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There was a slight twist of his thin mouth “I suppose the duke passed that information on to you All I know is, sheshe’d had with Benteen in her hotel suite That was soured out

“Unless you’re at her beck and call every ested “The task I’d like you to do for me won’t take you more than a day or two”

“What is this ‘task’?”

“I understand you know aEd Sallie” He leaned forward to leisurely tap the ash froar

A quick frown chased across his forehead as Bull Giles glanced from Boston to Loman Janes and back “Yeah, I know him What about it?”

“I want you to contact this Sallie and arrange abetween him and Mr Janes”

There was a narrowing of his eyes as he demanded, “Why?”

“I don’t see that it’s any of your business,” Boston replied, but he sensed that Giles wouldn’t cooperate unless he was given a logical reason why he wanted the“Actually, it’s a simple matter of bribery As I understand, if anyone has influence over the Indians, it’s Big Ed Sallie and his bunch of white renegades up on the Missouri I’ Janes will be able to persuade hi the Ten Bar”

“Is that all?” Giles questioned

“That’s a great deal, if it can be acco?”

“I can’t guarantee it It’s been a while since I’ve seen Big Ed But I’ll give it a try,” Giles agreed

“This agreement is just between us, of course Strictly private” Boston wanted it understood that Giles wasn’t to mention it to anyone else

“I can see that it wouldn’t work if every rancher tried to buy off Big Ed No one’s got that oing to take somebody’s cattle”

“Probably Calder’s,” Boston said “Does that bother you?”

“No Why should it?” Giles lifted his head to a challenging angle, denying that he had any special interest for the Triple C or its mistress