“Look here, Rathburn, there’s no use in you an’ me being on the outs,” he said in an undertone. “We’ve got something in common.”
“You’ve made a mistake already,” Rathburn interrupted sharply. “We haven’t a thing in common I know of, Eagen, unless it’s a gun apiece.”
“Maybe you think that’s all we need,” said Eagen hoarsely; “an’ if that’s the way you feel you won’t find me backin’ down when you start something. Just now I ain’t forgetting that crazy fool with that rifle up there.”
“You didn’t come here for a gun play, Eagen,” said Rathburn. “You ain’t plumb loco every way. I take it you saw me makin’ for this place an’ followed me here. What do you want?”
“I want to talk business,” said Eagen with a hopeful note in his voice; “but you won’t let me get started.”
“An’ I won’t have dealings with you,” said Rathburn crisply.
“That’s what you think,” sneered Eagen. “But you’re in a tight corner, an’ we can help you out. Long said to-day, I heard just now, that he’d put every deputy he had an’ every man he could swear in as a special on your trail, and he’d get you.”
“The thing that I can’t see,” drawled Rathburn, 203 “is what that’s got to do with you. I suppose you’re here as a missionary to tip me off. Thanks.”
Eagen had calmed down. He stepped closer to Rathburn and spoke in a low tone.
“Here’s the lay: They’re after you, an’ they’re after us. I know you’re no stool pigeon, an’ I know I ain’t takin’ a chance when I tell you that we’ve got a big job comin’ up––one that’ll get us a pretty roll. It takes nerve to pull it off, even though certain things will make it easier. You might just as well be in on it. You can make it a last job an’ blow these parts for good. You don’t have to come in, of course; but it’ll be worth your while. You’ve got the name, an’ you might as well have what goes with it. I’ll let you head the outfit an’ shoot square all the way.”