Sheriff -

Sheriff Boone got the news from old Mrs. Hendricks, who ran the telegraph office and whose hearing was so sharp she could eavesdrop on a whisper from two blocks away. "Elias," she said, clutching her shawl like a shield, "he's got a star. A real one. Says he's been sent by the governor to clean up this town."

The saloon held its breath. The stranger's fingers twitched. For a long, terrible second, the air between the two men seemed to crystallize, sharp as shattered glass. Sheriff

The stranger's smile finally faded. His hand tightened on his revolver. "You giving me a speech, old man?" Sheriff Boone got the news from old Mrs

Clive the bartender let out a breath he seemed to have been holding since Tuesday began. "Sheriff," he said, "how did you know he was lying?" A real one