The Colt clipped the sentence and the man’s other ear.
“You can put in your order now for them earrings we were mentionin’, Mr. Deadeasy. You see, I had to puncture this one so folks would know they were mates.”
“I’ll put you in the pen for this,” the fellow whined, in terror.
“Funny how you will get off the subject. We were discussin’ an apology when you got to wandering in yore haid.”
The mottled face showed white in patches. Beads of perspiration stood out on the forehead of Hardman. “I didn’t aim to hurt him any. I’ll be right glad to explain to you—”
A bullet plowed a path through the long hair that fell to the showman’s shoulders and snipped a lock from it.
“You don’t need to explain a thing to me, seh. I’m sure resting easy in my mind. But as you were about to re-mark you’re fair honin’ for a chance to ask the kid’s pardon. Now, ain’t I a mind reader, seh?”
A trembling voice stammered huskily an apology.
“Better late than too late. Now, I’ve a good mind to take a vote whether I’d better unload the rest of the pills in this old reliable medicine box at you. Mebbe I ought to pump one into that coyote heart of yours.”
The fellow went livid. “My God, you wouldn’t kill an unarmed man, would you?”