James said, “No, it ain’t Comanches. It’s the Oldham brothers.” Rusty’s worried look told Andy that the name Oldham had a dark con-notation. Rusty picked up the rifle, flinching at the pain in his burned hand. He seemed to debate with himself about whether to stand the weapon back in the corner. He said, “Maybe they’ve come to realize that I was forced into what I did. Maybe if I don’t have a gun in my hand this time, I won’t need one.”

James warned darkly, “I doubt they’ve realized a damned thing. They’re bullheaded, ignorant, and mean as snakes.” He lifted his own rifle from its pegs atop the fireplace. “At least step back into the bedroom out of sight ‘til I take the measure of their temper.” He did not have to check his rifle. He kept it loaded all the time.

Andy could not remember hearing anyone mention the name Oldham before. He looked at Josie, hoping she might explain, but she only stared in silence at the front door, fear in her eyes.

“Who the Oldhams?” he asked.

She shook her head, bidding him to silence. He turned to watch the door. Boots struck heavily on the porch, and a large man entered the room. He had a rough face that reminded Andy of a defiant Apache captive he had seen once. A smaller man followed. He had but one arm, his right sleeve pinned below the shoulder.

The two men stopped. The larger one looked in surprise at James’s rifle. “What’s the matter, Monahan? A man’d think we’re horse thieves or somethin’.”

He carried a pistol in a leather holster high on his right hip. The smaller man wore one on the left side.

James considered before he answered, “I knew who you were when I saw you ride in, Clyde. What I don’t know is why you’re here.”

“Just passin’ through the country. Thought we’d sleep in your barn or under your shed tonight. Looks like it figures on rainin’.”

James thought again. “Ordinarily we wouldn’t turn anybody out to sleep in the rain, but this ain’t an ordinary situation. I want you-all to take off them pistols and hand them to my granddaddy”

Clyde Oldham blinked in astonishment, resisting a moment, then giving in. “Never heard of such a thing.” He unbuckled his belt and handed the weapon to Vince Purdy. The one-armed man held out until Purdy extended his hand.

Clyde complained, “We’ve visited better houses than this, and nobody ever told us to hand over our guns.”

James said, “We want to head off trouble before it can start. You-all ain’t the only guests we’ve got. Come on out, Rusty.”