked at the tickets in silence, and gave Bailey a curious glance, which was a little consolation to the man who was saying "I wish I'd bought a gun." Then White went out, and once more Crowle covered Bailey with his pistol. "I'm more'n half a mind to kill you now," said Crowle, "you damn English robber, sneaking to
119
