PAINTED ROCK
hair that grew downwards, though it was close-cropped. He walked up to the bar lightly. I heard the Colonel speak to me.
"He's left-handed," said the Colonel. "Ben hasn't the best of it though his right hand is free."
For, as I said just now, Ben Williams' left side was to the bar.
"I'll take a lemon squash, bar-keep," said Sage. His voice was perfectly quiet and not unpleasant. Tom made him his drink, and Sage turned politely to all the rest of us.
"I'll be obliged, gentlemen, if you'll breast the bar and order your own especial poison," he said.
We rose and ranged up to the bar, and all of us, Williams and Pillsbury, of course, included, took a liquor.
"Take one with me, Mr Greet," said the old Colonel.
And Sage said he would take one later if the gentleman didn't mind. Williams hadn't spoken till now.
"Are you Mr. Greet of Red River?" he asked politely.
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