the gruff voice demanded. Fargo squinted against the glare. At least three lanterns were blazing, maybe a fourth. He knew that if he so much as twitched wrong, the rifles pointed at him would blast him to ribbons. “Hold your fire,” he said, and with great reluctance, he set his Colt on the ground. Claude and Pierre seemed to be in shock. “Anton!” the latter exclaimed, recovering first. “This man jumped us and disarmed us.” “I can see that,” growled a great bulk that hove into view. “How unfortunate for you but fortunate for me.” He laughed a cold laugh. “So you have prayed for this nightmare to end, have you?” Pierre took a step back and thrust both his palms at the bulk. “I said that for his benefit, to trick him. To make him think he could trust me.” “Can I trust you?” Anton Laguerre growled. Pierre had broken out in a sweat.
