Doctor Who_ The Gunfighters - Donald Cotton [20]
Whereupon, having heard all about him and his widely reported unsavoury ways, she fainted.
Well, such things happen – and having urgent business of his own to attend to, Doc, with a muttered imprecation bearing on the generally unreliable nature of women, stepped over her heaving form, and emerged onto the landing; where he was just in time to witness the arrival of his understudy in the bar-room below.
‘One more time, boys,’ Kate was saying. ‘We’ll take it from the top – an’ try to remember that, for a red-blooded American, this song’s kinda holy! So let’s have a little damn reverence, shall we?’
But the Doctor, who had by now reached the bar unnoticed, was already applauding.
‘Not at all,’ he said. ‘In my opinion that was an admirable rendition! Very well played, Steven, my boy!
And I must say, Miss Elder, that for a dentist’s receptionist, you sing most attractively. Bravo! What a stirring tune, to be sure!’
The boys were duly stirred, and wheeled rapidly on their heels to prove it. And to say they were also disconcerted is to put it mildly. I mean, it’s one thing to gun a man down when he’s negotiating a swing-door, and his hands are busy about it; but it’s quite another to find him with his back against the bar, a monographed, low-slung six-gun, as they noticed, available for action, and when your own hands are occupied in clutching your head-gear over your patriotic heart. Where it wouldn’t afford a deal of protection, when it came to the call!
No, sir! This needed thought. Especially as Steven and Kate were now behind them... Well, the best laid schemes, as they say...
Seth was the first to speak. Because it was he, after all, who had set up the arrangement, and he was duly proud of himself.
‘Boys,’ he said, with the air of a conjuror producing a horned toad from his hat; ‘I’d like for you to meet the great Doc!’
‘Thanks,’ they muttered, grimly. They were going to take this up with him later...
The Doctor demurred. ‘Oh, you flatter me there, I’m afraid. Reasonably accomplished, perhaps, but hardly
"great". No, I can’t allow that at all! Now, I believe, Mr Harper, that you were so kind as to invite me for a drink?
And I must say, that after my recent experience, I would be extremely grateful for a glass of milk...’
This had the obvious effect of making them mistrust their ears. They were thrown, as the saying is, like steers in a stew-pond!
‘Whatever’s your pleasure, Doc,’ said Charlie, affably –
but wondering where in hell he’d find a glass of milk at this time of night. The cat, perhaps, might be of assistance in the matter. He went hurriedly to find out.
‘What we really want, Doc, is a little talk,’ interjected Ike, recapturing the initiative with some difficulty. ‘A little talk about our brother, Reuben,’ he explained further.
‘Dear me! Is he in some sort of trouble?’
‘You could say that,’ agreed Phineas.
‘On account he’s dead,’ contributed Billy. ‘Dead as a coffin nail in a gallows-tree!’
‘Well, I am extremely distressed to hear it,’ sympathised the Doctor. ‘What can I say? At a time like this, it is sometimes difficult to find the right words...’
‘No, it ain’t!’ contradicted Ike, rudely. ‘Not if a man’s prepared to crawl, and say as he’s truly sorry...’
‘I believe I’ve already said so? But as to crawling... Oh, dear me, no! I can only venture to add, that perhaps his name will continue to live?’
‘Surely will,’ breathed Ike, ‘on account it’s Clanton!’
‘We’re the Clanton boys,’ explained Phineas, justifying their interest.
‘Oh dear!’ said the Doctor.
‘So you got it straight now?’ asked Seth.
‘You’ve heard of us, maybe?’ asked Billy.
‘Oh, indeed I have,’ admitted the Doctor. ‘And of course of your father, the popular mayoral candidate. Yes, you are extremely well known... Ahem! Steven, my boy, I really think we should be going...’
Steven was the first to agree. But, on the other hand...
‘But you ain’t even drunk your nice milk yet,’ Ike pointed out. ‘An’ Charlie’s put himself out to go an’ find some. Now, that ain’t friendly... Also, it is inconsiderate!’
‘Nevertheless,