re discussing it wherever they met; in Coldriver they were
speculating on the possible results, the same in the railroad towns;
across the Idaho line and south into Utah it was the topic of the day.
And the single patron of Brill's store found the same question
uppermost in his mind.

Carson was one of the many who were neither wholly good nor hopelessly
bad, one who had drifted with the easy current of the middle course.
And he was wondering if that middle course would continue to prove
safe. He played solitaire to pass the time. His horse and saddle had
been lost in a stud-poker game just prior to his catching the stage to
Brill's, where his credit had always been good. He rose, stretched and
accosted Brill.

"Put me down for a quart," he said.

"Whenever you put down the cash," Brill returned.

"What's the matter with my credit?" Carson demanded. "I've always
paid."

Brill reached for a book, opened it and slid it on to the bar. He
flipped the pages and indicated a number of accounts ruled off with red
ink.

"So did Harper," he said. "He always paid; and Canfield--and Magill;
these others too. Their credit was good but they've all gone
somewheres I can't follow to collect. And they was owing me." He
tapped a double account.

"Bangs was into me a little. Old Rile paid up for him and then got it
in his turn--with his name down for a hundred on my books. Harris and
Billie Warren paid up for Rile. Now just whoever do you surmise will
pay up for you?"

"Me?" Carson inquired. "Why, I ain't dead. I'm clear alive."

"So was they when I charged those accounts," Brill said. "But it looks
like stormy days ahead. I sell for cash."

"I'm not on this death list, if that's what you're referring to,"
Carson announced.

"But it's easy to get enrolled," Brill said. "Your name's liable to
show up on it any time. Seen Lang in the last few days?"

"Not in the last few months," Carson stated. "Nor yet in the next few
years. He's no friend of mine."

"I sort of remember you used to be right comradely," Brill remarked.

"That's before I really knowed Lang intimate," Carson said. "He didn't
strike me as such a bad sort at first; but now he's going too strong.
Folks are getting plum down on him."

"What you mean is that folks who used to be friendly are growing spooky
about getting their own names on that list," Brill said. "That's what
has opened their eyes."

"Maybe so," the thirsty man confessed.