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A hobo jungle, like any town or city, had neighborhoods whose boundaries were clear in the residents’ minds Some areas were friendly, some safer than others Downstream, farthest from the tracks, where the creek veered to join the Weber River, was a section best visited arave way to take or be taken

The Wrecker headed there fearlessly He was at home in outlaw land Yet even he loosened the knife in his boot and moved his pistol from a deep pocket of his canvas coat to his waistband, where he could draw it quickly Despite the absence of ca constantly by pierced the night with their headlights, and the thin snow cover reflected the golden glow froht Pullht the Wrecker saw a hunched shadow shivering beside a tree, both hands in pockets

“Sharpton,” he called in a harsh voice, and Sharpton answered, “Right here, mister”

“Put your hands where I can see them,” commanded the Wrecker

Sharpton obeyed, partly because the Wrecker was paying money for service and partly out of fear A bank and train robber who had served tierous hombre when he met one He had never seen his face They had only met once before, when the Wrecker had tracked Sharpton down and braced him in the alley behind the livery stable where he rented a roo side of the law his entire life and knew they did not come more deadly than this one

“Did you find your man?” the Wrecker asked

“He’ll do the job for a thousand dollars,” Sharpton answered

“Give him five hundred down Make him come back for the second half after he has done the job”

“What’s to keep hi off with the first five hundred? Found money, no risk”

“What will prevent hi that you will hunt him down and kill him Can you make that clear to him?”

Sharpton chuckled in the dark “Oh yes Besides, he’s not that tough anymore He’ll do as he’s told”

“Take this,” said the Wrecker

Sharpton felt the package with his fingers “This isn’t money”

“You’ll have the money in a minute This is the fuse I want him to use”

“Youwhy?”