Texas Killers

331 Pages·2009·0.68 MB·English

by  J. T. Edson

EDSON
J.T.
TEXAS
KILLERS
For Ann and Kate, from myself and my koi
carp, “Sydeny,” who says they can jump into
his fishpond again any time
Contents
Author’s Note v
Chapter 1
He’ll Kill You If You Do 1
Chapter 2
He’ll Come Looking for You-All 23
Chapter 3
I Thought He Meant to Kill You 23
Chapter 4
We Don’t Need “Clint” to Kill Rudolph 61
Chapter 5
You Could’ve Got Me Killed 77
Chapter 6
We Will Pay You More 95
Chapter 7
Only He and the Corpse were Present 117
Chapter 8
That Knife Wasn’t Aimed at Me 135
Chapter 9
He Might Not Be Dead 155
Chapter 10
Doesn’t He Ever Shoot Anybody 171
Chapter 11
I Know Who You’re Not 191
Chapter 12
Or Should I Say “Dusty Fog”? 213
Chapter 13
Hunting Can Be Dangerous 235
Chapter 14
You’re Still Alive 255
Chapter 15
If I’m Wrong, I’ll Get Hell 269
Chapter 16
You Hired Beguinage 291
Appendix 1 305
Appendix 2 309
Appendix 3 313
Appendix 4 319
About the Author
Other Books by J.T. Edson
Cover
Copyright
About the Publisher
Author’s note: As the records given to me by Alvin
Dustine “Cap” Fog referring to this portion of his
grandfather’s career were too extensive to be cov-
ered in a single volume, while complete in itself,
this book follows on from the events recorded in
Beguinage.
Once again, for the benefit of new readers and
to save my old hands from repetition, I have given
the relevant details of the floating outfit’s back-
grounds and special qualifications in the form of
appendices.
J. T. Edson,
Active Member,
Western Writers of America,
Melton Mowbray,
Leics., England.

Chapter 1
HE’LL KILL YOU IF YOU DO
5 %
“In the name and authority of
THE STATE OF TEXAS
To all to whom these presents shall come
GREETING:
CAPTAIN DUSTINE EDWARD
MARSDEN FOG
Texas Light Cavalry, C.S.A., Rtd.,
is hereby commissioned by us to act as bodyguard
and protector for our distinguished foreign visitor:
CROWN PRINCE RUDOLPH OF
BOSGRAVNIA
As it is known that conspirators are plotting
against the life of our distinguished visitor and it is
essential that his safety be assured at all costs, Cap-
J. T. Edson
2
tain Fog is therefore authorized to pose as an out-
law and, without prejudice to his honor and good
name, to consort with known or suspected crimi-
nals in the execution of this commission.
By virtue of the authority granted through my
office, I, Stanton Howard, do hereby command all
law enforcement agencies within the boundaries of
the Sovereign State of Texas to afford any and
every assistance Captain Fog may request in the
commission of this assignment.
In testimony thereof, I have hereunto signed my
name and caused to be affixed the Seal of State at
the city of Brownsville, Cameron County, Texas,
1
this 16th day of June, A.D. 1875
STANTON HOWARD,
Governor.”
Having read through the pronouncement,
mouthing some of the longer words half audibly,
Town Marshal Benjamin Digbry shoved back his
round-topped brown hat to scratch his head and
looked in a puzzled fashion at the man who had
handed the notice to him. It was a most impres-
1. Although this is the date supplied by Alvin Dustine “Cap”Fog,the au-
thor must state that it may be incorrect. The falsification would have been
carried out to avoid possible embarrassment to the descendants of certain
people,whose names have also been changed,who are believed to have
died more honorably than is recorded.—J.T.E.
Texas Killers
3
sively worded and official seeming document.
However, in spite of its solemn content, it had been
folded to just wider than the two inches’ diameter
of the imposing cogged-edged, embossed gold leaf
Seal of State attached (when it was fully open) to
the bottom right-hand corner.
Although Digbry was the head of the municipal
law enforcement agency of what was fast becoming
the major seaport of Texas, Corpus Christie, he was
neither too intelligent nor efficient in the perform-
ance of his duties. Rather he held his appointment by
virtue of his skill in a roughhouse brawl, and because
his ability at handling a gun was more than the local
average. Such qualities were proving no use whatso-
ever in the present circumstances. Taking his hand
from his head, its scratching having done nothing to
help him find a solution to his dilemma, he wiped his
fingers on the trouser leg of his brown suit. Having
done so, he tugged at the unaccustomed collar and
necktie with no more beneficial results.
Middle-aged, tall, burly, heavily mustached and
surly featured, the peace officer looked as ill at
ease as he was feeling. Just as he was about to leave
for an important social function, he had received a
summons in the name of a person whom it would
have been most impolitic of him to ignore. Arriv-
ing at the Edgehurst Warehouse as required, he