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Name: Class: Date:

PowerPoint Module 03: Applying Advanced Formatting to Objects


1. Colored borders and shading of cells indicate that they are included in the chart.
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: True
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: Session 3.1 Visual Overview

2. Drag a sizing handle to include or exclude columns and rows from the chart.
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: True
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: Session 3.1 Visual Overview

3. In a pie chart, there are multiple series represented.


a. True
b. False
ANSWER: False
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: Creating a Chart on a Slide

4. SmartArt diagrams contain multiple objects that are grouped as one object which is then treated as a whole.
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: True
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: Creating SmartArt Diagrams

5. If you convert a SmartArt object into drawn shapes, you will still have access to the commands on the SmartArt Tools
contextual tabs.
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: False
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: Creating SmartArt Diagrams

6. The default setting for text boxes you insert is for text not to wrap.
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: False
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: Inserting and Formatting Text Boxes

7. When only a picture is selected, the Format Picture task pane includes tabs with groups of buttons.
Copyright Cengage Learning. Powered by Cognero. Page 1
Name: Class: Date:

PowerPoint Module 03: Applying Advanced Formatting to Objects


a. True
b. False
ANSWER: False
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: Session 3.2 Visual Overview

8. To correct photos, the Picture button must be selected on the Format Picture task pane.
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: True
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: Session 3.2 Visual Overview

9. You can right-click a photo, and then click Format Picture on the shortcut menu to open the Format Picture task pane.
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: True
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: Editing Photos

10. Most screen readers cannot read the text in title text boxes and bulleted lists, so you usually need to add alt text for
those objects.
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: False
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: Making Presentations Accessible

11. A spreadsheet, called a(n) graphsheet in Microsoft Excel, is a grid of cells that contain numbers and text.
_________________________
ANSWER: False - worksheet
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: Session 3.1 Visual Overview

12. A data diagram is the set of values represented in a chart. _________________________


ANSWER: False - series
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: Creating a Chart on a Slide

13. To convert a diagram to a bulleted list, after selecting the diagram, the next step is to click the Convert button on the
SmartArt Tools Design tab, in the Reset group. _________________________
ANSWER: True
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: Creating SmartArt Diagrams

Copyright Cengage Learning. Powered by Cognero. Page 2


Name: Class: Date:

PowerPoint Module 03: Applying Advanced Formatting to Objects


14. To add a sound clip to a slide, you use the Audio button in the Media group on the Design tab.
_________________________
ANSWER: False - Insert
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: Adding Audio to Slides

15. Graphs show the relationship between variables along two axes or reference lines. _________________________
ANSWER: True
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: Adding a Chart to a Slide

16. TextArt is a term used to describe formatted, decorative text in a text box. _________________________
ANSWER: False - WordArt
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: Applying WordArt Styles to Text

17. Color saturation is the amount or intensity of color in a photo. _________________________


ANSWER: True
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: Session 3.2 Visual Overview

18. To create a custom gradient within a shape, the Gradient Options tab must be selected in the Format Shape task pane.
_________________________
ANSWER: False - Shape
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: Formatting Shapes and Pictures

19. A(n) gradient is shading in which one color blends into another or varies from one shape to another.
_________________________
ANSWER: True
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: Formatting Shapes and Pictures

20. If you make changes to photos and then change your mind, you can click the Undo Picture button in the Adjust group
on the Picture Tools Format tab. _________________________
ANSWER: False - Reset
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: Editing Photos

21. When working with a chart, if you need additional tools, click the _____ in Microsoft Excel button to open the
spreadsheet in an Excel workbook.
a. View Data b. Edit Data
c. Change Data d. Open Data
ANSWER: b
POINTS: 1
Copyright Cengage Learning. Powered by Cognero. Page 3
Name: Class: Date:

PowerPoint Module 03: Applying Advanced Formatting to Objects


REFERENCES: Session 3.1 Visual Overview

22. The intersection of a row and a column is a(n) _____.


a. box b. outline
c. data point d. cell
ANSWER: d
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: Session 3.1 Visual Overview

23. Cells in a datasheet are referenced by their location. A correct cell location is _____.
a. B1 b. 1B
c. @B#1 d. FnB1
ANSWER: a
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: Session 3.1 Visual Overview

24. To create a SmartArt diagram, in the _____ group on the Insert tab, click the SmartArt button to open the Choose a
SmartArt Graphic dialog box.
a. Pictures b. Diagrams
c. SmartArt d. Illustrations
ANSWER: d
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: Creating SmartArt Diagrams

25. To switch the order of the shapes in SmartArt, click the _____ button in the Create Graphic group on the SmartArt
Tools Design tab.
a. Here to There b. Switch
c. Right to Left d. Reorder
ANSWER: c
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: Creating SmartArt Diagrams

26. To change the shapes in the diagram, select all the shapes, and then click the _____ Shape button in the Shapes group
on the SmartArt Tools Format tab.
a. Change b. Edit
c. Transform d. Redo
ANSWER: a
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: Creating SmartArt Diagrams

27. When animating a SmartArt diagram, the default is for the entire object to animate as _____.
a. a single object b. multiple objects
c. a pictograph d. a chart
ANSWER: a

Copyright Cengage Learning. Powered by Cognero. Page 4


Name: Class: Date:

PowerPoint Module 03: Applying Advanced Formatting to Objects


POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: Creating SmartArt Diagrams

28. When a sound clip is added to a slide, a sound icon and a play _____ appear on the slide.
a. button b. bar
c. tab d. flashing icon
ANSWER: b
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: Adding Audio to Slides

29. Similar to videos, the options for changing how the sound plays during the slide show appear on the _____ Tools
Playback tab.
a. Audio b. Video
c. Media d. 3D
ANSWER: a
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: Adding Audio to Slides

30. In a graph, you would find the _____ variable on the vertical axis.
a. independent b. dependent
c. primary d. secondary
ANSWER: b
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: Adding a Chart to a Slide

31. To create a chart, you click the Insert Chart button in a content placeholder or use the Chart button in the Illustrations
group on the _____ tab.
a. Design b. Home
c. Insert d. Format
ANSWER: c
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: Adding a Chart to a Slide

32. The active cell in a worksheet has a _____ border around it.
a. blue b. red
c. yellow d. green
ANSWER: d
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: Adding a Chart to a Slide

33. To add or remove a row or column from a chart, drag the _____ sizing handles on the color borders.
a. corner b. vertical line
c. horizontal line d. center
ANSWER: a
Copyright Cengage Learning. Powered by Cognero. Page 5
Name: Class: Date:

PowerPoint Module 03: Applying Advanced Formatting to Objects


POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: Adding a Chart to a Slide

34. To switch to another type of chart, click the Change Chart Type button in the _____ group on the Chart Tools Design
tab.
a. Data b. Design
c. Chart d. Type
ANSWER: d
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: Adding a Chart to a Slide

35. _____ charts use a line to connect points that represent values, and also show shading from the line down to the x-axis.
a. Area b. Line
c. Bar d. Pie
ANSWER: a
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: Adding a Chart to a Slide

36. Unlike the default format for text in a text box, the default alignment for shapes with text in them is _____ text.
a. left-aligned b. right-aligned
c. center-aligned d. top-aligned
ANSWER: c
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: Inserting and Formatting Text Boxes

37. Text boxes by default are filled with _____ color.


a. the Accent 2 color b. the Text 1 color
c. the Title 1 color d. no
ANSWER: d
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: Inserting and Formatting Text Boxes

38. WordArt text has a fill color, which is the same as the _____ color.
a. background b. font
c. outline d. global
ANSWER: b
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: Applying WordArt Styles to Text

39. To use preset options in the _____ Shape task pane, you can use the Shape Fill and Shape Outline buttons.
a. Edit b. Format
c. Design d. Review
ANSWER: b
POINTS: 1
Copyright Cengage Learning. Powered by Cognero. Page 6
Name: Class: Date:

PowerPoint Module 03: Applying Advanced Formatting to Objects


REFERENCES: Session 3.2 Visual Overview

40. If you make changes to photos and then change your mind, you can click the Reset Picture button in the _____ group
on the Picture Tools Format tab.
a. Edit b. Transform
c. Review d. Adjust
ANSWER: d
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: Editing Photos

41. PowerPoint’s photo correction tools appear on the ribbon and in the _____ Picture task pane.
a. Design b. Color
c. Redo d. Format
ANSWER: d
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: Editing Photos

42. When you click the _____ Background button in the Adjust group on the Picture Tools Format tab, part of the
photograph is marked to be removed and part of it is marked to be retained.
a. Edit b. Keep
c. Merge d. Remove
ANSWER: d
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: Removing the Background from Photos

43. If the background of a photo is all one color, you can use the _____ Transparent Color button, and choose a color.
a. Set b. Choose
c. Assign d. Establish
ANSWER: a
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: Removing the Background from Photos

44. You can apply artistic _____ to photos to make them look like they are drawings, paintings, black-and-white line
drawings, etc.
a. effects b. impacts
c. diagrams d. charts
ANSWER: a
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: Applying Artistic Effects to Photos

45. The _____ Merge Shape command combines selected shapes without removing any portions.
a. Union b. Combine
c. Fragment d. Intersect
ANSWER: a

Copyright Cengage Learning. Powered by Cognero. Page 7


Name: Class: Date:

PowerPoint Module 03: Applying Advanced Formatting to Objects


POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: Creating a Custom Shape

46. The _____ Merge Shape command combines selected shapes and removes the sections of the shapes that overlap.
a. Union b. Combine
c. Fragment d. Intersect
ANSWER: b
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: Creating a Custom Shape

47. The _____ Merge Shape command separates overlapping portions of shapes into separate shapes.
a. Union b. Combine
c. Fragment d. Intersect
ANSWER: c
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: Creating a Custom Shape

48. The _____ Merge Shape command combines selected shapes and removes everything except the sections that overlap.
a. Combine b. Fragment
c. Intersect d. Subtract
ANSWER: c
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: Creating a Custom Shape

49. The _____ Merge Shape command removes the second shape selected, including any part of the first shape that is
overlapped by the second shape.
a. Combine b. Fragment
c. Intersect d. Subtract
ANSWER: d
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: Creating a Custom Shape

50. You can fill a shape with a _____, which is a pattern that gives a tactile quality to the shape, such as crumpled paper
or marble.
a. gradient b. texture
c. glow d. bevel
ANSWER: b
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: Applying Advanced Formatting to Shapes

51. To create a custom gradient, you select the shape, and then click the _____ Tools Format tab.
a. SmartArt b. Advanced
c. Drawing d. Shape
ANSWER: c
Copyright Cengage Learning. Powered by Cognero. Page 8
Name: Class: Date:

PowerPoint Module 03: Applying Advanced Formatting to Objects


POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: Applying Advanced Formatting to Shapes

52. To save a custom shape as a picture file so that you can use it in other files, right-click it, and then click _____ on the
shortcut menu.
a. Save as Video b. Save as Picture
c. Save as File d. Save as PDF
ANSWER: b
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: Applying Advanced Formatting to Shapes

Case-Based Critical Thinking Questions


Case 3-1
In PowerPoint 2016, Jim has been inserting text using the text box placeholders included in the slide layout. He wants to
be able to add text to other locations on the slide.
53. Jim wants to insert text that appears in a box that is already filled with Accent color 1 and where the text is center-
aligned. Jim should insert a _____.
a. shape with text added b. text box
c. slide accent d. picture
ANSWER: a
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: Inserting and Formatting Text Boxes
TOPICS: Critical Thinking

54. Jim wants to insert text that appears without a fill color and where the text is left-aligned. Jim should insert a _____.
a. shape with text added b. text box
c. slide accent d. picture
ANSWER: b
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: Inserting and Formatting Text Boxes
TOPICS: Critical Thinking

55. To insert a text box, Jim clicks the _____ tab on the ribbon.
a. View b. Format
c. Insert d. Home
ANSWER: c
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: Inserting and Formatting Text Boxes
TOPICS: Critical Thinking

56. Jim notices that as he types text in the text box, _____
a. the height of the text box stays the same, and the additional text wraps to the next line
b. the height of the text box changes, and the additional text wraps to the next line

Copyright Cengage Learning. Powered by Cognero. Page 9


Name: Class: Date:

PowerPoint Module 03: Applying Advanced Formatting to Objects


c. the height of the text box stays the same, and the additional text does not wrap
d. the height of the text box changes, and the additional text does not wrap
ANSWER: b
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: Inserting and Formatting Text Boxes
TOPICS: Critical Thinking

57. To modify and reposition the text box, Jim right-clicks the text box, and on the shortcut menu, clicks _____.
a. Format Text b. Format Text Box
c. Format Shape d. Format Box
ANSWER: c
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: Inserting and Formatting Text Boxes
TOPICS: Critical Thinking

Case-Based Critical Thinking Questions


Case 3-2
In PowerPoint 2016, Bella is learning how to merge shapes. She has merged one shape with the help of a co-worker, and
is now ready to try it on her own.
58. To merge shapes, Bella needs to use the commands on the Merge Shapes menu in the _____ Shapes group on the
Drawing Tools Format tab.
a. Insert b. Edit
c. Transform d. Merge
ANSWER: a
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: Creating a Custom Shape
TOPICS: Critical Thinking

59. To merge shapes, Bella knows that she must first select _____.
a. 1 or more shapes b. 2 or more shapes
c. 3 or more shapes d. 4 or more shapes
ANSWER: b
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: Creating a Custom Shape
TOPICS: Critical Thinking

60. Bella is having trouble selecting two shapes, and then remembers that she needs to press _____ while she selects the
second shape.
a. ALT b. SHIFT
c. TAB d. F9
ANSWER: b
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: Creating a Custom Shape
Copyright Cengage Learning. Powered by Cognero. Page 10
Name: Class: Date:

PowerPoint Module 03: Applying Advanced Formatting to Objects


TOPICS: Critical Thinking

61. Bella merges two shapes that have different formatting. She notices the format of the first shape selected _____.
a. is applied only to the portion of the shape that used to be the first shape
b. is lost and a new format is applied
c. is mixed together with the format of the second shape to make a custom format
d. is applied to the entire merged shape
ANSWER: d
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: Creating a Custom Shape
TOPICS: Critical Thinking

62. If Bella wants to merge two shapes but wants the overlapping parts of the shapes to be removed, she should use the
_____ command.
a. Union b. Combine
c. Subtract d. Intersect
ANSWER: b
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: Creating a Custom Shape
TOPICS: Critical Thinking

63. When a chart is selected, the ____________________ contextual tabs appear on the ribbon.
ANSWER: Chart Tools
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: Creating a Chart on a Slide

64. If you need to modify a chart’s data, click the Edit Data button in the Data group on the Chart Tools
____________________ tab.
ANSWER: DESIGN
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: Creating a Chart on a Slide

65. In a pie chart each slice represents a(n) ____________________ of data.


ANSWER: category
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: Creating a Chart on a Slide

66. You can add an audio clip to a slide and have it play throughout the slide show. On the Audio Tools Playback tab, in
the Audio ____________________ group, click the Play in Background button.
ANSWER: Styles
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: Adding Audio to Slides

67. ____________________ are visuals that use lines, arrows, and boxes or other shapes to show parts, steps, or
processes.
Copyright Cengage Learning. Powered by Cognero. Page 11
Name: Class: Date:

PowerPoint Module 03: Applying Advanced Formatting to Objects


ANSWER: Charts
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: Adding a Chart to a Slide

68. Graphs show the relationship between variables along two axes or reference lines: the independent variable is on the
____________________ axis.
ANSWER: horizontal
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: Adding a Chart to a Slide

69. When you work with a worksheet, the cell in which you are entering data is the ____________________ cell.
ANSWER: active
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: Adding a Chart to a Slide

70. Double-click a chart element to open a(n) ____________________ containing additional commands for modifying
that element.
ANSWER: task pane
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: Adding a Chart to a Slide

71. ____________________ charts are used to show percentages or proportions of the parts that make up a whole.
ANSWER: Pie
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: Adding a Chart to a Slide

72. ____________________ charts use a line to connect points that represent values. They are effective for showing
changes over time, and they are particularly useful for illustrating trends.
ANSWER: Line
Area
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: Adding a Chart to a Slide

73. ____________________ charts use vertical columns and bar charts use horizontal bars to represent values.
ANSWER: Column
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: Adding a Chart to a Slide

74. The ____________________ of a photo is the amount of reds and yellows or blues and greens in the photo.
ANSWER: tone
POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: Editing Photos

75. A(n) ____________________ is shading in which one color blends into another or varies from one shape to another.
ANSWER: gradient
Copyright Cengage Learning. Powered by Cognero. Page 12
Name: Class: Date:

PowerPoint Module 03: Applying Advanced Formatting to Objects


POINTS: 1
REFERENCES: Formatting Shapes and Pictures

Copyright Cengage Learning. Powered by Cognero. Page 13


Another random document with
no related content on Scribd:
CHAPTER X: LYNCH LAWYERS
The following morning, shortly after daylight, Lem Sheeley and
Joe Cave arrived at the ranch with the hack from the 6X6 and a top-
buggy. They were going to take Peter Morgan’s body to Cañonville in
the hack, and Lem brought the top-buggy to take Nan to the inquest
—or rather the double inquest.
This had been the date set for the inquest over the body of Ben
Leach; so they were going to hold one over Peter Morgan on the
same day. Lem had appointed Joe Cave to act as his deputy while
Noah Evans was out of commission.
‘They know Nan was here at the ranch when her brother came
from Mesa City, and heard what he said about fixin’ one of the 6X6
outfit,’ explained Lem. ‘Me and Noah heard it; but they want her
testimony.’
Nan agreed to go, and while she was getting ready, Hashknife
took Lem aside and questioned him about the gun he found in the
corral.
‘Are you goin’ to offer that as evidence?’ asked Hashknife.
‘I’m kinda stuck about that,’ said Lem. ‘I hate to do it, and still I
figure I ought to, Hashknife. It’ll hang Lane as sure as hell.’
‘They’ll have to catch him first.’
‘Yeah, I know; but I’ll catch him. I wasn’t goin’ to do a thing until
the coroner’s jury decides; but if they say it was murder and name
the murderer—what can I do? I’m jist an instrument, Hashknife.’
‘I know, Lem. How’s Noah this mornin’?’
‘Crazy as a shepherd. The doctor was with him all night, and he
says Noah’s got a fightin’ chance. That ride last night didn’t do him a
bit of good, and the doctor says we can’t take a chance on shippin’
him to a hospital.[’]
‘The folks down in Cañonville want to go right out and hang a
rope on old man Lane and his son. They figure one of ’em mistook
Noah for somebody from the 6X6.’
Sleepy and Joe Cave were putting the body into the hack, while
Rex stood against the side of the stable, watching them.
‘What do yuh think of that young Morgan?’ asked Lem.
Hashknife grinned slowly. ‘He’s so damned ignorant that he might
do somethin’ smart. I figure he’s been raised in a hothouse, Lem.
Still, he’s got a sense of humor, and he ain’t all fool. Just between
me and you, he’s got somethin’ on his mind.’
‘Mebby it’s the wallop he got on the head, Hashknife.’
‘Mebby.’
Nan had come out to the buggy; so the two men sauntered
toward the front of the house.
‘We’ll stay here at the ranch,’ said Hashknife, as Nan held out her
hand to him.
‘Thank you,’ she said simply.
‘And when they put yuh on the witness stand,’ said Hashknife
slowly, ‘don’t offer anythin’. If yuh don’t feel like answerin’ a question,
jist say yuh don’t know. The law never hung anybody for not
rememberin’.’
‘That’s fine advice to a witness, right in my presence,’ grinned
Lem, as he untied the horse.
‘I shall follow that advice,’ said Nan firmly. ‘Good-bye, Mr. Hartley.
Take good care of Rex.’
‘Can’t he take care of himself?’ growled Lem.
‘I don’t think so, Lem. He needs somebody to look after him.’
‘He ort to get a keeper, or a nurse.’
The two vehicles rolled away up the dusty road, leaving
Hashknife and Rex together at the front porch. Sleepy had gone to
the rear of the house to wash his hands.
‘So that’s the opinion she has of me, is it?’ queried Rex wearily.
‘Need some one to look after me.’
‘I don’t think she meant it exactly that way,’ smiled Hashknife.
‘Oh, I guess she’s right as far as that goes, Mr. Hartley; I guess I
do need some one to look after me. I—I don’t know anything.’
‘Uh-huh?’ Hashknife considered Rex gravely. ‘Morgan, if it was
rainin’ real hard right now, what would you do?’
‘Why—er—go in the house, I suppose.’
‘I reckon you’ve got as much sense as the rest of us, but yuh lack
in experience.’
Sleepy came around the house and they all sat down in the
shade of the porch. Rex wanted to know what an inquest meant, and
Hashknife explained all about it.
‘And if that jury decides that Mr. Morgan was killed by Mr. Lane,
they will hang Mr. Lane?’
‘Well, not immediately,’ said Hashknife. ‘They will have to capture
Mr. Lane and give him a fair trial.’
‘Have they any evidence that Mr. Lane killed him?’
‘Only that Lane hated Morgan and threatened to shoot any of his
outfit that might come over here; and the fact that the horse bearing
the body of Morgan came from this direction. Of course those are
merely circumstantial facts. And there’s the fact that the sheriff found
Peter Morgan’s gun in the corral down there.’ Hashknife was
watching Rex closely when he brought out the last evidence, and he
saw Rex change color quickly, shutting his lips tightly. And he did not
look at Hashknife when Hashknife added:
‘That last bit of evidence might hang him.’
‘I don’t know anything about it,’ said Rex slowly.
‘Of course not.’
‘I—I didn’t see the gun.’
‘Prob’ly not. The sheriff found it. He said that you fainted in the
corral.’
‘Oh, yes!’ Rex tried to laugh. ‘We—Miss Lane and—we heard a
chicken crowing, and she made up a little poem about eggs for
breakfast; so we went to find the egg, you see. Yes, I fainted. Foolish
thing to do, wasn’t it?’
‘Mebby not. But neither of you saw the gun, eh?’
‘Oh, no. We were excited and——’ Rex stopped quickly.
‘Excited over what?’ asked Hashknife quickly.
Rex shut his lips tightly and looked away for several moments.
Finally he sighed softly.
‘Eggs,’ he said simply.
‘Excited over eggs?’
‘Yes. Oh, it doesn’t require much to excite me.’
‘Uh-huh.’
Hashknife and Sleepy exchanged glances. Hashknife was sure
that Rex Morgan knew more than he was willing to tell. It was
evident that this young tenderfoot was protecting Nan Lane—and
Hashknife admired him for it.
‘Do you intend to stay in this country?’ asked Sleepy.
‘Do you mean always?’ Rex shook his head slowly. ‘No, I—well, I
don’t really know. Do you know, everything has been more or less
like a dream since my mother died. I have been jerked around so
badly that I hardly know what to do next. I realize that I shouldn’t be
here, sponging, I believe you’d call it, on the Lane family. But I just
simply don’t know what to do.’
‘Didn’t you ever have a job?’ asked Hashknife.
Rex pursed his lips thoughtfully for a moment.
‘Yes, I did. I believe it lasted less than an hour. Mr. Weed, a
grocer, employed me as a driver for one of his delivery wagons, but I
tried to outrun a fire department.’
‘And didn’t make it?’ smiled Hashknife.
‘Oh, but I did! But when I was forced to stop, I—I threw out the
anchor, and——’
‘Uh-huh!’ snorted Sleepy. ‘That’s what Bunty Smith said.’
‘Threw out the anchor?’ queried Hashknife.
‘That is what one of the men called it. It was a heavy weight
which they have fastened to the horses, and when you make a
delivery you leave it on the ground. It prevents the horses from
running away, don’t you see?’
Hashknife laughed softly. ‘I know what yuh mean, kid.’
‘Well, when I threw it off, I believe it wrapped around a pole. At
any rate, we stopped so suddenly that I entered a store on the back
of my neck, and by the time I had recovered, I had lost my position.’
‘And that’s the only job yuh ever had?’
‘The only one.’
‘How old are yuh, Morgan?’
‘Twenty.’
‘Yore folks have plenty of money?’
‘I didn’t have folks—just a mother.’
‘Yea-a-ah?’ Hashknife leaned back, resting his shoulders against
the wall, and began rolling a cigarette.
‘What became of yore father?’ asked Sleepy.
Rex shook his head. ‘I never knew him. In fact, I never heard his
name mentioned.’
And while Hashknife and Sleepy lounged in the shade and
listened closely, Rex Morgan told them of his life. He did not
condemn his mother for the way she had raised him.
‘Mebby she wanted yuh to be a preacher,’ suggested Sleepy.
‘Was she very religious?’
‘No; not very. In fact, she seldom went to church.’
‘And you say that check was on the Mesa City Bank?’ asked
Hashknife.
‘Yes. That was why I came here; trying to find out who sent her
that money. Perhaps they might tell me more.’
‘Did yore mother ever mention Mesa City?’
‘No.’
‘Well, that’s shore a queer deal, Morgan. Even if you never find
out anythin’, I think you came to the right country. It’ll make a man
out of yuh. Get a job. Even if yuh don’t know anythin’, take the job
and learn. Make good out here. Folks are rough out here, but if yuh
make good with them, they’ll stand at yore back until yore belly
caves in.’
‘I suppose you are right, Mr. Hartley.’
‘Call me Hashknife.’
‘Thank you.’
‘I’m Sleepy.’
Rex turned his head and glanced at Sleepy.
‘Why don’t you go in and lie down?’ asked Rex.
Hashknife grunted so explosively that he blew his cigarette out
into the yard, while Sleepy slid down on his shoulders, shaking with
laughter.
‘I don’t understand,’ said Rex blankly.
‘That’s what made it so damn funny,’ choked Hashknife. ‘He
meant that his nickname was Sleepy.’
‘Oh, I knew that; but I—I didn’t realize it at the time. I guess it did
sound rather like a joke.’
‘Rather,’ chuckled Sleepy. ‘But don’t mind me; I’m just a bow-
legged puncher, tryin’ to get along in the world.’
‘Morgan, you must have had quite an experience the night you
arrived here,’ said Hashknife.
Rex grinned slowly. ‘I surely did, Hashknife. I wonder why that
man struck me over the head.’
‘Some of the folks,’ said Hashknife slowly, ‘seem to doubt that
yuh got hit. They think yuh fell off the horse and hit yore head on a
rock.’
‘I did not!’ indignantly. ‘Not that I couldn’t have done such a thing.
You see, I had never ridden a horse before. But there is something
that has bothered me, Hashknife. Just before I reached the house I
went through a big gate.’
‘You went through a big gate?’ pondered Hashknife.
‘I was obliged to get off the horse to open the gate.’
‘But there is no gate here.’
‘That is the queer part of it.’
‘Hm-m-m-m,’ Hashknife grunted softly as he rolled another
cigarette. ‘Went through a big gate, eh? How was it fastened?’
‘I don’t remember that it was fastened.’
‘Uh-huh. But this was the house, eh?’
‘I suppose so. It was very dark that night, and I was unable to see
more than the outline of the house.’
‘Are yuh shore yuh didn’t dream about that gate?’
Rex frowned thoughtfully.
‘Perhaps I did, Hashknife. As far as that is concerned, I might
have dreamed all of it. But if you do not think I was struck on the
head—look at it.’
‘I saw it,’ grinned Hashknife. ‘That’s no dream.’
‘Well, that’s no more true than the rest of it.’
‘You ain’t been to Mesa City yet, have yuh? I mean, to make any
investigations about that check.’
‘No; I haven’t had a chance. But just as soon as possible, I shall
go over there.’

It was late in the afternoon when Nan came home, accompanied


by a man from the Cañonville livery-stable. Hashknife met her and
they walked from the buggy to the house. She did not mention the
inquests until Sleepy and Rex met them in the living-room, and the
four of them sat down together.
‘They asked the sheriff to arrest Walter for shooting Ben Leach,’
she said bravely. ‘They say, because he took Ben’s horse and gun, it
don’t look like self-defense.[’]
‘But they say Dad murdered Peter Morgan.’
‘Who testified?’ asked Hashknife.
‘Some boys of the 6X6 testified that Peter Morgan’s body came
on, roped to the saddle of his horse. That was all the testimony,
except what was said about the fight Dad had with Peter Morgan in
Mesa City, and that Dad swore he’d kill them if they came here.’
‘And that’s all the evidence they needed to name yore dad as the
murderer?’
‘That was all. They didn’t ask me to testify. Lem told them about
Walter coming home from Mesa City drunk, and what he said about
“fixing” one of the 6X6 outfit. Lem tried to give his opinion of Ben
Leach following Walter, but the coroner wouldn’t let him talk, and
they almost had a fight.’
‘And will the sheriff be obliged to capture your father and brother
now?’ asked Rex.
Nan nodded wearily. ‘I guess he will. Oh, I don’t know what to do.
We haven’t any money to hire lawyers; nothing to fight with.’
‘The court will appoint a lawyer to defend them,’ said Hashknife.
‘To represent them,’ corrected Nan quickly. ‘But of what value will
he be to us? It is merely a matter of form. Oh, I know enough about
the law to know what it will mean. A cow-town jury, sitting in
judgment on a nester.’
‘Well,’ said the optimistic Sleepy, ‘they ain’t got ’em in jail yet,
Nan.’
‘But they will have. Dad and Walter are not far away from here.’
‘I’d like to have a talk with ’em before the sheriff gets his hands on
’em,’ said Hashknife.
‘What for?’ asked Nan.
‘Oh, just to talk about things. I’d like to get their version of things
ahead of the rest.’
Later that day Hashknife and Sleepy talked things over from the
top-pole of the corral fence.
‘I tell yuh, it’s no puzzle,’ declared Sleepy. ‘Old man Lane killed
Pete Morgan, jist as sure as a Californian will lie about his climate.
Of course, Pete had no business bein’ here. He’d been warned to
stay away—and didn’t. If me and you was on a jury, we’d turn him
loose—because we don’t hate a nester.[’]
‘Likewise, this here Ben Leach got his needin’s. Hunted for
trouble, and found it. Self-defense of course; but yuh never can
convince these natives that Lane didn’t bushwhack Leach. Of
course, Lane made a mistake in takin’ the horse and gun, but he was
drunk and mad.’
It was a long speech for Sleepy to make. Hashknife lifted his
brows in mock astonishment.
‘Yore gettin’ kinda technical, ain’t yuh, Sleepy?’
‘Well,’ confessed Sleepy, ‘that’s the way she looks to me. Whatsa
use of stayin’ around here any longer? We’ve got to land a couple of
jobs for the winter, ain’t we?’
‘Did we ever quit before the last dog was hung?’
Sleepy shook his head gloomily. They had been together for quite
a number of years, these two drifting cowboys. Their trails had led
from the wide lands of Alberta to the Mexican border, and no matter
where they were there was always a hill just beyond which beckoned
them on.
Sleepy had been christened David in the little Idaho town where
he was born, but it had been soon changed to his present cognomen
because of the fact that, like a weasel, he seemed to sleep with both
eyes open.
He and Henry Hartley had met on the old ranch which gave
Henry the name of Hashknife, and together these two cowboys of
the itching feet struck out for themselves. The ranges were wide and
there was plenty of demand for the services of top-hand cowboys,
but they did not stay long in any one place.
Fate had given Hashknife an analytical mind. In a different
environment he might have been a famous detective instead of a
drifting cowboy, a Nemesis of range crooks, where, in most cases,
the six-shooter superseded the court of law.
It seemed as though Fate continually threw them into troubled
places, no matter which way they traveled, until even Sleepy, prone
to argument, admitted that there was little use trying to dodge the
issue. Sleepy analyzed nothing. He was content to follow the lengthy
Hashknife, no matter where the trail led, and to be ready for trouble
at the finish.
Their remuneration had been small. In fact, they might better
have been working at forty dollars a month, as far as the financial
end of their partnership was concerned. Two horses, riding rigs,
clothes, guns, and a few dollars were all they ever had.
‘Yuh can’t take anythin’ with yuh,’ Hashknife had often said when
Sleepy remarked about their financial returns.
‘The farther we go, the less chance we have of livin’ to a ripe old
age; so what good is the money? I’d rather give while I’m alive to see
the happiness it brings. And if we had a lot of money, we wouldn’t
know what in hell to spend it for.’
Hashknife debated over Sleepy’s resume of the case. It was the
reasonable decision, and was probably the decision of everybody
who knew of the case; but Hashknife withheld his opinion because
he refused to agree with the masses. To Sleepy, the case was
closed; but to Hashknife, it was just beginning to open.
‘They tell me that Paul Lane is a salty old jigger,’ said Sleepy
thoughtfully. ‘It would be like him to kill a man and send him home on
his own horse. I wish I knew what Pete Morgan was doin’ over here
that night?’
‘Evidently tryin’ to “get” old man Lane, Sleepy.’
‘Why?’
‘There yuh are. He came alone. Why?’
‘Don’t ask me—I’m no mind-reader.’
‘And still yuh think there’s nothin’ to the case?’
‘I wasn’t figurin’ any reasons for the killin’.’
‘There’s got to be a reason for the killin’, Sleepy. I want to know
why Pete Morgan got up long before daylight, saddled his horse, and
came over here—if he did come here. Of course, we’ve got no proof
that he did except that the sheriff found his gun in the corral.’
‘Guns don’t fly.’
‘This ’n didn’t have any wings. Sleepy, didja ever see a girl with
more nerve than Nan Lane? By golly, she’s a dinger. Wants to cry,
but won’t. It’s a hell of a position for her to be in, don’tcha know it.
She’s up there in the kitchen cookin’ up a meal for us, when down in
her heart she wants to lie down and cry her eyes out. If I ever get
married, I hope I get her kind.’
‘One that won’t cry, Hashknife?’
‘Sure.’
‘Yuh never will, cowboy. Mebby she won’t cry from ordinary
causes, but jist let you put on a boiled collar and a white shirt, and
she’ll cry.’
‘Is it that bad?’ sadly.
‘Worse than that, Hashknife. Yuh look jist like a half-broke
Apaloosie lookin’ over a whitewashed fence.’
‘I might get one with a sense of humor, Sleepy.’
‘She’d have to have, cowboy.’
Rex was wandering around the yard, like a lost pup, and finally
joined them at the corral.
‘I wish I knew what to do,’ he said sadly. ‘Nan is up there in the
kitchen, crying. I—I tried to solace her, but it didn’t seem to do much
good. She’s afraid they are going to hang her father, you know.
Perhaps I handled the situation badly when I told her we’d both be
orphans if such a thing happened. And then I asked her to marry
me.’
‘You damn fool!’ exploded Sleepy. ‘That ain’t no time to propose
to a girl.’
‘I didn’t know. You see, I—I never proposed before.’
‘There’s a hell of a lot of things you don’t know.’
‘There’s a hell of a lot of things I want to learn,’ retorted Rex
heatedly.
‘That’s a lot better,’ grinned Hashknife. ‘Use a little profanity and
less dictionary. Correct English is great; but out here they think
you’re crazy. You’ll forget how to talk it soon enough. As far as you
marryin’ Nan Lane—I’d forget it, Morgan.’
‘What in hell would you support a wife on?’ asked Sleepy.
‘I’m sure I don’t know.’
‘Well, you’re honest,’ grinned Hashknife. ‘I reckon you’re a good
kid, Morgan. You mean well enough. Now, forget the marriage stuff
for a while.’
‘The sheriff wants to marry her.’
‘Fine. Lem’s a good man; got a good job.’
‘But I don’t think she loves him.’
‘No? Does she love you?’
‘I—I never asked her.’
‘A-a-aw, hell!’ snorted Sleepy. ‘Let’s go and help her cook supper
instead of talking about her feelin’s.’
It was after supper that night when Paul Lane came home. Rex
was washing the dishes and Hashknife was wiping them, much
against the wishes of Nan.
‘It’s the only thing I can do well,’ declared Rex.
‘I used to wash them for my mother.’
Nan was in her room and Sleepy was perched on the woodbox,
smoking a cigarette, when Paul Lane stepped into the kitchen, gun in
hand. Rex was the only one of the three who had ever seen him
before.
He stopped just inside the door and looked at the men.
Rex stopped washing dishes and started to introduce the old man
to Hashknife, but the old man stopped him.
‘Where’s Nan?’ he demanded.
‘Here, Dad.’
Nan had stepped from her room and now she crossed the kitchen
to her father, who put one arm around her, but still kept his eyes on
Hashknife and Sleepy.
‘Who are these men?’ he asked.
‘Friends, Dad; Mr. Hartley and Mr. Stevens. You have met Mr.
Morgan before.’
‘Yeah, I’ve met him. I’ve been around here quite a while, lookin’
’em over through the windows. I didn’t quite figure out who they
were, but it didn’t look to me as though an officer of the law would be
washin’ dishes. I had to come back, Nan. What’s the news? What
has happened?’
With as few words as possible she told him everything that had
happened since he left the house. She told him of the shooting of
Noah Evans, the double inquest, and their verdicts. Hashknife
watched the face of the old man during her recital, and decided that
Paul Lane was a tough old ranger. He did not flinch at the verdict,
but his blue eyes clouded a trifle.
He was not a big man, and age had sapped some of his vitality,
but he was wiry, keen-eyed, and the hands that gripped the
Winchester were muscular and steady.
‘Kinda looks as though they had the dead wood on me and the
kid,’ he said bitterly. ‘We been hidin’ out in the brush, wonderin’ what
was goin’ on; so I took a chance. We got a look at you fellers to-day
and wondered who yuh might be. And we seen Nan come back in
that buggy; so I decided that there had been an inquest at
Cañonville.’
‘Why don’t the both of yuh sneak down and give up to the
sheriff?’ asked Hashknife. ‘Looks like the only way out of it, Lane.’
‘And get hung for it, eh?’
‘Mebby not. The law won’t hang yuh without a trial.’
‘Meanin’ that the 6X6 outfit will, eh?’
‘Might be more than them in on the deal. There’s always a pack
of wolves, yuh know.’
‘That’s right, Hartley. It shore makes it tough for Nan.’
‘And she’s been mighty game,’ said Hashknife quickly.
‘I—I’m not so game,’ choked Nan. ‘I don’t know what to do except
to grin and bear it.’
They moved to the living-room, leaving Rex to finish the rest of
the dishes, and sat down together. Hashknife wanted a chance to
talk with Paul Lane, and this seemed like the opportune time, but
before he could frame the opening question, the front door was flung
violently open, and three rifles were covering them through the
doorway.
There were Dave Morgan, Red Eller, Spike Cahill, and Ed Jones.
There was only one thing to do; so the three men in the room threw
up their hands. It took Spike Cahill about ten seconds to collect their
guns, and then the captors relaxed.
‘I reckon that about ends the deal,’ growled Dave. ‘We been
watchin’ for yuh, Lane. Knowed you’d have to come home, sooner or
later.’
‘Well?’ said Lane coldly. ‘What now, Morgan?’
‘A lot depends. Get a rope, Spike.’
‘Just what’s the idea of a rope?’ asked Hashknife.
‘Keep yore nose out of it,’ growled Morgan. ‘I’d advise you two to
high-tail out of this country. About the time we tell folks about findin’
yuh here, hobnobbin’ with a man wanted for murder, they might talk
of more ropes.’
‘Oh, is this man wanted for murder?’
‘You know damn well he is! Wasn’t that girl at the inquest? Don’t
try to be funny.’
Spike Cahill stepped in and flung out the coils of his rope,
preparatory to roping Paul Lane.
‘What are you going to do?’ asked Nan. ‘Don’t put a rope on him.
Dad will go to jail peacefully.’
‘Jail, eh?’ Spike laughed softly. ‘Yuh think he will? After we exhibit
him in Mesa City? Guess ag’in, sister.’
‘You better put your hands up,’ said a voice at the doorway to the
kitchen, and the captors jerked around to see Rex Morgan, holding
the heavy, double-barrel shotgun against his shoulder, the twin
muzzles covering them.
Dave Morgan’s hands jerked shoulder-high, and the other three
were quick to follow his lead. Even a tenderfoot could score a bull’s-
eye with a shotgun at fifteen feet.
‘Good, kid!’ exclaimed Hashknife, while Dave Morgan swore
bitterly, as he watched Sleepy and Hashknife gather up all the guns.
‘You can take a rest with that gun now,’ laughed Hashknife.
‘Well, I’m glad,’ sighed Rex. ‘It is very heavy, and I was afraid
some one might know it isn’t loaded.’
Hashknife backed against the wall, gun in hand, and laughed at
the expressions on their faces when they realized that the shotgun
was not loaded.
‘You can’t get away with this,’ gritted Morgan, facing Hashknife.
‘By God, we’ll show you how to tamper with things that don’t concern
yuh. And we’ll make that half-witted, white-faced kid wish he’d kept
out of it.’
‘I got away with it—my part of it,’ said Hashknife coldly. ‘I think
that kid outsmarted yuh, and saved yuh from lynchin’ a man to-night.
And as far as yuh doin’ anythin’ about it—cut yore wolf loose.’
‘We were goin’ to take him to jail,’ said Eller.
‘You’re a liar!’
Eller bristled angrily. ‘You wouldn’t call me that if I had a gun, you
hatchet-faced bum.’
‘Step into the middle of the room,’ ordered Hashknife. ‘Right out
there, away from the rest. Watch ’em, Sleepy.’ Hashknife stepped up
to the bed, picked up a six-shooter and walked back to Eller, who
stared at him foolishly. With a flip of his wrist, Hashknife dropped the
gun into Eller’s empty holster, and stepped back about six feet and
bolstered his own gun.
‘It’s an even break, Eller,’ he said coldly. ‘You’re a liar; a dirty,
forked-tongued liar. You’ve got a gun in yore holster, and I’m talkin’
to yuh straight.’
Red Eller hesitated. Hashknife’s right hand hung limply at his
side, swaying back and forth past his holster, but there was nothing
about his pose or expression that would indicate a quick draw. For
several seconds there was no sound except the breathing of people.
Then:
‘Don’t do it, Red,’ whispered Spike. ‘It ain’t worth the chance.’
Eller licked his lips and shook his head.
‘I pass,’ he said softly. ‘Mebby I did lie, Hartley.’
Swiftly Hashknife stepped over and removed the gun.
‘What’s next?’ asked Morgan angrily.
‘Go home and try to mind yore own business.’
‘All right—but wait until we tell what happened.’
‘Suits me, gents. Vamoose!’
Hashknife and Sleepy followed them out to their horses, where
the four men mounted quickly.
‘What about our guns?’ asked Morgan.
‘One of yuh come back in daylight and get ’em.’
‘Oh, all right. But you two better not be here.’
‘We will be, Morgan. Adios.’
Hashknife watched them ride away in the darkness, and went
back into the house, where he found Lane shaking hands with Rex
and thanking him for his timely aid with the shotgun.
‘Oh, it wasn’t anything,’ said Rex. ‘I just saw the gun in the corner,
and thought I might frighten them with it.’
‘Well, yuh shore did,’ laughed Hashknife. ‘They know what a
shotgun will do at short range, and they took no chances. Now,’ he
turned to Lane, ‘What are you goin’ to do?’
‘I’m goin’ to see Walter and get him to go to Cañonville with me.
We might as well give up and take a chance with the law. I didn’t
realize until just now how safe a jail could be.’
‘Oh, I’m glad!’ exclaimed Nan. ‘Anything would be better than this
suspense. But will Walter go with you, Dad?’
‘I think so. He is tired of dodging in the hills.’
‘Well, I wouldn’t lose any time,’ declared Hashknife. ‘That bunch
will probably get drunk in Mesa City, and yuh never can tell what
they will do.’
‘I know,’ nodded Lane. ‘But I don’t know what to do about Nan.
She can’t stay here——’
‘I can’t stay anywhere else, Dad. I can’t afford to live at a hotel.
Oh, I’ll be all right.’
‘We’ll stay awhile,’ offered Hashknife. ‘I can’t run away now; not
after that warnin’. As soon as yuh see the sheriff, send him up here. I
want him to understand about that warnin’, ’cause I might need an
official reason for throwin’ lead.’
‘All right, Hartley. I’ll leave my rifle and shells here, in case yuh
need long range.’
He shook hands with each of them, kissed Nan, and vanished
down past the corral in the darkness.
Nan sighed with relief and tried to smile.
‘I guess I better finish washing the dishes,’ said Rex. ‘But I wish
some of you would load that shotgun. I might have to shoot next
time.’
‘You spoke yore piece, pardner,’ laughed Hashknife. ‘I’ll load the
gun for yuh.’
He took a box of shells off a shelf and dropped one in each
barrel, after which he stood the gun in a corner.
‘Thank you so much,’ said Rex.
‘Good huntin’ to yuh, brother,’ grinned Hashknife.
‘Oh, but I’m not going hunting for any one.’
‘You won’t have to. In Arizona, that kind of game comes right up
to yore door.’
CHAPTER XI: THE NAVAJO RUG
It is doubtful if any of his friends would have recognized Napoleon
Bonaparte Briggs as he stood against the Oasis bar that night. On
his narrow, slightly grizzled head was an ancient brown derby hat,
several sizes too small. Around his skinny neck was a high, bat-wing
collar, plenty large enough for Napoleon to sink into up to his
generous ears, and his bosom was resplendent in a once-white,
starched bosom shirt.
He wore no vest, no necktie, and his old brown coat showed
evidences of its long vacation inside a war-bag. His overalls were
glaringly new, tucked inside a pair of high-heel boots, which emitted
an unmistakable odor of stove polish. Inside the waist-band of his
overalls, the butt of it reposing against the lower end of his shirt-
bosom, was a heavy Colt revolver.
And Napoleon Bonaparte Briggs was drunk. It was seldom that
Briggs ever came to Mesa City on a drunk, and no one had ever
seen him dressed in this manner.
‘I’m goin’ awa-a-ay, fer, fer awa-a-a-ay,’ he sang mournfully.
‘Where the swee-e-e-et swy-ring-ga bloo-o-oms.’
‘You thinkin’ of takin’ a long trip?’ asked the bartender.
Nap cuffed his derby over one eye and considered the bartender
solemnly.
‘Feller, when Napoleon Bonaparte Briggs dudes up thisaway, he’s
halfway there.’
‘Ocean voyage, Nap?’
‘Not unless there’s a cloudburst between here and Cañonville. I
aims to ride a fo’-legged hawse. Gimme another scoop of that liquor,
which tempers the wind to the shorn lamb, and charge it to the
house.’
‘Can’t do that, Nap. Jack says to make everythin’ cash until he
finds out what’s to become of this place.’
‘Become of it?’
‘Yeah, you know, since Peter Morgan died.’
‘Oh, yeah,’ sadly.
‘Have one on me.’
Napoleon considered the bartender thoughtfully as the glasses
were placed on the bar, and he saw the bartender take money from
his own pocket and put it in the till.
‘Well, here’s luck, Nap,’ said the bartender. They drank their
liquor straight, and Nap cuffed his hat to the back of his head.
‘I reckon I’ll keep you,’ he said seriously.
‘Keep me?’ queried the bartender.
‘Uh-huh. You’re kinda human. I thought at first that I’d do m’ own
bartendin’, but mebby I won’t. Now, let’s have one on me. I’ve got
money.’
Came the staccato thudding of hoofs, the rattle of spurs on the
wooden sidewalk, and in came Dave Morgan, leading the boys who
had been with him at the Lane ranch. They were all thirsty and mad,
it required two rounds of drinks before they were able to discuss the
events of the evening.
Napoleon moved to the end of the bar, standing in solitary
grandeur, as though not wishing to associate with the common herd
in his present habiliments.
‘My Gawd!’ blurted Spike Cahill, spying Napoleon. ‘There’s the
ghost of old man Briggs lookin’ over his own tombstone!’
‘Oh, to hell with him!’ snorted Dave Morgan, invigorated by the
potent liquor. ‘Let’s decide what’s to be done.’
‘And not a gun in the crowd,’ said Napoleon, noting the empty
holsters. ‘O-o-o-oh, I’m go-in’ fer, fer awa-a-ay, where the swee-e-e-
et swy-rin-ga bloo-oo-oms.’
‘What’s the idea of the boiled clothes, Nap?’ asked Spike.
‘Celebratin’ m’ releash from bondage, Spike. I’m through cookin’.’
‘No-o-o-o!’
‘Yessir. Been rasslin’ pots for the 6X6 for over twenty years, and
it’s time I retired.’
Jack Fairweather, manager of the Oasis, came in beside Dave
Morgan, nodding to each of the boys. Fairweather was a small man,
about fifty years old, who had been long in the employ of Peter
Morgan.
‘I’ve been tryin’ to get some dope on this situation,’ he told Dave.
‘Nobody seems to know just what is to be done. As far as I can find
out, Peter left no will. He never had any use for a lawyer, and they
tell me at the bank that there is no will, as far as they know. What’s
to be done?’
‘I dunno,’ growled Dave. ‘What’s usually done in a case of this
kind?’
‘Well, I suppose the property belongs to his nearest relative. You
ought to know who that would be, Dave.’
‘He didn’t have no real close relatives, Jack. His mother and
father are both dead, and he was the only kid they had. There was
just two boys in the family, my father and Pete’s father. They’re both
dead.’
‘Well, it looks as though you owned somethin’, Dave.’
‘I suppose so. As long as there’s no will——’
‘Who the hell says there ain’t?’ demanded Napoleon.
And thus Napoleon became the center of attraction. He had been
so long with the 6X6 that it might be possible he did know something
of interest. Dave Morgan glared at him, but Napoleon was too drunk
to mind a glare.
‘What are you talkin’ about?’ demanded Dave.
‘What do you know about it?’ countered Napoleon. He almost lost
his derby in giving his head a quick jerk.
‘What about a will, Nap?’ asked Fairweather.
‘Oh, thasall right,’ muttered Napoleon foolishly.
‘Did yuh ever see a will?’ asked Spike.
‘I’ve seen a lot of ’em.’
‘A lot of ’em that Peter Morgan wrote?’ asked Fairweather.

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