Read Online Kill McAllister by Matt Chisholm - Free Book Online Page A

After that he lowered himself carefully and painfully to the chair for a rest, all the time listening for the sounds of anybody moving about the house. He heard nothing. If madame was a singer, that meant she went to bed late and rose late. That suited him.
    He got his strength up again, eased himself to his feet and pulled on his shirt. This was living hell; he sweated, cursed and winced, glad that there was nobody here to see him making a fool of himself. Getting into his pants was even worse, but when he had them on he felt so triumphant that he could have shouted with joy. His boots stumped him. He tried and tried again, but he couldn’t get them on. Finally, he was forced to stamp his feet into them. While he was doing this, the door flew open and Millie appeared. She looked so mad that for a moment she had him cowered.
    â€œMr. McAllister I What in heaven’s name do you think you’re doing, sir?”
    â€œJust climbin’ into my duds, ma’am, is all.”
    â€œThen you can just climb out of them again.”
    â€œCan’t be done. I’ve got to see a man.”
    Another female figure appeared in the doorway. This was Nellie Stein in a silk dressing-gown, hair in curlers, but still managing to look vital and beautiful.
    â€œWhat’s this, Millie?” she demanded, aghast.
    â€œMr. McAllister seems to think he’s going, ma’am.”
    â€œThen he may think again.” Mistress looked as mad as the maid. “Get back into bed this instant, sir.”
    â€œLadies,” McAllister declared, “you sure got me scared an’ no mistake, but it don’t make no difference. I got a friend in trouble an’ I’ve got to be there when it happens. You’d do the same in my boots. Wouldn’t you now?”
    Nellie Stein said: “At the moment, I am concerned with your welfare, Mr. McAllister.”
    â€œCall me Rem.”
    Both ladies toosed their heads. They came bustling over to him, one on either side and tried to force him out of the chair back to the bed.
    â€œLook out,” McAllister cried. “You’re so strong, you moved a rib.”
    They jumped back in horror.
    â€œMillie,” Miss Stein said, “run and get Mr. Malloy. Perhaps he can make this foolish young man see some sense.”
    Millie ran out without a word.
    McAllister found his gun and strapped it on.
    Miss Stein’s eyes snapped with temper.
    â€œDid Millie tell you my story, ma’am?” McAllister asked.
    â€œYes, she did, but that doesn’t make any difference.”
    â€œYou ain’t the kind to let a friend down, Nellie.”
    She softened suddenly.
    â€œI don’t want you to let your friend down, Mr. McAllister,” she said. “It’s just that if you get on a horse you’re liable to kill yourself. See it from our point of view. We—”
    â€œI know, you saved my life an’, believe me, I’m grateful. If there’s ever anythin’ I can do for you … you name it. But right now, I have to ride. Look, ma’am, if I stayed here while my friends were bein’ killed, you savin’ me wouldn’t amount to a row of beans. Can’t you see that?”
    She sat down. She looked near to tears. McAllister thought he was starting to win.
    â€œI can see that. If I were a man, that is how I should feel.”
    â€œThen you be a real angel. Rustle me up some grub an’ I’ll be on my way.”
    â€œBut you’ll be careful. Promise me that.”
    â€œPromise. I’m always careful. Now, the grub, ma’am.”
    She stood.
    â€œVery well. I suspect I’m doing wrong, but you leave me no alternative.” She went out of the room and McAllister walked up and down to test his strength. He didn’t feel like wrestling a longhorn, but he felt better than he would have thought possible yesterday. After a while, Nellie Stein came back with a parcel in her hands. On her heels