“Well, that’s pretty interesting!” commented Frank, with a slight show of scorn. “So the law-abiding citizens of Carrolton permit the ruffian to run things just as he pleases?” “Yes.” “That’s strange.” “He’s armed. He carries two pistols all the time.” “What of that?” “And he can shoot.” “Well?” “He went into a saloon the night he got home and shot the necks off all the bottles in sight, ending by shooting out the lights.” “And nobody arrested him for that trick? Well, this fellow must be regarded as a bad man from Bitter Creek.” “That’s what he calls himself.” “I think he needs to be curried down.” “There ain’t nobody here dares tackle the job. He gets drunk and shoots out windows in houses, and has a great time.” “I should think they’d bind him over to keep the peace.” “They don’t want to try it. He’s going back to New Mexico pretty soon, and as long as he don’t do any great damage they’ll keep still while he’s here and pray for him to go. He’ll be furious when he hears Joe’s story. There’ll be the dickens to pay!” “Well, I don’t like to have trouble with anybody,” admitted Frank, with a slight show of regret; “but I couldn’t let that young fellow smash up my scenery. Why do you have him round the theater?” “He’s a good worker, and the managers are the ones who hire him. I don’t have anything to do with that. You had better go away, Mr. Merriwell.” “Go away?” “Yes, before he comes back with Sam.” “Why?” “So they will not find you.” “What? Do you want me to run away? Is that it?” “It will be a discreet thing for you to do.” “And cowardly.” “Nobody is regarded as a coward for trying to avoid trouble with Sam Hooker. People say anybody who won’t get out of the way and let him alone is a fool.” “I shall not run away from Mr. Hooker.” “Remember he carries pistols.” “It doesn’t make any difference if he carries cannons. Go ahead with the work of putting in my scenery. I shall stay here till the last piece is in.” “That’s all right, Frank,” said Ephraim; “but there ain’t no need of yeou gittin’ chawed up by this pirut. I an’ Wynne’ll stay here ter look aout fer the stuff, an’ yeou better go to the hotel.” Frank regarded Gallup with astonishment. “Well, by Jove!” he exclaimed. “That beats! I didn’t think I’d hear anything like that from you!” The Vermonter reddened a little. “Darn it!” he cried. “There ain’t no reason why yeou shouldn’t be keerful. That ain’t bein’ a coward.” “Of course not,” hastily put in Sawyer, the local stage manager. “Didn’t I tell you nobody is regarded as cowardly for attempting to avoid trouble with Sam Hooker.” “Still, I should feel that I was running away.” “That’s better than having your head broken. If you stay here and wait for Sam Hooker, you won’t play to-night.” “Think not?” “I know it. He’ll put you out of shape. They say he knocked down old Dorman’s bull with one blow of his fist.”