have paid ten dollars to see that punch too.”
The anger faded, and he looked like an eight-year-old boy caught by a schoolmarm while doing something rotten to the little girl sitting in front of him. Sharp smiled wanly. “Steve, I’m sorry I ruined yer plans.”
I was sorry too, but I realized I wasn’t blameless. This venture had always been about finding a man Sharp hated. Now that the inevitable had happened, I couldn’t heap all the blame on my friend. Besides, everything had happened so fast, Campbell probably didn’t know we were together, so I would just have to work him alone. I hadn’t been looking for a lot of help from Sharp for this phase anyway.
I put my hand on his shoulder and squeezed lightly. “Don’t worry. We’ll figure something out … but tomorrow. Tonight, I’m bone tired.”
“ Ya know, if Campbell’s that broke, he probably already sold those shares. Edison Electric Light Company ain’t exactly a secret.”
“ Not many believe the story. To most people, power comes from steam or rushing water, and it’s used to move things like locomotives or textile looms. People can’t imagine electricity creating light. No … I don’t think he would find many buyers on the frontier. Besides, he’s maneuvering Governor Frémont to get the investigations dropped. He’d gamble everything he’s got except those shares. I’m sure he’d keep them for his triumphant return to New York.”
I really was tired and wanted to sleep on a soft mattress for the first time in over a week. I said good night and walked toward the door. Sharp stood and walked a pace behind me. I thought he was escorting me out, but then he stepped into the hall and turned toward the stairs.
“ Where are you headed?” I asked.
“ Saloon.” He must have seen something on my face because he quickly added, “I’m just goin’ down to buy a bottle for my room.”
“ Do me a favor, don’t make any more trouble.”
Sharp laughed. “Trouble is the furthest thing from my mind.”
Chapter 10
I woke before sunrise but felt well rested. After washing my face and brushing my teeth, I stuck my head out the window to see what the weather was like. A brisk breeze tousled my hair, but the sky was crystal clear with the deep iridescent blue of a pending sunrise. It was going to be a grand day.
After dressing, I grabbed Roughing It and ran down the outdoor staircase that led to an alley behind the Palace. My lifelong practice had been to read while I ate my morning meal. On the ride from Nevada, we ate breakfast in the saddle, so I was looking forward to getting back to old habits.
As I entered the Palace through a rear door, I saw that they had covered a few tables with gingham cloth, and a couple of early-rising patrons were eating food that smelled terrific. As soon as I chose a table, a buxom, matronly lady came over, wiping her hands on her apron.
“ Good morning, gent. Coffee?”
“ Yes, ma’am.”
Before I asked what was on the menu, she was gone, but she returned in quick order with a hot coffeepot she held with the bottom of her apron. She expertly filled a blue enameled mug already sitting on the table. After pouring, she said without preamble, “Steak and eggs, chop and eggs, oatmeal, mush, flapjacks. What’ll it be?”
“ Flapjacks, chop, and eggs. All together.”
Without a word, she whirled and, barely breaking stride, filled two more coffee cups on her way to the kitchen.
In less than ten minutes and four pages of my book, she returned with two plates, sliding them in front of me without the slightest clatter. Then she reached into her apron pocket and handed me a cloth napkin wrapped around my tableware.
“ How’s that look, gent?” she asked with a smile and both hands on her hips.
“ Perfect,” I answered.
“ Well, you enjoy yourself.” And she was off to another table, wiping her hands on her all-purpose apron.
I unwrapped the napkin to find a fork and a knife for the
The anger faded, and he looked like an eight-year-old boy caught by a schoolmarm while doing something rotten to the little girl sitting in front of him. Sharp smiled wanly. “Steve, I’m sorry I ruined yer plans.”
I was sorry too, but I realized I wasn’t blameless. This venture had always been about finding a man Sharp hated. Now that the inevitable had happened, I couldn’t heap all the blame on my friend. Besides, everything had happened so fast, Campbell probably didn’t know we were together, so I would just have to work him alone. I hadn’t been looking for a lot of help from Sharp for this phase anyway.
I put my hand on his shoulder and squeezed lightly. “Don’t worry. We’ll figure something out … but tomorrow. Tonight, I’m bone tired.”
“ Ya know, if Campbell’s that broke, he probably already sold those shares. Edison Electric Light Company ain’t exactly a secret.”
“ Not many believe the story. To most people, power comes from steam or rushing water, and it’s used to move things like locomotives or textile looms. People can’t imagine electricity creating light. No … I don’t think he would find many buyers on the frontier. Besides, he’s maneuvering Governor Frémont to get the investigations dropped. He’d gamble everything he’s got except those shares. I’m sure he’d keep them for his triumphant return to New York.”
I really was tired and wanted to sleep on a soft mattress for the first time in over a week. I said good night and walked toward the door. Sharp stood and walked a pace behind me. I thought he was escorting me out, but then he stepped into the hall and turned toward the stairs.
“ Where are you headed?” I asked.
“ Saloon.” He must have seen something on my face because he quickly added, “I’m just goin’ down to buy a bottle for my room.”
“ Do me a favor, don’t make any more trouble.”
Sharp laughed. “Trouble is the furthest thing from my mind.”
Chapter 10
I woke before sunrise but felt well rested. After washing my face and brushing my teeth, I stuck my head out the window to see what the weather was like. A brisk breeze tousled my hair, but the sky was crystal clear with the deep iridescent blue of a pending sunrise. It was going to be a grand day.
After dressing, I grabbed Roughing It and ran down the outdoor staircase that led to an alley behind the Palace. My lifelong practice had been to read while I ate my morning meal. On the ride from Nevada, we ate breakfast in the saddle, so I was looking forward to getting back to old habits.
As I entered the Palace through a rear door, I saw that they had covered a few tables with gingham cloth, and a couple of early-rising patrons were eating food that smelled terrific. As soon as I chose a table, a buxom, matronly lady came over, wiping her hands on her apron.
“ Good morning, gent. Coffee?”
“ Yes, ma’am.”
Before I asked what was on the menu, she was gone, but she returned in quick order with a hot coffeepot she held with the bottom of her apron. She expertly filled a blue enameled mug already sitting on the table. After pouring, she said without preamble, “Steak and eggs, chop and eggs, oatmeal, mush, flapjacks. What’ll it be?”
“ Flapjacks, chop, and eggs. All together.”
Without a word, she whirled and, barely breaking stride, filled two more coffee cups on her way to the kitchen.
In less than ten minutes and four pages of my book, she returned with two plates, sliding them in front of me without the slightest clatter. Then she reached into her apron pocket and handed me a cloth napkin wrapped around my tableware.
“ How’s that look, gent?” she asked with a smile and both hands on her hips.
“ Perfect,” I answered.
“ Well, you enjoy yourself.” And she was off to another table, wiping her hands on her all-purpose apron.
I unwrapped the napkin to find a fork and a knife for the
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