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Page 406

| ing back in my life." He brushed his feeble hand across his bald head. "My grandson will do that for me." |

| "You're sure he's your grandson?" the stranger questioned. "How do you know that his grandmother didn't shack up with everything on two legs, like his mother?" |

| "I knew her well," the crippled man said. "And I know that she only had eyes for me." He looked down at his lifeless legs, then sidewise at his twisted back. "At one time in my life, I could've had any woman I wanted. My choice was a woman with dark skin." |

| He lifted the reins and gave the stranger a determined look. "I'll be waiting in the shadows over there for Crispin to leave the pub," he said. "And if it will make you feel better, you have my permission to follow once we head for the outback. I'm not daft. I know the dangers of traveling alone in my condition." |

| The crippled man frowned at the stranger. "In fact, I'm glad you're taggin' along in case I need you," he said. "If the child isn't handed over to meby damn, I'll send you in to take it." |

| The stranger gave the crippled man a smile and a nod, then swung himself up into his saddle and rode away. He positioned himself between two buildings and watched for Crispin to leave York's Pub. |

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